Embarking on a journey towards a rewarding career in nursing often begins with the challenge of nursing school admission. Aspiring nurses encounter various hurdles on their path, with one of the most crucial being the nursing school entrance exams.

Two of the most common entrance exams are the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). In this blog post, we will explore the differences, similarities, and key features of these two exams to help prospective nursing students make an informed decision.

Understanding the HESI Exam

The HESI exam is designed to assess the academic preparedness and critical thinking skills of nursing program applicants. It covers a wide range of subjects, including math, reading comprehension, grammar, anatomy, physiology, and other nursing-related topics. The HESI exam is often administered by nursing schools and can be tailored to specific program requirements.

Key features of the HESI exam:

1. Comprehensive content: The exam evaluates a student's understanding of various nursing-related topics, reflecting the diverse knowledge required to succeed in nursing school and the profession.

2. Customizable: Nursing schools may choose specific sections from the HESI exam based on their program requirements, ensuring that applicants are evaluated on relevant subjects.

3. Critical thinking focus: The HESI exam emphasizes critical thinking skills, which are crucial for nursing practice in real-world scenarios.

Understanding the TEAS Exam

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is another widely used nursing school entrance exam. Developed by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), this exam aims to assess essential academic knowledge and skills in reading, math, science, and English language usage. Like the HESI exam, the TEAS test is designed to gauge applicants' readiness for nursing school.

Key features of the TEAS exam:

1. Core academic subjects: The TEAS exam covers fundamental academic areas such as reading, mathematics, science, and English language usage.

2. Single format: Unlike the HESI, the TEAS exam is standardized and follows a fixed structure, allowing applicants to prepare efficiently using readily available resources.

3. Broadly used: The TEAS exam is accepted by many nursing schools across the United States, making it a popular choice for aspiring nursing students.

Comparing the Two Exams

Both the HESI and TEAS exams share a common goal of evaluating a student's readiness for nursing school. However, several significant differences set them apart:

a) Content Focus:

• HESI: The HESI exam's content is specifically tailored to nursing programs, encompassing a broad range of nursing-related subjects.

• TEAS: The TEAS exam focuses on core academic subjects like reading, math, science, and English, covering essential knowledge required for success in nursing school.

b) Format:

• HESI: The exam format may vary depending on the nursing school's preferences, making it less standardized across institutions.

• TEAS: The TEAS exam follows a fixed format, enabling students to prepare more effectively using available study materials.

c) Critical Thinking Emphasis:

• HESI: The HESI exam places significant emphasis on assessing critical thinking skills, crucial for nursing practice and decision-making.

• TEAS: While critical thinking is essential, the TEAS exam generally emphasizes fundamental academic knowledge.

d) Scoring System:

• HESI: The scoring system for the HESI exam varies depending on the nursing school administering it. Some schools may use a percentage-based grading system, while others might opt for a scaled score. The HESI exam may also include a comprehensive score report that provides feedback on each subject area.

• TEAS: The TEAS exam uses a standardized scoring system, with scores ranging from 0 to 100. Each section is scored individually, and the overall score is calculated by combining the individual section scores. Some nursing schools may set minimum score requirements for admission.

e) Time Limits:

• HESI: The time limits for the HESI exam can vary based on the sections chosen by the nursing school. Each section may have its own time limit, ranging from 25 minutes to 1 hour.

• TEAS: The TEAS exam has a total time limit of 209 minutes (approximately 3 hours and 29 minutes). It allocates specific time limits for each section: Reading (64 minutes), Mathematics (54 minutes), Science (63 minutes), and English and Language Usage (28 minutes).

f) Content Specificity:

• HESI: As the HESI exam is customized by nursing schools, it can be more specific to the institution's curriculum and teaching approach. This may give a slight advantage to applicants who are already familiar with the school's emphasis on certain subjects.

• TEAS: The TEAS exam, being standardized, offers a consistent assessment of essential academic skills, making it easier for applicants to prepare using widely available study resources.

g) Re-taking Policies:

• HESI: Re-taking policies for the HESI exam vary among nursing schools. Some schools may allow applicants to retake specific sections if they did not meet the minimum score requirement, while others may have restrictions on the number of retakes allowed.

• TEAS: The TEAS exam allows applicants to take it multiple times, with a waiting period of at least 30 days between attempts. However, nursing schools may have their own policies regarding how they consider multiple scores.

h) Online vs. In-person Testing:

• HESI: Some nursing schools may offer the HESI exam in both online and in-person formats. Online testing can provide more flexibility for applicants, especially those who live far from the testing center.

• TEAS: The TEAS exam is typically offered at testing centers in a proctored environment. While some nursing schools may allow online testing for special circumstances, most TEAS exams are conducted in-person.

Conclusion

Choosing the right nursing school entrance exam can be a critical step in your journey towards a fulfilling nursing career. Both the HESI and TEAS exams serve as vital tools for assessing an applicant's readiness for nursing school, but they differ in content, format, and focus. As an aspiring nursing student, it is essential to research the requirements of your target nursing programs and select the exam that aligns best with your strengths and academic background.

Remember, preparing for these exams requires dedication, time, and practice. Seek out study resources, practice exams, and consider joining study groups to maximize your chances of success. Ultimately, excelling in either the HESI or TEAS exam will open doors to nursing school, where you can continue your journey towards making a difference in the lives of patients and communities through compassionate and competent nursing care.