ANCC NP certification exam study tips

Joan Z · Aug 1, 2008

I thought it was a great study guide. I had a bunch of other guides which were actually books of practice tests. But I thought the Fitzgerald was a super reference.

ANPFNPGNP · Aug 1, 2008

I am interested in hearing how recent ANCC or ACNP test takers prepared for their exams. My test is next week and I have been using Fitzgerald's certification review manual as my basic guide. Do others consider this adequate or maybe found that it wasn't good enough? Sure I know its a little late to change strategy now but I do have four full days to bone up in other areas if need be. Thanks for your input! MaryV

I've known a lot of people, including myself, who only used the Fitzgerald study guide and we all passed.

Are you able to take off from work and study until the test? I would recommend everyone taking a full week off and studying 24/7 before taking their tests.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Aug 1, 2008

I used Sally Miller's ACNP review book & I attended her review course. I also used Barbara Todd's CD for practice questions. Thirdly, I used Barkley's audio CD & review book. I studied for 6 weeks and went over all of it numerous times. Good luck.:)

newgradfnp · Aug 1, 2008

I took the ANCC FNP Cert today and PASSED!!! I used Fitzgerald CD's & Review Guide. I also reviewed Uphold & Graham Clinical Guidelines. HTH & Good Luck! (I didn't take any time off to study and have worked in peds level I for 4 years).

LisaFNP · Aug 1, 2008

Has anyone used the Zerwekh and Claborn study guide? It comes with a CD for the computer. It has 1300 questions int he test bank and will give you 175 random questions. I do ok sometimes, but othertimes I get stumped with strange OB and peds questions. I have been concentrating mainly on Fitzgerald.

I graduated from the Univeristy of Illinois in May as an FNP, just waiting to take ANCC boards.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! thanks

Lisa :nurse:

nukkaNP · Jan 20, 2011

How can I study for the theory, legal, ethical, and research areas of the ANCC FNP exam?

A lot of folks have recommended going through theory and legal books from school, but I would like some more specific recommendations. Could someone give some examples of the kind of questions I will see or know any resources where I could find some of these questions?

Also, does anyone know how soon you can schedule your exam once you are deemed eligible to test?

I have the latest Fitzgerald review book. However, I have her CDs from 2009, and I have Barkley's CDs and review book from 2008.

I am planning on taking the ANCC FNP exam early February.

Thanks

mariefrn · Jan 21, 2011

Just took my ANCC boards today - huge anxiety going in- the best last minute thing to do is to buy the practice questions on the ANCC website. Honestly a lot of the questions on the test you will have no clue about aka research, ethic, theory stuff. The questions teach you how to rule out the wrong answers, it helped me a lot. There really weren't as many clinical questions as I thought. Somehow I passed so it must have worked.

SUAPNI2010 · Jul 15, 2011

I am taking the ANCC GNP certification exam in August. Does anyone know how well I ought to be doing on practice exams to be in good shape to pass the certification exam? How does the "raw score" translate to the way they score at ANCC? For example, could one estimate that if I'm consistently getting around 80% on practice exams that I will pass? Or should I be shooting for closer to 90%? Or is 70% sufficient? Does anyone know about how many questions out of the 150 translates to the minimum score of "350" needed to pass the exam? Any thoughts/advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

mammac5 · Jul 17, 2011

I am planning to test in September and I'm looking forward to hearing others' advice and tips..

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Jul 17, 2011

I took and passed them both and I think they seemed essentially the same. There were some questions on both that stumped me, across categories, but not a lot. The only major difference that stood out to me was that ANCC did not provide normal lab values and the Academy did. They were not really that helpful in context b/c the ANCC provided plenty of other information in the question that would clue you in even if you didn't know the lab values.

I attended a review course and used a book, and reread chunks of assessment text from school, reviewed developmental milestones/psychosocial stages, etc. I studied by system for the month prior, up until the week just before, during which time I did not study at all. I took the final week off and just relaxed. I don't believe in cramming, lol.

My review book's recommendation was to keep taking the practice tests until 80-85% proficient.

I'm a good test taker, but not everyone is. I was so surprised when a physician preceptor I really admired and respected told me he failed his Family Practice Boards the first time! The test doesn't define us! Study, do your best, and if at first you don't succeed... :) Good luck.

Marion411 · Jul 20, 2011

How long ago did you take the ANCC certification? I am using the Leik book and Fitzgerald's CD's and book to prepare. Do you have any other suggestions. I am hoping to sit for the cert. next month.

I am reviewing text and practice questions daily.