Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to determine if GRE scores (verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing) predict first-time pass rate on the NCE. This project also investigated the correlation between first-time pass rate on the NCE and the individual covariates of age at program matriculation, sex, race, number of years as an RN, number of years as an ICU RN, entry-to-practice nursing GPA, and nurse anesthesia program GPA. Methods: A retrospective compilation of secondary data was assembled for 114 master's degree students. Using SPSS® software, bivariate data analysis was performed using 10 independent variables and the dependent variable NCE result (pass/fail). Due to the high first attempt pass rate among the study population (87.7%), a second dependent variable, NCE total score, was also utilized. Multivariate analysis using nine of the 10 independent variables was completed for both NCE result (pass/fail) and NCE total score. Results: No statistically significant relationship between GRE scores and first attempt NCE pass rate was found. A positive but weak correlation existed between GRE scores and NCE total score, and a slight significance was noted with both GRE quantitative score (positive correlation) and GRE analytical score (negative correlation) in the multivariate linear regression model. Age at program matriculation, number of years as an ICU RN, and nurse anesthesia program GPA were statistically significant using both first attempt NCE result and NCE total score. Younger students with less ICU experience were more likely to pass the NCE on first attempt and scored higher on the NCE. Nurse anesthesia program GPA was positively correlated with both NCE result and NCE total score. Conclusion: This scholarly project supports removal of the GRE as an admission requirement in the investigator's nurse anesthesia program, thus removing possible financial and motivational admission barriers which may allow for a more diverse, holistic admission process. Removal will likely expand the applicant pool since many other nurse anesthesia programs no longer require the GRE. Future studies may consider use of cumulative science GPA and the type of ICU in which the student has worked prior to matriculation as predictor variables. [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.]