An acceptable ATI score is not a single universal number but a threshold defined by your specific nursing program’s requirements. These benchmarks vary significantly between institutions and across different ATI assessments, such as the Comprehensive Predictor, Content Mastery Series, or specialty exams.
To determine if your result is an acceptable ATI score, you must consult three primary sources:
- Program Handbook: Your school sets explicit “proficiency” or “satisfactory” levels, often corresponding to a specific probability of passing the NCLEX.
- Assessment Blueprint: Each exam has a different scale and focus. A score on a Medical-Surgical assessment has a different meaning than one on Fundamentals.
- National Percentile Rank: Many programs consider a score at or above the National Mean (typically around 65-75% depending on the exam) as a baseline benchmark for acceptable performance.
Therefore, an acceptable ATI score is one that meets or exceeds your program’s published standard for that specific test. It indicates sufficient mastery of the content to progress in your curriculum and predicts a high likelihood of success on licensure exams. Always prioritize your program’s guidelines over general peer comparisons.