A good HESI score for nursing is 80% or above, which falls in the “above average” range. Most nursing programs require a minimum of 75% on the HESI A2 entrance exam, but competitive applicants typically score well above that threshold. The exact number you should aim for depends on whether you’re taking the HESI A2 for admission or the HESI Exit Exam before graduation, and on the specific program you’re applying to.
How HESI Scores Break Down
HESI scores are reported on a scale where the percentage translates to a performance level:
- 90% to 100% (above 900): Excellent
- 80% to 89% (850 to 899): Above average
- 75% to 80% (800 to 849): Average
- Below 75% (under 800): Below the cutoff at most programs
Elsevier, the company that administers the exam, recommends that applicants to BSN or ADN programs score at least 75%. Practical nursing (LPN/LVN) programs generally set the bar slightly lower, around 70%. But “minimum” and “competitive” are two different things. At many schools, admission is ranked, meaning your HESI score is weighed against every other applicant’s. A 75% might technically qualify you, but an 85% puts you in a much stronger position.
What Individual Programs Actually Require
There is no universal passing score. Each school sets its own minimums, and they vary more than you might expect. Baylor University, for example, requires at least an 80% on both the math and English composite portions of the HESI A2. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley requires 75% or higher on each tested section (grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, math, anatomy and physiology) along with a minimum critical thinking score of 750. Some programs don’t set a minimum composite score at all but use it as a percentage of your overall application ranking.
This means you need to check your target program’s specific requirements before test day. Some schools weigh certain sub-scores more heavily than others, and some don’t require science sections at all. Baylor, for instance, does not require any science section. Other programs treat anatomy and physiology scores as a key differentiator between applicants.
Sub-Scores Matter, Not Just the Composite
Your HESI A2 gives you a composite score, but most programs care about the individual section scores just as much, if not more. A strong composite can mask a weak section, and many schools set minimum thresholds per section rather than relying on one overall number.
One important detail: most programs do not allow “superscoring,” which means you can’t combine your best section scores from multiple test attempts. If you retake the exam, the scores from that single sitting are what count. At schools like Baylor, this policy is stated explicitly. So if you’re strong in reading but weak in math, you can’t take the test twice and cherry-pick the best result from each.
HESI Exit Exam: A Different Target
If you’re searching for a good HESI score as a nursing student nearing graduation, you’re likely thinking about the HESI Exit Exam (E2), which is a completely different test from the A2. The Exit Exam measures whether you’re ready to pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam, and the scoring benchmarks are higher.
Many nursing programs require a minimum E2 score of 850 or 900 before clearing students to sit for the NCLEX. The data behind those benchmarks is solid. Students who score 850 or above on the Exit Exam pass the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt 96.33% of the time. Students scoring 900 or above pass at a rate of 97.29%. Twelve large-scale studies found that students with Exit Exam scores of 900 or higher passed the NCLEX between 96.4% and 99.2% of the time.
For the Exit Exam, aim for 900 or above if you want strong confidence heading into the NCLEX. An 850 is still a very good indicator of readiness, but that extra 50 points represents a meaningful bump in predicted success.
Retaking the HESI A2
If your scores fall short, retaking is an option, but policies vary by school. A common structure is two attempts per application period with a mandatory six-week waiting period between tests. Some schools are more restrictive, limiting you to two attempts per calendar year or requiring longer gaps between sittings.
That six-week window is actually useful. A focused study period targeting your weakest sections can move your scores significantly, especially on math and vocabulary, where content review translates directly to point gains. Since you can’t superscore, use practice tests to make sure all your sections are at or above the minimum before booking your retake.
What Score to Realistically Aim For
If you’re applying to a BSN program, treat 80% as your realistic target on each section and 85% or above as your competitive edge. Programs that rank applicants will weigh your HESI alongside GPA, prerequisites, and sometimes interviews, but a high HESI score is one of the clearest ways to strengthen an application. For ADN programs, 75% to 80% per section is often sufficient, though higher scores always help in competitive admissions cycles.
For the Exit Exam, 850 is the floor most programs consider acceptable, and 900 is where the data shows you’re genuinely well-prepared for the NCLEX. If your program gives you multiple attempts at the Exit Exam, use the gap between tries to focus on clinical reasoning and prioritization questions, which tend to be the areas where students lose the most points.