AANP Certification Exam

JALEXSHOE · Mar 27, 2010

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!

In cases such as this, there really isn't anything that one can say that makes it better. What I can say, from experience, is that this, in no way, should mark you or make you feel less than you are. It is hard not to have such feelings because of the despair that sets in with such a thing.

Remember, you have a Master's degree. You earned this. You are NOT a big, fat nobody...you are somebody, you are special, and there are many people who would want exactly what you have right now, for what you have accomplished.

The thing you took was a test. It is not a measure of your abilities or your worth. It was just a test, and you might of just had a bad day.

I would seriously look at taking the ANCC exam, and don't look back. It might actually be more your style. You could also try taking it again. Do the CEU's and retake it. Again, it might of just been a bad day.

I took this test within the last few weeks and found it very difficult also. You know you studied. It just was not your day. Don't give up, and don't think less of yourself for it. You know they say Einstein failed 8th grade math...and he went on to do all his relativity stuff... Whether this is true or not, at some point, in everyone's life, there can be a time where they fail to succeed at something...this is adversity and what helps us in the pursuit of integrity. Remember it is our imperfections that we are loved for, for people never truly admire perfection, but are envious of it.

But when all this is said and done...all I can say, is I know this is tough right now, but do not let it defeat you. I feel, that you have it within you to succeed, and should you choose to attempt it again, you may very well be successful.

Good luck!!!

RockyCreek · Mar 27, 2010

Oh, DixieCup, I am so sorry! You have been so kind and supportive of all of us with our goofy questions and school anxiety - I wish more than anything that this hadn't happened to you. Sit, slump, and sob if you need to but don't let this defeat you. The world needs more people like you!

carachel2 · Mar 27, 2010

I am so sorry BUT I also truly know that at least for the ANCC test you leave there not really knowing how or what you could have done differently to prepare! I would only suggest broadening your study base if you choose to test again. I'm pretty sure I would've failed the ANCC test if I would've just used the book given to us in the review course (Fitzgerald). While she covered a LOT of ground, she left out a LOT also. I sat down with her book and the Leik book and just went back and forth. I found they complemented each others gaps rather well.

One phrase that stood out to me is you said you memorized the book backwards and forwards. I know Fitzgerald herself says over and over that you just can't play it that way because you will train your brain to recognize correct answers INSTEAD of training your brain to think it all out critically.

efy2178 · Mar 27, 2010

I did Barkley and the one thing that he suggested was to form study groups. That is a difficult thing to do when yo live far apart fro others. So do what we did. Study the material--he sugests not memorizing it but to ask questions about the material and be able to know the answers.

Our group got together and formed questions and posted them in e-mails to each other. That way you have an opportunity to really know the material. each person takes a topic and develops questions and you have to learn the answers. We all passed. Try again.

Dixiecup · Mar 27, 2010

Thanks for all the kind replies! I've had a day of mourning, now I'm ready to get back on the horse! ( I was just so ready for it to be over and have my life back!)

I went to the AANP certification website and they will sent me a letter telling me my weak area and I am required to do 15 CEU's in that area before I can re-test. I didn't know that part. If anyone knows a place to find CEU's it would be greatly appreciated. They will also be sending a re-application.

I just hope there isn't a time frame I have to wait, like three months or something. That would not be good for me, I don't think I can stand to study for that long but if I don't I'm afraid I will forget too many things I need to know. (although, obviously I didn't know near enough in the first place!)

I have a job waiting for me but if I have to wait too long to re-test I know the position will be gone.

Again, thanks for listening. Family and friends try to be supportive but only people who are in the same situation really understand how you're feeling!

carachel2 · Mar 27, 2010

Is it not an option to apply to take the ANCC test and then just pay the fee to expedite the app?

KJLewis · Mar 29, 2010

HI DixieCup:

When I read your post, I wanted to come through my computer and give you a big hug. I took the ANCC exam once and the AANP exam X 3 before I finally passed so you can do it.

The summary of strengths and weaknesses the tests give you when you fail are vague and way too broad. Example: Weakest: Diagnosis.

Test taking was a problem for me and so I got Dr Amelie Hollier's question/ answer book for $50 and that helped get me used to question format. I also attended her review course and it was very good (Advanced Practice Education Associates, on line registration). She cuts to the quick.

I had every Fitzgerald book, tape' and went to a review course. It was all good but had alot of excess material not on the test. I had the ANCC book which was OK but their test didn't follow much of the book. I had flashcards. I think I had too much. I suggest sticking to a couple of sources for study materials.

I think it is best to stick with taking all AANP tests or all ANCC because you can get the jist of how each test is focused. Personally,I thought the ANCC test was dittsy. It had questions which were very subjective for the correct answer and some questions I thought had no realistic answer. ANCC has on line study groups for 8 wks which I think would help. My school buddies found studying with others really helped them.

The AANP test, I thought, was more factual, hands on focus.

I put "I will pass the test" signs all over my house. Get all of the support you can. I went to a counselor during this tough time. If you are religious, pray and ask others to pray for you.

Tenacity will get you through this. You will pass the test! ALL CRISES PASS.

This test does not define who you are and when you do pass it, you will know you can get through most anything.

Good Luck and keep that self esteem intact!

Trauma Columnist · Mar 29, 2010

Just wanted to add my thoughts that you WILL pass next time.

I'm so sorry!

Dixiecup · Mar 30, 2010

HI DixieCup:
When I read your post, I wanted to come through my computer and give you a big hug. I took the ANCC exam once and the AANP exam X 3 before I finally passed so you can do it.
The summary of strengths and weaknesses the tests give you when you fail are vague and way too broad. Example: Weakest: Diagnosis.
Test taking was a problem for me and so I got Dr Amelie Hollier's question/ answer book for $50 and that helped get me used to question format. I also attended her review course and it was very good (Advanced Practice Education Associates, on line registration). She cuts to the quick.
I had every Fitzgerald book, tape' and went to a review course. It was all good but had alot of excess material not on the test. I had the ANCC book which was OK but their test didn't follow much of the book. I had flashcards. I think I had too much. I suggest sticking to a couple of sources for study materials.
I think it is best to stick with taking all AANP tests or all ANCC because you can get the jist of how each test is focused. Personally,I thought the ANCC test was dittsy. It had questions which were very subjective for the correct answer and some questions I thought had no realistic answer. ANCC has on line study groups for 8 wks which I think would help. My school buddies found studying with others really helped them.
The AANP test, I thought, was more factual, hands on focus.
I put "I will pass the test" signs all over my house. Get all of the support you can. I went to a counselor during this tough time. If you are religious, pray and ask others to pray for you.
Tenacity will get you through this. You will pass the test! ALL CRISES PASS.
This test does not define who you are and when you do pass it, you will know you can get through most anything.
Good Luck and keep that self esteem intact!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your reponse! I hate that you went through all that but you give me hope! I am certain I will pass if it kills me!

Are you working as a NP at the present time. One thing failing the test did is got me questioning my ability to work as a NP. I'm wondering now if I really can assess,evaluate and treat patients. Maybe I really don't know enough. All I do know is I felt stupid as a stump taking that test.

I hope it doesn't take too long to get the paperwork back to test again because the longer I wait, the more I'm afraid I will forget. I just can't force myself to continue to study non-stop for very much longer, my emotional state is not going to hold up.

thanks again for your words of encouragment, it really did make me feel better!

IL-nurse · Mar 30, 2010

Dixiecup,

I'm so sorry to hear your news, but don't get your hopes up and stay positive!!! YOU WILL PASS!! Jump ship and try the ANCC exam? I'm a little nervous because i take the AANP exam soon, listened to Barkleys lectures which i thought were good, but i'm nervous b/c you said they didn't help.

Dixiecup · Mar 31, 2010

Dixiecup,
I'm so sorry to hear your news, but don't get your hopes up and stay positive!!! YOU WILL PASS!! Jump ship and try the ANCC exam? I'm a little nervous because i take the AANP exam soon, listened to Barkleys lectures which i thought were good, but i'm nervous b/c you said they didn't help.

Please don't let me discourage you! You may get a whole different batch of questions. I'm hoping I do next time!

The Barkley review had good content and lots of info I needed to know and will never forget and will help me in my practice (yes, I will have one!) but I felt the content did not match the test in the least. It was really frustrating. I think there were just too many questions that could have been "either/or" and I must havae picked the wrong one on too many of them.

As a previous poster stated, there was not much pediactric content (although quite a bit of adolescent but really you treat that more as an adult in my opinion)and the Barkley review was half peds content. He actually told us for sure one in six questions would be a peds questions but I found this not to be the case,

My study strategy will certainly be different for the next time. Not sure what that will be but I'm working on it! Does anyone know where you can find the CEU hours required before re-testing.

The money factor is also a big thing to me. Getting through school, I'm just about totally out of any extra funds but I'll find the money somewhere if I have to get one of those "payday loans" !

I'm so thankful allnurses is here. It helps just to talk and get things out with other people who understand.

I dreaded having to go back to work and tell everyone I didn't pass. they are very supportive but even as nurses it's hard for them to understand exactly how I feel.

It's strange, I started out as an LPN then RN. With both of those boards I did not open a book or study one bit, I thought, either I know it or I don't. But at the same time, when I went to take those tests I thought in my heart I was going to fail. But I passed both on the first try.

When I went to take the NP boards I studied and felt confident and well prepared. Go figure.