ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam

Did you know 80% of nursing programs use the ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam to decide if you’re ready for real patient care? If that just made your heart skip a beat, take a deep breath. 

I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know – from what’s on the test to how to pass without losing your mind. And yes, we’ll talk about those scary NGN questions everyone’s freaking out about!

What Exactly Is the ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam?

This isn’t your average multiple-choice test. The ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam is like your final boss battle in nursing school. It’s a supervised (that’s what “proctored” means) test that checks if you can think like a nurse, not just memorize facts.

Most programs require you to score at least 75% to pass, with top schools wanting 85% or higher. The good news? With the right prep (and a few secret weapons I’ll share), you can totally crush it.

>>>Read more on Med Surg ATI Proctored Exam <<<

What’s On the Exam? 

Let’s break down what you’re up against:

Section	What’s Covered	Question Types	Time Per Question
Adult Medical-Surgical (70%)	Cardiac, respiratory, GI, endocrine systems	Multiple choice, select all that apply	About 1 minute
NGN-Style Questions (30%)	Real-world patient scenarios	Case studies, drag-and-drop, trend analysis	1.5-2 minutes

Pro Tip: Those NGN questions look intimidating, but they’re just testing how you’d actually handle patients. More on how to tackle these later!

How to Register (Without the Headache)

Most students take the ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam through their nursing school. If you’re registering yourself:

1. Go to ATI’s website (100−150)
2. Pick a date that gives you at least 2 weeks to study
3. Important: You can only retake it every 14 days (max 3 tries per year)

The 5 Topics You Can’t Afford to Miss

After analyzing hundreds of test questions, these areas show up constantly:

1. Cardiovascular Drama: CHF, MIs, and those tricky EKG strips
2. Fluid & Electrolyte Rollercoaster: Spotting hyperkalemia before it causes chaos
3. Post-Op Surprises: Infection signs every nurse should catch early
4. Diabetes Management: Insulin timing that actually makes sense
5. NGN Nightmares: Those “what would you do first?” scenarios

Fun Fact: Students who focus on these 5 areas typically see their scores jump 10-15%!

>>>Check out LPN practice test<<<

Your 3-Day Emergency Study Plan

Scenario: Your exam is in 72 hours and you haven’t started. Don’t panic!

Day 1: Attack the Big Two

• Morning: Cardiac (focus on CHF and MI interventions)
• Afternoon: Fluids & Electrolytes (make a cheat sheet of normal ranges)

Day 2: NGN Bootcamp

• Do 50 ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam practice questions with NGN cases
• Use Ulosca’s test bank – their explanations show exactly how to think through each scenario

Day 3: Dress Rehearsal

• Take a full-length timed test (this is non-negotiable!)
• Review every wrong answer until you get why you missed it

Sample Question That Could Save Your Score

Situation: Your post-op patient suddenly can’t breathe and their heart is racing. What’s your first move?

1. A) Give morphine
   B) Check for pulmonary embolism
   C) Prop up their legs
   D) Test their blood sugar

Answer: B (Always rule out life-threatening PE first!)

See how this tests real nursing judgment? That’s what the exam wants from you.

For more questions visit Ulosca.com

Preparing for the ATI Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam: Materials and Resources

Now that you know the ATI Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam is no walk in the park, you’ll need the right tools to tackle it. Start with ATI’s official study guides—they’re gold because they’re written by the same people who design the exam. 

But don’t stop there. Supplement with high-quality practice tests from trusted sources to simulate real exam pressure. YouTube channels like Simple Nursing or Level Up RN break down tough concepts into digestible chunks, while study apps can help reinforce key terms on the go. 

Just avoid cramming random Google results—stick to structured, exam-focused material. The right mix of review and repetition will sharpen your critical thinking, which is what this test is really about.

>>>Check out ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam <<<

Why Choose Ulosca for Your Prep Test?

If you want to study smarter—not harder—Ulosca is a game-changer. Their practice questions don’t just resemble the ATI Medical-Surgical exam; they mimic its style, difficulty, and even the way questions are phrased. 

That means fewer surprises on test day. The flashcards? Perfect for drilling lab values, post-op care, and other must-know details without wading through endless textbooks. Plus, their platform cuts out the fluff, so you spend time on what actually matters. 

Students rave about their score jumps after using Ulosca, and with flexible, affordable subscriptions, it’s a no-brainer for serious candidates. Bottom line? If you want precision prep, this is it.

Your Burning Questions – Answered!

How many questions are on the ATI Med Surg Proctored Exam?

Usually 100-150, with about 30% being those NGN-style questions that feel like mini patient cases.

What’s the hardest part?

Most students sweat over fluid/electrolytes and NGN prioritization. But with focused practice (like Ulosca’s case studies), these become your strongest areas!

Can I use a calculator?

Yes! A basic one pops up on screen for med math questions. No fancy graphing calculators though.

How long should I study?

4 weeks is ideal, but our 3-day crash plan has saved many last-minute students! The key is quality over quantity.

Where can I find realistic practice questions?

Ulosca’s test bank mirrors the actual exam’s style, especially for NGN questions. Their answer explanations are gold for understanding the “why” behind each choice.

The #1 Mistake That Kills Scores

It’s not what you think! The biggest pitfall isn’t lack of knowledge – it’s poor time management. Students often:

• Spend 5 minutes on one question, then rush the rest
• Second-guess themselves into wrong answers
• Forget to eat before the exam (hello, brain fog!)

Fix It: Take at least one full-length practice test under real conditions. Your future self will thank you when you’re not panicking over the clock!

You’ve Got This!

Remember, the ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam isn’t about perfection – it’s about showing you can think like a safe, competent nurse. Use the strategies we covered, practice with purpose, and walk in knowing you’re prepared. Need a realistic practice run? Ulosca’s mock exams include video walkthroughs of NGN questions – like having a tutor in your pocket!

Now go show that exam who’s boss!