ATI Testing? Why did I get a lower level?

Codjonaub · Apr 7, 2011

Am I not supposed to talk about this? Noone is replying?

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Apr 7, 2011

I am sorry, but I don’t really have an answer. I think it is funny how a 68% warrants a level two on some ATI’s where an 75% does not. I have always wondered if the national and school average were on a rolling base and if it starts all over at the beginning of a new year. If this is the case, then perhaps that can answer your question. The other thing is that you can call ATI to ask them. From my experience, my professors really don’t know much about the program other than it is required for our program.

Rob27, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2011

I am replying stickly off something I think I remember reading, so take it for what it is worth. On there website somewhere is a link about scoring and it talks about levels changing based on other test takers within that year. So I would say that the levels are somewhat dynamic.

Codjonaub · Apr 7, 2011

I heard something like that as well. ATI says talk to the school about the scores, but the school refers you to ati. We just recently took or comp. predictor and in relation to levels it says 80 to 100% would be a level 3, 73-79 is a level 2, and 73 to 70 is a level 1, and 69 and under is a level 0. Most of the other schools depict a level of 73% to graduate. My school gave it to 70% people.

My real thought is if you score higher than your classmates generally. Is it better to be the last one done?

kponderRN · Apr 7, 2011

the percentages are different for each ATI exam. sometimes you can get an 80% then equals a level 3 or you can get an 81 that equals a level 2...just depends on the different ATI exam topic

dudette10, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2011

I heard something like that as well. ATI says talk to the school about the scores, but the school refers you to ati. We just recently took or comp. predictor and in relation to levels it says 80 to 100% would be a level 3, 73-79 is a level 2, and 73 to 70 is a level 1, and 69 and under is a level 0. Most of the other schools depict a level of 73% to graduate. My school gave it to 70% people.
My real thought is if you score higher than your classmates generally. Is it better to be the last one done?

You had levels on your comp predictor? We didn't. The result in percent was the probability of passing NCLEX.

The percentages to determine levels on other ATIs are dynamic, but they are not so dynamic that how others in your class do on the test that day will make a difference for you on that day.

Also, the level percentage correct vary by test. The national mean determined by ATI at any given time for any given test is the lowest possible percentage associated with a level 2.

As for your original post, I too am surprised that a 97th percentile got you a level 2. In my experience with the ATIs, it's a 96th percentile or above that can earn a level 3.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2011

i guess there is some stipulation where they do not want anyone to tell their specific scores, which seems like an issue to me.

if your school is telling students, "don't share your ati test scores," that's just your school being silly and super-duper double probation secretive. sharing the questions with other people is cheating.

1southernstudent · Apr 7, 2011

I have no answer but thought I'd share my first experience. We were told basically nothing about the test except..."You must make a level 1". If not then you remediate and take it again. So we end up taking it immediately (like 15 min) after the hardest test of the semester. So I'm stressed out to the max and when I'm finished I get a 3. I'm absolutely freaking out that I've just failed this test since I didn't get the required 1. I'm doing my best not to cry in the hall. Then someone explains that a 1 is the minimum and a 3 is the highest. I bawled all the way home....yes, I am an overwrought idiot!