Nursing Entrance Exams
Prelicensure BSN applicants must complete and pass a nursing entrance exam. WGU accepts the ATI TEAS and the HESI Admissions Assessment (A2). Applicants can choose which exam they take. Learn more about both exams below.
What is TEAS?
The ATI TEAS, or Test of Essential Academic Skills, is a standardized test designed specifically to assess a student's preparedness for entering the Nursing and Health Science Fields. Questions are designed to test the basic academic skills you will need to perform successfully in the areas of: Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage. The ATI TEAS has been statistically proven to be a valid predictor of early program success.
The ATI TEAS exam must be completed within 5 years of your desired start date. If expired, you will need to retake all sections.
What does the TEAS exam consist of?
The ATI TEAS test is comprised of 170 questions that are formatted as both multiple-choice items with 4 answer options and alternate-type items. This includes 150 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest questions. Students have 209 minutes to complete the exam. The number of questions in each content section and subsection are as follows:
- Reading – 45 questions (55 minutes)
- Math – 38 questions (57 minutes)
- Science – 50 questions (60 minutes) -- This section will be graded but not considered in your admissions review. It will be used to provide insight on support needed to be successful in your program.
- English & Language Usage – 37 questions (37 minutes)
WGU applicants must pass each section with the following scores:
- Reading - 71.8%
- Math - 70.6%
- English and Language Usage - 60.6%
- Science - This section will be graded but not considered in the admissions review. It will be used to provide insight on support needed to be successful in your program
The Total Score on the TEAS report will not be considered in the admissions review.
What are my options for taking the TEAS exam?
The exam can be taken at a testing center/school, or remotely in the comfort of your own home in a quiet setting. TEAS at ATI offers 4 sessions each day (Monday through Friday) and 2 sessions each Saturday. This allows you:
- Flexibility to choose the best testing day and time for you
- Greater comfort when testing at home
- More choices for your convenience
- Easier access; you choose the time, date and location
How should I prepare for the TEAS exam?
ATI, the official provider of prep for the exam, recommends that you allow yourself time to prepare for the exam.
There are a variety of prep resources available to help you study for the test – all aligned to the ATI TEAS, Version 7 and packed with thousands of practice questions based on the content and format of the actual exam.
Send Results to Western Governors University
After your TEAS assessment is completed, you must “submit” your transcript to the program. You will be prompted to do so, but steps can also be found here:
Cost and Payment
TEAS at ATI exams are $120.
TEAS at PSI exams are $120.
TEAS exams taken at institutions or testing centers sometimes vary in cost.
Why does the cost of the exam vary? Each testing location, including schools and testing centers, sets the price of the exam taken at their location. Additional fees beyond the exam fee may include proctor fees, scheduling fees, room fees, security monitoring fees for remote exams, etc. that are included in the TEAS registration fee. And those fees vary from school to school. However, you will find that most TEAS exams average out to be about $120.
How to Register for the TEAS Exam
The following link will bring you to the registration page for upcoming TEAS Test Dates.
- Simply select the date and time that fits your needs
- Convenient rescheduling options are always available
- Customer Care is available by chat or by phone to help answer any questions you have
Click Here to Register: TEAS at ATI - Registration
ATI Teas Exam FAQs
You can take the ATI TEAS four times in a 12-month period for WGU. Your score is valid for 5 years
Yes. ATI offers different options to prep for the exam.
- Learn more about ATI study guides.
- Students may also purchase prep packages through ATI.
- ATI offers a free TEAS Online Practice Test.
No, only the required sections will be reviewed. The required sections are Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage. The Science section will be graded but will not be factored into your Admissions decision – the score will be used to provide insight on support needed to be successful in your program.
You may request your score through ATI.
Yes, the exam can be taken at a PSI testing center/school.
There are many options to register and take the ATI TEAS exam. In addition, ATI offers online and in person proctors. Read the ultimate guide to learn more around registration, rescheduling, accommodations, pricing, and more!
What is HESI Admissions Assessment (A2)?
The HESI Admissions Assessment (A2) is a standardized entrance exam designed to identify students’ academic strengths and areas where improvement may be needed to fully support their academic success. It evaluates knowledge and skills in three primary academic areas: English Language, Math, and Science. A composite percentage score is provided by averaging the results of all exams completed.
WGU requires the HESI A2 exam to be passed prior to admission to the Prelicensure Nursing Program. Applicants must pass each section with a minimum score of 75%. You are allowed 300 minutes total to complete all 6 sections of the exam. To ensure you do not run out of time, please be mindful of how you allocate your time for each section.
The HESI A2 must be completed within 5 years of your desired start date. If expired, you will need to retake all sections. The HESI A2 consists of several sections, but only the following sections are required:
- Vocabulary: 55 questions
- Reading 55 questions
- Grammar: 55 questions
- Math: 55 questions
- Biology: This section will be graded but not considered in your admissions review. It will be used to provide insight on support needed to be successful in your program.
- Learning Styles: 14 questions: This section is not graded. It will be used to provide insight on support needed to be successful in your program.
Exam Results
WGU will automatically receive your exam results within five business days. There is no need for you to send your scores to WGU unless you’ve taken the HESI for another school’s nursing application. Request your HESI transcripts and send your scores to transcriptinfo@wgu.edu.
If you did not score 75% or higher on one of the required sections you may retake the exam one more time in a 12-month period. All results must be received by WGU prior to the application deadline to be considered for admission to a specific start date.
Applicants must retake the entire HESI exam for new scores to be considered. Retaking a single section is not permitted.
Cost and Payment
The cost of the exam is $75. Payment is required when a testing time is scheduled with ProctorU.
How to Register for the HESI A2
The HESI A2 exam is administered by Elsevier with online proctoring through ProctorU.
You will need to create an Elsevier Evolve Student Account as well as a ProctorU Account to take the exam. The instructions for creating both accounts and scheduling the HESI A2 exam are listed on the ProctorU Portal.
PLEASE NOTE: It is essential you read and follow the directions carefully to ensure successful completion of this admission requirement.
To ensure that your test results are correctly attributed to your WGU application, please register for the exam with the same email address you used on your WGU application.
To set up your accounts for Elsevier and ProctorU, click this link: ProctorU Portal
Scroll to the section title “Getting Started is Simple” and follow the instructions and links provided to set up both accounts.
Once you have set up your Elsevier Evolve Account and your ProctorU account you are ready to schedule your exam:
Please be mindful of the section titled “Schedule an Exam” and follow the instructions carefully. Below is helpful information to assist you in scheduling your exam:
- Confirm institution as "Elsevier - HESI“
- Select a term for "Western Governors University“
- Select your exam as "BSPN Traditional HESI Admission Assessment”
Now you are ready to schedule your exam (Step 6)
Please continue to scroll down on the ProctorU page to view information on the following:
- Checking your equipment
- HESI/ProctorU Exam Rules
- Review videos
- ProctorU support information
For information on the HESI A2 exam, click this link: Elsevier
If you have any questions, please use the Live Chat Support option on ProctorU’s website or give them a call at 855-772-8678 for real-time support assistance.
HESI A2 Exam FAQs
You can take the HESI twice in a 12-month period for WGU. The most recent score is used in the admissions evaluation. The first time you take the exam, the “1st Time Tester” exam should be selected. If you take the exam a second time, the “2nd Time Tester” exam should be selected.
Yes. Elsevier offers an exam review book.
WGU recommends that applicants take caution in ensuring that tools are purchased from a reliable source and to research and review the various resources individually.
No, only the required sections will be reviewed. The required sections are Vocabulary, Reading, Math, and Grammar. HESI exams scheduled 9/1/2023 and beyond will also require the Biology section that will be graded but not included in the admissions review. The Learning Styles section and Biology will not be factored into your Admissions decision—they are used to provide insight on support needed to be successful in your program.
To request your HESI transcripts, follow this link and send your scores to transcriptinfo@wgu.edu.
WGU does not offer in-person testing for the HESI A2.
Test takers should be prepared to follow these guidelines during the HESI exam:
Permitted Browsers:
- Guardian Secure Browser
Permitted Resources:
- Online Calculator
- Whiteboard
- Bathroom breaks
Number of Questions on Exam:
170
326
Time Limit of Exam:
209 Minutes
300 Minutes
How Exam is Administered:
In person through PSI -or- online through ATI
Online through ProctorU
Cost:
$120 (cost may vary)
$75
Number of Questions on Exam:
170
Number of Questions on Exam:
326
Time Limit of Exam:
209 Minutes
Time Limit of Exam:
300 Minutes
How Exam is Administered:
In person through PSI -or- online through ATI
How Exam is Administered:
Online through ProctorU
Cost:
$120 (cost may vary)
Cost:
$75
