ATI RN exams are the standardized nursing tests from ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) that many RN programs use from the first semester to graduation. They include the RN Content Mastery Series exams, the RN Comprehensive Predictor, Capstone and Dosage Calculation assessments. This guide explains each ATI RN exam, the online practice A and B tests, proficiency levels, how to study, and links to all of our free ATI RN practice questions.
| ATI RN at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Published by | ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) |
| Main RN exams | Content Mastery Series (proctored + online practice), RN Comprehensive Predictor, Capstone Content Review, Dosage Calculation, Concept-Based Assessments |
| RN content areas | Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Adult Medical-Surgical, Maternal Newborn, Mental Health, Pediatric Nursing, Nutrition, Community Health, Leadership and Management |
| Question style | NCLEX-style questions, mostly multiple choice |
| Results | Content Mastery: a score and proficiency level with a Focused Review; Predictor: a score and predicted probability of passing the NCLEX |
| Who sets the rules | Your nursing program chooses the exams, required level or score, retake policy and how ATI counts toward your grade |
Table of Contents
- What Is ATI RN?
- ATI RN Exams by Stage
- ATI RN Content Mastery Series
- ATI Proficiency Levels Explained
- ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor
- ATI RN Capstone
- ATI RN Dosage Calculation
- ATI RN Concept-Based Assessments
- Virtual-ATI and NCLEX-RN Review
- How to Study for ATI RN Exams
- ATI RN Sample Questions
- ATI RN Practice Question Banks
- ATI RN FAQ
What Is ATI RN?
“ATI RN” is the shorthand nursing students use for ATI’s registered nurse testing and review program. ATI also makes the ATI TEAS entrance exam and PN (practical nursing) versions of most RN exams, but the RN exams are written against the NCLEX-RN test plan and are taken once you are in an RN program (ADN or BSN).
Schools buy ATI as a package and decide how to use it. One program may require Level 2 on every Content Mastery exam; another may use the scores as a small part of each course grade. Always check your syllabus or student handbook first, then use this guide and our practice tests to prepare.
Taking an entrance exam first? See our ATI TEAS Exam guide. If your school uses Elsevier tests instead of ATI, see the HESI Practice Exam guide.
ATI RN Exams by Stage
| ATI RN exam | When you usually take it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| RN Content Mastery Series (CMS) | At the end of the matching course | Measures mastery of one NCLEX content area, with a Focused Review afterwards |
| RN Online Practice Assessments (A and B) | Before each proctored CMS exam | Unproctored practice versions of the same content area |
| Dosage Calculation assessments | During clinical courses | Medication math and safe medication administration |
| RN Concept-Based Assessments (Levels 1–4) | In concept-based curricula, at four stages | 46 key nursing concepts with proficiency benchmarks |
| ATI Capstone Content Review | Final semester, before the Predictor | Weekly guided content review with pre- and post-assessments |
| RN Comprehensive Predictor | End of the program | Predicts readiness for the NCLEX-RN |
| Virtual-ATI (VATI) and BoardVitals | After the Predictor or graduation | 12-week NCLEX-RN review with an ATI nurse educator, and NCLEX question bank practice |
ATI RN Content Mastery Series
According to ATI’s Content Mastery Series page, the Content Mastery Series measures a student’s mastery of specific concepts related to the NCLEX. Each core content area has a secure proctored assessment and an online practice assessment. After each one you get a Focused Review that shows your priority topics and links them to chapters in ATI’s Review Module eBooks.
ATI lists these RN modules:
| RN content area | Free practice on GradeHustler |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals | RN Fundamentals 2023, RN Fundamentals 2023 (Set 2), RN VATI Fundamentals Practice |
| Pharmacology | RN Pharmacology 2023 |
| Adult Medical-Surgical | RN Adult Medical-Surgical 2023, RN Medical-Surgical 2026 |
| Maternal Newborn | RN Maternal Newborn 2023 |
| Mental Health | RN Mental Health 2023, ATI RN Mental Health 2023 |
| Pediatric Nursing (formerly Nursing Care of Children) | RN Pediatric dosage calculations |
| Nutrition | RN Nutrition 2023, RN Nutrition 2023 Exam |
| Community Health | RN Community Health 2023 |
| Leadership and Management | RN Leadership 2023 |
ATI also lists a Targeted Adult Medical-Surgical module, which is practice only.
ATI RN online practice 2023 A and B
Each content area has online practice assessments, usually called Practice A and Practice B (for example “ATI RN Fundamentals Online Practice 2023 A”). Your school decides whether they are open or timed, whether rationales are shown, and whether they are required before the proctored exam. They are written to the same blueprint as the proctored exam, so they are the best guide to the topics you will see, but the proctored exam uses different questions. Many students search for the “2019” or “2023” versions; the year refers to the version of the test your school has assigned.
ATI RN proctored exams
The proctored assessment (for example the ATI RN Fundamentals proctored exam or the RN Mental Health proctored exam) is the secure version, taken at school or with an approved remote proctor. Afterwards, use your Focused Review report to study the topics you missed; many programs ask for remediation such as written active learning templates.
ATI Proficiency Levels Explained
Content Mastery results are reported as a percentage score and a proficiency level. Nursing school ATI policies commonly describe the levels like this:
| Level | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Level 3 | Exceeds the expected standard in the content area; strong readiness for NCLEX questions on that topic |
| Level 2 | Meets the expected standard; the benchmark many programs set |
| Level 1 | Meets the absolute minimum; review is usually required |
| Below Level 1 | Does not meet the minimum; schools usually require remediation and a retake |
The percentage needed for each level is set by ATI for each exam version and can change between versions, so there is no single “Level 2 score” that works for every test. Check your individual score report. Your school decides which level you need and how it affects your grade.
ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor
ATI calls the RN Comprehensive Predictor “the last stop for students before they enter intensive NCLEX prep”. It is a secure, multiple-choice exam covering all of the major NCLEX client-need categories, from management of care to health promotion and maintenance. ATI says the report includes:
- Your individual score
- A predicted probability of passing the NCLEX
- National and program means
- Your percentage correct in each content topic category
- Topics to review and your scores within each outcome
The RN Comprehensive Predictor is commonly reported as about 180 questions (150 scored) with a time limit of around 3 hours, but your school’s set-up may differ. Many programs require a minimum predicted probability (often 90% or higher) or a set score before you can graduate or receive NCLEX clearance, sometimes with a second attempt after remediation. These cut-offs are school policies, not ATI rules.
Free practice: RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026, ATI Comprehensive Predictor, ATI Comprehensive Predictor Assessment, ATI Predictor Assessment 1.
ATI RN Capstone
The ATI Capstone Content Review is a guided review in the final semester that prepares you for the Comprehensive Predictor. According to ATI:
- You take a proctored comprehensive pre-assessment before the review and a post-assessment after it.
- You spend about 4–6 hours a week on the review, depending on your knowledge level.
- An ATI nurse educator guides you through a set calendar, and your school receives a weekly progress report.
- Each week covers one content area: a pre-assessment quiz, concept review, a content area assessment, Focused Review and a post-assessment assignment.
Free Capstone practice: RN Capstone Pharmacology 1, RN Capstone Pharmacology 2, Capstone Adult Medical-Surg 1, Capstone Adult Medical-Surg 2, Capstone Maternal Newborn, Capstone Leadership and Community Health.
ATI RN Dosage Calculation
ATI’s Dosage Calculation and Safe Medication Administration program teaches three methods: ratio and proportion, dimensional analysis and desired over have. ATI says each proctored dosage assessment has 20 questions plus five pre-test questions, with versions for Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, Maternal Newborn, Mental Health, Pediatrics and Critical Care. Many schools require 90% or even 100% on dosage tests.
Free practice: RN Adult Medical-Surgical, RN Adult Med-Surg Proctored Assessment 3.2, RN Maternal Newborn, RN Pediatric, RN Mental Health.
ATI RN Concept-Based Assessments
Programs with a concept-based curriculum may use ATI’s RN Concept-Based Assessments instead of, or as well as, the Content Mastery Series. ATI says they cover 46 key nursing concepts at four progressive stages, with online practice and proctored versions and proficiency benchmarks. Students usually see them as “ATI RN Concept-Based Assessment Level 1”, “Level 2” and so on.
Some schools also build custom ATI exams for specific courses. See our custom practice sets: NUR 209 Midpoint, NUR 209 Final, NUR 211 Midpoint, NUR 211 Final, NUR 275 Final.
Virtual-ATI and NCLEX-RN Review
After the Predictor, many programs enrol graduates in Virtual-ATI (VATI), a 12-week online NCLEX review in which each student works one-on-one with an ATI nurse educator. You earn a “Green Light” when your educator judges you ready to sit the NCLEX. ATI also offers live NCLEX reviews and BoardVitals question banks.
How to Study for ATI RN Exams
Use this 4-week plan before any Content Mastery or Predictor exam, and shorten it if your test is sooner:
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Take Practice A untimed. List every topic you missed from the score report. |
| 2 | Read the matching chapters in the ATI Review Module (for example the Fundamentals Review Module) and write a short active learning template for each weak topic. |
| 3 | Do timed question sets from the links on this page. Review the rationale for every question, including the ones you got right. |
| 4 | Take Practice B timed, review the results, revisit your weakest topics, and rest the day before the proctored exam. |
- Learn the reason behind each answer. ATI questions test priority and application, not just facts.
- For “first” or “priority” questions, use ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation), Maslow’s hierarchy and safety.
- Know normal lab values and the main nursing actions for high-alert medications (insulin, heparin, warfarin, opioids, digoxin).
- Practise dosage math by hand and always check your units.
- Treat the Focused Review as the most useful part of each exam, not an extra.
ATI RN Sample Questions
These are original ATI-style practice questions written for this guide. Try each one, then open the answer.
Sample 1: Fundamentals
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action is required to maintain sterile technique?
- Cleanse the meatus from the anus toward the urethra
- Keep the non-dominant hand on the labia or penis once it touches the patient
- Apply sterile gloves before opening the outer package
- Place the drainage bag on the bed rail
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
Once the non-dominant hand touches the patient it is no longer sterile and must stay in place. Cleanse from front to back, open the package before gloving, and keep the bag below the bladder on the bed frame.
Sample 2: Pharmacology
A client taking digoxin has a heart rate of 54/min. What should the nurse do?
- Give the dose and recheck in one hour
- Withhold the dose and notify the provider
- Give half the dose
- Ask the client to walk, then recheck the pulse
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
Digoxin is usually held when the apical pulse is below 60/min in adults, and the provider should be notified.
Sample 3: Maternal Newborn
During labour the nurse sees late decelerations on the fetal monitor. What should the nurse do first?
- Increase the oxytocin infusion
- Turn the client onto her side
- Document the finding
- Prepare for an amniotomy
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
Late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency. Repositioning to the side improves blood flow; stop oxytocin if running, give fluids and oxygen as ordered, and notify the provider.
Sample 4: Mental Health
A client taking lithium has diarrhoea, vomiting and a coarse hand tremor. What is the priority action?
- Give an antidiarrhoeal
- Withhold lithium and check the serum lithium level
- Encourage the client to reduce fluid intake
- Reassure the client that these are expected side effects
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
These are signs of lithium toxicity. Hold the dose and check the level. Clients on lithium need adequate fluid and sodium intake.
Sample 5: Dosage Calculation
The order is amoxicillin 500 mg PO. The suspension is 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse give?
- 2.5 mL
- 5 mL
- 10 mL
- 20 mL
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
500 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 10 mL.
Sample 6: Leadership
Which task can the RN delegate to an assistive personnel?
- Teaching a client to use an inhaler
- Assessing a new post-operative client
- Measuring vital signs on a stable client
- Evaluating a client’s response to pain medication
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
Routine vital signs on a stable client can be delegated. Assessment, teaching and evaluation stay with the RN.
ATI RN Practice Question Banks
| Resource | What it includes |
|---|---|
| ATI RN Fundamentals 2026 | Downloadable fundamentals question bank |
| ATI RN Pharmacology 2023 | Pharmacology question bank |
| RN Medical-Surgical 2026 | Adult med-surg question bank |
| RN Nutrition 2023 | Nutrition question bank |
| RN Capstone Pharmacology 2 | Capstone pharmacology question bank |
| Capstone Med-Surg 1, Capstone Med-Surg 2 | Capstone med-surg question banks |
| Dosage Calculation RN Maternal Newborn | Dosage calculation question bank |
| ATI Content Mastery Series | Official ATI information for educators |
ATI RN FAQ
What does ATI RN stand for?
ATI is Assessment Technologies Institute. “ATI RN” means its exams and review tools for registered nursing students, such as the RN Content Mastery Series and RN Comprehensive Predictor.
What is a passing score on ATI RN exams?
There is no universal passing score. Content Mastery exams report a proficiency level, and many schools require Level 2. For the Comprehensive Predictor, schools usually set a minimum predicted probability of passing the NCLEX.
Are ATI practice A and B the same as the proctored exam?
No. They cover the same content blueprint, but the proctored exam uses different, secure questions. Use the practice tests to find weak topics.
Is the ATI RN exit exam the same as the Comprehensive Predictor?
Usually yes. Students often call the RN Comprehensive Predictor the “ATI exit exam” because it is taken at the end of the program.
How many questions are on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor?
It is commonly reported as about 180 questions, 150 of them scored, but your school’s version may differ.
What is the difference between ATI Capstone and the Predictor?
Capstone is a multi-week guided review with pre- and post-assessments. The Comprehensive Predictor is the single secure exam that predicts NCLEX readiness, taken after Capstone.
Can I retake an ATI RN proctored exam?
Retakes are set by your school. Many programs allow one retake after remediation.
Does ATI help with the NCLEX-RN?
Yes. All ATI RN exams use NCLEX-style questions, and ATI offers Virtual-ATI, live reviews and BoardVitals for NCLEX preparation.
ATI® and TEAS® are registered trademarks of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC. NCLEX® is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. GradeHustler is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ATI. Exam details vary by school and version, so confirm current rules with your program and ATI.