New Research Confirms Strong Link Between ATI Content Mastery Series Performance & NCLEX Readiness
A new large‑scale study published in Teaching and Learning in Nursing in January 2026 confirms the value of two ATI Nursing Education resources in developing and predicting PN and RN student readiness for the NCLEX exam.1
This retrospective quantitative analysis followed 9,728 PN and RN students across U.S. programs between 2023 and 2024. The analysis determined that among these students, performance on ATI Content Mastery Series®️ assessments was strongly associated with student outcomes on the ATI Comprehensive Predictor,®️ an indicator of NCLEX readiness.
Students’ Comprehensive Predictor scores and their probability of passing the NCLEX increased steadily each time they achieved proficiency (Level 2 or higher) on a Content Mastery Series exam.
For PN students, probability of passing rose from approximately 72% for learners who had not achieved proficiency on Content Mastery Series exams to more than 97% among students who succeeded on all 7 exams in the series.
RN outcomes followed a similar pattern, with students who achieved Level 2 or higher across all 9 Content Mastery Series assessments reaching a nearly 98% probability of passing.
Results Remain Consistent Over Time
The 2026 findings further support the conclusions of a prior analysis of the correlation between Content Mastery Series performance and Comprehensive Predictor success.2
“These results show remarkable consistency across years, test plan changes, and the integration of clinical judgment,” said Kari Hodge, PhD, ICE-CCP, a coauthor for the new study.
“The pattern confirms that Content Mastery Series assessments function as intended — as building blocks that lead to end-of-program readiness,” said Dr. Hodge, who is manager of psychometrics at Ascend Learning. ATI is an Ascend Learning brand.
She said the regression analysis shows that Content Mastery Series exam performance accounts for up to half of the variance in performance on the Comprehensive Predictor exam.
For PN students, Adult Med-Surg, Pediatrics, and Maternal-Newborn were the most impactful predictors. For RN students, Leadership, Pediatrics, and Adult Med-Surg consistently contributed the most to variance in Comprehensive Predictor scores. Fundamentals scores contributed the least across all groups.
Implications for Early Risk Identification & Remediation
“Faculty and program leaders can use these findings to identify at-risk students earlier in the curriculum and remediate before they get too far into the program,” Dr. Hodge said.
These findings are of particular importance for programs still navigating the post COVID academic landscape and NCLEX changes. Despite shifts in student populations and the introduction of new clinical judgment item types on the NCLEX, the correlation between Content Mastery Series assessments and the Comprehensive Predictor remains clear.
The research reinforces the role of the Content Mastery Series as a validated, early warning system capable of strengthening student success, informing remediation, and supporting program decision making. Consistent performance on Content Mastery Series assessments is a meaningful predictor of NCLEX readiness.
References
1. Miller JE, Hodge KJ, Yoo H, Taylor K, Phillips BC, Zapparrata N. Predicting Nursing Students Success Through Standardized Assessments. Teaching and Learning in Nursing. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2025.12.021
2. Brussow JA, Dunham M. Students' midprogram content area performance as a predictor of end-of-program NCLEX readiness. Nurse Educator. 2018;43(5):238-241. DOI: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000000499