Failed AANP what Next?

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Hello Guys, I have been reading these posts and i have found them to be very helpful. This is where i run when i am low to see whether maybe someone else has gone thru what i have gone thru. To make the story short. after taking time to read from others, I promised myself that after taking my exam, whatever outcome, I will do a post so that someone else can get encouraged as i did. unfortunately, I didn't know that this is the kind of post am gonna post but i got to accept it the way it is.

Anyway, Today i took AANP and Failed. I had done a very good preparation, I did pass the AANP predictor exam with 68%, APEA predictor exam with 73%. After scoring low on AANP, I decided to buy 10 more AANP style exams from EXAm Edge and did 8/10 7/8 i got >70%. I also went thru all the APEA questions both Assessment and pt management. That was not enough,i went thru Fitzgerald certification and practice prep about 50% of the question. at this time,I felt very ready.

I went to the examination room and took the exam, Honestly, the exam felt very easy to me but after submission and getting the word : DID NOT PASS, made me feel like someone shock me with a high voltage electricity. I was speech less.

Now i am again to square zero. Any help??anyone who has ever gone thru the same and passed a AANC or passed AANP for the second time. Kindly advise. Excuse my writing/typos, I am shaking as i write this post.

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Date 03/10/2016. I realized i did not post the dates. its important

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I'm so sorry to hear this; i'm in the similar situation. I took both ANCC in Feb this year and AANP today and both failed the exam. I am desperate in need of help to pass this this exam. I am also considering joining a study group and do a online review course by Mosby to hopeful pass the AANP on my second attempt. The FNP online review course link,https://www.celearningnetwork.com/certification-reviews/aanp-focused-fnp-review.html. I found this out my prior students that posted on this blog that it was helpful. let me know if you know any one in a study group? Thanks

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Specializes in NP, ICU, ED, Pre-op.

I have not taken boards yet....however I think you need to find out what areas you were deficient in and ensure that you understand it completely. So much of the test is really process understanding and not just answer regurgitation. I feel like if you just memorize facts and not truly understand the patho process continuing to just "go over test questions" will not be helpful. I have read of several that failed one and then took the other and did fine....good luck, stand tall, and don't give up......

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it's hard to tell you where to go from here with little information. i think a good first step is to see what areas you lack in first and brush up on those.

from your study routine, it seems clear that you've done ample amounts of questions as well as the Fitzgerald review (especially doing fairly well on the practice exams). It appears that the knowledge isn't the problem.

My only thoughts are that you maybe were rushing through some questions, or got caught by the "gotcha" answers on many of the questions. The idea of the test feeling easy and then failing it supports that thought. I would suggest to get right back on the horse, do more review questions, and take the AANC or AANP as soon as possible. Again, I think the knowledge is there, it's just being able to pick out the correct answers on test day.

When you're taking the test, make sure to mark every single question you're not sure about. Take your time answering the questions and read them very carefully. When you're doing your practice tests at home, check how quickly you're answering the questions. If you're answering them too quickly, slow down. On test day, use up allllll the time you need to go back and review questions.

When I took my test, i had about 25 minutes left after completing. So i went back and reread some of my questions and ended up changing a few answers that I clearly knew were wrong (due to misreading the question).

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

I do think you need to know where you went wrong. And AANP will send you a form explaining the deficit areas. Also, a previous poster said that you really need to understand the content and I agree with that. I did several practice tests but only after I'd gone through Fitzgerald's review book, Leik's review book, took a review course, listened to my old lectures, and read through my old notes. For every question you get wrong, go back, read the pertinent info in the book, and make sure you understand why you got it wrong before moving on.

My family and friends were also getting sick of me because I would lecture them on content. Teaching others helps with memory retention. Even if you're just "teaching" your dog or the wall or nobody sitting next to you while you're stuck in traffic.

I had also heard from Fitzgerald (and others) that you should aim for practice test scores consistently in the mid-80's before taking the exam. So I would strive for that.

Best of luck to you with your future attempt.

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If you guys are going fast and felt the test was easy then I have to say slow down and re read the question. Read it twice.

Sometimes try reading the answers first then read the question and then the answers again

i noticed when I read things twice sometimes on the second read through i would pick things up

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

I would also agree, make sure your going slow enough to get what the question is asking and be able to pick out the "gotcha" answer. I did the Fitz online review, went through the modules 2-3 times, compared it with the leik book. I would only study one content area at least 3 days in a row before moving on. Did the questions towards the last week leading up to exam, while going through the modules one last time. During exam I would use the highlighter tool and highlight the significant a parts of the question. I took my time, able to spot the "gotcha" answers and had an hour to spare. Went over the questions I had checked and submitted.

I also used the other Fitz review book and supplemented with my course books on subjects that the others were vague on or I needed more information to better understand.

I found breaking it down and studying only one area of content was more beneficial for me.

Hang in there be positive, make a study plan and you'll get it. Good luck!

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Thanks guys!

I am in the NP program now and want to get a head start on exam materials. Any you recommend? Or websites will be helpful. I remember with NCLEX I had tons of study materials and offered my assistance to others. Now I am in the dark again and I do not know where to begin studying. I am in school for FNP. Good luck to those taking the exam! I hope to be in that position someday.

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Hello,

I am so sorry to hear this. I am currently studying for certification. The Leik and Fitzgerald review books are my best friends. I met degree conferral on March 15, 2016 and registered for the AANP and the ANCC certifications. I am still awaiting the ATT. In addition to reading and studying systems in Leik and Fitzgerald, I complete at least 100 questions with rationale everyday in the Leik and Fitzgerald review books. Also, I do questions on Exam Edge. I review all questions and take notes to conceptualize the rationales.

I took the ANCC sample questions, and took the AANP practice exam, I scored 60%. I have been actively studying for at least 4 weeks.

I will be doing the Leik webinar review on April 19 - April 22, 2016. I would like to take the ANCC and or AANP the first week of May. Just waiting for the ATT to schedule a date.

Keep your head up...

Taglas

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Thanks for the info. Good luck with boards! Is there an advantage to take both certifications? I never knew anyone to do that.

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Thanks! I got my ATT for ANCC via email today! I want to be prepared in case one or the other does not go well. Also, I hear that ANCC is a more recognized certification especially if you're looking to go in to a leadership or management role. The AANP is more geared towards clinical practice from what I gather.

If I pass on the first try, I will still take the remaining cert exam.

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