Applicants to a pre-licensure nursing program (BSN, ABSN or ELMSN) need to take the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) exam or the ATI TEAS exam. Scores must be available by the time you submit your application.
HESI A2
The HESI A2 tests applicants on three main academic areas—English Language, Math, and Science—and two personal assessment areas. Each academic area has one or more exams that students must complete to be able to gauge a prospective students’ academic readiness.
The HESI A2 is proctored by ProctorU. See instructions and full details in the HESI A2 Registration Instructions tab located below.
TEAS
The ATI TEAS, or Test of Essential Academic Skills, is designed specifically to assess a student's preparedness entering the health science fields. The ATI TEAS test is comprised of 170 questions set up in a multiple-choice format with four-option answers. Questions are designed to test the basic academic skills you will need to perform in class in the areas of: Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage.
How to Register for the HESI Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2)
The HESI A2 is a product of Elsevier and requires an Evolve student account. After setting up your student account, you will be required to schedule your proctor through ProctorU (new). Follow steps 1-3 outlined below.
Step 1 - Creating an Evolve account:
Go to: https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9781455728916?role=student
Click on “Register for this now”
Click on “Redeem/Checkout”
Provide your contact information, email address, and create a password.
Select Not Affiliated with a School
Click “Submit”
Accept the Registered User Agreement and click “Submit”
Go to ProctorU to complete HESI exam registration (An SMU ID # is not required to register for the HESI. If you are being asked for an SMU ID, you are in the wrong section. Exit the screen and proceed to the ProctorU website listed below to complete your HESI exam registration/reservation.).
Note: If you already have an Elsevier Evolve Account, log into your account, and add HESI Student Access (https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9781455728916?role=student)
Step 2 - Registering for proctoring via ProctorU
The HESI A2 Exam is administered remotely by ProctorU. Follow the instructions in the link below to schedule your proctoring, and enter the appropriate selections when prompted.
ProctorU - HESI A2 Registration Instructions
Use the following selections when prompted in your ProctorU account creation and HESI A2 registration.
Step 3 - Prior to your testing appointment please check your system compatibility
Questions about creating an Evolve Account and adding Student Access? Contact Elsevier Support at 1-800-222-9570.
Questions about scheduling your ProctorU appointment? Contact ProctorU Support line at 1-855-772-8678. You may also email support@proctoru.com.
Scores
Successful applicants will have achieved a score of 80 percent or higher on each of the above exams in the areas of English Language, Math and Science. The Learner Profile exams will be used to understand more about your learning style and personality and there is no minimum score.
You will be able to access your score report within 48-72 hours of taking the exam (if not sooner) on your Evolve account. You must upload a copy of this score report to your NursingCAS application, which means that scores must be available by the application deadline. Plan your test dates accordingly as scores from test dates after the application deadline will not be accepted. There is no requirement to wait a certain period of time between exams on the part of Samuel Merritt University. However, it does take time to receive a test date so plan ahead.
Applicants must submit official scores directly to Samuel Merritt University. If you have registered for and taken the HESI using the Samuel Merritt University Department ID, we will have access to your official scores, and you do not need to do anything else. If you registered through another school or did not ask your scores to be sent to Samuel Merritt University, you will need to request a HESI Transcript be sent to the Office of Admission via email, mail, or fax. Please click here to learn more about requesting a HESI Transcript. Our contact information for the request is:
Samuel Merritt University
ATTN: Office of Admission
3100 Telegraph Ave, Suite 1000
Oakland, CA 94609
admission@samuelmerritt.edu
Fax: 510-457-2622
Accommodations
Students requiring accommodations should follow the instructions below. Please allow 6 weeks for your accommodation to be processed.
ProctorU – Accommodation Registration Instructions
Exam Components
For the HESI A2, Samuel Merritt University requires the following exams in the areas of English Language, Math, Science and Learner Profile:
English Language
Each exam includes 55 questions and lasts between 50-60 minutes.
Math
Includes 55 questions and lasts 50 minutes.
Science
Includes 30 questions and lasts 25 minutes.
Learner Profile
Each exam includes 14 or 15 questions and lasts 15 minutes.
Additional Sections
There are two additional sections of the HESI Admission Assessment (Biology and Chemistry) that are not required by Samuel Merritt University. If you are taking the exam for a college/university that requires these sections, you can present those scores to us, but we will only consider the scores for the sections of the exam that we require as outlined above.
Preparing for the HESI A2
HESI offers an Admission Assessment Exam Review study guide at a 25 percent discount to students. Learn more about the HESI A2 study guide and enter promo code 92595 to receive the discount. Please note that the study guide will cover sections of the exam that are not required by Samuel Merritt University.
The TEAS are designed to test the basic academic skills you will need to perform in class in the areas of: Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage.
When registering for the TEAS, applicants should select the TEAS at ATI (online remote proctored by ATI) option. Applicants may register for the TEAS at http://www.atitesting.com/teas/register. Samuel Merritt University will also accept official exam scores for TEAS taken through other colleges or universities.
The minimum recommended exam score for competitive applicants is 80 percent for each individual section and overall. For registration or technical assistance with the TEAS, click here.
Applicants should upload their TEAS Individual Performance Profile in the "Program Materials- Documents" tab of their NursingCAS application.
What is the HESI A2?
The HESI Admission Assessment (HESI A2) is an admission exam required of all applicants to pre-licensure nursing programs (BSN, ABSN and ELMSN). The exam tests your knowledge of the English language, math and science—academic skills that are critical for success in a nursing program. The TEAS is also an acceptable alternative to fulfill the entry exam requirement.
Does Samuel Merritt University accept the TEAS?
Ye, we also accept the TEAS. This became effective on September 1, 2020.
Do I need to take both the HESI A2 and the TEAS?
No. Applicants are only required to submit one exam score: either the HESI or the TEAS.
What if I take both exams? Which one should I submit?
Applicants who have taken both the HESI and the TEAS may choose which exam score to submit. Only one exam will be reviewed with your application.
When do I need to have my HESI A2 or TEAS score?
You must have scores available to submit with your application. In other words, scores must be available by the application deadline. Applications submitted without HESI A2 or TEAS scores will be considered incomplete.
Can I take the HESI A2 or TEAS after the application deadline and provide my scores when they are available? If I retake the HESI A2 or TEAS, can I update my scores?
No. The scores that you submit with your application are the scores we will use to consider you for admission. If you are unhappy with your scores and fear that they might cause you to be denied admission, we recommend that you prepare to retake the exam and submit a new application.
How many times can I take the HESI A2 or TEAS?
We strongly recommend that you take the HESI A2 or TEAS no more than two times. You may only take the HESI twice using the SMU department ID.
Do HESI or TEAS scores expire?
HESI and TEAS scores do not expire at SMU.
How much time must pass between attempts?
Samuel Merritt University does not put restrictions on time between testing, but please give yourself enough time to study and prepare for your next attempt.
What subjects does Samuel Merritt University require?
There are three main sections to the HESI (English Language, Math and Science), each with one or more subsections. Samuel Merritt University requires scores in the following sections:
English Language
Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary and General Knowledge
Grammar
Math
Basic Math Skills
Science
Anatomy & Physiology
Samuel Merritt University also requires two, short learner profile exams, which are not used in the evaluation of your application: Learning Style & Personality Profile.
Please note that there are additional sections on the HESI A2 that may be required for other schools to which you are applying. You can provide HESI A2 scores that include these additional sections so long as the sections that are required by Samuel Merritt University are included in those scores, including the two Learner Profiles.
What are passing scores on the HESI A2 and TEAS?
While there are not passing scores, successful applicants will generally have a score of 80 percent or higher on each of the individual subsections as well as the overall composite score. For the HESI, the Learner Profile exams will be used to understand more about your learning style and personality and there is no minimum score.
How soon are the HESI A2 scores available?
You will be able to access your score report within 24 hours of taking the exam on your Evolve account. You must upload a copy of this score report to your NursingCAS application, which means that scores must be available by the application deadline.
How do I submit HESI scores using SMU's ID?
First, manually enter the scores in the "Academic History- Standardized Tests" tab of your NursingCAS application. Secondly, upload a copy of your score report in the "Program Materials- Documents" tab of your NursingCAS application. If you have registered for and taken the HESI using the Samuel Merritt University Department ID, we will have access to your official scores, and you do not need to do anything else.
How do I submit HESI scores if I registered through another school's ID?
First, manually enter the scores in the "Academic History- Standardized Tests" tab of your NursingCAS application. Secondly, upload a copy of your score report in the "Program Materials- Documents" tab of your NursingCAS application. If you registered through another school, you must have a HESI Transcript sent to the Office of Admission via email or mail. Please click here to learn more about requesting a HESI Transcript. Our contact information for the request is:
Samuel Merritt University
ATTN: Office of Admission
3100 Telegraph Ave, Suite 1000
Oakland, CA 94609
admission@samuelmerritt.edu
How do I submit TEAS scores?
First, manually enter the scores in the "Academic History- Standardized Tests" tab of your NursingCAS application. Secondly, upload a copy of your TEAS Individual Performance Profile in the "Program Materials- Documents" tab of your NursingCAS application. An admission representative will follow-up (with admitted students) if an official score report is needed.
How do I register for the HESI A2?
The HESI A2 is administered by Elsevier and proctored by ProctorU. The first step is to create an Elsevier Evolve Account. After you have created your Evolve account, follow Step 2 in the HESI A2 Registration Instructions above to schedule your proctor.
I’m being asked to provide a Samuel Merritt University Department ID for the HESI. What is the SMU ID number?
The SMU ID number is: 201772. Note that ProctorU also requires that you enter a separate access code when registering. This information is described and listed in the Proctor Registration Instructions above.
Which HESI version do I sign up for: HESI A2 Exam #1 or HESI A2 Exam #2?
If you have not taken the HESI A2 with Proctor U, select HESI A2 Exam #1. If you have already taken the exam with ProctorU, please sign up for HESI A2 Exam #2
Are study materials available for the HESI A2?
Yes. Learn more about the HESI A2 study guide and enter promo code 92595 to receive a discount.
I’m having difficulties registering for the HESI A2, what do I do?
Questions about creating an Evolve Account, adding Student Access, or Prometric? Contact Elsevier Support at 1-800-222-9570.
Questions about scheduling your ProctorU remote appointment? Contact ProctorU Support line at 1-855-772-8678. You may also email support@proctoru.com.
How do students request special accommodations for HESI exams given through ProctorU?
Applicants who are scheduling a testing appointment through ProctorU who require exam accommodations due to a disability-related need (such as extra time, reader, screen magnification, etc.) will need to submit their accommodation requests and supporting disability documentation directly to Elsevier for review. Complete this "ADA Remote Proctoring Accommodation Request" form and then submit the completed form and supporting disability documentation through Elsevier's accommodation request portal (called "Hightail"). Do not schedule your testing appointment until you have received a response from the Elsevier Special Accommodations Team. A response to an accommodation request is given within six (6) weeks.
How do students request special accommodations for the ATI TEAS remote proctored exam?
Please visit this link for information on how to request special accommodations for the TEAS. Instructions are located in the FAQ section of the ATI TEAS Online Remote Proctored Exam webpage.
How do I pay for my HESI Exam and Schedule my Testing Appointment?
Follow the Registration Instructions for ProctorU to pay for and schedule your HESI A2. These are located in the HESI A2 Registration Instructions expandable tab above.
I have taken the HESI A2 more than once. What scores do I use?
Please enter your highest score for each subsection of the HESI A2. Please upload a copy of all your HESI A2 score reports with your NursingCAS application.
How much does the HESI cost?
SMU does not set costs, but you can expect the cost to be around $85 - $125, depending on the proctoring service you select. Fee waiver requests should also be directed to Elsevier.
How does the HESI differ from the TEAS?
The HESI and TEAS are similar exams offered by different companies. Samuel Merritt University will accept either of these when applying for our nursing prelicensure programs.
I have more questions on the TEAS. Where can I find additional information?
Additional information on the TEAS may be found here.
