HESI A2 Math Practice Test

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Question 1 of 25Medium
Which of the following represents the number 1,496 in Roman numerals?
1. A. MCDLXXXXVI
2. B. MDCXCVI
3. C. MCDXCIV
4. D. MCDXCVI
Show answer to question 1
Answer: D. MCDXCVI
The number 1,496 is expanded as 1000 (M), 400 (CD), 90 (XC), and 6 (VI), combining to form MCDXCVI. MDCXCVI is incorrect because DC represents 600 rather than 400. MCDLXXXXVI violates standard Roman numeral conventions by using four repeated X characters instead of subtractive notation for 90.
Question 2 of 25Hard
A public health department recorded the number of immunizations administered by four regional clinics in one year: Clinic North gave 14,582 vaccines, Clinic South gave 9,745 vaccines, Clinic East gave 18,639 vaccines, and Clinic West gave 12,416 vaccines. What was the total number of vaccines administered by the four clinics?
1. A. 54,382 vaccines
2. B. 55,372 vaccines
3. C. 55,382 vaccines
4. D. 55,282 vaccines
Show answer to question 2
Answer: C. 55,382 vaccines
Carefully aligning and summing the four multi-digit numbers produces 14,582 + 9,745 + 18,639 + 12,416 = 55,382 vaccines. The distractor 54,382 vaccines occurs when the regrouped 2 from the hundreds column is mistakenly entered as 1 when adding the thousands column.
Question 3 of 25Medium
A regional clinic recorded 39,962 vaccinations administered over the past year. What is this number rounded to the nearest thousand?
1. A. 40,900
2. B. 40,000
3. C. 39,900
4. D. 39,000
Show answer to question 3
Answer: B. 40,000
To round 39,962 to the nearest thousand, examine the digit in the hundreds place, which is 9. Because 9 is 5 or greater, the thousands place must be rounded up, causing 39 to increment to 40, resulting in 40,000. The value 39,000 is incorrect because it incorrectly truncates or rounds down the value.
Question 4 of 25Medium
A community clinic ordered 5,000 sterile syringes for a regional health screening. During the screening, nurses used 3,648 syringes. How many unused syringes remain?
1. A. 1,362 syringes
2. B. 1,462 syringes
3. C. 1,452 syringes
4. D. 1,352 syringes
Show answer to question 4
Answer: D. 1,352 syringes
Regrouping across multiple zeros transforms 5,000 into 4 thousands, 9 hundreds, 9 tens, and 10 ones, which gives a final remainder of 1,352 syringes. The distractor 1,462 syringes results from the common error of treating all regrouped zero places as 10 rather than reducing the intermediate places to 9.
Question 5 of 25Easy
A patient drinks 24 fluid ounces of water. How many cups of water did the patient consume?
1. A. 2 cups
2. B. 6 cups
3. C. 4 cups
4. D. 3 cups
Show answer to question 5
Answer: D. 3 cups
There are 8 fluid ounces in 1 customary cup. Dividing 24 fluid ounces by 8 yields 3 cups. The value of 2 cups is incorrect and typically results from mistakenly using 12 fluid ounces per cup.
Question 6 of 25Medium
What is the value of the expression 4^2 + 2 * (15 - 3^2) / 3?
1. A. 20
2. B. 28
3. C. 12
4. D. 36
Show answer to question 6
Answer: A. 20
Operations inside parentheses are evaluated first, starting with the exponent to get 15 - 9 = 6. Next, evaluating 4^2 gives 16, resulting in 16 + 2 * 6 / 3. Multiplying and dividing from left to right yields 4, and adding 16 gives 20. The value 36 is obtained if addition is erroneously performed before multiplication.
Question 7 of 25Easy
A medical-surgical unit has 8 registered nurses assigned to care for 24 patients. What is the ratio of registered nurses to patients in simplest form?
1. A. 2:6
2. B. 3:1
3. C. 1:4
4. D. 1:3
Show answer to question 7
Answer: D. 1:3
Dividing both terms by their greatest common factor of 8 reduces 8:24 to 1:3. The ratio 3:1 represents patients to nurses rather than nurses to patients, while 2:6 is not reduced to simplest form.
Question 8 of 25Hard
A laboratory technician needs to prepare a solution with a final volume of 0.05 liters. The technician has already placed 32,000 microliters of stock solution into a flask. How many milliliters of diluent must be added to reach the desired final volume?
1. A. 32 mL
2. B. 18 mL
3. C. 82 mL
4. D. 46.8 mL
Show answer to question 8
Answer: B. 18 mL
The target volume of 0.05 liters equals 50 milliliters (0.05 multiplied by 1,000), and the 32,000 microliters of stock solution equals 32 milliliters (32,000 divided by 1,000). Subtracting 32 mL from 50 mL indicates that 18 mL of diluent is needed. The distractor 46.8 mL results from dividing 32,000 by 10,000 instead of 1,000, leading to an incorrect stock volume of 3.2 mL.
Question 9 of 25Hard
A medical clinic orders 48 boxes of gloves at $29.80 per box and 12 packs of masks at $49.25 per pack. By rounding each quantity to the nearest ten and each unit price to the nearest ten dollars, what is the estimated total cost?
1. A. $2,000
2. B. $1,500
3. C. $2,500
4. D. $1,700
Show answer to question 9
Answer: A. $2,000
Rounding 48 to 50 and $29.80 to $30 gives $1,500 for gloves, while rounding 12 to 10 and $49.25 to $50 gives $500 for masks, totaling $2,000. The value $1,700 results from incorrectly rounding 48 down to 40 instead of up to 50.
Question 10 of 25Easy
A nurse needs to prepare 500 mL of a 5% dextrose solution using a 25% dextrose stock solution. How many milliliters of the stock solution are needed?
1. A. 50 mL
2. B. 150 mL
3. C. 100 mL
4. D. 200 mL
Show answer to question 10
Answer: C. 100 mL
Use C1V1 = C2V2. (25%) * V1 = (5%) * 500 mL => V1 = (5 * 500) / 25 = 100 mL.
Why the other options are wrong
- A50 mL would give a 2.5% final concentration.
- B150 mL would give a 7.5% final concentration.
- D200 mL would give a 10% final concentration.
Question 11 of 25Medium
A hospital unit requires a nurse-to-patient ratio of 2 nurses for every 9 patients. If the unit currently has 36 patients and 5 nurses are already on duty, how many additional nurses must be scheduled?
1. A. 3
2. B. 8
3. C. 13
4. D. 4
Show answer to question 11
Answer: A. 3
Using the proportion 2/9 = x/36 reveals that 8 total nurses are required for 36 patients. Because 5 nurses are already present, 3 additional nurses are needed (8 - 5 = 3). Selecting 8 represents the total number of nurses needed rather than the additional staff required.
Question 12 of 25Medium
During a shift, a patient consumes 1/2 cup of broth, 1 cup of gelatin, and 3/4 cup of water. What is the patient's total fluid intake in fluid ounces?
1. A. 18 fluid ounces
2. B. 16 fluid ounces
3. C. 20 fluid ounces
4. D. 14 fluid ounces
Show answer to question 12
Answer: A. 18 fluid ounces
Because 1 cup equals 8 fluid ounces, 1/2 cup equals 4 fluid ounces, 1 cup equals 8 fluid ounces, and 3/4 cup equals 6 fluid ounces. Adding these amounts together (4 + 8 + 6) gives 18 fluid ounces. The value of 16 fluid ounces is incorrect because it accounts for only 2 full cups, omitting the additional 1/4 cup.
Question 13 of 25Easy
Simplify the fraction 24/36 to its lowest terms.
1. A. 4/5
2. B. 3/4
3. C. 2/3
4. D. 1/2
Show answer to question 13
Answer: C. 2/3
Divide both numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, 12: 24 ÷ 12 = 2, 36 ÷ 12 = 3, giving 2/3.
Why the other options are wrong
- A4/5 is equivalent to 28.8/36, not a simplified form of 24/36.
- B3/4 is equivalent to 27/36, not 24/36.
- D1/2 is equivalent to 18/36, which is larger in value than 24/36 (since 1/2 = 0.5 but 24/36 ≈ 0.667).
Question 14 of 25Easy
What is the result of 3/5 ÷ 9/10 in simplest form?
1. A. 2/3
2. B. 3/2
3. C. 5/6
4. D. 27/50
Show answer to question 14
Answer: A. 2/3
To divide fractions, multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction: (3/5) × (10/9) = 30/45, which reduces to 2/3. The value 27/50 is incorrect because it results from multiplying the fractions straight across without inverting the divisor.
Question 15 of 25Hard
A topical antiseptic solution is prepared by combining concentrated antiseptic with sterile water in a ratio of 3 to 7. How many milliliters of concentrated antiseptic are needed to make a total volume of 350 mL of this solution?
1. A. 105 mL
2. B. 245 mL
3. C. 210 mL
4. D. 150 mL
Show answer to question 15
Answer: A. 105 mL
The mixture contains 3 parts antiseptic and 7 parts water, creating 10 total parts. Setting up the part-to-whole proportion gives 3 / 10 = x mL / 350 mL, which simplifies to 10x = 1,050 and gives x = 105 mL. The distractor of 150 mL results from using an incorrect part-to-part ratio of 3 to 7 against the total volume of 350 mL.
Question 16 of 25Medium
A patient consumes 6 fluid ounces of broth and 4 fluid ounces of juice. How many milliliters of fluid did the patient consume in total?
1. A. 240 mL
2. B. 180 mL
3. C. 150 mL
4. D. 300 mL
Show answer to question 16
Answer: D. 300 mL
The patient consumed a total of 10 fluid ounces (6 oz + 4 oz). Using the standard healthcare conversion factor where 1 fluid ounce equals 30 mL, 10 multiplied by 30 yields 300 mL. The choice of 150 mL results from mistakenly using the conversion for a tablespoon (15 mL), and 180 mL reflects only the broth.
Question 17 of 25Medium
A roll of medical tape measures 5 1/6 yards. A nurse cuts off 2 3/4 yards to secure several dressings. How many yards of tape remain on the roll?
1. A. 2 7/12
2. B. 3 5/12
3. C. 2 5/12
4. D. 3 7/12
Show answer to question 17
Answer: C. 2 5/12
To subtract the mixed numbers, convert the fractions to equivalent fractions with the common denominator of 12, yielding 5 2/12 and 2 9/12. Because 9/12 cannot be subtracted directly from 2/12, borrow 1 (12/12) from 5 to make 4 14/12. Subtracting 2 9/12 from 4 14/12 leaves 2 5/12. The distractor 3 7/12 occurs when the smaller numerator is subtracted from the larger numerator without properly borrowing from the whole number.
Question 18 of 25Hard
An intravenous infusion is scheduled to run for 5 hours and 45 minutes. If the infusion begins at 2030, at what military time will it be completed?
1. A. 0315
2. B. 0215
3. C. 2615
4. D. 0115
Show answer to question 18
Answer: B. 0215
Adding 5 hours and 45 minutes to 2030 results in 26 hours and 15 minutes; subtracting the 24 hours of a full day yields 0215 the following morning. The option 0115 occurs if the extra hour carried from the 75 minutes is omitted.
Question 19 of 25Easy
A nurse has 384 alcohol prep pads to distribute equally among 12 supply bins. How many prep pads should be placed in each bin?
1. A. 31 pads
2. B. 28 pads
3. C. 32 pads
4. D. 34 pads
Show answer to question 19
Answer: C. 32 pads
Dividing the total number of pads by the number of bins yields 384 divided by 12, which equals 32 pads per bin. The option of 31 pads represents an arithmetic undercounting error during long division.
Question 20 of 25Hard
Convert 16 2/3% to a fraction in simplest terms.
1. A. 1/3
2. B. 2/15
3. C. 1/8
4. D. 1/6
Show answer to question 20
Answer: D. 1/6
Converting 16 2/3% to an improper fraction gives (50/3)%, which equals 50/300 or 1/6 after dividing by 100 and reducing. The option 1/8 represents 12 1/2%, not 16 2/3%.
Question 21 of 25Easy
A patient's blood pressure readings were recorded over four visits as 118, 124, 130, and 128. What is the mean of these readings?
1. A. 126
2. B. 124
3. C. 125
4. D. 130
Show answer to question 21
Answer: C. 125
Add the readings: 118 + 124 + 130 + 128 = 500. Divide by the number of readings: 500 ÷ 4 = 125.
Why the other options are wrong
- A126 is the median, the average of the middle values 124 and 128, not the mean.
- B124 is just one of the readings; a mean of 124 would require a sum of 496.
- D130 is the highest reading, not the average.
Question 22 of 25Medium
Which list correctly orders the fractions from least to greatest?
1. A. 5/8, 7/12, 3/4, 2/3
2. B. 7/12, 5/8, 2/3, 3/4
3. C. 5/8, 7/12, 2/3, 3/4
4. D. 7/12, 2/3, 5/8, 3/4
Show answer to question 22
Answer: B. 7/12, 5/8, 2/3, 3/4
Converting each fraction to the common denominator of 24 gives 7/12 = 14/24, 5/8 = 15/24, 2/3 = 16/24, and 3/4 = 18/24. Ordering from smallest to largest numerator produces the sequence 7/12, 5/8, 2/3, 3/4. Placing 5/8 before 7/12 is an error caused by assuming 5/8 must be smaller because its numerator is smaller, even though 5/8 equals 0.625 and 7/12 equals approximately 0.583.
Question 23 of 25Medium
A multi-dose vial contains 12.6 mL of an injectable solution. If each dose requires 0.84 mL, how many doses can be administered from the vial?
1. A. 12 doses
2. B. 15 doses
3. C. 150 doses
4. D. 1.5 doses
Show answer to question 23
Answer: B. 15 doses
Dividing the total volume of 12.6 mL by the dose volume of 0.84 mL requires moving the decimal point two places to the right in both numbers, yielding 1260 divided by 84, which equals 15 doses. An answer of 1.5 doses is incorrect and commonly occurs when moving the decimal point two places in the divisor but only one place in the dividend.
Question 24 of 25Hard
A nurse needs to prepare a 2% cleaning solution from 500 mL of a 10% solution. How much water must be added? (Assume volumes are additive.)
1. A. 2000 mL
2. B. 1500 mL
3. C. 1000 mL
4. D. 2500 mL
Show answer to question 24
Answer: A. 2000 mL
The amount of cleaning agent in the original solution is 10% of 500 mL = 50 mL. In the final 2% solution, this 50 mL must represent 2% of the total volume. So total volume = 50 / 0.02 = 2500 mL. Water added = 2500 − 500 = 2000 mL. Alternatively, set up equation: 0.10(500) = 0.02(500 + x), solve for x = 2000.
Why the other options are wrong
- B1500 mL would give a total volume of 2000 mL, making the concentration 50/2000 = 2.5%, not 2%.
- C1000 mL would give a total volume of 1500 mL, making the concentration 50/1500 ≈ 3.33%, too high.
- D2500 mL is the final total volume, not the amount of water added.
Question 25 of 25Medium
Convert 0.75 liters to milliliters.
1. A. 7500 mL
2. B. 750 mL
3. C. 75 mL
4. D. 7.5 mL
Show answer to question 25
Answer: B. 750 mL
1 L = 1000 mL, so 0.75 × 1000 = 750 mL.
Why the other options are wrong
- A7500 mL is off by a factor of 10 (7.5 L).
- C75 mL is off by a factor of 10 (0.075 L).
- D7.5 mL is off by a factor of 100 (0.0075 L).

The full HESI A2 bank has 834 Math questions. See plans

Mathematics is one of the seven common sections of the HESI A2 from Elsevier, and your nursing program decides whether you take it and sets the number of questions and the time. Below are 25 original Math practice questions, each with the answer and an explanation.

Source: Elsevier HESI A2.

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No. They are original practice questions written from the public exam outline, not questions taken from the exam. Exam owners keep live questions confidential.

How many Math questions are on the HESI A2?

It depends on your nursing program. Each program chooses the HESI A2 sections you take and sets the number of questions and the time, so ask your program which sections it requires. Source: Elsevier HESI A2.

Is this HESI A2 Math practice test free?

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How should I use this practice test?

Answer each question before you open Show answer, then read why the correct option is right and the others are not. Note the topics you miss and review them first. The HESI A2 study guide has 7 lessons for Math, listed on this page.

These are original practice questions written from the public exam outline. They are not actual exam questions. HESI is a trademark of its owner. tests.global is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elsevier.

Updated November 1, 2026.

HESI A2 Math Practice Test

25 practice questions

Which of the following represents the number 1,496 in Roman numerals?

A regional clinic recorded 39,962 vaccinations administered over the past year. What is this number rounded to the nearest thousand?

A community clinic ordered 5,000 sterile syringes for a regional health screening. During the screening, nurses used 3,648 syringes. How many unused syringes remain?

A patient drinks 24 fluid ounces of water. How many cups of water did the patient consume?

What is the value of the expression 4^2 + 2 * (15 - 3^2) / 3?

A medical-surgical unit has 8 registered nurses assigned to care for 24 patients. What is the ratio of registered nurses to patients in simplest form?

A laboratory technician needs to prepare a solution with a final volume of 0.05 liters. The technician has already placed 32,000 microliters of stock solution into a flask. How many milliliters of diluent must be added to reach the desired final volume?

A medical clinic orders 48 boxes of gloves at $29.80 per box and 12 packs of masks at $49.25 per pack. By rounding each quantity to the nearest ten and each unit price to the nearest ten dollars, what is the estimated total cost?

A nurse needs to prepare 500 mL of a 5% dextrose solution using a 25% dextrose stock solution. How many milliliters of the stock solution are needed?

A hospital unit requires a nurse-to-patient ratio of 2 nurses for every 9 patients. If the unit currently has 36 patients and 5 nurses are already on duty, how many additional nurses must be scheduled?

During a shift, a patient consumes 1/2 cup of broth, 1 cup of gelatin, and 3/4 cup of water. What is the patient's total fluid intake in fluid ounces?

Simplify the fraction 24/36 to its lowest terms.

What is the result of 3/5 ÷ 9/10 in simplest form?

A topical antiseptic solution is prepared by combining concentrated antiseptic with sterile water in a ratio of 3 to 7. How many milliliters of concentrated antiseptic are needed to make a total volume of 350 mL of this solution?

A patient consumes 6 fluid ounces of broth and 4 fluid ounces of juice. How many milliliters of fluid did the patient consume in total?

A roll of medical tape measures 5 1/6 yards. A nurse cuts off 2 3/4 yards to secure several dressings. How many yards of tape remain on the roll?

An intravenous infusion is scheduled to run for 5 hours and 45 minutes. If the infusion begins at 2030, at what military time will it be completed?

A nurse has 384 alcohol prep pads to distribute equally among 12 supply bins. How many prep pads should be placed in each bin?

Convert 16 2/3% to a fraction in simplest terms.

A patient's blood pressure readings were recorded over four visits as 118, 124, 130, and 128. What is the mean of these readings?

Which list correctly orders the fractions from least to greatest?

A multi-dose vial contains 12.6 mL of an injectable solution. If each dose requires 0.84 mL, how many doses can be administered from the vial?

A nurse needs to prepare a 2% cleaning solution from 500 mL of a 10% solution. How much water must be added? (Assume volumes are additive.)

Convert 0.75 liters to milliliters.

Study guide lessons for Math

More HESI A2 practice tests

Practice the full HESI A2 bank.

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