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has taken the 2016 version (or other other recent versions) of the AANP FNP exam (as most of the other posts are a bit outdated).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!!
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I do believe things happen for a reason. Maybe a certain job you were waiting for was not meant to be. You can pass this test just know if you made it thru grad school you can do this!!
Do you feel like the LEIK questions were most similar to the ones on the AANP exam? I am taking my boards in the next couple of weeks and have been using APEA, Fitzgerald and Leik. Hoping and praying I pass the first time!
I personally did not like Fitzgerald review. Most important for he questions is to figure out what disease process they are talking about and what would be the guideline or gold standard of care , least expensive, office based procedure and least invasive first. I can't really say if the questions themselves are similar but it helps you with that mind set. You will get things you have never heard of before but that's ok
I wanted to Thank each of the post authors†for allowing me to learn from your experience and study tips for the AANP Exam. As of 1227 pm today I am a certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Like many others I also promised myself if I passed this time I would post what I felt assisted me the most. Here you are:
1) Consistency in studying. Not just reading and moving on: making posters with pictures (email me and I will send pictures of what I made), note cards, audio in the car- bed- bath- grocery store…etc).
2) Leik & Fitzgerald were my go to resources. The latest editions were purchased and utilized to the point that they look like hand me downs.
3) I purchased Leik's webinar and participated in that twice…(yes, this wasn't my first attempt at passing this highly nerve racking test). With purchase of the webinar I then received an additional study book that was amazing to study with as well. Leik is straightforward and gives you ONLY what will be needed for the Exam. Roughly 10 to 15 questions were from here. Not all were word for word, but VERY similar which made choosing the answer so much easier.
4) A wonderful NP friend of mine loaned me her Fitzgerald study book from a recent seminar and another NP friend had the corresponding CD's and he made me a copy that I downloaded to computer and to MP3 for travel listening.
5) Fitzgerald's workbook **new edition came out Dec. 2015. Gives A LOT of information-
6) Utilized Examedge (20 test with 3 chances at each test—truly repetition was amazing for me) four of my questions were word for word from the site (big Smile)
7) APEA test (purchased twice)-three questions were VERY similar from this site
8) The last test I purchased were from FHEA. You get 2 chances with each test and a wonderful rationale with each answer—yes I saw a few questions from this site as well.
I have been blessed with an amazing husband who allowed me to go to 2 days a month working so I could put everything I had in me towards this goal. I am not saying the test was a piece of cake- especially if you have test anxiety- YET this can be achieved with diligence and going at your own pace.
My last piece of advice for the test takers to be…look at every angle a question may be asked. Ex. Take the rash from Scarlet fever and Kawasaki Disease- compare them. Find the differences of (Sandpaper rash {Scarlet Fever} and Conjunctivitis {Kawasaki}). A question may be worded with exactly the same descriptions with only that one small difference and then ask what medication would you use to treat? This question identifies you were able to correctly assess, diagnose, and prescribe—see how this can be given a higher weight then a straight forward question such as {When do the posterior fontanels close?} **Remember each question is not weighted the same and you only need 500/800 for the AANP.
Again, thank you to all of you that have posted and helped guide me towards Leik, Fitzgerald, Examedge, and for each of the kind words of confidence. I so appreciate this website.
Hello. I took the exam June 10th as well in California and failed. I'm a nervous wreck, a horrible test taker and get test anxiety. I studied using the Leik, some fitzgerald, exam edge and apea questions. I tried to study for 2-3 months, but was very hard with a painful back, 2yr old, rocky marriage and 32 hour work week. Any help, advise? I plan to retake in about 5-6 weeks as my job is depending on it. Thanks in advance!
Mpm478, I wish I could assist with your day to day and give you the time off I felt was needed due to anxiety. I am in my 40's and know how repetition helps me....is there anyone that could help you with the 2 year old and give you some time off of work?...I lost a really good job due to failing the test the first time....seriously, 120,000.00 year + benefits...talk about wanting to cry and feeling like such a failure....you sound as if you have enough on your plate and avoiding another heart break (loosing the job)...is a goal to reach for. If there is anyway possible to get two weeks off of work and commit to 8-12 hour study days I bet you could pass that test with a smile. I will be praying for you! Best wishes, ANP2B2016
Hi to all, just wanted to "report back" that I was able to complete the AANP FNP exam successfully last week! Of course, I do not have an official score yet, but do feel as though as long as I have the "preliminary" passing report that's all that matters right now. I would like to share with you the steps I took to get to this point; which in all honesty has totally CONSUMED my life, every single waking moment since the end of February this year. First, I took both the Hollier review course (online, which allows you another "view" of each module, which I completed, so you can technically say that I took Amelie's course twice). With the Hollier review, I bought the $130 bundle package of tests and took two predictor exams. I scored a 69 the first exam and a 79 the second time. In addition, I took the Leik review course, which is a live course but you take it online. I completed the entire review course workbook with the questions, then bought her 2nd Edition review book and read it in it's entirety; and then completed the approximately 650 questions at the back of the book. In addition, I bought the Leik app with hundreds more questions and completed them x 2 times completely and during the third time through decided I had them memorized so it was no longer productive (scoring in the 90%'s). Throughout the months of March - mid July, I also bought 15 Exam Edge quizzes (100 questions each) and finished them in their entirety; as well as a bundle pack of Board Vitals FNP questions, which I used the least and felt were the least helpful.
With all this being said, I am thrilled that I passed but I have to tell you that this preparation is a total consummation of your time and energy. Yes, I do work, but I was so preoccupied with my studying that I am happy I still have a job; as you know, something has to "give" between schoolwork, home, husband, children and actually working your job. I am a complete wreck, my face looks horrifying, I haven't slept in 2 nights (EVEN SINCE I PASSED!)... This test completely OWNED me. I am so glad it's over.
The preparation that I have just explained to you, I'm sure, was adequate since I have a passing score, but there were many things on the exam that "stumped" me. I agree with the others that reviewed the Leik questions by saying that they were most helpful in answering the actual test questions.
I want to tell those of you that are struggling that you need to also use a Merck Manual, a Nursing 2016 Drug Handbook and a Taber's to fully round out the various diseases, meds, and terms to understand everything the way you need to understand it to pass the test. You really have to caution yourself against "biting" as Amelie calls it, because if you don't read the question thoroughly, and correctly, you will miss the question's intent. I fully believe that all my studying throughout my actual post-master's certificate program as well as the prep I described above HELPED with the exam (Leik questions mostly - APEA, unfortunately, is geared more for practice than for the exam in my opinion, and for practice tests the Exam Edge was far better for me than the Board Vitals. I really think you have to learn how to read questions and figure out what the question is asking. I went back and changed at least 10 answers that I really feel that I "misread" the first time. I tried as hard as I could to stay calm, but when you are just not sure of an answer it is hard not to focus on that "sinking" feeling in your gut. When I finally hit the "end test" button with 18 minutes of the 3 hours left to go, I was sure that I didn't pass...however, before I changed those answers, I kept wondering why I got such an "easy" test. These tests are NOT easy, and if you have the feeling that you are kicking butt on the test, you might be misreading the questions. I know every single person will tell you NOT to change answers (Maria Leik says "no more than 3"), but in my case of having test anxiety, I can only suggest that you take your time, read the questions more than once THE FIRST TIME THROUGH (which was my main error, if I had done this, I would not have had to change answers), and read each response more than once with the "root" of the question in mind. You MUST know the geriatrics for this exam, I had a good bit of "frail elderly". I hope that my experience helps someone, I know that I read these posts word-for-word over and over before I went for the exam. Good luck!
I just finished my FNP and preparing for my boards. I am really scared and overwhelmed at same time. I have started reviewing APEA and did both predictor exams since it was required by the school for grading. I felt that I had to rush in finishing all the videos. I have Leik, Fitz, and Hollier. I want to know if the questions for the boards changes every year.
Hi, I'd read tips that you have posted previously and found them useful in terms of a good preparation. I'm preparing for my second round of the exam and would like to receive some prep tips and resources that helped you pass. Would you share? Thank you much!
I am scheduled to test soon and I am so afraid. I can't concentrate because of the fear of failing. Can someone help me? I am greatfull for this site. There is lots of good advice.
shelly NP-C
4 Posts
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I do believe things happen for a reason. Maybe a certain job you were waiting for was not meant to be. You can pass this test just know if you made it thru grad school you can do this!!