HESI A2 ADMISSION ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 Complete Test | Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry,
Grammar, Reading, Math| Actual Questions & Verified Answers
| All Subject Areas | Pass Guarantee
SECTION 1: Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–40)
Which body plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Coronal (frontal)
C. Transverse
D. Midsagittal
Correct Answer: B
1. Rationale: The coronal (frontal) plane runs vertically from side to side, dividing
anterior from posterior. Sagittal divides left/right; transverse divides
superior/inferior.
The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes is called:
A. Metabolism
B. Homeostasis
C. Catabolism
D. Anabolism
Correct Answer: B
2. Rationale: Homeostasis is the physiological process of maintaining stable
internal environment. Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions;
catabolism/anabolism are metabolic subtypes.
Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis?
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosomes
C. Lysosomes
D. Golgi apparatus
,Correct Answer: B
3. Rationale: Ribosomes read mRNA and assemble amino acids into proteins.
Mitochondria produce ATP; lysosomes digest waste; Golgi modifies/packages
proteins.
The epiphysis of a long bone is composed primarily of:
A. Compact bone
B. Spongy (cancellous) bone
C. Yellow marrow
D. Periosteum
Correct Answer: B
4. Rationale: The epiphysis (ends of long bone) contains spongy bone with red
marrow. The diaphysis contains compact bone and yellow marrow.
Which muscle type is striated and under voluntary control?
A. Smooth muscle
B. Cardiac muscle
C. Skeletal muscle
D. Visceral muscle
Correct Answer: C
5. Rationale: Skeletal muscle attaches to bones, is striated, and voluntarily
controlled. Cardiac is striated but involuntary; smooth is non-striated and
involuntary.
The primary function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells is to:
A. Store calcium ions
B. Synthesize ATP
C. Break down glycogen
D. Conduct nerve impulses
Correct Answer: A
6. Rationale: The sarcoplasmic reticulum stores and releases Ca²⁺ to trigger muscle
contraction. ATP synthesis occurs in mitochondria.
Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
,Correct Answer: C
7. Rationale: The left atrium receives oxygenated blood via pulmonary veins. The
left ventricle pumps it to the body; right chambers handle deoxygenated blood.
The "lub" sound of the heart (S1) is caused by closure of the:
A. Aortic and pulmonary valves
B. Mitral and tricuspid valves
C. Aortic valve only
D. Pulmonary valve only
Correct Answer: B
8. Rationale: S1 results from AV valve (mitral and tricuspid) closure at ventricular
systole. S2 is semilunar valve closure.
Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood?
A. Pulmonary vein
B. Aorta
C. Pulmonary artery
D. Carotid artery
Correct Answer: C
9. Rationale: The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from right ventricle
to lungs. Pulmonary veins and systemic arteries carry oxygenated blood.
Normal pH of arterial blood is approximately:
A. 6.8–7.0
B. 7.35–7.45
C. 7.50–7.60
D. 8.0–8.2
Correct Answer: B
10. Rationale: Arterial blood pH is tightly regulated at 7.35–7.45. Values outside this
range indicate acidosis or alkalosis.
The primary site of gas exchange in the lungs is the:
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Alveoli
D. Trachea
Correct Answer: C
, 11. Rationale: Alveoli are thin-walled air sacs where O₂ and CO₂ diffuse between air
and blood. Bronchi/bronchioles are conducting airways.
Which respiratory muscle is the principal muscle of inspiration?
A. Internal intercostals
B. External intercostals
C. Diaphragm
D. Abdominal muscles
Correct Answer: C
12. Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and descends, increasing thoracic volume.
Intercostals assist; abdominal muscles are accessory for forced expiration.
The functional unit of the kidney is the:
A. Nephron
B. Glomerulus
C. Renal pelvis
D. Ureter
Correct Answer: A
13. Rationale: The nephron (glomerulus + tubule) is the structural and functional unit
that filters blood and forms urine.
Which hormone increases water reabsorption in the collecting duct?
A. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
C. Atrial natriuretic peptide
D. Parathyroid hormone
Correct Answer: B
14. Rationale: ADH (vasopressin) inserts aquaporins in collecting duct membranes,
increasing water reabsorption. Aldosterone acts on Na⁺/K⁺ in distal tubule.
The central nervous system consists of the:
A. Brain and spinal cord
B. Brain and peripheral nerves
C. Spinal cord and autonomic nerves
D. Somatic and autonomic divisions
Correct Answer: A
15. Rationale: CNS = brain + spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system includes cranial
and spinal nerves.
2026/2027 Complete Test | Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry,
Grammar, Reading, Math| Actual Questions & Verified Answers
| All Subject Areas | Pass Guarantee
SECTION 1: Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–40)
Which body plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Coronal (frontal)
C. Transverse
D. Midsagittal
Correct Answer: B
1. Rationale: The coronal (frontal) plane runs vertically from side to side, dividing
anterior from posterior. Sagittal divides left/right; transverse divides
superior/inferior.
The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes is called:
A. Metabolism
B. Homeostasis
C. Catabolism
D. Anabolism
Correct Answer: B
2. Rationale: Homeostasis is the physiological process of maintaining stable
internal environment. Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions;
catabolism/anabolism are metabolic subtypes.
Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis?
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosomes
C. Lysosomes
D. Golgi apparatus
,Correct Answer: B
3. Rationale: Ribosomes read mRNA and assemble amino acids into proteins.
Mitochondria produce ATP; lysosomes digest waste; Golgi modifies/packages
proteins.
The epiphysis of a long bone is composed primarily of:
A. Compact bone
B. Spongy (cancellous) bone
C. Yellow marrow
D. Periosteum
Correct Answer: B
4. Rationale: The epiphysis (ends of long bone) contains spongy bone with red
marrow. The diaphysis contains compact bone and yellow marrow.
Which muscle type is striated and under voluntary control?
A. Smooth muscle
B. Cardiac muscle
C. Skeletal muscle
D. Visceral muscle
Correct Answer: C
5. Rationale: Skeletal muscle attaches to bones, is striated, and voluntarily
controlled. Cardiac is striated but involuntary; smooth is non-striated and
involuntary.
The primary function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells is to:
A. Store calcium ions
B. Synthesize ATP
C. Break down glycogen
D. Conduct nerve impulses
Correct Answer: A
6. Rationale: The sarcoplasmic reticulum stores and releases Ca²⁺ to trigger muscle
contraction. ATP synthesis occurs in mitochondria.
Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
,Correct Answer: C
7. Rationale: The left atrium receives oxygenated blood via pulmonary veins. The
left ventricle pumps it to the body; right chambers handle deoxygenated blood.
The "lub" sound of the heart (S1) is caused by closure of the:
A. Aortic and pulmonary valves
B. Mitral and tricuspid valves
C. Aortic valve only
D. Pulmonary valve only
Correct Answer: B
8. Rationale: S1 results from AV valve (mitral and tricuspid) closure at ventricular
systole. S2 is semilunar valve closure.
Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood?
A. Pulmonary vein
B. Aorta
C. Pulmonary artery
D. Carotid artery
Correct Answer: C
9. Rationale: The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from right ventricle
to lungs. Pulmonary veins and systemic arteries carry oxygenated blood.
Normal pH of arterial blood is approximately:
A. 6.8–7.0
B. 7.35–7.45
C. 7.50–7.60
D. 8.0–8.2
Correct Answer: B
10. Rationale: Arterial blood pH is tightly regulated at 7.35–7.45. Values outside this
range indicate acidosis or alkalosis.
The primary site of gas exchange in the lungs is the:
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Alveoli
D. Trachea
Correct Answer: C
, 11. Rationale: Alveoli are thin-walled air sacs where O₂ and CO₂ diffuse between air
and blood. Bronchi/bronchioles are conducting airways.
Which respiratory muscle is the principal muscle of inspiration?
A. Internal intercostals
B. External intercostals
C. Diaphragm
D. Abdominal muscles
Correct Answer: C
12. Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and descends, increasing thoracic volume.
Intercostals assist; abdominal muscles are accessory for forced expiration.
The functional unit of the kidney is the:
A. Nephron
B. Glomerulus
C. Renal pelvis
D. Ureter
Correct Answer: A
13. Rationale: The nephron (glomerulus + tubule) is the structural and functional unit
that filters blood and forms urine.
Which hormone increases water reabsorption in the collecting duct?
A. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
C. Atrial natriuretic peptide
D. Parathyroid hormone
Correct Answer: B
14. Rationale: ADH (vasopressin) inserts aquaporins in collecting duct membranes,
increasing water reabsorption. Aldosterone acts on Na⁺/K⁺ in distal tubule.
The central nervous system consists of the:
A. Brain and spinal cord
B. Brain and peripheral nerves
C. Spinal cord and autonomic nerves
D. Somatic and autonomic divisions
Correct Answer: A
15. Rationale: CNS = brain + spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system includes cranial
and spinal nerves.
