ATI Books v. Testing

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Specializes in LTC and Home Health.

My school, Fresno State, is requiring ATI testing and lists the book/DVD bundle as required reading. My question is, in this situation, do you have to purchase the book & CD bundle in order to get codes for testing. I have seen mixed info on this. here. It is not part of tuition, since it is a state college.

I have found used books&DVDs for $50 compared to $400, but if I still have to buy access, then I'll have to cough up the $400 and should save the $50. Any experience with this??

I will ask the program, but no one available to ask yet. If I wait until 1st day of class, it will be too late to get cheap copies in time.

Advice??

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The way we do ATI testing at my school is that the instructors give us the codes. We have to purchase the books and CDs and ATI is required but they have always given us the codes.

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You could always spend the $50 now and resell them if you can't use them. :twocents:

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

We were required to buy ATI also for 300-400 something. The only thing that I use the codes for are the practice tests. They (ATI) actually had a meeting with us when we bought it and they gave us a list of access codes and passwords for all the practice tests. I have never used the CD's that came with them, in fact, I've never read even one of the entire books. I think ATI is a waste of money but that is just me. We had no choice but to buy it from the school cause they just billed our accounts for it. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about the codes and like someone else said, you can always resell the ones you buy for $50

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Specializes in LTC and Home Health.

It's a good idea to go ahead and get them.

Thanks everyone for the help

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

The books and CDs are free, they come with the cost of the test; that is what you are paying for. If you buy the books on line you will still have to pay the same amount to ATI to take the exams. Your teachers will give you the codes, if it is required by the school ATI will give an entire set of codes and passwords to that school.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, APU/PACU, Peds, Flight.

I have to do the ATI tests but my school "pays" for them with out tuition so it's all in the final bill for me. Sorry : (

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We use ATI at my school but the books, CDs and codes are given to us free at the beginning of every rotation because ATI is out exit exam after the final to move on to the next course. I guess the school pays for themit not included in my tuition.

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Our school adopted the ATI program and it is required. However, we didn't have to purchase the books. We got all the CDs and 6 books for free. We have to score an 80% or higher before we can take the NCLEX, though. I'm not at a high enough level to determine if they are worth it or not, though. Good luck!

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we have to score a level 2 proficiency or higher to move to the next block. I find them helpful if you have time to get around to the books. I use the books side by side with my text to prepare for my exams. ATI book are a overview of what you learned in class. It has only the pertinent information in it. We are after all, supposed to be preparing for NCLEX and Hesi. I use every source I can get my hands on!

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

I was told that you have to buy the books in order to have an account to test. But I am suspicious that my school is in cahoots with Dove uniforms and ATI ;)

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I have an ATI account and I didn't purchase the books. What I mean is all of the ADN 1 students (24 of us) and all of the ADN 2 students (hmm... dunno how many, LPN merged at beginning on 2nd semester) received all 6 books and cds for free. The school, of course, must have paid them but all of my classmates have an account and we have 6 books and 4 DVDs. c:

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