"Data Notes" is a bimonthly publication that examines data to illuminate the challenges facing Achieving the Dream colleges and to chart their progress over time. Gateway courses generally include the first college-level English and math courses students are required to take. Increasing the number of students who attempt gateway classes is important in terms of student persistence and credential completion. And, the percentage of students who succeed when attempting gateway classes (the completions ratio) needs attention. At best, failure to successfully complete these classes slows progress toward graduation or transfer. At worst, it may trigger the decision to drop out. This analysis uses data from Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count to investigate the number of attempts it takes students to complete gateway coursework, and to determine if there are identifiable characteristics associated with students who pass these classes on the first attempt as compared to those who attempt the coursework multiple times. The findings indicate students with certain characteristics have higher rates of gateway course success, or require fewer attempts to succeed. (Contains 2 figures and 6 footnotes.)