HESI Entrance Exams

HESI Entrance Exams

To request an appointment for a HESI exam, select the blue “Request an Appointment” button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.

General Information for All HESI Exams

All HESI exams are administered on campus in Testing Services.

Before your appointment, please review the following:

  • A current, valid photo ID is required.
  • An eight-digit MCCCD student ID number is required.
  • HESI candidates must create an Evolve Testing Account before taking the exam.
    • Detailed instructions will be included in your appointment confirmation.
    • You will need your Evolve username and password on the day of testing.
    • If you already have an Evolve account, use your existing username and password.
  • Appointments are required.
    • Please allow at least one business day for your appointment request to be processed.
    • Requests submitted after hours will be addressed by 6:00 p.m. the following business day.
    • Specialty exams may take up to two weeks to process. Please plan accordingly.
  • To protect your information, all correspondence will be sent to your MCCCD student email.

HESI A2

The Evolve Reach HESI Admission Assessment Exam, also known as the HESI A2, is the entrance exam for the Nursing program.

The HESI A2 is a computer-based exam with four modules:

  • Math Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Vocabulary & General Knowledge
  • Grammar

The exam must be completed within 4 hours.

Visit the Maricopa Nursing Programs website for admissions requirements.

HESI A2 Testing Requirements

  • All four modules must be completed in one four-hour testing session.
  • A current, valid photo ID is required.
  • Personal calculators are not permitted.
    • When allowed, a calculator will appear within the testing program.
  • Results are valid for two years.
  • Students may retest after a 60-day waiting period.
  • Up to two retests are permitted within 1 year of the first valid test.

HESI A2 Fees

  • The fee for the HESI A2 Entrance Exam is $45.
  • There are no refunds.
  • Costs are subject to change.
  • Payment must be made on the day of your exam, before your appointment.
  • An eight-digit MCCCD student ID number is required for testing and payment.
    • If you do not have an MCCCD student ID number, please complete the application.

HESI A2 Preparation

  • Phoenix College HESI A2 Review Workshop hosted in the Learning Commons
    • To request access to HESI-A2 review materials, please contact the Learning Commons at [email protected].
  • Elsevier HESI A2 preparation guide
    • Study Guide: Admission Assessment Exam Review 6th Edition
      ISBN: 9780443114090
  • Free remediation from Elsevier for students who do not pass the exam

HESI PN: ADN Advanced Placement Exam

The HESI PN exam is a four-hour, timed, computer-based test that assesses basic knowledge of practical nursing.

Applicants requesting advanced placement into Block 3 or Block 4 must take this exam for placement.

To qualify for placement into Block 3 or Block 4, applicants must earn a score of 850 or higher.

Applicants may take the HESI PN Exit Exam up to six months before expected admission. Scores are accepted only if the exam was taken within the past six months. If more than six months have passed, the applicant must retest.

Visit the Maricopa Nursing Programs website for admissions requirements.

HESI PN Testing Requirements

  • The exam must be completed in one four-hour testing session.
  • A current, valid photo ID is required.
  • Personal calculators are not permitted.
    • When allowed, a calculator will appear within the testing program.
  • Scratch paper and pencils will be provided.
  • Results are valid for six months.
  • Retesting is not permitted to determine placement status.
    • Applicants who score below the required score will be admitted into Block 2 or the equivalent for remediation of practical nursing content.
    • Applicants must retest if the HESI PN Exit Exam was taken more than six months before admission.
  • Applicants must print their HESI PN results before leaving the Testing Center.
    • Keep the original copy for your records.
    • Include a copy of the HESI PN Exit Exam results in the Advanced Placement application.

HESI PN Fees

  • The current fee is $59 for students testing for the MCCCD Nursing program.
  • There are no refunds.
  • Costs are subject to change.
  • Payment must be made on the day of your exam, before your appointment.
  • An eight-digit MCCCD student ID number is required for testing and payment.
    • If you do not have an MCCCD student ID number, go to maricopa.edu/students and complete step one.

HESI PN Preparation

Preparation resources include:

  • HESI/Saunders Online Review for the NCLEX-PN Exam, 1 Year, 2nd Edition
  • Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Practical Nursing for the NCLEX-PN Exam, 17th Edition
  • Evolve Resources for Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Practical Nursing for the NCLEX-PN Exam, 17th Edition

HESI Specialty: Psychiatric Content Specialty Examination

The HESI Specialty Exam in Psychology & Mental Health is a Nursing program exam for students who believe they already have sufficient behavioral health or psychiatric didactic and clinical content through coursework and/or work-related experience.

  • Students may request to challenge this exam in order to waive NCE214OP. The applicant must earn a score of 850 or higher to qualify for the waiver.
  • Before taking the exam, the student must receive permission from the Nursing Director at their home campus. The exam must also be ordered in advance.

For questions, contact:

  • PC Center for Nursing Excellence
    602-532-8605
  • The approval process may take up to two weeks.

Psychiatric Specialty Exam Requirements

  • The exam is computerized.
  • The exam must be completed in one four-hour testing session.
  • Scratch paper and pencils will be provided.
  • The score is available immediately.
  • Scores are valid for six months.
  • Students may retest after six months.

Psychiatric Specialty Exam Fees

  • If you plan to enroll in the MCCCD Nursing program, the fee is $45.
  • There are no refunds.
  • Costs are subject to change.
  • Payment must be made on the day of your exam, before your appointment.
  • An eight-digit MCCCD student ID number is required for testing and payment.
    • If you do not have an MCCCD student ID number, go to my.maricopa.edu and complete step one.