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Two newly published studies provide strong evidence that the ATI Comprehensive Predictor^® assessments for registered nurse and practical nurse programs closely align with the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) test plans for RNs and PNs.^1,2

The research reinforces the value of these assessments as indicators of entry-level nursing competence and licensure readiness.

The analyses used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate whether the structure of the Comprehensive Predictor exams reflects the competencies assessed on the licensure examinations for each role (RN Comprehensive Predictor and the NCLEX‑RN test plan and PN Comprehensive Predictor and the NCLEX‑PN test plan).

Together, the findings demonstrate robust construct validity across both assessments, including strong integration of clinical judgment.

RN Study Reinforces Alignment With NCLEX-RN and Clinical Judgment

The RN-focused study¹ analyzed assessment data from more than 76,000 nursing students who completed the RN Comprehensive Predictor assessment between 2023 and 2025. Using CFA, researchers tested whether the exam’s structure mirrored the NCLEX‑RN blueprint, including the emphasis on clinical judgment introduced in the 2023 NCLEX test plan.

Results showed excellent model fit across all major indices, indicating that the RN Comprehensive Predictor aligns closely with the NCLEX‑RN test plan. The analysis confirmed that nursing competence, as measured by the assessment, spans all major client needs categories, including safe and effective care, physiological integrity, psychosocial integrity, health promotion, and clinical judgment, the authors wrote.

Importantly, clinical judgment emerged as a strong and distinct component of entry-level nursing ability. High factor loadings demonstrated that clinical judgment is not only integrated into the assessment structure but also meaningfully contributes to overall nursing competence, as reflected in test performance.

The study concluded that the RN Comprehensive Predictor provides valid and meaningful scores educators can use to support curriculum design, instructional strategies, and remediation efforts as students prepare for licensure and professional practice.

First-of-Its-Kind Study Confirms PN Comprehensive Predictor Validity

Complementing the RN findings, a separate study evaluated the construct alignment of the PN Comprehensive Predictor and the NCLEX‑PN test plan.² This is the first published construct alignment analysis of ATI's PN Comprehensive Predictor.

The analysis examined assessment data from more than 4,500 PN students who completed the 2023 Comprehensive Predictor for PNs. As with the RN study, researchers applied CFA to test whether the exam’s theoretical structure aligned with the NCLEX‑PN test plan, including clinical judgment requirements.

The results demonstrated strong alignment between the PN Comprehensive Predictor and the NCLEX‑PN blueprint across all domains and subcategories. Model fit indices exceeded recommended thresholds, providing robust evidence that the assessment accurately reflects the competencies required for entry-level practical nursing practice.

Consistent with findings from RN research, the PN analysis showed that nursing competence, as measured by the Comprehensive Predictor, aligns with domains such as safe and effective care, physiological integrity, psychosocial integrity, and clinical judgment. These results support the use of scores on the PN Comprehensive Predictor as meaningful indicators of readiness for licensure and practice.

Why Alignment Matters for Academic Nursing Programs

Alignment between predictive assessments and licensure exams is foundational to valid decision-making in nursing education, said Kari Hodge, PhD, ICE‑CCP, an author for both studies. Dr. Hodge is Manager of Psychometrics & Applied Research at Ascend Learning. ATI is an Ascend Learning brand.

“If we want to reliably predict how someone will perform on the NCLEX, the assessment must measure the same core competencies the NCLEX is designed to assess,” Dr. Hodge said.

The findings of the two analyses offer practical value for nursing educators, particularly as programs adapt to increased emphasis on clinical judgment and decision-making on the NCLEX.

“The findings from these studies provide strong evidence for the validity of Comprehensive Predictor scores as indicators of entry-level nursing ability for both PNs and RNs,” Hodge said. “Given its strong alignment with the NCLEX test plan, these assessments provide educators with meaningful data they can use to improve curriculum design, teaching approaches, and remediation efforts.”

Data-Informed Education Supports Student & Program Success

Both studies underscore the role of the Comprehensive Predictor as an end‑of‑program assessment to evaluate accumulated knowledge and readiness for licensure and not as a gatekeeping tool. By mirroring the structure and content distribution of the NCLEX test plans, the assessments enable educators to identify strengths and gaps across domains and intervene strategically before students sit for the licensure exam.

Taken together, the two new analyses demonstrate that when predictive assessments are intentionally designed to reflect licensure standards, they can serve as reliable, valid tools to support student success and program improvement.

References

1. Miller JE, Hodge KJ, Lin Y, Haugan TR, Yoo H, Philips B. Evaluating Alignment Between the RN Comprehensive Predictor and the NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Journal of Nursing Education. 2026. doi: 10.3928/01484834-20251121-01

2. Hodge KJ, Miller JE, Lin Y, Yoo H, Phillips B. Evaluating Construct Alignment of the PN Comprehensive Predictor and the NCLEX-PN Test Plan. HSOA Journal of Practical and Professional Nursing. 2026. DOI:10.24966/PPN-5681/100066