Why Your Study Materials Matter More Than Study Time
Here's an uncomfortable truth: studying for 100 hours with the wrong materials is less effective than studying for 40 hours with the right ones. The HESI A2 covers specific content at specific difficulty levels, and using study resources that don't match the actual exam leads to wasted time and false confidence.
We've analyzed the most popular HESI A2 study resources — from free YouTube videos to premium prep platforms — and evaluated each one based on:
- Content accuracy — Does it match what's actually on the HESI A2?
- Question quality — Are practice questions realistic in difficulty and format?
- Comprehensiveness — Does it cover all required sections?
- Study efficiency — Does it help you learn faster, not just longer?
- Value for money — Is it worth the investment?
What You Actually Need to Study for the HESI A2
Before choosing materials, understand what the exam requires:
The HESI A2 can include up to 8 scored sections: Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Physics. Most nursing programs require 4-6 of these sections, so check your specific program's requirements before buying materials.
Your study toolkit should include:
- Practice tests — the single most important resource for exam readiness
- Subject-specific study guides — for content review and concept mastery
- Flashcards — essential for vocabulary, medical terminology, and anatomy
- A study plan — to structure your preparation and track progress
Best Free HESI A2 Study Resources
Khan Academy (Science & Math Review)
Best for: Brushing up on biology, chemistry, and math fundamentals
Pros: Excellent video explanations, completely free, covers foundational science topics that overlap with HESI A2 content. The math section is particularly strong for reviewing fractions, percentages, and ratios.
Cons: Not HESI-specific. You'll need to figure out which topics are relevant and which aren't. No practice questions in HESI format. Can be time-consuming if you watch everything without a targeted plan.
Verdict: Great supplementary resource, but shouldn't be your primary study tool. Use it to fill specific knowledge gaps identified through practice tests.
YouTube HESI A2 Review Videos
Best for: Visual learners who want concept explanations
Pros: Free, accessible, and some channels (like NursingCom and RegisteredNurseRN) offer solid content overviews. Good for understanding concepts you're struggling with.
Cons: Quality varies dramatically. Many videos are outdated, too surface-level, or created by people who haven't actually taken the HESI A2. No structured curriculum — you have to piece together your own study plan.
Verdict: Useful for clarifying specific topics, but not a complete study solution. Watch targeted videos after identifying weak areas through practice.
Quizlet HESI A2 Decks
Best for: Vocabulary and terminology memorization
Pros: Thousands of user-created flashcard decks available. Spaced repetition features help with retention. Free basic access.
Cons: User-created content is often inaccurate. We've found significant errors in many popular HESI A2 Quizlet decks — wrong answers marked as correct, outdated terminology, and content that doesn't match the actual exam. No quality control means you might be memorizing incorrect information.
Verdict: Use with extreme caution. If you go this route, cross-reference every card with a reliable source. Better to use purpose-built, verified flashcard sets.
Best Paid HESI A2 Study Resources
HESI A2 Prep (hesia2prep.com) — Best Overall Value
Price: $47 one-time payment (lifetime access)
Best for: Students who want a complete, all-in-one study platform
What's included:
- 1,098+ practice questions across 3 full practice tests covering all HESI A2 subjects
- 3 full-length simulated exams (266 questions each) that mirror the real test format with timed sections
- 400+ flashcards with spaced-repetition for vocabulary, anatomy, and medical terminology
- Comprehensive study guides for every section with detailed explanations
- Progress tracking dashboard to monitor your improvement over time
- Detailed score breakdowns by subject and category after every practice test
- Structured study plans (30, 60, and 90-day schedules)
Pros: Everything you need in one place. No subscription fees — pay once, access forever. Practice questions are specifically written to match HESI A2 difficulty and format. The progress tracking helps you focus on weak areas. Study guides include the exact content tested on the HESI A2, not filler material.
Cons: Online-only (requires internet access). No physical textbook option.
Verdict: The best value option for comprehensive HESI A2 prep. At $47 for lifetime access, it costs less than a single tutoring session while providing more practice questions and study materials than resources costing 3-5x more. Try it here.
Elsevier's HESI Admission Assessment Review (Official Book)
Price: $35-50 (print textbook)
Best for: Students who prefer physical textbooks
Pros: Made by the same company that creates the HESI A2 exam, so content alignment is strong. Comprehensive content review for all sections. Includes some practice questions with explanations.
Cons: Limited practice questions compared to dedicated practice platforms. Static content — no adaptive learning or progress tracking. Can feel dense and textbook-heavy, which doesn't suit all learning styles. No timed practice test simulation.
Verdict: Solid content review resource, but you'll need additional practice questions from another source. Best used alongside a practice test platform.
Pocket Prep HESI A2 App
Price: $15-25/month (subscription)
Best for: On-the-go studying during commutes or breaks
Pros: Mobile-friendly interface, daily question features, decent question bank. Good for fitting extra practice into a busy schedule.
Cons: Subscription model means ongoing costs (can add up to $50-100+ over a study period). Question bank is smaller than dedicated platforms. No full-length timed practice tests. Limited study guide content — primarily a question bank.
Verdict: Nice supplement for mobile studying, but the subscription cost adds up and the lack of full practice tests is a significant gap. Better as an add-on than a primary resource.
McGraw-Hill HESI A2 Review
Price: $25-40 (print textbook)
Best for: Budget-conscious students who want a physical book
Pros: Affordable, includes content review and practice questions. Well-organized by section.
Cons: Not made by the HESI A2 test creators, so some content doesn't perfectly align with the actual exam. Practice questions can be easier or harder than the real thing. No digital practice test simulation.
Verdict: Acceptable budget option for content review, but supplement with HESI-specific practice tests to ensure you're prepared for the actual exam format and difficulty.
How to Choose the Right Study Materials for You
If You Have 4+ Weeks and Want the Best Results
Use a comprehensive platform like HESI A2 Prep as your primary resource. Supplement with Khan Academy videos for any science concepts you find particularly challenging. This combination gives you HESI-specific practice questions with conceptual depth for tough topics.
If You're on a Tight Budget
Start with free resources: Khan Academy for content, YouTube for concept explanations. When you're ready for practice tests (which you absolutely need), invest in a one-time purchase option rather than a subscription to avoid ongoing costs.
If You're a Last-Minute Studier (1-2 Weeks)
Skip the textbooks — you don't have time for comprehensive content review. Focus entirely on practice tests and flashcards. Take a diagnostic test, identify your 2-3 weakest sections, and drill those areas with targeted practice questions. This approach maximizes score improvement per hour studied.
If You Learn Best from Books
Get the Elsevier official review book for content, then supplement with an online practice test platform for realistic exam simulation. Books are great for learning, but you need timed digital practice to prepare for the actual test-taking experience.
The Study Material Mistakes That Cost Students Points
Mistake 1: Using Only Free Resources
Free resources have their place, but they lack the HESI-specific practice questions that are essential for exam readiness. Students who rely solely on free materials often feel prepared during studying but underperform on test day because they never practiced with questions at the right difficulty level and format.
Mistake 2: Buying Too Many Resources
More isn't better. Students who buy 3 textbooks, 2 apps, and 4 flashcard decks often spend more time switching between resources than actually studying. Pick one comprehensive platform and stick with it. Add supplements only for specific weak areas.
Mistake 3: Studying Content Without Practicing
Reading a study guide cover to cover feels productive, but it's passive learning. Practice questions are the #1 predictor of exam success. Aim to spend at least 50% of your study time actively answering questions and reviewing explanations — not just reading.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Practice Test Simulations
Taking individual practice questions is helpful, but it doesn't prepare you for the marathon of a full exam. Take at least 2-3 full-length practice tests under timed conditions before your exam date. This builds stamina and time-management skills that content review alone can't provide.
Our Recommended Study Stack
Based on analyzing student outcomes and resource effectiveness, here's the study material combination that produces the best results:
- Primary platform: HESI A2 Prep — for practice tests, study guides, flashcards, and progress tracking ($47 one-time)
- Supplementary videos: Khan Academy — for deep dives into science and math concepts you find challenging (free)
- Daily flashcard practice: Use the built-in flashcard system with spaced repetition for vocabulary and anatomy terms (included with HESI A2 Prep)
- Study schedule: Follow a structured study plan based on your timeline (30, 60, or 90 days)
Total cost: $47. That's less than most students spend on coffee during their study period — and it gives you everything you need to walk into exam day confident and prepared.
Ready to Start Preparing?
The best study material is the one you actually use consistently. Stop researching and start studying. Create your account to get instant access to 1,098+ practice questions, 400+ flashcards, full-length simulated exams, and comprehensive study guides — all for a one-time payment with lifetime access.