AANP FNP Test - Study Tips

[nurseme3, LPN]

Hello! I thought I would share some of my study tips that helped me pass the FNP AANP certification exam today. I graduated in August 2015 and got married right after. I did not start studying hard until about 3.5 weeks before the exam. I studied six days a week for 4-8 hours a day.

I started with the Fitzgerald online review course. It took me about 1 week to get through it. I got a 79% on the practice test that accompanies her course the first time I took it.

I mainly used the Fitzgerald "Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination and Practice Preparation - 4th Ed." to study. I gave each chapter an average of one day to read, do the practice questions, and re-listen to any corresponding from the Fitzgerald lectures that had to do with that body system.

About 1.5 weeks into studying, I took the AANP practice test (that overpriced, 75 question exam!) and scored an 80%. That helped calm my nerves and keep me focused on studying the remaining two weeks.

Throughout the 3.5 weeks, I did thousands of practice questions, averaging about 200-300 a day. In addition to the questions in the Fitzgerald book, I purchased her five 75-question comprehensive exams for $50. I did them each twice, and I thought they were the best written questions of any review questions. I also purchased the APEA QBank Bundle (Patient Assessment and Patient Management). I got through all the Patient Management questions, but I barely touched the Patient Assessment questions. Retrospectively, I would NOT have purchased the Patient Assessment QBank (only Management). I averaged between a 65-82% on my APEA questions.

Two days before the test, I made a list of the areas where I felt weakest in my practice. I got together with a PA friend and talked through concepts I felt weary on. She also quizzed me! I re-took the Fitzgerald practice test that accompanies the online course (150 questions) and scored a 92% -- much better than 79!

The day before the test, I studied nearly all day on whatever topic I wanted! For me, it was better for my nerves to study. If I randomly wanted to look up an eye disorder or a development milestone, I did. I re-reviewed lipid and DM management. I also re-listened to about half of the Fitzgerald peds lectures focused on development.

The test was harder than I expected, but apparently the studying paid off. Best of luck to everyone!