HESI PN validity study: evidence of a strong correlation between Exit Exam and NCLEX success

Study Overview

The HESI PN Validity Study analyzed outcomes of practical nursing students who completed the HESI Exit Exam during the 2023–2024 testing cycle. The study examined the relationship between Exit Exam scores, benchmark attainment, program policies, and first-time NGN-PN success.

Key Findings

NCLEX-PN Success: The study confirmed that higher HESI Exit Exam scores are strongly associated with first-time NGN-PN success:

• Overall first-time NGN-PN pass rate: 93.6%

• Students meeting the acceptable or recommended HESI benchmark achieved pass rates above 98%

• On average, students who passed scored nearly 190 points higher on the Exit Exam than those who did not

Impact of Program Policies

The research also explored how program-level policies influence benchmark attainment. Several instructional and remediation strategies were associated with higher likelihood of achieving established performance benchmarks. For a deeper look at which approaches are linked to stronger outcomes, download the one-pager.

Why This Matters

For faculty and administrators, this study reinforces how evidence-based assessment tools can inform both instruction and policy. By strategically leveraging the HESI Exit Exam, programs can:

• Predict NGN-PN outcomes with strong accuracy

• Identify at-risk students for early intervention

• Set benchmark standards aligned with demonstrated success levels