AANP Certification Exam

[Dixiecup]

Well, I took the AANP certification exam today and failed. It was the most horrible feeling in the world.

I took the Barkley live review seminar. It was three jam packed days and they sent us home with a notebook of everything covered. They made a very big deal out of stating they have a 99% passing rate for the exam if you know the material they covered.

Well, I knew it backwards and forwards, practically memorized the entire notebook. And to be honest, I would have done just as well if I had never even opened the thing. It literally only helped me with about two questions. I am so disappointed.

It's so nice to be in the 1% group. Now I don't know what to do. I guessed at probably at LEAST half the questions. It was very hard! What's bad is you don't know which questions you got right or wrong.

I was not nervous at all so it was not test anxiety. It's like I just knew absolutely nothing. The whole test was clinically based but the answer selections were just so confusing.

If it weren't for student loans to pay back I think I would not even bother taking it again.

I'm open to suggestions on how to study now. I actually thought I was well prepared when I went to take the test but obviously NOT!

I'm going to go sit in my recliner and bask in my depression now!

[smartfun03]

Dear Grnrn,

How did it go? I have to sit for my FNP in the next 90 days. Wish me luck! ;-)

[tnrgrl]

Dear NP grads,

I just found this page....so happy I did. Thanks to all for the study tips. I'm a post-masters FNP grad from 1997 and just taking my cert exam!! Now I'm very nervous. Back then certification wasn't really emphasized. Been working in many areas but you'd be surprised at what you don't know when you sit down to study for an exam. Any input on finding a study group online or in person? I took Barkley's class over the summer but won't be testing until early Jan '12 and from earlier posts I see that others found Barkley's materials to be insufficient. Thanks.

[longislandnurse]

I graduated as an Adult Nurse Practitioner in May 2012. I am getting ready to take my AANP exam. What review book would be best to use? Would anyone reccomend a live review vs a online or CD version? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you!!!

[longislandnurse]

I graduated as an Adult Nurse Practitioner in May 2012. I am getting ready to take my AANP exam. What review book would be best to use? Would anyone reccomend a live review vs a online or CD version? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you!!!

[nitasarn]

I found maria leik and holliers review to be very helpful, I also studied from Current: Family Medicine from Lange, which was on the certification reference list at the time. Doing a live review vs. cds is really about how discipline and how you learn best. I liked having the cds to listen to while I was in the car. Dont wait too long to take then exam. goog luck to you.

[nurse_in_me]

I found Fitzgerald's live review the most helpful. I tried studying from Leik's book as well but found so many errors in the answers and I hated the fact that they do not provide you with rationales for their chosen answers. I hope this helps.

[badeosun]

Sorry about the failure in the exam. I belief failure is an opportunity again for success. I just took the AANP exam on thursday and passed. From my experience with Barkley review content though i never took one but i bought the materials, 30% of what he said in his cds were just already made answers to the exam. Though it was tough and rough and you would never think you are passing at the moment you are taking the exam. Take your time and study those materials very well including leik text book which i used and found helpful. Try to understand every content of the texts very well and it's applications cos questions would not come directly the way they are in review materials. For example, understanding your hepatitis serology would help you offer appropriate diagnosis and treatment if somebody has an acute disease or just need an immunization at that moment. You can do it, study hard, find a study partner that has the same goal as you. You can PM anytime and would be ready to help in discussing some likely areas you might found difficult

[katierae]

I know this is a lot later than when the 1st comment started but I took the Family Nurse Practitioner exam on Friday. I will have to say that it was a test like no other and there were several questions that I just did not have any clue. I had decided before taking the test that I was not going to mark any and go back, which I did end up doing on one. I went with my 1st instincts and had 40 minutes to spare as I am one that if I think too much on a question, I tend to get it wrong. During the exam, I was not feeling real confident and figured I had failed it and just wanted to get it over with. I can say that I was in literal shock when it had said I passed. I did take the Fitzgerald 2 1/2 day course about a year before the exam just to see what it was about and help me to get better prepared. I did not feel like that helped me at all and either did another classmate of mine. What I did think helped was purchasing the AANP sample questions. I bought the 50 tests but only got through 20 of them. I think that is what helped me and I probably studied for about 2 weeks, 3 to 4 hours a day. I didn't feel the need to study for 4 to six weeks 5 hours a day like our school had recommended. For me, over studying can be a problem and that is where I start to overthink on a test. I am not a good test taker either in which I get test anxiety, but I did feel that those sample tests helped me to really rethink through what the question was asking, and therefore helping me to answer the majority correctly. For me, I also think what helped is that I did not have a job lined up yet. I wanted to wait and pass the test before I went job hunting and I believe that helped cut down on my test anxiety because I was hearing several test takers having a job lined up already and they felt so pressured passing the 1st time causing them to feel anxious which is not good for test taking.

Since I just recently took the test, I felt the need to leave a comment on my experience hoping that it will help someone else.

Sherry S

[Maverick6]

I am a ARNP that graduated 20 years ago didn't have to take exam back then. I just passed the AANP exam today and thought it was easy!! If anyone needs help email me.

[dazzlyn]

sent you a message

[thriller]

I also failed AANP exam, twice. Felt like failure. A few year now and I still feel like a failure. Reviews do not ready you for exam. Mixed questions would be better. I am trying to get nerve to take again. I need help.

[4everNPnurse]

I graduated December 2018 & took the AANP exam on 2/1/19. I had a lot of personal issues going on and personally did not feel prepared but went and sat for the test. I did not pass. I am at a loss and don’t know where to begin. I did a live Hollier review in October 2018 but life and circumstances did not allow me to study as I had wanted. I started as a CNA, LPN, RN, BSN and now MSN. I’ve never failed at anything before and am so nervous to think of testing due to risk of failure again! I am scheduled to take the exam again mid June and am hoping to get a tutor to assist with my success. Anyone have ANY suggestions? I am studying Leik, Fitzgerald, & Hollier. I can memorize information, but think my problem is application. I have a difficult time reading information and retaining it, breaking it down into simple terms. ADHD and OCD does not help. Please let me know if any of you have suggestions of study material or tutors, and ALL information is appreciated! Praying for success!!! ??