AANP and ANCC PASSING after failing

[Justin King]

July 2023: Passed the ANCC after failing the AANP

Here is what I learned:  

My motivation for sharing this information is the fact that I used so many other testimonials to guide me toward my end goal of  NP certification.

To begin with, I must disclose that my nurse practitioner program was a dual-role FNP/ENP program. Despite receiving all of the typical family practice education, my focus has always been emergency medicine, not family practice.

In light of that, I would like to share some of my experience and advice with you.

Post graduation, I initially used the ROSH review questions that were required throughout my program. Though they are excellent and offer complex explanations, I consistently scored horribly, which didn't bode well for future testing.

I scheduled my AANP exam 3 weeks out. I figured I did well throughout my program and just needed a review.  The Sarah Michelle review course received many positive accolades on nursing boards, so I purchased the crash course. In total, I completed 80% of the questions, all three exams,  and all video modules twice.

After studying, the average of my scores was about 68% (up from the mid-50s).

To evaluate my test readiness, I paid for their 1:1 one-hour evaluation. The results suggested that I study more and push out my exam for 2 weeks (which I did).

On the test day, the overall experience was similar to taking the NCLEX with all of the security measures adding to the already heightened anxiety.

As I took the AANP, I simply didn't feel prepared.

There were too many questions I just didn't know. In the SM review course, they said I would find "the groove." I never did. My gut feeling was that I had not done well on the test. Upon finishing, I received a failure notification on the computer screen. OUCH. 

As a result of my failure, I enrolled in the APEA Hollier online review and began studying hard. The videos and questions were excellent. In particular, I enjoyed Dr. Hollier's videos because they were entertaining and easy to follow. Other instructors delivered the information effectively but lacked Hollier's charisma 

After completing the HOLLIER program, I felt modestly confident,  so I paid for the official ANCC readiness test. You can do this at home by using the Prometric Proctor program. Passing through security was a real pain.  The test included several picture questions and a lot of professional/theory questions. My score was also below the passing mark. Disappointing.

Side note: as of early 2023, you can longer take the actual ANCC exam via remote proctor.

In addition to the review courses, I purchased BoardVitals questions. I found the questions to be excellent and comparable to the real thing. There are three levels of difficulty: easy, moderate, and hard.

According to some sources, the SM review questions and BoardVitals questions are more difficult than the actual exam. I disagree with this mindset because it has the potential to set you up for failure. Ultimately, your performance will be improved if you take the time to understand the rationales.

After spending a solid month remediating with the tools I mentioned, I scheduled the ANCC exam. 

To ensure that I was prepared, I paid for the two-day Fitzgerald live review. It turned out to be a wise decision. This was an in-depth review of a wide range of topics that are likely to be tested. I found this review to be very helpful in explaining the "why" behind many pathologies, medications, and lab values. Listeners must stay engaged during the live review, and the accompanying workbook was very useful.

Clearly, I spent a lot of money on studying and reviewing, and for me, each aspect was vital to my success.

In comparison to the AANP, how did the ANCC fare? The two are very similar. Per the recent changes, I can attest that the ANCC is primarily clinical questions.

There were no select-all-that-apply questions on my test, and I only had three to four picture questions. There were a few professional questions, but none of them were theoretical. 

I felt more prepared this time around. There were times when I would get into a groove of 10 or so questions where I knew I was scoring well. In the following five or six questions, I would get difficult questions, which shook my confidence. I never felt as though I had the exam in the bag.

 At the end of the test, I had 10-15 flagged questions that I went back over, changed a couple of answers, and hit "Finish Test".

I was already contemplating my study options after thinking I had failed again.  Before reaching my vehicle, I received an email that said I passed. Pure elation.

Final thoughts:

 A particularly off-putting aspect of this whole process was how expensive the review courses were. The companies know that their target consumers already make a decent living, so they price their products accordingly. Among all of them, the Sarah Michelle review company seemed to be the most predatory. SM review is aimed at reducing test anxiety while providing a complete overview of topics.  Their facebook page functions as what I would describe as a group study/success stories blog. Most posts are of passing, and few of failures. The reason for this is a policy where moderators will delete posts that may cause members anxiety. I viewed their policy as being less than transparent and moderately patronizing.

Upon failing AANP, I notified the 1:1 interviewer and received a canned email that said, "It sounds like you aren't feeling confident about your knowledge, which might have contributed a great deal to this, friend.” The email also suggested I purchase more of their products. Thanks, but no thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tcu22]

Hi Justin! thank you for sharing your experience. Do you have any tips you would like to share? feeling anxious and lost over here ?

[Justin King]

I would recommend doing a review program before delving in the 1000s of questions most people recommend. 

 

APEA was excellent and comprehensive. I'd say go through their videos twice. Then do questions. 

 

I used several sources for questions and each source seemed to have their own style. There isn't an easy or quick way to prepare for such a comprehensive exam. 

[nursemads2022]

Justin I agree with you on SM. I did that review first and failed AANP. I am trying to refocus and prepare for ANCC. I am scared to death. I have heard so many horror stories about ANCC. Is there any advice you can give on how the questions were on ANCC and did any of the reviews you did line up with the question for ANCC?

[Justin King]

Absolutely. Just as I mentioned, don't rely on any one source.I thought both tests  were pretty similar. I remember I had a lot of questions related to side effects of diabetes, and statins. 
more than anything, take deep breaths after difficult questions. 
I had a few picture questions which were usually difficult or really easy depending on my knowledge of the disease. Take deep breaths and move on either way. don't change too many answers. I went back a changed a couple because I was very confident in the change after rereading. Hope that helps. 

[Fawn Lee Goodluck2024]

Hi Justin, thank you so very much for sharing! I took ANCC today and failed. I felt that more than half of my questions were professional role and a few imaging questions. I rolled my eyeballs at those questions. At ED, only MDs read imagings, even ECG. PA and NP don't deal with any imaginings. Look like we had to deal with them at the exam.

I had same feeling like you did for the first time. So many questions I really didn't know! My stomach was sick of not knowing questions and dealing with high anxiety. I just wanted to finish it in the middle of the test and sweared that I never wanted to take this exam again. 

I purchased Barkley and went through the books 3 times, went through so many times of the videos. I purchased the Barkley diagnostic test and scored 71%. Dr. Barkley recommended to get at least 70% to pass the actual exam. This is only my feeling. I like Dr. Barkley's lectures. I did learn a lot, but I didn't really feel it related to the real exam whole lot. I felt that so many contents in the exam were not clearly covered in the review program. Especially the professional role part.

I felt so bad after the exam. I received email 2 minutes after the exam. Although I was so mad and sweared that I never wanted to do it again, I still started researching online for recommendations of another review programs. 

I'm planning to purchase Fitzgerald review program although if is very pricey. What's your recommendation?

And also, ANCC only allow you to retake the exam after 60 days and only could take it 3 times in a year that I hoped I don't need it in the 3rd time. 

I'm planning to take AANP instead since I don't want to wait for so long. I scored 301. I feel I just need an another month of hard study instead of 2 months. What's your recommendation?

Thanks again!

Fawn

[Justin King]

I think you have a good plan. I don't believe  the AANP and ANCC are that different based on the questions I received.
 

Fitzgerald has a great program and has been around a long time.
 

I agree that  based on your score you should study hard and take exam in a month. Just get it done. 

 

good luck!

[disheartenednps]

Hi I know this is a old post but So June 8 I had failed ANCC by 16 points (used SM) and I have been doing questions here and there, but have been super discouraged. I am planning on trying for AANP. Would focusing on question bank for one week suffice or should I give myself more time? I feel like the more time I give myself the less I study tbh. Should I just retake ANCC since I know the format for testing?