HESI A2 ADMISSION ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 Complete Test | Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry,
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SECTION 1: Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1-40)
Which directional term describes a structure located toward the front of the body?
A. Posterior
B. Superior
C. Anterior
D. Inferior
Correct Answer: C
1. Rationale: Anterior (ventral) refers to the front of the body. Posterior means
toward the back, superior means above, and inferior means below.
The plane that divides the body into left and right portions is called the:
A. Frontal plane
B. Sagittal plane
C. Transverse plane
D. Coronal plane
Correct Answer: B
2. Rationale: The sagittal plane runs vertically and divides the body into left and
right parts. The frontal/coronal plane divides anterior and posterior; the
transverse plane divides superior and inferior.
Which organ system is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism,
growth, and development?
A. Nervous system
B. Endocrine system
C. Immune system
,D. Integumentary system
Correct Answer: B
3. Rationale: The endocrine system consists of glands (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal,
etc.) that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate body
functions.
The basic functional unit of the kidney is the:
A. Neuron
B. Nephron
C. Alveolus
D. Sarcomere
Correct Answer: B
4. Rationale: The nephron filters blood, reabsorbs nutrients, and produces urine.
Neurons are nerve cells, alveoli are lung air sacs, and sarcomeres are muscle
units.
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
5. Rationale: Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs via pulmonary veins into the
left atrium. The left ventricle pumps it to the body; right chambers handle
deoxygenated blood.
The tricuspid valve is located between the:
A. Left atrium and left ventricle
B. Right atrium and right ventricle
C. Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
D. Left ventricle and aorta
Correct Answer: B
6. Rationale: The tricuspid valve prevents backflow from the right ventricle into the
right atrium. The mitral/bicuspid valve is on the left side.
Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
,C. Superior vena cava
D. Inferior vena cava
Correct Answer: D
7. Rationale: The inferior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood from below the
diaphragm. The superior vena cava drains the upper body; pulmonary vessels
carry blood to/from lungs.
The exchange of gases between blood and tissues occurs in the:
A. Arteries
B. Veins
C. Capillaries
D. Venules
Correct Answer: C
8. Rationale: Capillaries have thin walls (one cell thick) that allow diffusion of O₂,
CO₂, nutrients, and waste between blood and interstitial fluid.
Which structure prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing?
A. Epiglottis
B. Uvula
C. Tonsils
D. Larynx
Correct Answer: A
9. Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap that closes over the larynx during swallowing,
directing food to the esophagus. The uvula prevents nasal regurgitation.
The primary muscle of respiration is the:
A. External intercostals
B. Diaphragm
C. Sternocleidomastoid
D. Pectoralis major
Correct Answer: B
10. Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and flattens during inspiration, increasing
thoracic volume. Intercostals assist; accessory muscles work during labored
breathing.
Which digestive enzyme breaks down proteins in the stomach?
A. Amylase
B. Lipase
, C. Pepsin
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: C
11. Rationale: Pepsin, activated by HCl, begins protein digestion. Amylase breaks
starch (mouth), lipase breaks fats (small intestine), and trypsin works in the
small intestine.
Bile is produced by the _____ and stored in the _____.
A. Gallbladder; liver
B. Liver; gallbladder
C. Pancreas; duodenum
D. Stomach; ileum
Correct Answer: B
12. Rationale: Hepatocytes in the liver produce bile continuously; the gallbladder
concentrates and stores it for release during fatty meals.
Which vitamin is primarily absorbed in the ileum and requires intrinsic factor?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C
13. Rationale: Intrinsic factor (from gastric parietal cells) binds B12 for absorption in
the terminal ileum. Deficiency causes pernicious anemia.
The longest bone in the human body is the:
A. Humerus
B. Femur
C. Tibia
D. Fibula
Correct Answer: B
14. Rationale: The femur (thigh bone) extends from hip to knee and is the longest
and strongest bone, supporting body weight.
Which type of joint allows the greatest range of motion?
A. Fibrous joint
B. Cartilaginous joint
C. Synovial joint
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 directional term describes a structure located toward the front of the body?
A. Posterior
B. Superior
C. Anterior
D. Inferior
Correct Answer: C
1. Rationale: Anterior (ventral) refers to the front of the body. Posterior means
toward the back, superior means above, and inferior means below.
The plane that divides the body into left and right portions is called the:
A. Frontal plane
B. Sagittal plane
C. Transverse plane
D. Coronal plane
Correct Answer: B
2. Rationale: The sagittal plane runs vertically and divides the body into left and
right parts. The frontal/coronal plane divides anterior and posterior; the
transverse plane divides superior and inferior.
Which organ system is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism,
growth, and development?
A. Nervous system
B. Endocrine system
C. Immune system
,D. Integumentary system
Correct Answer: B
3. Rationale: The endocrine system consists of glands (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal,
etc.) that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate body
functions.
The basic functional unit of the kidney is the:
A. Neuron
B. Nephron
C. Alveolus
D. Sarcomere
Correct Answer: B
4. Rationale: The nephron filters blood, reabsorbs nutrients, and produces urine.
Neurons are nerve cells, alveoli are lung air sacs, and sarcomeres are muscle
units.
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
5. Rationale: Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs via pulmonary veins into the
left atrium. The left ventricle pumps it to the body; right chambers handle
deoxygenated blood.
The tricuspid valve is located between the:
A. Left atrium and left ventricle
B. Right atrium and right ventricle
C. Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
D. Left ventricle and aorta
Correct Answer: B
6. Rationale: The tricuspid valve prevents backflow from the right ventricle into the
right atrium. The mitral/bicuspid valve is on the left side.
Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
,C. Superior vena cava
D. Inferior vena cava
Correct Answer: D
7. Rationale: The inferior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood from below the
diaphragm. The superior vena cava drains the upper body; pulmonary vessels
carry blood to/from lungs.
The exchange of gases between blood and tissues occurs in the:
A. Arteries
B. Veins
C. Capillaries
D. Venules
Correct Answer: C
8. Rationale: Capillaries have thin walls (one cell thick) that allow diffusion of O₂,
CO₂, nutrients, and waste between blood and interstitial fluid.
Which structure prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing?
A. Epiglottis
B. Uvula
C. Tonsils
D. Larynx
Correct Answer: A
9. Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap that closes over the larynx during swallowing,
directing food to the esophagus. The uvula prevents nasal regurgitation.
The primary muscle of respiration is the:
A. External intercostals
B. Diaphragm
C. Sternocleidomastoid
D. Pectoralis major
Correct Answer: B
10. Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and flattens during inspiration, increasing
thoracic volume. Intercostals assist; accessory muscles work during labored
breathing.
Which digestive enzyme breaks down proteins in the stomach?
A. Amylase
B. Lipase
, C. Pepsin
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: C
11. Rationale: Pepsin, activated by HCl, begins protein digestion. Amylase breaks
starch (mouth), lipase breaks fats (small intestine), and trypsin works in the
small intestine.
Bile is produced by the _____ and stored in the _____.
A. Gallbladder; liver
B. Liver; gallbladder
C. Pancreas; duodenum
D. Stomach; ileum
Correct Answer: B
12. Rationale: Hepatocytes in the liver produce bile continuously; the gallbladder
concentrates and stores it for release during fatty meals.
Which vitamin is primarily absorbed in the ileum and requires intrinsic factor?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C
13. Rationale: Intrinsic factor (from gastric parietal cells) binds B12 for absorption in
the terminal ileum. Deficiency causes pernicious anemia.
The longest bone in the human body is the:
A. Humerus
B. Femur
C. Tibia
D. Fibula
Correct Answer: B
14. Rationale: The femur (thigh bone) extends from hip to knee and is the longest
and strongest bone, supporting body weight.
Which type of joint allows the greatest range of motion?
A. Fibrous joint
B. Cartilaginous joint
C. Synovial joint
