Health Sciences Reasoning Test-Associate Degree (HSRT-AD) Entrance Exam

Applicants for admission to Northwest Technical College’s nursing programs must take the HSRT-AD exam.

The HSRT-AD measures critical thinking and quantitative reasoning skills necessary to meet study requirements and achieve success in a health science degree program.

The HSRT-AD assesses the following reasoning skills:

HSRT – OVERALL- Sustained use of critical thinking to form reasoned judgements
Analysis – Accurate identification of the problem and decision- critical elements
Inference – Drawing warranted and logical conclusions from reasons and evidence
Evaluation – Assessing credibility of claims and the strengths of arguments
Induction – Reasoned judgement in ambiguous, risky, and uncertain contexts
Deduction – Reasoned judgement in precisely defined, logically rigorous contexts
Numeracy – Sustained use of critical thinking skills in quantitative contexts

Important details

Students must earn the following HSRT-AD overall score:

Practical Nursing & Traditional RN 70 or higher (Effective for fall 2026 admission)
HSRT-AD is not required for LPN Step-In Applicants

Additional details:

NTC HSRT Exams scores are valid for 2 years. HSRT-AD scores must be valid at the time of the application deadline.
The HSRT-AD exam can only be taken 2 times total in an application cycle.
You may retake the HSRT-AD exam. If testing for an additional time, you must wait two weeks (14 calendar days) between attempts.
The HSRT-AD exam must be taken at Northwest Technical College. We do not offer a remote option.
You will have 50 minutes to answer 35 scenario-based questions. Tests are scored on a 100-point corresponding qualitative rating (superior, strong, moderate, weak, not manifested).
Calculators are prohibited.
The exam cost is $50, which is the responsibility of the student.
NTC is committed to making all educational programs, course materials, services, and activities sponsored by the College accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requests for disability accommodations should be directed to: accessibility@bemidjistate.edu

NTC will only accept in-person ATI TEAS scores taken between September 1, 2023, and August 31, 2025. TEAS exams taken on or after September 1, 2025, will not be considered. A minimum score of 64 is required for the Traditional RN program, and 53 for the Practical Nursing program. If you are submitting an in-person TEAS exam from this timeframe, you must request an official TEAS transcript be sent directly to NTC from AT, here.

Registration

Registration required 72 hours in advance. Test cost is $50 and is paid at time of test.

HSRT Registration Coming Soon!

No-Show Policy
Applicants are permitted a maximum of two testing attempts per application cycle. A $5.00 fee will be added for any missed testing appointment without prior cancellation 72 hours in advance. If an applicant fails to appear for a second scheduled testing appointment, they will be prohibited from scheduling another test for 30 days.

On Test Day

Bring a photo ID – verification will be required before testing
Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early for check-in
Bring payment on the day of testing. Only cash or credit/debit cards are accepted; checks will not be accepted.
The following items are prohibited during the test:
- - Food and drink
  - Textbooks or reference books
  - Sunglasses, hats and hoods
  - Electronic devices, including calculators
  - Personal items

Study Resources

Read “HSRT-AD: Your Score Report as a First Step to Improved Critical Thinking”
Read “How to Prepare for Insight Assessment Thinking Tests”
Try free sample test questions at Insight Assessment. Choose CONTINUE AS A GUEST and you will see two samples. Choose the first one, labeled “Demo Reasoning Skills Questions – Navigation Aid”
Study the essay “Critical Thinking: What it Is and Why It Counts” by Peter A. Facione, Ph.D.

Northwest Technical College

HSRT Exam