Best overall for hesi a2 exam prep in 2026: Reasonedlearning's self-paced HESI A2 course, built for candidates who need full content coverage without committing to a class schedule. Best for live instruction: Achieve Test Prep. Best free option: Union Test Prep. Best for question-by-question rationales: UWorld. Best for video lessons and flashcards: Mometrix.
- Reasonedlearning's self-paced hesi a2 exam prep course wins overall for flexible, on-demand review in 2026.
- Achieve Test Prep fits candidates who want a live, instructor-paced classroom instead of solo study.
- Union Test Prep gives a free starting point for students on a tight budget.
- UWorld and Mometrix work best as add-on question banks alongside a full course, not standalone plans.
Why this matters
HESI A2 scores gatekeep nursing program admission at hundreds of schools, and a low score on one section can sink an application even when the rest of the exam goes fine. The exam covers up to 8 academic sections, and each program sets its own minimum, commonly in the 75% or higher range. Picking the wrong prep course wastes weeks you don't get back before an application deadline.
Most applicants don't need every section. Some nursing schools only require Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary & General Knowledge, and Grammar; others add Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. A course that forces you through content your program doesn't test is a course that wastes your study hours in 2026.
What HESI A2 actually tests
The HESI Admission Assessment Exam checks academic readiness across math, reading, science, and language skills, plus non-scored personality and learning-style modules some schools use for advising. Confirm which sections your target program requires before you pick a course — that decision shapes which prep option below fits you.
What makes the best HESI A2 exam prep course
- Section coverage matched to your program — no forced content you won't be tested on
- Practice questions with real explanations, not just an answer key
- Format that fits your schedule — self-paced or live, not a one-size-fits-all cohort
- On-demand access so you can review from a phone between shifts or classes
- A diagnostic or full-length practice test to show where you actually stand
- Clear content organization by section, not one long undifferentiated video feed
At a glance
| Course | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasonedlearning | Self-paced review on your own schedule | Full HESI A2 course available on-demand | No live instructor Q&A |
| Mometrix | Video lessons and flashcards | Section-by-section video breakdowns | Less depth on rationale-heavy science questions |
| UWorld | Detailed practice question rationales | Answer explanations written per question | No structured video curriculum |
| Achieve Test Prep | Live, instructor-led classes | Scheduled sessions with an instructor | Fixed schedule doesn't suit shift workers |
| Union Test Prep | Free budget starting point | No-cost practice questions | Thin coverage of science sections |
1. Reasonedlearning: best hesi a2 exam prep for self-paced review
Reasonedlearning sells a self-paced hesi a2 exam prep course online, meaning you work through material on your own timeline instead of logging into a scheduled class. The course structure lets you repeat sections you're weak on — math and grammar tend to need the most repetition for adult learners returning to school.
Reasonedlearning pros:
- Study on your own schedule, useful for working CNAs or parents
- Revisit any section as many times as needed before test day
- No fixed class times to coordinate around shift work
Reasonedlearning cons:
- No live instructor to ask questions in real time
- Requires self-motivation since there's no instructor pacing you forward
Best for: applicants who need flexible hesi a2 exam prep around an irregular schedule. Verdict: Buy.
2. Mometrix: best HESI A2 prep for video lessons and flashcards
Mometrix is a long-running test prep publisher known for video-based lesson libraries and printable or digital flashcard sets across dozens of standardized exams, including HESI A2. The video format suits visual learners who want a instructor walking through a concept before attempting practice questions.
Mometrix pros:
- Video lessons break down each section conceptually
- Flashcards work well for vocabulary and grammar memorization
- Content is organized by HESI A2 section
Mometrix cons:
- Science sections get less depth than the math and language content
- Video-first format is slower than jumping straight into practice tests
Best for: learners who retain material better from watching a lesson than from reading. Verdict: Buy.
3. UWorld: best HESI A2 prep for detailed practice question rationales
UWorld built its reputation on nursing and medical exam question banks where every answer choice, right or wrong, comes with a written explanation. That rationale-per-question approach is the reason nursing students across multiple entrance and licensure exams use UWorld as a supplement rather than a full course.
UWorld pros:
- Every practice question includes a full explanation, not just the correct answer
- Question bank format lets you drill weak areas repeatedly
- Widely used alongside other nursing entrance exam prep
UWorld cons:
- No structured video curriculum to teach concepts from scratch
- Works better as a supplement than a standalone hesi a2 exam prep plan
Best for: candidates who already know the content and need targeted practice. Verdict: Buy as a supplement.
4. Achieve Test Prep: best HESI A2 prep for live instruction
Achieve Test Prep runs live, instructor-led online classes rather than a self-serve video or question library, positioning itself for students who want the structure of a real classroom. That live format means scheduled sessions rather than logging in whenever you have time.
Achieve Test Prep pros:
- Live instructor available to answer questions during sessions
- Scheduled classes create accountability for students who struggle with self-pacing
- Cohort format for students who prefer a classroom feel
Achieve Test Prep cons:
- Fixed class times conflict with shift work or irregular schedules
- Less flexibility to skip sections your program doesn't require
Best for: students who do better with a set class schedule and live instruction. Verdict: Buy if your schedule allows it.
5. Union Test Prep: best HESI A2 prep for a free starting point
Union Test Prep offers free practice questions and study guides across a range of standardized tests, HESI A2 included, making it a reasonable first stop before committing to a paid course. It won't replace a full prep program, but it's a way to gauge your starting point before spending anything.
Union Test Prep pros:
- No cost to access practice questions
- Useful for an initial diagnostic before choosing a paid course
- Simple, no-signup format
Union Test Prep cons:
- Thin coverage on science sections like Anatomy & Physiology and Chemistry
- No structured lesson content to teach concepts you don't already know
Best for: applicants who want a free diagnostic before buying anything. Verdict: Try first, then upgrade.
How we ranked these
Each course was measured against the criteria above: section coverage, explanation quality on practice questions, format flexibility, on-demand access, and whether a diagnostic exists to establish a baseline score. Courses that force students through untested sections or skip explanations on practice questions ranked lower.
Which HESI A2 exam prep course should you choose?
If you need flexibility around work or school and want one course that covers the material, Reasonedlearning's self-paced hesi a2 exam prep is the default pick for 2026. If you know you learn best in a live class, Achieve Test Prep is worth the fixed schedule. If money is tight before you commit, run through Union Test Prep's free questions first, then layer UWorld or Mometrix on top of whichever full course you choose.
FAQ
What's the best hesi a2 exam prep course in 2026?
Reasonedlearning's self-paced course is the best overall pick for 2026 because it covers all HESI A2 sections on a flexible schedule. Achieve Test Prep is the better fit if you specifically want live instruction.
Is a self-paced HESI A2 course better than a live class?
Self-paced courses work better for irregular schedules and let you repeat weak sections as often as needed. Live classes work better for students who need scheduled accountability to stay on track.
How many sections does the HESI A2 exam have?
The HESI A2 covers up to 8 academic sections including Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Not every nursing program requires all 8, so check your school's specific list.
What score do I need to pass the HESI A2?
Passing scores are typically 75% or higher, but the exact minimum is set by each nursing program individually. Contact your target school's admissions office to confirm their specific cutoff.
Are there free HESI A2 prep resources?
Union Test Prep offers free practice questions across HESI A2 sections and works well as an initial diagnostic. Free resources typically have thinner coverage of science sections than paid courses.
Can I use UWorld alone to prep for HESI A2?
UWorld works best as a supplement rather than a standalone course because it lacks a structured video curriculum. Pair it with a full course like Reasonedlearning's for concept instruction plus UWorld's practice explanations.
How long should I study for the HESI A2?
Study time depends on how many sections your program requires and your current comfort with math and science content. A self-paced course lets you set your own timeline based on a diagnostic practice test.
One last thing
The section most students underestimate isn't math or the sciences — it's Reading Comprehension, because timed passages under pressure feel nothing like casual reading. Run at least one full-length timed practice section before test day so the pacing itself isn't a surprise, regardless of which hesi a2 exam prep course you pick for 2026.
