HESI A2 Physics Section: Do You Need It and How to Study

The HESI A2 Physics section catches many students off guard — most don't even know it exists until they check their school's requirements. This guide tells you whether you actually need it, what's on it, and the fastest path to a passing score.

Do You Actually Need the Physics Section?

The short answer: probably not, but check. The HESI A2 is modular — each nursing school selects which sections applicants must complete. Most ADN and BSN programs require:

• Math
• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Anatomy & Physiology

Physics is most commonly required by:

• Competitive BSN programs at research universities
• Accelerated BSN programs
• Some health science programs (radiology, physical therapy, etc.)
• Schools that use the HESI for general science admissions

What's on the HESI A2 Physics Section?

The section has 25 multiple-choice questions with a 25-minute time limit. Here's what to expect:

1. Motion and Kinematics

• Speed, velocity, and acceleration: Calculating each using v = d/t and a = Δv/t
• Distance vs. displacement: Understanding the difference (scalar vs. vector)
• Interpreting motion graphs (position-time, velocity-time)

2. Newton's Laws of Motion

• First Law (Inertia): An object stays at rest or in motion unless acted on by a force
• Second Law (F = ma): Force equals mass times acceleration
• Third Law: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
• Applying Newton's laws to everyday scenarios (pushing boxes, car acceleration, etc.)

3. Energy and Work

• Kinetic energy: KE = ½mv² (energy of motion)
• Potential energy: PE = mgh (stored energy due to position)
• Work: W = F × d (force applied over a distance)
• Power: P = W/t (rate of doing work)
• Conservation of energy — energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed

4. Waves and Sound

• Properties of waves: wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed
• Wave equation: v = fλ
• Sound vs. light waves (mechanical vs. electromagnetic)
• The Doppler effect

5. Light and Optics

• Reflection and refraction
• Concave vs. convex lenses and mirrors
• The electromagnetic spectrum (radio → microwave → infrared → visible → UV → X-ray → gamma)

6. Electricity Basics

• Ohm's Law: V = IR (voltage = current × resistance)
• Conductors vs. insulators
• Series vs. parallel circuits (basic understanding)
• Static electricity and charge

7. Heat and Thermodynamics

• Heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation
• Temperature scales: Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin
• Specific heat and thermal equilibrium

Essential Formulas to Know

How to Study: The 2-Week Plan

Most students can prepare for HESI Physics in about two weeks with focused daily study:

• Week 1: Learn or review the seven topic areas above. Spend 30–45 minutes per day, one topic per day. Use YouTube videos for visual concepts (Khan Academy's physics playlist is excellent).
• Week 2: Practice problems and formula application. Focus on plugging values into formulas, unit conversions, and solving word problems. Take at least two timed 25-question practice quizzes.

Frequently Asked Questions