Question 1

Which schools require the HSRT exam?

Accepted Answer

The HSRT is required by nursing programs primarily in Minnesota (Anoka-Ramsey CC, M State, NTC, Central Lakes, Century College, South Central College, RCTC) and allied health programs in Texas (Lone Star College dental hygiene and respiratory care, HCC Coleman respiratory therapy and OTA). Programs in New Jersey (Rowan College of South Jersey) and Oregon (COCC, PCC) also use the HSRT.

Question 2

What is a passing HSRT score?

Accepted Answer

HSRT scores are reported as a percentage. Minnesota nursing programs typically require 65–74% minimum. Texas allied health programs use the HSRT as a competitive ranking factor without a hard minimum cutoff — a higher score improves your ranking in the applicant pool.

Question 3

How do I prepare for the HSRT?

Accepted Answer

The HSRT tests critical thinking and logical reasoning — not memorized content. No nursing or allied health background knowledge is needed. Preparation focuses on reading comprehension, inference, analysis, and quantitative reasoning. StudyBuddy is the only platform with dedicated HSRT prep, including 38 lessons, 463 practice questions, and 10 timed mock exams.

Question 4

Is the HSRT the same as the TEAS?

Accepted Answer

No. The TEAS 7 tests science knowledge (A&P, biology, chemistry), math, reading, and English. The HSRT tests pure critical thinking and logical reasoning — no science content knowledge is needed. Many students find the HSRT more challenging because there is no content to memorize.

School	State	Program	Min. HSRT Score	Notes
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids · Community College	Minnesota	ADN / LPN	74%	Minimum 74 required; holistic admissions (55% metrics)
M State (Minnesota State) Moorhead · Community College	Minnesota	ADN / LPN / Med Lab	60%	Minimum 60–73% depending on program
Northwest Technical College Bemidji · Community College	Minnesota	ADN / LPN	70%	Minimum 70% required
Central Lakes College Brainerd · Community College	Minnesota	ADN / LPN / Advanced Standing	65%	RN: 70%; LPN/PN: 65%; rolling admission while seats available
Century College White Bear Lake · Community College	Minnesota	Nursing	Competitive	Used in admissions — no published minimum
South Central College North Mankato · Community College	Minnesota	ASN / PN	70%	ASN: 74; PN: 70; must test at SCC
Rochester Community & Technical College Rochester · Community College	Minnesota	ADN / PN	Competitive	HSRT composite used in scoring formula; no hard minimum
Lone Star College — Dental Hygiene Kingwood · Community College	Texas	Dental Hygiene AAS	Competitive	Avg admitted score ~23/33 (2025); competitive ranking
Lone Star College — Respiratory Care Kingwood · Community College	Texas	Respiratory Care AAS	Competitive	Used in ranking; no published minimum
HCC Coleman — Respiratory Therapy Houston · Community College	Texas	Respiratory Therapy AAS	Competitive	30% of rubric points from HSRT; no minimum required
HCC Coleman — Occupational Therapy Assistant Houston · Community College	Texas	OTA AAS	Competitive	25% of rubric from HSRT; no minimum required
Palo Alto College San Antonio · Community College	Texas	Dental Hygiene	Competitive	Top 45 applicants selected; competitive ranking
Rowan College of South Jersey Sewell · Community College	New Jersey	Nursing / LPN-RN / PTA / PN	Competitive	Used in selective admissions ranking; no published minimum
Central Oregon Community College Bend · Community College	Oregon	ADN	Competitive	No minimum; HSRT weighted in points formula
Portland Community College Portland · Community College	Oregon	ADN	Competitive	Phase II exam; only top 80–100 Phase I applicants advance to HSRT

HSRT Score Requirements — Every Program That Requires It

Common Questions