Order of Operations (PEMDAS) Practice for the HESI A2

Of all the arithmetic subjects tested via the HESI A2, Order of Operations causes the most unforced errors. You might know your fractions and drug calculations perfectly, but none of that matters if you solve an equation out of sequence.

If you're still piecing together what is generally expected of you in the math section, make sure to read our Ultimate HESI A2 Study Guide to see how math integrates with the rest of your scoring.

The PEMDAS Hierarchy

You probably learned "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" in middle school. But the acronym is actually slightly misleading.

Guided Practice Problem

Let's walk through a classic HESI-style problem step-by-step.

Solve: `24 ÷ 4 × (6 - 4) + 3^2`

Step 1: Parentheses
Solve `(6 - 4)`.
Equation becomes: `24 ÷ 4 × 2 + 3^2`

Step 2: Exponents
Solve `3^2`.
Equation becomes: `24 ÷ 4 × 2 + 9`

Step 3: Multiplication & Division (Left to Right)
Reading from the left, we hit `24 ÷ 4` first. Solve it.
Equation becomes: `6 × 2 + 9`
Keep reading. We hit `6 × 2`. Solve it.
Equation becomes: `12 + 9`

Step 4: Addition & Subtraction
Solve `12 + 9`.
Final Answer: 21

The Calculator Trap

The testing center will provide a very basic four-function digital calculator on your screen. You might be tempted to just punch the entire equation into the calculator and hit `=`. Do not do this.

Basic calculators do not have PEMDAS logic built in. They simply solve chronologically as you input numbers. If you type `2 + 3 × 4`, the calculator will say `20`. The real mathematical answer is `14`. You must use scratch paper to chunk the problem properly.

Check Your Knowledge

Ready to try this without a safety net? Head over to our Free HESI A2 Practice Quiz and see if you can pull off these calculations under the 60-second time pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PEMDAS stand for?

PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. It is the strict order in which you must solve math problems.

Do I always multiply before dividing?

No! Multiplication and Division hold the same rank. You solve them from left to right as they appear in the equation. Same goes for Addition and Subtraction.

Does the HESI A2 math section have exponents?

The HESI A2 generally avoids complex exponents, but you may see very simple squares (like 3^2) within a basic PEMDAS equation.

Are calculators allowed on the HESI A2?

Testing centers provide a very basic four-function on-screen calculator. However, it will NOT perform PEMDAS for you. You must click through the operations in the correct manual order.