HESI A2 Grammar Practice Test

Get ready for the 2026 HESI A2 exam by testing your skills with our free practice test.

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Covers Core HESI A2 Grammar Topics
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QUESTION COUNT:

25 Questions

TIME LIMIT:

Self-Paced (No limit)

FORMAT:

Multiple Choice

About Our HESI A2 Grammar Practice Test

This HESI A2 Grammar practice test checks your understanding of the key grammar skills commonly covered on the exam, including sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, verb tense, pronoun usage, and commonly confused words. The test is designed to help you improve accuracy, strengthen your writing fundamentals, and apply grammar rules in realistic testing scenarios.

Each question reflects common grammar topics and question styles you may encounter on the actual HESI A2 exam in 2026. At the end of our interactive practice test, you will receive a score breakdown by category, giving you the chance to assess your strengths and identify areas where you may need more practice. If you are looking for questions in other categories, please refer to our full HESI A2 practice test. All our questions and rationales have been reviewed by an experienced registered nurse (RN).

Maegan Baker, BSN, RN, CCM Avatar
Questions reviewed by
Maegan Baker, BSN, RN, CCM
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Frequently Asked Questions

Use the FAQs below to learn more about what to expect on the HESI A2 Grammar section and how to prepare effectively.

What is on the HESI A2 grammar section?

The HESI A2 grammar section tests your ability to recognize correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, word usage, and parts of speech. You may be asked to identify errors, choose the best sentence, or select the word that correctly completes a sentence.

How many questions are on the HESI A2 grammar test?

The number of grammar questions can vary by school, but many HESI A2 exams include around 50 grammar questions. Some programs customize the exam, so check with your school for the exact format and requirements.

Is the HESI A2 grammar section hard?

The grammar section is not usually considered advanced, but it can be tricky if you are not comfortable with grammar rules or commonly confused words. Practice can help you recognize patterns and avoid common mistakes.

What grammar topics should I study for the HESI A2?

You should study punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, verb tense, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and commonly confused words. You should also practice identifying complete sentences, fragments, and run-on sentences.

How should I prepare for the HESI A2 grammar test?

The best way to prepare is to review basic grammar rules, take practice questions, and read the explanations for any answers you miss. Focus on understanding why an answer is correct instead of just memorizing answers.

Does the HESI A2 grammar section include punctuation questions?

Yes. Punctuation is commonly tested on the HESI A2 grammar section. You may see questions involving commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, periods, and other punctuation marks.

Can this grammar practice test help me with the full HESI A2 exam?

Yes. This practice test focuses specifically on grammar, which is one section of the HESI A2 exam. If you need practice in other subjects, use the full HESI A2 practice test to review additional categories.

Full Question Bank & Rationales

Below, you will find the complete list of 25 questions from our HESI A2 Grammar practice test. We have included a detailed rationale for every question to help you understand the why behind the correct answer. The questions are listed in the same order as our interactive practice test.

1. Question

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

  1. Each of the new nurses are assigned a clinical mentor.
  2. Each of the new nurses is assigned a clinical mentor.
  3. Each of the new nurse are assigned a clinical mentor.
  4. Each of the new nurses be assigned a clinical mentor.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

The subject of the sentence is the indefinite pronoun “Each,” which is always singular and requires the singular verb “is.” Distractor A is highly tempting because the plural noun “nurses” sits directly in front of the verb, tricking the reader into choosing the plural verb “are.”

2. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The surgery went perfectly, and the patient is recovering _____.

  1. quick
  2. quicker
  3. quickly
  4. more quicker
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: C.

The sentence requires an adverb to modify the verb “recovering,” so “quickly” is the correct choice. Distractor A (“quick”) is a common conversational error where an adjective is improperly used in place of an adverb.

3. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The clinic administrator, to _____ you submitted your time-off request, will call you this afternoon.

  1. who
  2. whoever
  3. whomever
  4. whom
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: D.

The pronoun acts as the object of the preposition “to,” which requires the objective case “whom.” Distractor A (“who”) is a very common error because “who” is often used interchangeably with “whom” in casual speech, even when it is grammatically incorrect.

4. Question

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. All of the patients files are locked securely in the nurses station.
  2. All of the patient’s files are locked securely in the nurse’s station.
  3. All of the patients’ files are locked securely in the nurses’ station.
  4. All of the patients’ files are locked securely in the nurses station.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: C.

Both “patients” and “nurses” are plural nouns that possess something (files and a station, respectively). To show possession for a plural noun ending in “s,” an apostrophe is placed after the “s.” Distractor B is incorrect because it uses singular possessives, implying there is only one patient and one nurse.

5. Question

Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.

By the time the attending physician arrived in the room, the medical team _____ CPR for 10 minutes.

  1. has performed
  2. had been performing
  3. was performing
  4. performed
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

The past perfect continuous tense (“had been performing”) is required here to indicate an ongoing action that began in the past and continued up until another action in the past occurred (“arrived”). Distractor C (“was performing”) is incorrect because it lacks the necessary element to show the action had already been going on for a specific duration prior to the second event.

6. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The hospital administration announced that it will be upgrading _____ computer systems next week.

  1. it’s
  2. its’
  3. its
  4. their
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: C.

The sentence requires a singular possessive pronoun referring back to “hospital administration,” which is “its.” Distractor A (“it’s”) is a frequent mistake; students often associate apostrophes with possession, but “it’s” is always a contraction for “it is” or “it has.”

7. Question

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

  1. Neither the head nurse nor the technicians is available to assist right now.
  2. Neither the head nurse nor the technicians are available to assist right now.
  3. Neither the head nurses nor the technician are available to assist right now.
  4. Neither the head nurse or the technicians are available to assist right now.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

When subjects are joined by “neither/nor” or “either/or,” the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. Because “technicians” is plural, the plural verb “are” is required. Distractor A incorrectly uses the singular verb “is,” assuming that “neither” makes the entire subject phrase singular.

8. Question

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

  1. A newborn’s resting heart rate is much faster than an adult.
  2. A newborn resting heart rate is much faster than an adult.
  3. A newborn’s resting heart rate is much faster than that of an adult.
  4. A newborn’s resting heart rate is much faster then an adult’s.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: C.

To make a logical comparison, you must compare a heart rate to a heart rate, which is achieved by using the pronoun phrase “that of an adult.” Distractor A features a faulty comparison, as it grammatically compares a “heart rate” directly to an “adult” (a person).

9. Question

Which of the following is a sentence fragment?

  1. Please update the patient’s medical history file.
  2. While waiting for the laboratory results to come back from pathology.
  3. The surgeon thoroughly washed his hands before the procedure.
  4. She works the night shift at the pediatric clinic.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

Sentence B is a fragment because it begins with the subordinating conjunction “While” and lacks an independent clause to complete the thought. Distractor A might tempt some students who do not realize that imperative sentences (commands) have an understood subject of “You.”

10. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The physical therapist instructed the patient to _____ flat on the examination table.

  1. lie
  2. lay
  3. laid
  4. lain
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: A.

The verb “lie” means to rest or recline and does not take a direct object, which fits the context of a patient reclining on a table. Distractor B (“lay”) is widely misused in everyday speech; grammatically, “lay” requires a direct object (e.g., to lay a book on the table).

11. Question

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

  1. The pharmacy is closed for lunch, however, it will reopen at 1:00 PM.
  2. The pharmacy is closed for lunch; however it will reopen at 1:00 PM.
  3. The pharmacy is closed for lunch however, it will reopen at 1:00 PM.
  4. The pharmacy is closed for lunch; however, it will reopen at 1:00 PM.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: D.

When using a conjunctive adverb (like “however”) to join two independent clauses, a semicolon must precede the word, and a comma must follow it. Distractor A is a comma splice, a common error where students attempt to link two independent clauses with only commas.

12. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

If the patient’s oxygen saturation drops below 90%, _____ the nurse must administer supplemental oxygen.

  1. than
  2. then
  3. there
  4. their
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

The word “then” is used to indicate time, sequence, or the result of a condition (as in an “if/then” statement). Distractor A (“than”) is tempting for students rushing through the exam, as “than” and “then” sound similar, but “than” is used strictly for making comparisons.

13. Question

Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?

  1. The new medication is not only effective for reducing pain but also to decrease inflammation.
  2. The new medication is not only effective for reducing pain but also for decreasing inflammation.
  3. The new medication is not only effective to reduce pain but also for decreasing inflammation.
  4. The new medication is effective not only for reducing pain but also it decreases inflammation.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

When using correlative conjunctions like “not only… but also,” the grammatical structures following each part must match exactly (in this case, the preposition “for” followed by a gerund: “for reducing” and “for decreasing”). Distractor A fails to maintain parallel structure by inappropriately switching from a gerund phrase to an infinitive phrase (“to decrease”).

14. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The surgical team _____ ready to begin the operation as soon as the anesthesiologist gives the signal.

  1. are
  2. is
  3. were
  4. be
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

The subject “team” is a collective noun that operates as a single, unified group in this context, requiring the singular verb “is.” Distractor A (“are”) is tempting because students logically think of a team as consisting of multiple people, but grammatically, the singular unit takes precedence.

15. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The outpatient clinic will _____ walk-in patients until 4:00 PM today.

  1. except
  2. expect
  3. accept
  4. access
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: C.

The sentence requires a verb meaning “to receive or admit,” which is “accept.” Distractor A (“except”) is a very common error because the two words sound almost identical, but “except” means to exclude or leave out.

16. Question

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. “Please take a deep breath,” the doctor instructed, “And hold it for five seconds.”
  2. “Please take a deep breath” the doctor instructed “and hold it for five seconds.”
  3. “Please take a deep breath,” the doctor instructed. “and hold it for five seconds.”
  4. “Please take a deep breath,” the doctor instructed, “and hold it for five seconds.”
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: D.

When a single quotation is interrupted by an attribution (like “the doctor instructed”), the second half of the quote should not be capitalized unless it is a new, standalone sentence. Distractor A is tempting because students often habitually capitalize the first letter inside any set of quotation marks, forgetting that it is a continuation of the same sentence.

17. Question

Which of the following is a complex sentence?

  1. The nurse checked the patient’s vitals, and the physician reviewed the chart.
  2. Although the patient felt better, he was advised to rest for another week.
  3. The physical therapy department opens early on weekdays to accommodate commuters.
  4. Blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation are important indicators of health.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause (in this case, “Although the patient felt better”). Distractor A is highly tempting because it is a long sentence with two clauses, but it is a compound sentence joined by a coordinating conjunction (“and”), not a complex one.

18. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The chief of medicine insisted that the new sanitation protocol _____ implemented immediately.

  1. is
  2. was
  3. be
  4. are
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: C.

This sentence requires the subjunctive mood because the verb “insisted” expresses a demand, recommendation, or requirement, meaning the base form of the verb (“be”) must be used. Distractor B (“was”) is a common trap because students look at the past tense “insisted” and incorrectly try to match it with a past tense verb in the dependent clause.

19. Question

Which sentence is grammatically correct and clearly conveys that the medication should be taken at no other time than bedtime?

  1. The patient should only take the medication at bedtime.
  2. Only the patient should take the medication at bedtime.
  3. The patient should take only the medication at bedtime.
  4. The patient should take the medication only at bedtime.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: D.

To avoid ambiguity, the limiting modifier “only” must be placed immediately before the phrase it modifies (“at bedtime”). Distractor A is extremely tempting because it represents how people normally speak in casual conversation, even though grammatically it implies that taking the medication is the *only* thing the patient should do.

20. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The pharmacist double-checked the prescription label to _____ the correct dosage was dispensed.

  1. assure
  2. insure
  3. inshore
  4. ensure
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: D.

The word “ensure” means to make certain that something happens, which fits the context of verifying a dosage. Distractor B (“insure”) is frequently chosen by mistake, but “insure” strictly refers to protecting against financial loss, such as with an insurance policy.

21. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

When the supervisor asked who had discovered the charting error, Mark replied, “It was _____.”

  1. me
  2. I
  3. myself
  4. mine
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

The pronoun follows a linking verb (“was”) and functions as a predicate nominative, renaming the subject “It,” so it must be in the subjective case (“I”). Distractor A (“me”) is heavily favored by students because “It was me” is universally used in spoken English, making the grammatically correct choice sound unnatural to the ear.

22. Question

Which sentence displays correct capitalization?

  1. She is taking Anatomy and Physiology to prepare for nursing school.
  2. She is taking anatomy and physiology to prepare for Nursing School.
  3. She is taking anatomy and physiology to prepare for nursing school.
  4. She is taking Anatomy And Physiology to prepare for Nursing school.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: C.

General academic subjects and broad terms like “nursing school” are common nouns and should not be capitalized unless they name a specific course with a number (e.g., Anatomy 101) or a specific institution. Distractor A is a very common mistake because students are accustomed to capitalizing the names of academic subjects out of habit, regardless of their context.

23. Question

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The elderly patient was accompanied _____ his eldest daughter during the lengthy consultation.

  1. with
  2. by
  3. around
  4. alongside
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

The correct idiomatic preposition to indicate that a person is acting as a companion or escort is “by” (accompanied by someone). Distractor A (“with”) tempts many students because “with” conceptually means “together,” leading to the flawed but common conversational phrasing “accompanied with.”

24. Question

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. The emergency crash cart contains: bandages, sterile syringes, and saline solution.
  2. The symptoms of the airborne virus include: fever, chills, and severe body aches.
  3. The nurse requested three items from the supply room: gauze, medical tape, and scissors.
  4. Make sure to bring: your photo ID, health insurance card, and copayment.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: C.

A colon must be preceded by a complete, independent clause (a full sentence) before it can introduce a list. Distractors A, B, and D are all incorrect because they improperly place a colon immediately after a verb (“contains,” “include,” “bring”), separating the verb from its direct objects.

25. Question

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

  1. The newly admitted patient doesn’t have no known allergies to penicillin.
  2. The newly admitted patient does not have any known allergies to penicillin.
  3. The newly admitted patient scarcely has no known allergies to penicillin.
  4. The newly admitted patient hasn’t got no known allergies to penicillin.
Show Answer & Rationale

Correct Answer: B.

This sentence correctly uses a single negative (“does not”) combined with the word “any” to convey the intended meaning. Distractors A and D are classic double negatives, which are common in colloquial dialects but violate the rules of standard written English by grammatically canceling each other out.