A challenge presented to nurse educators is retention of nursing students. This has led nursing faculty to review admission requirements and question how well entrance tests predict success in Associate Degree Nursing Programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the HESI Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2) and final grades in the first year nursing courses at Gloucester County College (GCC) Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN). The study also examined whether or not performance on the HESI A2 Exam predicted passing the first year of the GCC ADN program, as well as program completion. The HESI A2 composite score, biology, chemistry, math, reading comprehension, and critical thinking scores were used as predictors of performance in first year nursing courses and successful program completion. This study was designed using a retrospective correlational approach including discriminant function analysis to determine if the HESI A2 was a good predictor of successfully passing the Nursing 1 and 2 of the GCC ADN program and program completion. Data were gathered using HESI A2 scores and Nursing 1, 2, 3, and 4 final grades from the GCC's Nursing Program fall 2008 (n=89) and fall 2009 ( n=107) and Nursing 1 and 2 from fall 2010 (n=67) cohorts. Findings from this study demonstrated that there is a significant positive correlation between the HESI A2 composite score and biology scores, and final grades in Nursing 1 and 2. Discriminant function analysis revealed that the HESI A2 composite score and biology can successfully classify those who pass or fail Nursing 1 (HESI A2 biology; 87.1%), Nursing 2 (HESI A2 composite; 66.1%), Nursing 3 (HESI A2 composite; 64.7%) and Nursing 4 (HESI A2 composite; 66.7%). [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]