HESI A2 Version 3 Complete Exam 2025 – Grammar,
Math, Reading, Biology, Vocabulary, Chemistry,
Anatomy & Physiology – Actual Exam Questions and
Detailed Correct Answers (Already Graded A+)
SECTION 1 – READING COMPREHENSION
Passage 1
(1) The influenza virus is a master of adaptation. (2) Each year it subtly alters its surface
proteins, a process known as antigenic drift, allowing it to evade the immune defenses humans
built the previous season. (3) Scientists monitor these changes through a global surveillance
network coordinated by the World Health Organization. (4) Twice annually—once for the
Northern Hemisphere and once for the Southern—the WHO recommends which viral strains
should be included in the upcoming season’s vaccine. (5) Vaccine manufacturers then race to
grow the selected viruses in millions of chicken eggs, purify the antigens, and formulate the
shots that will be shipped to clinics worldwide. (6) Although the process is labor-intensive and
occasionally misses the mark, it remains the best defense against a disease that claims 290
000–650 000 lives every year.
Which sentence states the passage’s central idea?
1. A. Sentence 1
B. Sentence 2
C. Sentence 3
D. Sentence 6
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sentence 1 (“The influenza virus is a master of adaptation”) introduces the
overarching theme—how flu constantly changes—around which the entire passage is built.
,Sentence 2 gives detail, 3–5 describe surveillance and production, and 6 concedes limitations;
none of these carry the central idea.
What is the primary purpose of the passage?
2. A. To persuade readers to receive annual flu shots
B. To explain how flu vaccines are updated yearly
C. To criticize the use of chicken eggs in vaccine production
D. To compare antigenic drift with antigenic shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage focuses on the yearly cycle of viral change, global monitoring, and
vaccine reformulation. While persuasion (A) is hinted at, the dominant mode is explanatory. C is
too narrow and negative; D introduces an unrelated term (“shift”).
Which statement is an inference supported by the passage?
3. A. The WHO bases its strain selection solely on data from North America.
B. If surveillance stopped, vaccine effectiveness would likely decline.
C. Antigenic drift occurs only in the Southern Hemisphere.
D. Chicken eggs are the only medium in which flu viruses can grow.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage links surveillance (sentence 3) to accurate strain selection; therefore,
removing surveillance would probably reduce match and effectiveness. A contradicts the global
scope implied; C is too restrictive; D is absolute language not stated.
What is the meaning of “misses the mark” in sentence 6?
4. A. The vaccine occasionally fails to protect because the predicted strains do not circulate
widely.
B. The syringes sometimes miss the muscle during injection.
C. Manufacturers literally miss the shipping deadline.
D. Scientists miscalculate the number of eggs needed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In context, “misses the mark” refers to strain-selection error leading to reduced
vaccine effectiveness. B, C, and D are literal interpretations unsupported by the text.
,Which of the following best describes the author’s tone?
5. A. Alarmist
B. Objective
C. Satirical
D. Sentimental
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents facts without emotional language or fear appeals, indicating an
objective tone.
Passage 2
(1) Sleep deprivation among hospital interns has long been tolerated as a rite of passage. (2)
Recent studies, however, show that interns working 24-hour shifts commit 36 % more serious
medical errors than those whose work hours are capped at 16. (3) Reaction times plummet,
attention narrows, and mood volatility increases, creating a cascade that endangers patients. (4)
In response, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) revised
duty-hour rules in 2011, limiting interns to 16 consecutive hours without sleep. (5) Critics
warned that shorter shifts would fragment continuity of care and forcepatients to interact with
more providers, potentially increasing mistakes. (6) Ten years of data now indicate that the
reforms reduced error rates without harming continuity, suggesting that well-rested interns
deliver safer care.
What is the author’s main argument?
6. A. Long shifts build character and should be reinstated.
B. Reducing intern work hours decreases medical errors.
C. Patients prefer interacting with fewer providers.
D. The ACGME should be disbanded.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sentence 6 explicitly states that reforms “reduced error rates,” supporting the
argument in B. A opposes the author’s stance; C and D are never argued.
Which sentence presents a counterargument?
, 7. A. Sentence 2
B. Sentence 4
C. Sentence 5
D. Sentence 6
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sentence 5 voices critics’ concern about fragmented care, a counterargument to
limiting hours.
The word “cascade” in sentence 3 most nearly means
8. A. Waterfall
B. Chain reaction
C. Medical chart
D. Shift schedule
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: “Cascade” here describes a series of negative effects triggered by sleep loss—i.e., a
chain reaction. The literal meaning (A) is irrelevant in context.
Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
9. A. All medical errors are caused by intern fatigue.
B. Patients recovered faster after 2011.
C. Policy changes can improve patient safety.
D. Interns prefer 24-hour shifts.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage shows that duty-hour policy change led to fewer errors, implying policy
can enhance safety. A is absolute; B is unsupported; D contradicts implied intern welfare.
Where would the following sentence best fit?
“Nevertheless, financial costs associated with hiring additional staff to cover shortened shifts
remain a concern.”
10. A. After sentence 2
B. After sentence 4
C. After sentence 5
D. After sentence 6
Math, Reading, Biology, Vocabulary, Chemistry,
Anatomy & Physiology – Actual Exam Questions and
Detailed Correct Answers (Already Graded A+)
SECTION 1 – READING COMPREHENSION
Passage 1
(1) The influenza virus is a master of adaptation. (2) Each year it subtly alters its surface
proteins, a process known as antigenic drift, allowing it to evade the immune defenses humans
built the previous season. (3) Scientists monitor these changes through a global surveillance
network coordinated by the World Health Organization. (4) Twice annually—once for the
Northern Hemisphere and once for the Southern—the WHO recommends which viral strains
should be included in the upcoming season’s vaccine. (5) Vaccine manufacturers then race to
grow the selected viruses in millions of chicken eggs, purify the antigens, and formulate the
shots that will be shipped to clinics worldwide. (6) Although the process is labor-intensive and
occasionally misses the mark, it remains the best defense against a disease that claims 290
000–650 000 lives every year.
Which sentence states the passage’s central idea?
1. A. Sentence 1
B. Sentence 2
C. Sentence 3
D. Sentence 6
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sentence 1 (“The influenza virus is a master of adaptation”) introduces the
overarching theme—how flu constantly changes—around which the entire passage is built.
,Sentence 2 gives detail, 3–5 describe surveillance and production, and 6 concedes limitations;
none of these carry the central idea.
What is the primary purpose of the passage?
2. A. To persuade readers to receive annual flu shots
B. To explain how flu vaccines are updated yearly
C. To criticize the use of chicken eggs in vaccine production
D. To compare antigenic drift with antigenic shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage focuses on the yearly cycle of viral change, global monitoring, and
vaccine reformulation. While persuasion (A) is hinted at, the dominant mode is explanatory. C is
too narrow and negative; D introduces an unrelated term (“shift”).
Which statement is an inference supported by the passage?
3. A. The WHO bases its strain selection solely on data from North America.
B. If surveillance stopped, vaccine effectiveness would likely decline.
C. Antigenic drift occurs only in the Southern Hemisphere.
D. Chicken eggs are the only medium in which flu viruses can grow.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage links surveillance (sentence 3) to accurate strain selection; therefore,
removing surveillance would probably reduce match and effectiveness. A contradicts the global
scope implied; C is too restrictive; D is absolute language not stated.
What is the meaning of “misses the mark” in sentence 6?
4. A. The vaccine occasionally fails to protect because the predicted strains do not circulate
widely.
B. The syringes sometimes miss the muscle during injection.
C. Manufacturers literally miss the shipping deadline.
D. Scientists miscalculate the number of eggs needed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In context, “misses the mark” refers to strain-selection error leading to reduced
vaccine effectiveness. B, C, and D are literal interpretations unsupported by the text.
,Which of the following best describes the author’s tone?
5. A. Alarmist
B. Objective
C. Satirical
D. Sentimental
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents facts without emotional language or fear appeals, indicating an
objective tone.
Passage 2
(1) Sleep deprivation among hospital interns has long been tolerated as a rite of passage. (2)
Recent studies, however, show that interns working 24-hour shifts commit 36 % more serious
medical errors than those whose work hours are capped at 16. (3) Reaction times plummet,
attention narrows, and mood volatility increases, creating a cascade that endangers patients. (4)
In response, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) revised
duty-hour rules in 2011, limiting interns to 16 consecutive hours without sleep. (5) Critics
warned that shorter shifts would fragment continuity of care and forcepatients to interact with
more providers, potentially increasing mistakes. (6) Ten years of data now indicate that the
reforms reduced error rates without harming continuity, suggesting that well-rested interns
deliver safer care.
What is the author’s main argument?
6. A. Long shifts build character and should be reinstated.
B. Reducing intern work hours decreases medical errors.
C. Patients prefer interacting with fewer providers.
D. The ACGME should be disbanded.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sentence 6 explicitly states that reforms “reduced error rates,” supporting the
argument in B. A opposes the author’s stance; C and D are never argued.
Which sentence presents a counterargument?
, 7. A. Sentence 2
B. Sentence 4
C. Sentence 5
D. Sentence 6
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sentence 5 voices critics’ concern about fragmented care, a counterargument to
limiting hours.
The word “cascade” in sentence 3 most nearly means
8. A. Waterfall
B. Chain reaction
C. Medical chart
D. Shift schedule
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: “Cascade” here describes a series of negative effects triggered by sleep loss—i.e., a
chain reaction. The literal meaning (A) is irrelevant in context.
Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
9. A. All medical errors are caused by intern fatigue.
B. Patients recovered faster after 2011.
C. Policy changes can improve patient safety.
D. Interns prefer 24-hour shifts.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage shows that duty-hour policy change led to fewer errors, implying policy
can enhance safety. A is absolute; B is unsupported; D contradicts implied intern welfare.
Where would the following sentence best fit?
“Nevertheless, financial costs associated with hiring additional staff to cover shortened shifts
remain a concern.”
10. A. After sentence 2
B. After sentence 4
C. After sentence 5
D. After sentence 6
