Both the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and the HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) are standardized entrance exams used by nursing and allied health programs, but they differ in structure, content emphasis, and perceived difficulty—making one “harder” depending on your strengths.
Content & Focus
- TEAS emphasizes general academic readiness with a strong focus on reading comprehension, math fundamentals, science basics (including anatomy, biology, and chemistry), and English language usage. Questions are often more straightforward but time-pressured.
- HESI A2 tends to be more detailed and nursing-focused, especially in science sections. It includes vocabulary and general knowledge not found on the TEAS, and its math section often includes more complex dosage calculations relevant to nursing.
Question Style
- TEAS uses mostly multiple-choice questions with a strict time limit (about 1.5 minutes per question), which can feel rushed.
- HESI allows more time per question but often includes scenario-based or critical-thinking questions that require deeper analysis and application of concepts.
Scoring
- TEAS scores are reported as percentile ranks (e.g., 75th percentile), and many schools look for scores in the 70–80% range or higher.
- HESI uses a percentage-based score (0–100%), and most nursing programs expect 75–80% or above to be competitive.
Which Is Harder?
- If you excel at critical thinking and nursing-related content, you may find TEAS easier.
- If you struggle with time pressure but understand detailed concepts, HESI might feel more manageable.
- Many students report HESI feels more challenging due to its depth and nursing-specific focus, while TEAS feels more like a general academic aptitude test.
Ultimately, difficulty is personal—your background, study habits, and test-taking style matter most. The best approach is to take practice tests for both to see which aligns better with your strengths.
Success comes from targeted preparation, regardless of which exam your program requires.