HESI® A2 Biology Practice Test

Prepare for your test with realistic questions.

Free HESI A2 Biology Practice Test (updated 2026)

The HESI® A2 Biology Test covers some of the basics of biology, including molecules, DNA, photosynthesis, metabolism, and genetics.

To help you prepare for this section of the HESI, this page contains everything you need to know, including what topics are covered, how many questions there are, and how you can study effectively.

What’s on the HESI Biology Test?

HESI A2 Biology Section Outline listing topics such as Basics of Biology, Cellular Respiration, Genetics, and more. The section includes 30 questions.

HESI A2 Biology Practice Questions

One of the best ways to test your knowledge is by taking a practice test. Evaluate your biology knowledge by trying your hand at the three practice questions below!

Answer each question and read through the answer explanation, whether you got the answer right or wrong. This will help you ensure you’ve got the topic mastered.

Whether you struggled with these questions or aced them on your first try, be sure to take the full practice test to get a better idea of how prepared you really are!

1. If an organism is AaBb, which of the following combinations in the gametes is NOT possible?


Gametes are haploid and carry only one allele per gene. Remember that a zygote receives one allele from each parent, so each allele cannot be used more than one time. Therefore, it is impossible for an AaBb zygote to have an aa parent gamete; it would be impossible for the lowercase a to appear twice in the gamete.
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2. Which part of aerobic respiration uses oxygen?


The electron transport system enacted during aerobic respiration requires oxygen. This is the last component of biological oxidation. Osmosis is the movement of fluid from an area of high concentration through a partially permeable membrane to an area of lower concentration. This process usually stops when the concentration is the same on either side of the membrane. Glycolysis is the initial step in the release of glucose energy.

The Krebs cycle an intermediate phase of the process in which cells convert food into energy. It is during this stage that carbon dioxide is produced and hydrogen is extracted from molecules of carbon.
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3. Which of the following is the most general taxonomic category?


Kingdom is the most general taxonomic category of the choices given.

Domain is the most general taxonomic rank overall, but it is not listed as an answer choice. A genus is a group of related species, which are capable of breeding and producing similar offspring. In binomial nomenclature, genus is the first name. An order is any group of similar families. A phylum is any group of closely related classes.

The levels are listed here in order from most general to most specific: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
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HESI A2 Online Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online HESI prep course designed to give you everything you need to succeed!

Here’s what you’ll find in the HESI A2 course:

  • 80+ Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
  • Over 3,200 HESI A2 Practice Questions
  • 550+ Digital Flashcards
  • 180+ Instructional Videos
  • Money-back Guarantee
  • Mobile Access

Everyone learns differently, so we’ve tailored the HESI online prep course to ensure every learner has what they need to prepare for the HESI exam.

Click below to check it out!

FAQs

Q

How many questions are on the Biology section of the HESI A2?

A

There are 30 questions on the Biology section of the HESI A2 exam.

Q

How long is the Biology section of the HESI A2?

A

Each school sets their own time limit for each section of the exam.

Q

What is a passing score for the Biology section of the HESI A2?

A

There are no official passing scores or failing scores on the HESI exam.

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Edited by Aaron Lanni

Aaron is the content manager and lead editor for Mometrix Academy. He regularly produces, updates, proofreads, and edits content to ensure it meets Mometrix’s quality and accessibility standards.

HESI is a registered trademark of Elsevier, Inc., which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this page.

 

by Mometrix Test Preparation | Last Updated: July 21, 2026