The Health Sciences Reasoning Test-Associate Degree (HSRT-AD) exam is a 50-minute, 35-question, multiple-choice assessment. It’s an assessment designed to measure critical thinking and reasoning; skills that are necessary for student success in the Practical Nursing (PN) program at Anoka Technical College. This exam is part of the PN admission requirements for Anoka Tech students beginning Fall of 2026. The required HSRT-AD score for acceptance into the PN program is 66% or higher.
IMPORTANT: Anoka Tech Practical Nursing applicants must take the HSRT-AD exam at Anoka Technical College. HSRT-AD scores from other testing locations will not be accepted. Also, there is not a remote option for completing this exam.
Accessibility Services
Anoka Tech students who require disability-related testing accommodations for the HSRT-AD exam must contact Accessibility Services before scheduling their exam. Students will be required to request services as outlined on the Accessibility Services webpage.
Students may also contact Accessibility Services at Accessibility@anokatech.edu or 763-576-7950.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anoka Tech students are admitted to the practical nursing program for both fall and spring semesters. Application dates are posted on the Practical Nursing webpage. The application cycle for Fall admission runs from January 1 to August. The application cycle for Spring admission runs from June 1 to January. Students can retest once per application cycle. Students should note that the HSRT-AD scores are valid for two years.
NOTE: There is a required wait-time for retesting. Students are required to wait two weeks before scheduling a retest. Any student attempting to reschedule a retest before their 2-week waiting period or more than one time during an application cycle will receive a cancellation notice and not be admitted for testing.
To see a complete list of admission requirements and instructions for the application process, see Admission Guidelines at Practical Nursing.
After scheduling their exam, students will be required to pay the $32 exam fee. The exam fee must be paid in person at the college Bookstore. Students will be provided with a receipt as proof of payment and will be required to show their receipt on testing day. Students without a receipt will not be admitted and will need to reschedule for another date and time.
NOTE: Students can pay their fee on testing day, but they must plan on enough time to do so before their testing appointment time. No extra time will be given during check-in to pay the fee.
ATC students can schedule their HSRT-AD exam using the following Bookings link located on the Testing Services webpage.
Upon scheduling their HSRT-AD exam, students will receive a Bookings confirmation email with important details about testing day. The Testing Center is in room 103 near the main entrance of the building. Students will be required to arrive for their testing appointment on time with receipt for payment in hand. Any student who arrives 10 minutes late or more will not be admitted and will need to reschedule for another date and time.
Students are required to show a valid government issued ID along with their proof of payment for the HSRT-AD exam. Students without proper identification or proof of payment will not be admitted.
Students are not allowed to have any personal belongings in the testing room and will be required to store them in a Testing Center locker. Students should dress accordingly; no jackets, hats, watches, food, beverages, or other belongings will be allowed. Students will be provided with a pencil and scratch paper. No calculators or other aids will be allowed for the test.
Upon completion of the HSRT-AD exam, students will be able to email a copy of their score report to any email address of their choice. They will also be able to print a copy of their official score report. The official score report will be required when submitting your Practical Nursing Application. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the score report with their application.
Students may request an official score report by contacting the Testing Center at TestingServices@anokatech.edu or 763-576-7830.