ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine the predictive validity of Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) Exit Exam scores for student first-time success on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam and to analyze whether schools' policies on the HESI Exit Exam are associated with end-of-program student success. METHODS: Twenty-five radiography program directors provided retrospective data on ARRT certification exam student outcomes, and 24 program directors completed the HESI Exit Exam program policy survey. Data analysis was performed to examine the correlation between students' HESI Exit Exam scores and their first-time ARRT certification exam outcomes and to investigate the relationship between program policies and performance on both exams. RESULTS: First-time ARRT certification exam outcomes were obtained for 1265 program graduates who took the HESI Exit Exam from 2018 through 2021. Students achieving acceptable (700-749) and recommended (750-799) HESI Exit Exam scores exhibited significantly higher certification exam pass rates of 79.4% and 86.4%, respectively. ARRT certification exam pass rates were higher for those scoring 800 or above (94.5-100%). Implementation of a minimum HESI Exit Exam score requirements and a required exam preparation were significantly associated with more favorable ARRT certification exam outcomes. DISCUSSION: There was a significant positive relationship between higher HESI Exit Exam scores and more successful outcomes on the ARRT certification exam. Two program policies regarding use of the HESI Exit Exam (minimum exit exam score required, required test prep) emerged as best-practice approaches for ARRT certification exam success. CONCLUSION: The HESI Exit Exam was predictive of success on the ARRT certification exam. The results presented in this study can be used to improve radiography education. Future research on how additional educational resources affect HESI Exit Exam and ARRT certification exam success is warranted.