Applicants to the accelerated Pacesetter BSN program must take either the official HESI A2 Exam or the TEAS exam to be considered for admission. Scores from a test taken within two years of enrollment in the Pacesetter BSN program are required.
For the HESI A2, following seven sections of the exam are required:
- Math
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary and General Knowledge
- Grammar
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biology*
- Chemistry*
*All sections of the HESI A2 must be taken at the same time.
Effective Summer 2024 applicants, Cizik School of Nursing will not be accepting HESI scores taken for another institution.
A minimum score of 85% or higher is recommended on each section. Scores are reported to the UTHealth Register at the end of every month. If an application deadline falls after that timeframe, Cizik School of Nursing has an agreement with the testing agency for those results to be sent on the next business day, thus allowing students to meet the application requirement.
Registration information
To ensure that the correct test results are associated with the correct applicant, we encourage all Pacesetter BSN applicants to submit their Cizik School of Nursing application first to receive their seven-digit application ID number. Then use that ID number as your identifier when you apply to the take the HESI A2 Exam. You must then take the HESI A2 Exam by the Pacesetter BSN application deadline.
Be sure to use Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston’s Department ID: 198326.
The HESI A2 Exam is administered by Elsevier. The exam is offered several times a year at Prometric testing centers throughout the United States. To create an account and register for the exam, follow the registration instructions. It is important to follow these instructions carefully and as listed; failure to complete the HESI registration accurately may delay registration or communication of your scores to the School of Nursing. The UTHealth School of Nursing Department ID is 198326.
HESI versions
When the UTHealth Houston Department ID is added to your exam record for the first time, you must register for Version 1. If the exam is repeated, register for Version 2.
HESI restrictions
The exam must have been taken within two years of enrollment (not application) at an approved facility. Cizik School of Nursing will not accept HESI scores taken for another institution.
Frequently Asked Questions about the HESI A2 Exam
Q: Can I take the standardized exam (i.e., HESI or TEAS) as many times as I want?
A: No, An applicant can take the standardized exam not more than twice. An applicant can take either combination as long as it is no more than two attempts: a) two (2) HESI attempts; b) two (2) TEAS attempts; or c) one (1) HESI attempt and one (1) TEAS attempt. The last attempt will be used as the official exam.
Q: Do HESI scores need to be submitted before the application deadline?
A: If you take your HESI exam under the UTHealth school code given above, you have until the deadline date to take the exam. Exams taken after the deadline date will not be considered.
Q: Are study guides available?
A: Yes. Elsevier has an Admissions Assessment Study Guide available for purchase. More information is available on the Elsevier website.
Q: How much weight do entrance exams have on the admissions process?
A: Each component of your application is considered; the entrance exam is just one item out of many that are considered.
Q: If I take other sections of the exam besides those required, will those scores be considered?
A: No, only the required components will be reviewed. The other sections such as Critical Thinking, Learning Styles, and Physics are not required and will not be reviewed.
Q: If I took the HESI and forgot to register for a section, what do I do?
A: You must retake the entire test over again. Partial exams will not be considered.
Q: Do I need to send my HESI transcripts?
A: If used the UTHealth Houston school code (198326) when registering for the HESI A2, your scores will be sent to us automatically. If you entered a different school’s code instead, you must contact Elsevier to have your scores transferred to UTHealth Houston (Effective Summer 2024 applicants, Cizik School of Nursing will not be accepting HESI scores taken for another institution).
