HESI A2 ADMISSION ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 Complete Test | Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry,
Grammar, Reading, Math| Actual Questions & Verified Answers
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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) means toward the front of the body. Posterior means
toward the back, superior means toward the head, and inferior means toward the
feet.
The plane that divides the body into left and right portions is called the:
A. Frontal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Sagittal plane
D. Oblique plane
Correct Answer: C
2. Rationale: The sagittal plane runs vertically and divides the body into left and
right parts. The frontal (coronal) plane divides front and back; the transverse
(horizontal) plane divides upper and lower.
Which organ system is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism,
growth, and reproduction?
A. Nervous system
B. Endocrine system
C. Cardiovascular system
,D. Lymphatic 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 nervous system is the:
A. Neuron
B. Nephron
C. Myocyte
D. Osteocyte
Correct Answer: A
4. Rationale: Neurons are specialized cells that transmit electrical and chemical
signals. Nephrons are kidney units, myocytes are muscle cells, and osteocytes
are bone cells.
Which bone is located in the axial skeleton?
A. Femur
B. Humerus
C. Sternum
D. Radius
Correct Answer: C
5. Rationale: The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic
cage (ribs and sternum). The appendicular skeleton includes limb bones.
The epiphyseal plate is responsible for:
A. Bone width growth
B. Bone length growth
C. Bone density
D. Bone repair
Correct Answer: B
6. Rationale: The epiphyseal (growth) plate is a layer of hyaline cartilage at the ends
of long bones where longitudinal bone growth occurs in children and
adolescents.
Which muscle type is striated, multinucleated, and under voluntary control?
A. Smooth muscle
B. Cardiac muscle
,C. Skeletal muscle
D. Visceral muscle
Correct Answer: C
7. Rationale: Skeletal muscle attaches to bones, is striated, has multiple peripheral
nuclei, and is controlled voluntarily. Cardiac muscle is striated but involuntary;
smooth muscle is non-striated and involuntary.
The neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction to stimulate skeletal
muscle contraction is:
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: C
8. Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is released by motor neurons to bind receptors on
the sarcolemma, triggering muscle fiber depolarization and contraction.
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
9. 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 pacemaker of the heart that initiates electrical impulses is the:
A. AV node
B. SA node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: B
10. Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrial wall has the fastest intrinsic
rate and normally sets the heart rhythm. Other structures conduct the impulse.
Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?
A. Aorta
, B. Pulmonary artery
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: B
11. Rationale: The pulmonary trunk and arteries are the only arteries carrying
deoxygenated blood, transporting it from the right ventricle to the lungs for
oxygenation.
The exchange of gases between blood and body tissues occurs in the:
A. Arteries
B. Veins
C. Capillaries
D. Venules
Correct Answer: C
12. Rationale: Capillaries have thin, single-cell walls that allow diffusion of O₂, CO₂,
nutrients, and wastes between blood and interstitial fluid.
Which component of blood is responsible for oxygen transport?
A. White blood cells
B. Platelets
C. Hemoglobin in red blood cells
D. Plasma proteins
Correct Answer: C
13. Rationale: Hemoglobin, the iron-containing protein in erythrocytes, binds oxygen
in the lungs and releases it to tissues. Each hemoglobin carries four O₂
molecules.
The primary function of the lymphatic system includes:
A. Producing red blood cells
B. Returning interstitial fluid to blood and immune defense
C. Regulating blood pressure
D. Digesting fats
Correct Answer: B
14. Rationale: Lymphatic vessels collect excess tissue fluid (lymph) and return it to
circulation. Lymph nodes filter pathogens and house immune cells.
Which respiratory structure is the site of gas exchange?
A. Trachea
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) means toward the front of the body. Posterior means
toward the back, superior means toward the head, and inferior means toward the
feet.
The plane that divides the body into left and right portions is called the:
A. Frontal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Sagittal plane
D. Oblique plane
Correct Answer: C
2. Rationale: The sagittal plane runs vertically and divides the body into left and
right parts. The frontal (coronal) plane divides front and back; the transverse
(horizontal) plane divides upper and lower.
Which organ system is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism,
growth, and reproduction?
A. Nervous system
B. Endocrine system
C. Cardiovascular system
,D. Lymphatic 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 nervous system is the:
A. Neuron
B. Nephron
C. Myocyte
D. Osteocyte
Correct Answer: A
4. Rationale: Neurons are specialized cells that transmit electrical and chemical
signals. Nephrons are kidney units, myocytes are muscle cells, and osteocytes
are bone cells.
Which bone is located in the axial skeleton?
A. Femur
B. Humerus
C. Sternum
D. Radius
Correct Answer: C
5. Rationale: The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic
cage (ribs and sternum). The appendicular skeleton includes limb bones.
The epiphyseal plate is responsible for:
A. Bone width growth
B. Bone length growth
C. Bone density
D. Bone repair
Correct Answer: B
6. Rationale: The epiphyseal (growth) plate is a layer of hyaline cartilage at the ends
of long bones where longitudinal bone growth occurs in children and
adolescents.
Which muscle type is striated, multinucleated, and under voluntary control?
A. Smooth muscle
B. Cardiac muscle
,C. Skeletal muscle
D. Visceral muscle
Correct Answer: C
7. Rationale: Skeletal muscle attaches to bones, is striated, has multiple peripheral
nuclei, and is controlled voluntarily. Cardiac muscle is striated but involuntary;
smooth muscle is non-striated and involuntary.
The neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction to stimulate skeletal
muscle contraction is:
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: C
8. Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is released by motor neurons to bind receptors on
the sarcolemma, triggering muscle fiber depolarization and contraction.
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
9. 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 pacemaker of the heart that initiates electrical impulses is the:
A. AV node
B. SA node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: B
10. Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrial wall has the fastest intrinsic
rate and normally sets the heart rhythm. Other structures conduct the impulse.
Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?
A. Aorta
, B. Pulmonary artery
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: B
11. Rationale: The pulmonary trunk and arteries are the only arteries carrying
deoxygenated blood, transporting it from the right ventricle to the lungs for
oxygenation.
The exchange of gases between blood and body tissues occurs in the:
A. Arteries
B. Veins
C. Capillaries
D. Venules
Correct Answer: C
12. Rationale: Capillaries have thin, single-cell walls that allow diffusion of O₂, CO₂,
nutrients, and wastes between blood and interstitial fluid.
Which component of blood is responsible for oxygen transport?
A. White blood cells
B. Platelets
C. Hemoglobin in red blood cells
D. Plasma proteins
Correct Answer: C
13. Rationale: Hemoglobin, the iron-containing protein in erythrocytes, binds oxygen
in the lungs and releases it to tissues. Each hemoglobin carries four O₂
molecules.
The primary function of the lymphatic system includes:
A. Producing red blood cells
B. Returning interstitial fluid to blood and immune defense
C. Regulating blood pressure
D. Digesting fats
Correct Answer: B
14. Rationale: Lymphatic vessels collect excess tissue fluid (lymph) and return it to
circulation. Lymph nodes filter pathogens and house immune cells.
Which respiratory structure is the site of gas exchange?
A. Trachea
