One of the first questions that most people ask when it comes to applying to a nursing programme in the United States will be which entrance exam they should take. The majority of nursing school applicants will have to choose between the TEAS vs HESI Exam. These are both used extensively at nursing schools and allied health programs in all over the country. Both assess core academic skills on topics related to each other. Each of them is important to admissions at the institutions that require them.
However, a student consistently asks before getting ready for either — but which one is harder? The only answer that can be given is it depends on the student, his or her academic history, and the particular nursing program being sought. However, it’s not quite that straightforward — there’s even more complexity to the two exams than meets the eye, and a detailed understanding of the distinctions between the two will make it easier for you to prepare for whichever one is on the horizon between you and a place at nursing school. Understanding the TEAS vs HESI Exam comparison in detail is the first step toward choosing the right preparation strategy.
What is the TEAS Exam?
Before we get into TEAS vs HESI Exam, lets dive deep into what they’re. TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is created and managed by ATI testing. ATI TEAS 7 is the latest version of ATI, released in 2022. A standardized test that nursing and allied health programmes use to determine if a candidate has the functional skills needed by the programme before they are admitted.
The TEAS 7 consists of 170 questions organized into four parts: Reading, Mathematics, Science and English and Language Usage. There are 170 questions, of which 150 count for a score and 20 are pilot questions (unscored) that will be unknown to you during the actual test. Total Testing Time: 3 hours and 29 minutes.
TEAS Score Breakdown:
| Section | Questions | Time |
| Reading | 45 | 55 minutes |
| Mathematics | 38 | 57 minutes |
| Science | 50 | 60 minutes |
| English and Language Usage | 37 | 37 minutes |
Scores are reported as a percentage and most nursing schools look for a minimum composite score somewhere between 60 and 75 percent — though competitive programme often expect significantly higher.
What is the HESI Exam?
The HESI — Health Education Systems Incorporated — exam is developed by Elsevier and is formally known as the HESI A2, with A2 standing for Admission Assessment. Like the TEAS, it is used by nursing schools to evaluate applicants before admission — but it gives individual institutions significantly more flexibility in how it is administered.
Unlike the TEAS, which has a fixed section structure, the HESI A2 allows nursing schools to choose which sections they require applicants to complete. Some schools require all sections. Others only require a selection. The full HESI A2 can include up to eight academic sections plus a Learning Style and Personality Profile component. Any thorough TEAS vs HESI Exam breakdown needs to account for this flexibility, since no two students may sit the exact same version of the HESI.
HESI A2 Possible Sections:
| Section | Questions |
| Mathematics | 55 |
| Reading Comprehension | 47 |
| Vocabulary and General Knowledge | 50 |
| Grammar | 50 |
| Biology | 30 |
| Chemistry | 30 |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 30 |
| Physics | 25 |
Each section is timed separately and scores are reported as percentages. Most nursing schools set a minimum passing score of 75 to 80 percent per section — though again competitive programmes set their own thresholds.
TEAS vs HESI Exam— The Core Differences
Structure and Flexibility: The TEAS has a fixed structure — every student who takes it sits the same four sections in the same format. The HESI gives schools flexibility — so the exam you sit depends entirely on which sections your specific nursing school has chosen to require. This makes the HESI harder to generalize because the experience varies significantly from one institution to another.
Science Content: This is where the two exams differ most significantly. The TEAS Science section covers human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning — all within one 50-question section under time pressure. The HESI separates science into distinct sections — Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and sometimes Physics — each assessed individually. Students who struggle with science often find the HESI more demanding overall because of the sheer volume of science content it can include when all sections are required.
Mathematics: Both exams test mathematics at a similar level — covering arithmetic, fractions, ratios, algebra, unit conversions, and data interpretation. The HESI Mathematics section is slightly larger at 55 questions compared to the TEAS at 38 questions. Both allow a basic calculator for some questions. Most students find the mathematics sections of both exams manageable with structured preparation.
Vocabulary: The HESI has a Vocabulary and General Knowledge area. It checks medical terms and other school vocabulary in a direct way. The TEAS does not offer a separate vocabulary block. On the TEAS, you learn vocabulary through the Reading and English parts. If you already know medical words, the HESI items may feel easier. If you are still new to healthcare terms, this part can feel harder.
Grammar: For grammar, the HESI also includes a separate section. It focuses on set grammar rules and how sentences are built. The TEAS handles grammar inside its wider English and Language Usage area. If formal grammar rules are tough for you, the HESI Grammar section may be more difficult than the TEAS coverage of the same kind of skills.
TEAS vs HESI Exam Which Nursing Entrance Test Is Tougher?
Based on student feedback, preparation resources, and pass rate data the honest answer is that neither exam is definitively harder than the other — but they are harder in different ways for different students.
Students who struggle with science tend to find the HESI more difficult — particularly when their nursing school requires all science sections including Chemistry and Physics. The HESI can demand a significantly broader range of science knowledge than the TEAS when administered in full.
Students who struggle with time pressure under a single timed sitting tend to find the TEAS more difficult — because the TEAS is administered as one continuous exam rather than the section-by-section approach of the HESI where each component is timed individually. Sometime they even seek help asking “Can I pay someone to take my TEAS exam.”
Students with strong vocabulary and grammar foundations often find the HESI more straightforward in those areas because they are tested directly rather than embedded within broader sections. Students who are less confident in formal grammar and academic vocabulary may find those dedicated HESI sections more challenging than the equivalent content within the TEAS. When you weigh the TEAS vs HESI Exam side by side like this, it becomes clear that “harder” really depends on where your own academic strengths lie.
TEAS vs HESI Exam Pass Rates What Do the Numbers Say?
While official national pass rate data for both exams is not publicly released in detail available research and nursing school data suggests the following general patterns.
The average TEAS composite score among test-takers sits around 65 to 70 percent — meaning a significant proportion of students score below the competitive threshold most nursing schools prefer. The Science section consistently produces the lowest average scores across all test-takers. Still, students can succeed on the TEAS exam with focused preparation, targeted practice, and the right study support.
HESI pass rates vary more significantly because the sections required differ between institutions. However, Anatomy and Physiology and Chemistry sections consistently show the highest failure rates among students who sit them — reinforcing the idea that the HESI’s science demand is its most challenging element for most candidates.
TEAS vs HESI Exam Which Test Should You Choose?
The decision is simple — you prepare for the exam your nursing school requires. Most nursing schools require one or the other and specify which one clearly in their admissions information. Some schools accept scores from either exam while a small number require both. Always check the specific requirements of every programme you are applying to before purchasing any preparation materials.
If your school accepts either exam and you have the choice — consider your own academic strengths. If science is your strongest subject, the TEAS single-section science format may suit you better. If you prefer tackling one subject at a time and have strong vocabulary and grammar foundations, the HESI section-by-section structure may feel more manageable.
How Our Service Helps with Both Exams
Whether you are preparing for the TEAS, the HESI, or both — professional exam support can make an enormous difference to your final score and your nursing school application outcome. All you have to do is just request ‘Take my TEAS exam’ or HESI exam. Our qualified specialists understand both exam formats inside out and have helped hundreds of nursing applicants achieve the scores their programmes require.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the preparation process, running short on time, or simply want to make sure your exam result reflects your actual potential as a future healthcare professional — reach out to our team today. We are available right now and ready to help you move forward with your nursing school journey.