ATI testing in nursing programs

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

Hi Eugenia-

Well, they use them at my school and it suppossedly has the highest pass rate in the city so I guess the answer to your question is yes.

However, I think if they are going to put so much emphasis on these tests they should count for something. Since they do not, they usually get moved to the back burner. With these tests, we have a chance to remediate. Our theory exams are another story. I also don't like how my school uses the scoring to determine pass/fail. They don't go by the actual percentage scored on the test but on your program percentile. It has to be above the 60th to not be remediated. The program percentile is the pits. Two of us had only a 1-2% difference in the actual score, but he was in the 78th percentile and I was in the 58th. From a difference in 1.6%?!?!?!?!?:angryfire That's quite a spread there for such a small difference in actual score. Another classmate scored 2% less than me and was in the 6th program percentile. :confused: Now for us (my class) it's not a huge deal for the school to use the program percentile to determine pass/fail. (Other than it being a pain in the butt to remediate when you already don't have enough time to do what you have to do as it is.) On the other hand, the class after us (next year) must pass on the first try. If they use the actual percentage scored, it would be fair. However, if they use the program percentile like they have been, they are going to have a huge mess on their hands. That number has too many variables attached to it.

Off my soap box and onto a positive note, I have found the non-proctered tests to be good review/practice. Hope my being a windbag has been helpful.

eugenia · Mar 22, 2005

I really don't understand what the program percentile is compared to the national .

Hi Eugenia-
Well, they use them at my school and it suppossedly has the highest pass rate in the city so I guess the answer to your question is yes.
However, I think if they are going to put so much emphasis on these tests they should count for something. Since they do not, they usually get moved to the back burner. With these tests, we have a chance to remediate. Our theory exams are another story. I also don't like how my school uses the scoring to determine pass/fail. They don't go by the actual percentage scored on the test but on your program percentile. It has to be above the 60th to not be remediated. The program percentile is the pits. Two of us had only a 1-2% difference in the actual score, but he was in the 78th percentile and I was in the 58th. From a difference in 1.6%?!?!?!?!?:angryfire That's quite a spread there for such a small difference in actual score. Another classmate scored 2% less than me and was in the 6th program percentile. Now for us (my class) it's not a huge deal for the school to use the program percentile to determine pass/fail. (Other than it being a pain in the butt to remediate when you already don't have enough time to do what you have to do as it is.) On the other hand, the class after us (next year) must pass on the first try. If they use the actual percentage scored, it would be fair. However, if they use the program percentile like they have been, they are going to have a huge mess on their hands. That number has too many variables attached to it.
Off my soap box and onto a positive note, I have found the non-proctered tests to be good review/practice. Hope my being a windbag has been helpful.

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

On the top of the test there are five different numbers. (Printer friendly version.) There are five categories:

Your score:

Individual Mean-National:

Individual Percentile Rank-National:

Individual Mean-Program

Individual Percentile Rank-Program

Your score: is self explainatory

Individual Percentile Rank-Program-is your rank within your program.

My gripe with the individual percentile rank-program is that someone could get a great score, but still "fail". Someone always has to have the lowest rank in the program. They could still have a passing score. PM me and let me know if you want me to email you with an attachment of my test to get further clarification.

Elizabeth

eugenia · Mar 28, 2005

I have another question regarding the ATI exams? Is the non-proctored computerized test a timed exam. In my program, we must score a least ninety percent before we can take the proctored exam. Thanks for the help. Eugenia.

On the top of the test there are five different numbers. (Printer friendly version.) There are five categories:
Your score:
Individual Mean-National:
Individual Percentile Rank-National:
Individual Mean-Program
Individual Percentile Rank-Program
Your score: is self explainatory
Individual Percentile Rank-Program-is your rank within your program.
My gripe with the individual percentile rank-program is that someone could get a great score, but still "fail". Someone always has to have the lowest rank in the program. They could still have a passing score. PM me and let me know if you want me to email you with an attachment of my test to get further clarification.
Elizabeth

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2005

There's no time limit, but how much time you take is able to be monitored. Some people tried to be slick and make one of the tests "open book." He took four hours for a 100 question test. The faculty member facilitating the course made him retake it and he got a really bad score. She advised him to practice some more and turn the results that he got in a timely manner. :rolleyes:

Slobgob · Apr 6, 2005

My school uses it... in fact, I just took it today.

The test counts for 5% of the class. Our grade is based on a Bell Curve type system where the top score and lower score are used as the extremes and the spread is evenly divided.

For instance: (these are the Composite Scores... actual % right)

Top Score = 80%

Bottom Score = 60%

So...

60-64% is 1 point

65-68% is 2 points

69-72% is 3 points

73-76% is 4 points

77-80% is 5 points

Its actually a horrible system... but that's another point. =)