I recently took my AANP certification exam and passed on the first try. I know this exam is extremely stressful, so I wanted to share my study tips for those of you who are testing soon. I attended a live Fitzgerald review, and then did the required online activities after the course. The online activities include several quizzes and 1 practice exam. I wrote down all of the questions I missed on the practice exam, and then looked up each topic and reviewed it. I started studying about 2 weeks before my exam, and I didn't want to waste time on topics that I felt comfortable with. The only con about the Fitzgerald review is that rationales are not offered for the questions.
I really enjoyed the APEA Q-bank. It is quite expensive for a 1-month trial, but I would recommend it to anyone testing. Rationales were given after questions if you chose to do the questions in tutor mode. Rationales are given at the end of a test if you chose exam mode. I had access to 2500 questions for about $129 for a 1-month subscription. You have the option of answering subject specific questions if there are areas that you feel weak in.
I used YouTube to watch videos on things I couldn't visualize from the questions and reviews. I highly recommend learning MR. TAPS for murmurs, and memorizing the cranial nerves. There are videos to help with these in case you get nervous and can't remember which valve is where, or which cranial nerve corresponds to which function.
Lastly, my friend let me borrow her Barkley's review CDs. I would listen to these any time I was in the car. I did not listen to all 19 CDs, but I did review some of the subjects that I needed brushing up on.
Test taking tips: arrive early so you aren't stressed about rushing; wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers in case the room is cold/hot; eat a good meal prior to testing to give yourself energy; and don't drink too much coffee if you are not a daily coffee drinker. Don't try any new routines, foods, makeup products, lotions on the day of the exam in case your body doesn't agree with them. Try to get a good night's sleep, if possible (I couldn't sleep even with 5mg of Melatonin)! Take a deep breath and relax. Meditate or pray, and tell yourself that you can do it! If you are feeling anxious, take a break during the exam (if allowed), and remind yourself that you are capable of passing the exam. It sounds silly, but it helps boost your confidence!
I recently passed the AANP board exam for FNP and utilized this site for study resources. I would also like to provide my feedback and tips regarding study tactics and material.
After graduating mid Aug, I purchased a used Hollier review booklet and CD set from a distributer on Ebay and completed the set in approximately 1 week working part time (this took appx4-8hr a day). I took notes throughout the lectures and utilized some components of the book. I really enjoyed her review of the heart murmurs, as she provided the best pneumonic to remember systolic vs diastolic. After I completed Hollier review book i listened to each CD in my car for the next two months when I drove ANYWHERE! This was great for reinforcement. Surprisingly, I didn't refer back to her workbook much after the initial week, just listened to the CDs. I would not recommend using JUST her review, as it is VERY basic in my mind...too basic.
After I completed Hollier, I started Mary Leiks book and read each chapter, rewriting, highlighting and taking notes, system by system. For example: I would focus on Cardiac day 1, read the chapter, rewrite it, then read my notes and research what I didn't understand. Day 2. I woud go through GI etc. etc.
AfterI finished the entire book, i did about 500 questions. I felt like I was doing really well (too well) because they were specific to HER book only, so I stopped and moved on. This book was very valuable!
I then moved onto Fitzgeralds workbook which was provided during her live review (i didn't actually go, i borrowed a friends) in addition to her Nurse Practitioner certification review book. This combo was AMAZING because it was more in depth and built upon the basics that I had gained from Hollier and Leik. The questions were wonderful in her NP cert review book and I HIGHLY recc this as well.
After I completed most of the Fitzgerald workbook and review book, system by system, I decided to test my skills and took the official AANP practice exam for $50. I scored 84% so I felt comfortable with my knowledge base. Nonetheless, I continued to study what I felt I was weakest at.
Two additional resources which I felt were KEY to tying everything together::::
BATES ASSESSMENT BOOK
HABIF SKIN DISEASES
I am so thankful that I utilized Bates, specifically, d/t the amount of questions that coorelated perfectly to questions on the exam...ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT!!
After a solid 2 months of studying 2-8 hours a day (6 was average) I took my exam and passed with over 700. You need a 500 to pass. I felt prepared for the exam given the various resources I used, I wouldnt have changed a thing!
So I've been doing a lot of reading from many students who have taken both ANCC and AANP. I do agree that both exam is no where near like the other. Like many FNP students I was eager to take my boards, I was done working as an ED staff nurse due to politics in my work place and student loans on my heels. For three weeks I studied hard every day off I had I spent it in Starbucks studying close to 10hrs a day. I paid for both exam but took AANP first because it was the first credentialing body who authorize me to test...I FAILED...Therefore, I do understand how many of the students feel, as I stared unto the screen in disbelief. My dreams crumbled, tears rolling down my cheek as I call my wife trying to find some console, trying to make sense of things and finding an answer to what just happened. Well, I did find the answer I took the exam when I knew I wasn't prepared, I was nervous, I placed a lot of pressure on myself, I read Leik one time and only did the Leik questions, I rushed through the reading hoping that my time in school would help me out and yes I did read the assigned readings and did all the case studies that was assigned. I wasn't a slacker in school I did what I was supposed to do and finished the program with a 3.9 GPA while working full time and taking care of my family. It took a lot to get back on the saddle but I knew that I had ANCC to take. I gave myself 2 days to rest, dwell in self pity, and analyze what I did wrong. After 2 days it was game on. Again, I spent my days off in Starbucks but this time I studied only about 6hrs a day, I read Fitzgerald, I purchased APEA questions, I did Saunders questions, I reread Leik making sure I understood everything not just memorizing, read rationales even if I got the answers right or quest correctly, but the most important studying I did was dusting off my old nursing books on ethics, laws, research, leadership, and brushed up on cultural competency and theories. This was the smartest thing I ever did. On October 30 I went to take the exam with no expectations no stress and passed. In my honest opinion ANCC was the easiest of the two credentialing body. The questions was straight forward and if you study the non-clinical parts of the exam you will pass ANCC. The clinical aspect of the test I had was not as hard as AANP in my opinion. I had multiple questions regarding ACEI just worded different and many on lifestyle modifications, a lot on cultural competency and diversity.
I am new to this thread. I have received so much help from reading various threads from NPs struggling and some celebrating their success. Everyone's comments have been very helpful so I decided to pay it forward and share my experience. Whenever I fell in a slump I would go back to various threads for somewhat of a pep talk. I am happy to share that I have passed the AANP on my first try. I started studying intermittently in May when I set my exam date ( this was done to motivate me to study). These study sessions were 3-5 hrs a day on my days off until 10 days prior to exam I studied 8 hrs or more a day doing practice questions and solidifying those areas of weaknesses.
First and foremost, I used Amelie Hollier's APEA review course via MP3 player. This was priceless as I had access listening to her course 24/7. Personally, buying the audio course worked better for me than attending a live course that squeezes in all this information in 2 1/2 days. Amelie is masterful at demystifying the information you need to know to pass the exam and also for your practice as an FNP. The review books I used was Fitzgerald and Leik. Fitzgerald's review book is great. However, I did not complete it. Her book is quite detailed in the summary that follows each test. I personally found that time consuming. Fitzgerald's app(Pocketprep) was the worst. These were not well written questions and answers. I had to refer to her book to see if she was asking these questions, and she was not. So I am not sure why the app questions /answer choices were so bizarre.
I preferred Leik's book who organized the information in a manner better for the exam taker. Her exam tips are precise and helpful. I also did not complete that book. What I did was the practice questions at the back of the book and also on her exam app (Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Review) on itunes. There is an opportunity to do the tests by section, comprehensive, with rationale, or test mode. This is a great app. I also used Board Vitals (test bank has approximately 1800 questions) which was helpful in exercising my brain. The questions are more difficult than the actual exam. However, by doing these questions and reading the detailed rationales it was a great refresher's course. I bought 10 questions from ExamEdge and completed them using timed mode and rationale mode. These gave me good practice paying attention to details in the wording of the questions. In addition, it boosted my confidence as the scoring was similar to AANP 800 point system. On those I scored no less than 75 raw score or 569/800. 500 or mid to high 60s is a pass grade.
In a nutshell
I had 2 months of quality studying at least 3-5 hr/3 days per week then the final week before exams I studied 8hrs or more per day listening to the APEA review course, doing ExamEdge, board vitals and Leik's app. I found the AANP questions to be straight forward, no tricks. Leik's and APEA questions were more similar to the AANP exam.
This is my 2cents or rather 50cents . Congratulations to all who have passed the exams and for those still on that journey I wish everyone all the best on your exams.
allyhallyNP123
1 Post
I recently passed the AANP board exam for FNP and utilized this site for study resources. I would also like to provide my feedback and tips regarding study tactics and material.
After graduating mid Aug, I purchased a used Hollier review booklet and CD set from a distributer on Ebay and completed the set in approximately 1 week working part time (this took appx4-8hr a day). I took notes throughout the lectures and utilized some components of the book. I really enjoyed her review of the heart murmurs, as she provided the best pneumonic to remember systolic vs diastolic. After I completed Hollier review book i listened to each CD in my car for the next two months when I drove ANYWHERE! This was great for reinforcement. Surprisingly, I didn't refer back to her workbook much after the initial week, just listened to the CDs. I would not recommend using JUST her review, as it is VERY basic in my mind...too basic.
After I completed Hollier, I started Mary Leiks book and read each chapter, rewriting, highlighting and taking notes, system by system. For example: I would focus on Cardiac day 1, read the chapter, rewrite it, then read my notes and research what I didn't understand. Day 2. I woud go through GI etc. etc.
AfterI finished the entire book, i did about 500 questions. I felt like I was doing really well (too well) because they were specific to HER book only, so I stopped and moved on. This book was very valuable!
I then moved onto Fitzgeralds workbook which was provided during her live review (i didn't actually go, i borrowed a friends) in addition to her Nurse Practitioner certification review book. This combo was AMAZING because it was more in depth and built upon the basics that I had gained from Hollier and Leik. The questions were wonderful in her NP cert review book and I HIGHLY recc this as well.
After I completed most of the Fitzgerald workbook and review book, system by system, I decided to test my skills and took the official AANP practice exam for $50. I scored 84% so I felt comfortable with my knowledge base. Nonetheless, I continued to study what I felt I was weakest at.
Two additional resources which I felt were KEY to tying everything together::::
BATES ASSESSMENT BOOK
HABIF SKIN DISEASES
I am so thankful that I utilized Bates, specifically, d/t the amount of questions that coorelated perfectly to questions on the exam...ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT!!
After a solid 2 months of studying 2-8 hours a day (6 was average) I took my exam and passed with over 700. You need a 500 to pass. I felt prepared for the exam given the various resources I used, I wouldnt have changed a thing!