AANP exam Studying

Barnstormin' PMHNP · Oct 22, 2014

I am in the beginning of my NP program so unfortunately I have nothing to offer but positive thoughts. I posted to say that I LOVE your user name!!

zmansc, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2014

OP -

First, congrats on graduating (a bit early, but what the heck). There are many threads on here about how folks reviewed for the exam, what their scores were on the pre tests, etc. Searching through here will help you find them.

A few I have bookmarked for one reason or another (definitely not even close to a complete list):

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/ancc-fnp-exam-906446.html

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/aanc-aanp-family-928014.html

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/passed-pncb-903167.html

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/aanp-exam-948528.html

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/aanp-certification-exam-943046.html

https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/passed-ancc-fnp-949017.html

https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/passed-aanp-yesterday-934907.html

https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/passed-adult-aanp-833184.html

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/mosbys-online-fnp-911513.html

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/passed-both-aanp-906889.html

Some of these are getting old, many are probably not relevant to your situation, I found something of interest in these, so I saved them to make my searching easier when I get to that stage.

In addition, there are many discussions on the pros/cons of various online/live review courses, scores people had on various practice tests, anxiety management techniques, phases of the moon during testing, phases of their cycles, how to dress, best perfume for testing, you name it, you can find it. Just about any question you have you can find an answer to. Do what makes you comfortable, and good luck!

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 25, 2014

I'm in the same boat but am able to invest in study materials! I just wish I had known more about ANCC vs AANP before because a couple of years ago I went ahead and bought the ANCC official study book (ugh). Not that it's not helpful at all but just a little repetitive (chief complaints/symptoms/physical exam often repeat text which is a waste of ink and paper). Also I decided several months ago I wanted to take AANP (due to it being completely clinical based).

Anyway I'm still using my study resources (QUESTIONS QUESTIONS QUESTIONS) but in my reading these boards many people suggest using Leik review. The book is only $33 on Amazon and I have looked at several chapters and it is very to the point and tells you what a typical "scenario" will likely be on the exam (and I've recognized some of these scenarios on practice questions).

And thanks zmanc! I haven't bookmarked any links but have probably looked at those at some point in my research. It's nice to have them all in one place, though.

And I don't want to attend a live course (time, money, etc.) but DID decide to buy Hollier's audio CD's. They are costly ($420) BUT when I'm finished with them I can sell them. I was looking at bidding on some on eBay and they went for over $300 so at least I'll get most of my money back. And I have several friends going back so will probably offer them my CD's and review books (again, to make back some money).

Dancon · Nov 16, 2014

Has anyone passed that got low scores on the practice exams?

ICURN7 · Nov 20, 2014

Hello all,
i am studying for the aanp exam. I graduate in December...Sooo excited. I have two months off to study and prepare. I have been Reviewing school books, you tube lectures, and the review book from liek. I have taken the pretext for the aanp and scored a 62% and wil be taking the post test. I was wondering if anyone had any study guides or reviews or anything they would like to share to help me study. My budget is very tight, I didn't realize graduating would cost so much so I can't afford a review course and more test. I have been paying for school myself. I have found some flash cards on quizlet, but if anyone would be generous enough to share I would be eternally grateful!
With hope, Megan

Hi Megan,

I hope you utilized the links that was provided to you by Zmansc… Nevertheless, i do not mean to be rude, mean or anything but to be honest with you, i would invest in this test and pass it one time. If it means me working extra day a week to make up the money, i would gladly do so. This is not a time to try to save. It is a time to invest time, money and lots of other things into the future like Anh06005 said. May you receive a good understanding and invest…:) Good luck on your test..

dng_503 · Feb 6, 2015

I hope you passed your exam. I wrote the AANP FNP exam for the first time today, Feb 5 2015 and got a preliminary pass. I graduated from a Canadian NP program in June. 2014. One important tip... don't wait as long as I did to write the exam because you end up forgetting the material you studied in school. I felt that the AANP questions were much easier than the practice questions from APEA and Margaret's fitzgerald's certification book. I attended APEA's review course in Feb. 2014 and used that booklet to study as I'm on a tight budget. I studied for 2 weeks straight about 4hrs each day. I practically memorized APEA's book. I added notes to sections where I felt the need for more information (signs and symptoms, lab work) in order to diagnose the conditions. I did not use Margaret's book even though I had it because there was just too much information. I did AANP practice exam and APEA practice questions on the last 3 days before the exam. I scored 76% on the aanp practice exam, but scored poorly on APEA's like 60-66%. Not sure if this is helpful... but I think doing a few questions daily (20-30qs) will help you learn how to answer multiple choice questions. I also studied with a partner and when I was studying by myself, I role played in my head for the different diseases (in Amelie's book) that I was the NP and a patient came in with these symptoms (covering the name of the disease as I read along in her book), and asked myself... what do I think this condition is, what are the signs/symptoms that are specific to this condition only, what assessment can I perform in the office and what diagnostic would I order to rule in/rule out my differential conditions, then once I got that ... I go to ask how would I treat it and what's the follow up plan. Hope this helps and good luck to the future NPs who are going to write the NP certification exams!

rfarah · Jan 20, 2016

Hi! I'm also a Canadian in a Canadian NP program wanting to write the AANP exam. How did you apply for the AANP? Did you have to pay to get your program recognized by american standards? There is no accreditation board that accredits masters program in Canada apparently.. i'm very curious and interested in knowing how it went for you.

Thanks!