West Coast University Hesi Exam

What the West Coast University Hesi Exam Actually Is

The West Coast University Hesi Exam is an admissions test they use to evaluate whether you're ready for their nursing programs. It's not the same as a placement test for math or English. This is specifically designed for prospective nursing students. The exam covers basic sciences, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and math. Some campuses might weight certain sections differently, but that's the general structure. I should mention that West Coast University has multiple campuses across the country, and while they all use HESI exams, the exact version and section requirements can vary between locations. That's why checking with your specific campus advisor is important before you just start studying blindly.

West Coast University Hesi Exam: What You Need to Know

HESI A2 (Admission Assessment) is the most commonly referenced version. It's divided into several sub-tests. You typically don't take the whole thing at once. Some programs let you send individual section scores, which means you can retake only the sections you didn't pass. The sections usually include: Vocabulary and Synonyms
Reading Comprehension
Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Anatomy and Physiology
Physics
Concepts of Health

I found out the hard way that "concept scores" and "overall composite score" are two different things. HESI will give you an overall composite number and individual concept scores for each section. Your program might require a 75 on the composite and a 68 on each individual section. Or it might be the reverse. West Coast University has historically asked for composite scores of 75 or higher, but I've also seen cases where they wanted everything at 75 or above. The numbers shift year to year, so verify directly with your admissions counselor.

How to Prepare Without Losing Your Mind

Start with the official HESI A2 study guide. The one published by Elsevier or Evolve Learning Systems is the baseline. It mirrors the actual test format closely enough that you'll know what you're walking into. Most people who skip this end up blindsided by question phrasing, not content gaps. For the math section specifically, go through basic algebra, fractions, decimals, percentages, and unit conversions. The questions aren't hard. They're tedious. You'll have maybe ninety minutes for a mix of arithmetic and word problems, so speed matters as much as accuracy. The biology section is usually the heaviest for nursing applicants. Cell structure, genetics, the human body systems. If you took college biology more than a couple years ago, expect to rebuild some of that foundation. I spent about two weeks re-reading a general biology textbook chapter by chapter and doing practice questions after each one. That was more effective than any cram session I could have pulled off in three days.

Reading comprehension gets a lot of attention but doesn't require special preparation beyond reading. The passages are academic in tone, sometimes medical, sometimes general science. Practice reading slowly and identifying main ideas. The questions ask for inference and detail retrieval. Nothing fancy.

Registering and Taking the Exam

Registration goes through Elsevier's HESI portal. You create an account, select the exam type, choose a testing location or opt for online proctoring depending on your program's rules, and pay the fee. The fee is around one hundred dollars per section if you're taking them individually, or roughly two hundred for the full A2 battery. Prices change occasionally, so don't rely on what someone wrote online two years ago. When you sit for the exam, you get a set time limit per section. Usually twenty minutes for vocabulary, thirty for reading, and so on. The whole thing can wrap up in under three hours if you move efficiently, but budget four hours if you're doing everything in one sitting. Most people split it across two sessions because fatigue hurts performance, especially on the math portion. I ran into a specific issue once where my online proctoring session flagged me for "suspicious activity" because I looked away from the screen to think through a math problem. The proctor was watching through my webcam, and any movement outside the frame triggered a warning. I had to reschedule after my first attempt was voided. The workaround was straightforward: set up a clean desk space, keep both hands visible on the keyboard, and use a physical notepad for scratch work rather than trying to do everything in my head. The proctoring software is more sensitive than it needs to be, so treat it like a formal exam environment from the moment you log in.

Scoring and Retake Policy

HESI scores range from 0 to 990. Your individual section scores and composite are what matter. Retakes are allowed, but there's usually a waiting period between attempts. Programs may limit how many times you can retake sections before they stop considering your application. West Coast University has its own policy on this, and it's worth asking about before you schedule a retake. Some schools count retakes against admission eligibility after a certain number. Another practical note: scores don't expire quickly, but they're not permanent either. Two to three years is the typical window where programs will accept them. If you're applying now and took the HESI two years ago, call your program first to confirm those scores are still valid.

Alternatives and Workarounds

If the HESI A2 isn't working out after a couple tries, some West Coast University campuses accept TEAS scores as an alternative. The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) covers similar ground but has a different structure and question style. It tends to feel more straightforward for math, though reading comprehension can be just as tough. Check whether your specific program accepts TEAS before investing time into studying for both tests. Another angle: some students find that section-by-section testing is less stressful than the full battery. If you only need to improve your anatomy score, retake just that section rather than scheduling the entire exam again. You save money and time, and the rest of your scores carry over.

Bottom Line

The West Coast University Hesi Exam is a gatekeeper, not a personality quiz. It measures baseline readiness for nursing coursework. Prepare methodically, know your target scores, and don't underestimate the math and biology sections. Retakes are part of the process for most people. Plan accordingly.