ATI Fundamentals exam

Enthused RN, BSN, RN · May 7, 2012

Your fundamentals class should mirror what is in the ATI book and test. I found my test had additional emphasis on infection control and wound care though, but your test may be different. You should be prepared for alternate question like listening to breath sounds and determining whether it is rales, rhonchi, rub, etc. Basically, read your ATI book and go over your class notes. I mostly kept up with my class readings and did a couple practice tests which resulted in a level 3.

FitMommyRN · May 7, 2012

If you only need a 68.3 on ATI to pass and have a solid B in fundamentals, you'll be fine. As somebody else said, it mirrors your fundamental course work. It'll be different simply because the questions aren't written by your faculty, but it's essentially the same information.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · May 8, 2012

I took mine last week and I barely studied and I only took one practice test. I got a level 2 soooo close to a level 3 but whatever. I lost 3 points out of 20 because I didnt get level 3 but im not losing any sleep over it. Btw I have an A in fundamentals right now.

RockSolid · May 8, 2012

Take the first practice exam and study all the material it lists for you when it creates your results report. It may be a dozen or so chapters, but go through them and do the questions at the end of each chapter. Take the first practice test again and see where you are. BTW - talk with your faculty about this 72 hour lockout thing - as far as I know you should be able to take the practice exams as often as you want to. That shouldn't be happening...

AFTER you've studied and retaken practice test 1 at least once or twice, do the same with practice test 2. As I recall, many of us initially got in the 60's or 70's the first time we took the test. Do not despair. After studying a bit and retaking the practice exams you will get your practice grades up significantly, if only because by now you've 'memorized' the practice questions. That's OK. The main thing is that you have studied the book in areas you are weak on.

ALSO - use your Foundations or Fundamentals textbook. If you have Potter & Perry or another, use it to bone up on anything you feel weak on. Remember, you just have to hit the grade ranges for the levels, you don't have to make a raw score of, say, 92%.

Don't stress; study, use the practice exams, be calm, you'll do fine.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · May 8, 2012

And remember a level three is only a 78% if you actually follow the above suggestions, you will make a level 3. Dont stress out!

jwk429 · May 8, 2012

Thank you guys so very much. I took all of your advice and read the book and did the 2 practice assessment test and got a 72% yesterday which means I passed :) Thanks again. I'm officially 50% RN.

SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN · May 8, 2012

We had to do ATI after EVERY single semester on that particular class. It counted 5% towards our grade.

I am not sure if you will be doing the same, but if you are, I suggest you do one practice questions at least on a weekly basis so that when you do take it at the end of your semester you are more than prepared. Not everything on the ATI has been taught to you in class and this is where the ATI books come in handy, so take them with you everywhere you go and review them (eating lunch? review them, on the bus stop? review them....you get the picture). Do the focus review - these are the areas you missed on the practice tests. Do not leave it for the last moment, organize yourself.

This is the advise from a student that just graduated two weeks ago and I am passing the knowledge to you for success.

At the end of our program we had to take an ATI that covered all in our program in nursing school (Fundamentals, Med-Surge, Pharmacology, OB, Peds, Psyche, etc), we HAD to pass that test to be able to graduate, it gave us a predictor on how one will pass the NCLEX in the first try, so it really is a good thing you are doing ATI. At first we were all miffed we had to even do ATI after each semester, but now we realize how helpful it is. I know some students that finished in December and they all have passed the NCLEX. I wish that I will be successful as well since I cannot afford the Kaplan course.

Good Luck in your program

PS....Also, fix the 72 hours delay on retaking it. You should be able to take as many as you want, we infinite trys, unless your school has set up differently.