Design: Correlational, examining relationships among ADN students' scores on the A2, MC, and E2, and BSN students' scores on the SPs and E2 with final nursing course grades, and the E2's predictive accuracy with NCLEX-RN success.

Population, Sample, Setting, Years: ADN: HESI scores and NCLEX-RN outcomes of 75 students who entered a multi-campus ADN program in Texas in 2002-2003 and graduated in 2004-2005. BSN: 120 students who completed all nursing courses and all HESI exams administered within the BSN curriculum prior to graduations in 2000-2002.

Concept or Variables Studied Together: ADN: A2 scores assessed prospective students' ability to succeed in nursing school; MC scores evaluated student achievement at mid-point in the curriculum; E2 scores predicted student success on the NCLEX-RN. BSN: Scores on four HESI SP exams, the E2; final course grades and NCLEX-RN outcomes.

Methods: ADN students' A2 scores were compared with MC scores, which were compared with E2 scores. Pearson r correlations determined associations between BSN students' HESI scores and final course grades. E2 scores were compared with NCLEX-RN outcomes for all.

Findings: Mean scores were significantly (P < .000) lower on the MC, for which the A2 had low predictive validity, in the ADN program; however, the E2 predicted NCLEX outcomes with 100% accuracy. Significant correlations (P < .05) were found among all HESI exams and final course grades in corresponding BSN courses with the exception of the psychiatric and community health components.

Conclusions: HESI exams were reliable and valid in ADN and BSN curricula.

Implications: Usage of HESI exams to obtain evidence of curricular effectiveness in ADN and BSN programs was supported.