ANCC FNP Board Exam

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Specializes in MS, RN, FNP-BC.

I passed my board exam yesterday. Prior to taking the exam, I searched this board for advice/tips and thought it was very helpful. I am posting now to pay it forward.

This is what I did to prepare (2 weeks: around 4 hours a day):

1. I took a DRT exam from Barkley to see how much I remembered (took the boards 7 months after I graduated) and what I need to focus on. Tip: take the test as soon as you can after you graduate. It's hard to get back into studying mode if you wait too long and you would've forgotten much of what you learned in school. If you get a 70 or above, you will very likely pass the boards.

2. Read the ANCC FNP exam outline.

3. Listened to all of the online FNP lectures from Barkley. (Very useful but very time consuming) I took notes so I can I quickly look it over before the exam.

4. Read the Leik book: read the tips. If you have time, do the questions in the back and read the rationales. I didn't. Download the app: read and do questions.

5. Google pictures of different skin conditions. There were a few pictorial questions for you to pick a skin condition.

6. Took another DRT exam from Barkley. Read the rationales at the end.

7. Had coffee, ate breakfast and went to the exam center. Go at least 30 minutes before the exam. Make sure you use the restroom right before you start your exam. There are no breaks once you start. You will lose exam time if you need to use the bathroom after.

You got this! Study hard and get it. Good luck!

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Specializes in FNP new graduate.

I am taking my ANCC-FNP exam hopefully the end of next week. I am nervous and seeking any study guides or outlines to help to prepare for this test. I did the Fitzgerald review and have done all the free 25 each practice questions on the ANCC website. There are not many resources for this exam, but there are for the AANP exam.

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Specializes in FNP.

Thank you for sharing all this great information.

I am currently in the process of prepping for my FNP ANCC boards and using multiple resources for review.

I took Maria Leik's course which I found to be very informative. Also reviewing her textbook with questions, and using Board Vitals and Exam Edge test banks.

I average 65-69% on both test banks, and do not feel like this is good enough for passing the boards. For those who used these test banks for studying and passed their boards, can you advise if score mentioned above too low, and do you recommend other prep materials?

Taking my exam in a few weeks and any feedback would be much appreciated!

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Specializes in FNP new graduate.

Please email me, I can send you some study notes! [email protected]

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Specializes in ICU RN.
On 6/13/2020 at 6:59 PM, msjune said:

Im on the same boat as you! I did Barkley review and I’m super nervous ! Any recommendations ?

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Specializes in FNP.

Hi. I actually just took my exam on Monday and passed. I found that it was more similar to board vitals and Maria Leik purple book questions. ANA questions were very similar as well but you don't get that many questions when you purchase a test bank. The exam itself wasn't tricky. Very straight forward, you just need to know the basics from each system you studied in your program in regard to diseases, meds, treatment, first line imaging and triage, and coding, Medicare, and research. Test bank questions seemed to have been more difficult than the actual exam.

I hope this is helpful!

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Specializes in MS, RN, FNP-BC.

@Deann_32 Have you taken a DRT yet? If not, I would suggest for you to take some on the Barkley website. If you score a 70 or above, you will most likely pass the boards.

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Specializes in ICU RN.
5 hours ago, clam151543 said:

@Deann_32 Have you taken a DRT yet? If not, I would suggest for you to take some on the Barkley website. If you score a 70 or above, you will most likely pass the boards.

I have and I keep getting 65 and then I did some of the practice on the Ancc site and do better on those ugh I’m just so nervous

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Specializes in MS, RN, FNP-BC.

@Deann_32 I would say, read over the rationales for all of the questions, even the correct ones. I personally think that you will pass with a 65 on the DRT. If you go over all the rationales, you should be fine.

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Specializes in ICU RN.
On 7/9/2020 at 6:25 AM, clam151543 said:

Thank you so much

I've been doing that hopefully that helps

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Specializes in ICU RN.
1 hour ago, clam151543 said:

@Deann_32 I would say, read over the rationales for all of the questions, even the correct ones. I personally think that you will pass with a 65 on the DRT. If you go over all the rationales, you should be fine.

Thank you!!!

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Hi, I'm taking my ANCC FNP exam in a week, took the Barkley review a couple months ago at school and for the last few weeks been studying exam edge but scoring between 324-386. @msjune I saw that you took examedge as well, did your scores improve before you took the boards? I bought the 25 test package and took half so far. Also saw that you wrote that board vitals and ANA were similar to the actual exam. Thinking of maybe buying ANA questions and studying that instead of examedge. Super nervous and wondering if I should postpone and or register for AANP instead. @Katrina Scott saw that you messaged that you could send notes and emailed you. Would love if you or anyone could email me study notes. 

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