what is the hesi
HESI Purpose in Perspective. Although the HESI and NCLEX exams are both nursing knowledge assessments, the primary difference is the purpose behind the tests. The HESI is a practice exam, intended on preparing nursing students to eventually take the NCLEX. While some schools may require students to take this exam, or may use the scores for evaluation proposes, the HESI is not a test that a state board of nursing uses for licensure purposes.