Predictive accuracy of the HESI Exit Exam: a follow-up study

This follow-up study compares the accuracy of the HESI Exit Exam (E) in predicting NCLEX success for the academic years 1996-97 (N = 2,809) and 1997-98 (N = 3,752) and is designed to replicate the study of Lauchner et al and to implement recommendations suggested by the authors for further research. The E was again found to be highly predictive of licensure success, regardless of the type of program tested: associate degree, baccalaureate degree, diploma, or practical nurse programs. The predictive accuracy of the E was 98.27% for the RN group and 99.34% for the PN group. The E was again found to be significantly more accurate when administration of the exam was monitored than when it was not monitored (P = 0.05). In the 1997-98 academic year, NCLEX success of low-scoring E students was examined. Significantly more (P = 0.001) of the low-scoring E students failed the licensure exam than high-scoring E students. However, significantly fewer (p = 0.05) of these low-scoring E students failed the licensing exam when the E was used as a benchmark or guide for remediation.