AANP, FNP 2016 Exam

[jglase570]

I have appreciated all previous posts on this matter ,and just wanted to reach out and ask if anyone has taken the 2016 version (or other other recent versions) of the AANP FNP exam (as most of the other posts are a bit outdated). I am looking for any type of advice on this exam (regarding prep work, or even day of/week of advice. I am currently scheduled to take the exam at the end of this month (in two weeks).

As for prep work thus part I have purchased and completed the Fitzgerald Review, Read Leik's most recent book and done the corresponding questions in the back of the book, and have taken the AANP FNP practice exam on their website, only scoring a 72% (66% is passing on this exam). This of course made me a little more anxious than I already was. After taking the practice exam, I've realized my weak areas and plan to spend some time on those in the next two weeks.

Any other words of advice on this matter, are definitely welcome! Thank you in advance!!

[urbanrn328]

Did you pass?

Things have changed up effective 2/16 so it appears all the review material being marketed is not up to date currently. I just took the aanp fnp and the recommended materials including the costly qbank from recommended site didn't help much at all. Looking for a study group

[anicholson]

I took the apea live review in January, did her review book and the Q bank. I also used the Leik app. And a lot of what she covered was on my version of the test. Also the AANP predictor was helpful a few questions from it appeared on my exam

[jglase570]

Thank you, I did end up passing and it's definitely a weight off my shoulders. You'll be next!! smile emoticon The test was exactly as I anticipated, and perhaps even easier (only because I thoroughly prepared). I studied for really only a month straight (I felt ready after 2 weeks, however). I did take the Fitzgerald course, and opted for the MP3 version with tons of online resources as well for the course. If possible, I strongly suggest taking Fitzgerald perhaps a month prior to testing. She does a phenomenal job tying all the information together in a understandable fashion and her review is also very thorough. I also LOVED Maria Codina Leik's book, "Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Intensive Review: Fast Facts and Practice Questions, Second Edition." Its more of a quick and dirty review over most disease processes and offers over 600 questions in the back. I also purchased the online question bank from APEA (both assessment and patient management), all questions provide rationale for answers which helped to reinforce information! I also took the practice exam from AANP (this offers old retired questions from the exam, and I just wanted to see how they wrote the test and more of what to expect), and took the predictor exam from APEA (one week prior to testing) and it predicted I'd pass but it also pinpointed my weaker areas which i proceeded to study for a few days after that. All in all it was an expensive, stressful and very time consuming process but definitely wouldn't change any part of my study plan. Sorry for the ridiculously long message, but I know what a stressful process it can be.

I did find Leik's book to be extremed out of date as far as recommended guidelines, however had phenomenal factual information that was very helpful with the exam. For those outdated guidelines I substituted what I had learned from the Fitzgerald Review, to update those guidelines.

Good luck, it's easy to become overwhelmed but you can do it!!

[adifay]

Congrats on passing your exam! and thanks for putting your study guide/plan out there for us! You mentioned that you bought the APEA QBank, did you find there was a difference between the assessment and management questions in how they applied to the actual exam? I have been doing the management questions as the APEA website said this was best for the certification exam. Thanks in advance!

[nurse2215]

Has anyone else taken the FNP AANP 2016 exam? I'd love to hear what you thought and study advice. Thank you.

[sassycas]

WOW. I just finished the FNP program , and is studying for the ANCC exam. So far I have the barkley review blue book, Leik,. and the Hollier CDs. I want to know if this is enough for:no: that exam.

[psayson]

Hello! I took and passed the AANP exam yesterday. I found the test easier than the review materials. I took the APEA live review course in January and also took the online version of the Fitzgerald Comprehensive Review (it was part of the curriculum in my FNP program). Both explained guidelines and algorithms really well. I especially liked Amelie Hollier's pointers on how to remember Hepatitis antigen/immunity very helpful. Her explanation on how to identify locations of heart murmurs complimented Margaret Fitzgerald's explanation on murmur characteristics and identification. As far as books, the review book by Maria Codina Leik was my go to book. I took it with me everywhere and highlighted the living daylights out of that book. She had 600+ practice questions with rationale and additional info you could look through online (eg. JNC 8), which came out after the book was published. I also went over the Fitzgerald review book but ran out of time before I could finish the book. She has approximately 3,000 practice questions in the book. I have to say, she did provide way more information than was presented in the exam I took. I scored pretty badly in her book - 60%s as compared to Leik where I scored 75%s. Either way, I felt I wasn't prepared enough. The books sapped away whatever confidence I had with every practice question page I completed. This was particularly worse with Fitzgerald's book. However, since the exam fee is nonrefundable I still decided to take the exam as scheduled (you can cancel/reschedule 48 hours before the test date). My plan was to take the ANCC if I didn't pass the AANP. I didn't do any of the predictor exams. You can pretty much tell your areas of weakness after completing the practice questions.

The exam itself was a good variety of items that were evenly spread across different diseases and conditions, normal and abnormal findings and FNP practice principles. However, the information in the books were more than enough to prepare for the exam. This is particularly so with Margaret Fitzgerald's review material. Her practice book provided way more information than was needed in the exam I took and caused me to go into panic for nothing. In order of helpfulness of review material, I would rank Leik #1, Fitzgerald #2 and Hollier #3. I did take the time to write down the mnemonics and keyword reminders, on the sheet of paper provided during the exam, as soon as I sat down in my assigned booth. I referred to it as needed through the exam. Anyway, good luck. This is probably way more information than necessary for but I sure hope it helps.

[shelly NP-C]

I just wanted to say I took my boards initially in January 2016. I missed passing by 40 points. I thought the end of the world was crashing down. All my hard work and studying for months was a waste. I took Barclay's review course, APEA review course, Amelie review course, and had numerous books that I looked at. I regrouped myself after I cried for a day straight and picked myself back up. The second time I focused only with the Liek review book and did all the practice questions at the end. I also paid for 10 sample questions on exam edge. This i believe helped me to think about how the questions were going to be presented. They always say it will be something that is the standard or guideline. The least expensive and something that can be done in the office first. Also, focus on what they are asking you.... you must know what diagnosis or problem they are asking in order to answer the question. I took AANP because I felt more sure of my clinical knowledge. They also say if you do poor on the assessment part you will not pass the exam. I passed the second time and knew when I took that test after studying for two more months that I definitely passed when I hit my last button. Good luck!!! I know there is pressure but you can do it. I sat here reading what everyone posted and told myself when I pass I will try to help others out. I felt like a failure, but in the end sure I wished I passed the first time, but it made passing the second time even better. I know that sounds strange, but I really think I was able to review and retain much more and came out even stronger.

[A-NP-2-B-2016]

Shelly, thank you for your motivational talk...I for one really needed to hear that. I have studied until I feel as if my "Soul is tired" struggling to figure out where I have gone wrong. I feel I must be making the test much harder than it actually is, especially after reading your statements about "They always say it will be something that is the standard or guideline. The least expensive and something that can be done in the office first".... I thought I had went by that guideline, but reading your post made me second guess myself....Can I ask if you felt the second time the test questions were like the first test you took or all were totally different? I understand if you don't feel comfortable answering that, I am hoping to get myself prepared for June 10th.....and not faint...hehehe. Thank you again for your post. Congratulations on passing and stepping into your future!

[shelly NP-C]

The second time I took the test the questions were totally different but I knew them. I thought during the second test I know I got this. Where during the first test I knew when I got that button I failed. I really think that the liek book helped. I did not dwell on all the childhood milestones as I knew a small percentage of questions as the breakdown explained. I was prepared to have an awful exam as the first time but instead it was totally different.

[A-NP-2-B-2016]

Thank you....I am so glad you are through this milestone! I do appreciate your post....I am sure there are several like me who needed to hear your kind words and cheers for success.