Critical thinking is a dynamic, purposeful, analytic process that results in reasoned decisions and judgments.

This process incorporates the following competencies:

• Interpretation is the ability to understand and identify problems.
   
• Analysis is the ability to examine, organize, classify, categorize, differentiate, and prioritize variables.
   
• Evaluation is the ability to assess the credibility, significance, and applicability of sources of information necessary to support conclusions.
   
• Inference is the ability to formulate hypotheses or draw conclusions based on the evidence.
   
• Explanation refers to the ability to explain the assumptions that lead to the conclusions reached.
   
• Self-regulation indicates the ability for self-examination and self-correction.

The critical thinker is characterized by open-mindedness, flexibility, rationality, inquisitiveness, intuitiveness, and reflection.

Since 1989, critical thinking has been one of the outcomes required in nursing education. Some schools are required by their accrediting bodies to provide printed documentation that shows how critical thinking is measured. The trend nationwide is to track and evaluate the critical thinking process throughout the curriculum.

At ATI, we believe that nursing students must develop the skills necessary to think critically, because the ultimate outcome is safe, efficient, and effective nursing care.

ATI offers an entrance and an exit test specifically designed to measure each student's critical thinking ability.  Each critical thinking component is documented in our comprehensive diagnostic reports, which provide a complete analysis for both students and educators. A test can be administered at both entrance to and exit from the program to gauge a student's progress.

ATI's critical thinking assessments were designed and developed by a team of experts in the field of critical thinking in nursing. Contributors include:

• Dr. Sandra Castillo, author of Strategies, Techniques and Approaches to Thinking
   
• Dr. Sherry Diesler, author of To Become a Critical Thinker
   
• Dr. Carol Green-Nigro, author of Critical Thinking In Nursing: Case Studies Across the Curriculum
   
• Dr. Judith Wilkenson, author of Critical Thinking and the Nursing Process
  

In addition to the critical thinking assessments, ATI’s commitment to the concept of critical thinking is reflected in every one of our tests—from entrance to exit. Our cutting-edge approach assigns critical thinking components to each test item. We document and measure interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference, explanation, and self-regulation in every exam. We also provide inservice training for nursing faculty on the application and instruction of critical thinking concepts.