I Failed My TEAS or HESI — Retake Strategy and What to Do Next

Failing a nursing entrance exam feels devastating — but it's far more common than you think. Thousands of students retake the TEAS 7 or HESI A2 every year and go on to get accepted into nursing school. The key is studying smarter the second time around, not just harder.

First: Take a Breath

A low score on one attempt does not mean you're not cut out for nursing school. It means your preparation strategy didn't match the test's requirements. That's fixable. Many students improve by 10–20 percentage points between their first and second attempt by simply studying the right things.

Step 1: Analyze Your Score Report

Both the TEAS 7 and HESI A2 provide detailed score breakdowns by section and topic area. This is the single most important tool for your retake strategy. Don't just look at the composite — dig into each section:

• Which section was your lowest?
• Within that section, which sub-topics did you miss the most?
• Were mistakes due to not knowing the content, or running out of time?

Step 2: Understand the Retake Policies

TEAS 7 Retake Policy

• You must wait 30 days between attempts.
• There is no ATI-imposed limit on retakes, but your nursing school may have one.
• Each retake costs the full testing fee (~$90–$120).
• Some schools only accept your first attempt; others take the highest score.

HESI A2 Retake Policy

• Policies vary entirely by school — some allow unlimited retakes, others cap at 2–3 attempts.
• Waiting periods range from 30 to 90 days depending on the institution.
• Some schools let you retake individual sections rather than the entire exam.

Step 3: Fix What Went Wrong

The biggest mistake retakers make is studying the same way they did the first time. Here's a better approach:

1. Spend 80% of your time on your weakest sections. If you scored 90% in Reading but 45% in Science, your retake study plan should be almost entirely Science.
2. Use different resources. If a study guide didn't work the first time, try video explanations (YouTube channels like Nurse Cheung for A&P, Brandon Craft for Math) or work with a tutor.
3. Practice under timed conditions. Many students fail because of time management, not lack of knowledge. Simulate the real exam pace.
4. Take a full practice test 3–5 days before your retake to identify any remaining gaps.

Step 4: Consider Getting Help

If you studied hard and still fell short, self-study alone may not be enough. A personalized tutoring plan identifies exactly where you're losing points and builds a focused strategy around your specific weaknesses — which is far more efficient than re-reading an entire study guide cover to cover.

Frequently Asked Questions