Help on PNCB CPNP-PC boards

[mcduran]

Hello!

I have recently taken my PNCB CPNP-PC boards 2 times and did not pass.

I have to now unfortunately wait 90 days before re-applying. I am trying to figure out where I have gone wrong.

The first time I took it, I used the Barkley review. I listened to the CDs in my car and did the review book, answered questions on board vitals. And did all the practice tests in the NANAP Core Review for Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner book. After I failed, I was very disheartened and disappointed. I knew I need to change my study plan. My score was a 387 the fist time.

I just took it the second time last Wednesday and did not pass again. This time I read and took notes from cover to cover in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification review guide 7th edition. I did all the practice tests in the back of each chapter and scored anywhere between a 71% to 85%. I also did the 2 PNCB practice tests before each time I attempted the boards. I felt like I was much more knowledgeable going into it the second time and felt good while answering the questions. My score the second time was 385.

I am not sure where I am going wrong. I have heard this is a new test and harder then past versions. I am not sure if my test anxiety is getting the best of me or what is going wrong. I am not sure where to go from here and what to do or study.

If anyone has any advice or other resources I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you

[Ashley M.PNP-PC, BSN, MSN]

Hello mcduran and Kaley,

I understand the frustration as well, I took my boards in August and failed and im about to take it the 2nd time on 10/31. I studied Barkley and listened to CDs the first time and used the Flagg & Sloand textbook, did both PNCB practice exams from their website. This time my classmate let me borrow her NAPNAP book and I did questions from that, referenced with the Burns textbook, still using the Flagg & Sloand textbook (which I find better than Barkley, Barkley omitted a lot of important topics). My classmate also shared AAP articles are certain topics and suggested to reference to AAP on anything I had to clarify on. 

Im hoping this time around I can pass and hope you both can as well! I know God has his timing for everything! <3   

[Jankee Patel]

On 10/14/2020 at 12:17 PM, Ashley M.PNP-PC said:

Hello mcduran and Kaley,

I understand the frustration as well, I took my boards in August and failed and im about to take it the 2nd time on 10/31. I studied Barkley and listened to CDs the first time and used the Flagg & Sloand textbook, did both PNCB practice exams from their website. This time my classmate let me borrow her NAPNAP book and I did questions from that, referenced with the Burns textbook, still using the Flagg & Sloand textbook (which I find better than Barkley, Barkley omitted a lot of important topics). My classmate also shared AAP articles are certain topics and suggested to reference to AAP on anything I had to clarify on. 

Im hoping this time around I can pass and hope you both can as well! I know God has his timing for everything! ❤️   

Hi Ashely M.

I am about to take the exam in a week and half for the second time. First time I scored a 382 which is frustrating. I just wanted to see how it went  for you and if you had any tips or tricks that helped you out this time around. Thanks you.

[Carol Thomas]

Hi Kaley and McDuram

Hope you both passed your boards by now. How did you get your Contact hours and what helped you for the exam. please advice. Carol.

[Kaley Adams, MSN]

Hi Carol,

I am actually still not approved to retake. Hopefully by the 14th of this month I will be, which is what they tell me. They made me not only wait 90 days, but I had to wait until the new year to take the exam. I have learned to be patient. My score was so close last time coming in at 393, so I know I can get it. I actually wrote down any question I could remember and researched/studied that information to try and learn what I missed.  
 

As far as CEU’s go, I just looked online, my review I did had a lot of CEs, and Barkley also gives out CEUs if you do their practice test. Hope this helps.

[Carol Thomas]

Hi Kaley,

I know it takes a while and keeps studying is so frustrating. I am getting frustrated trying to do the CEUs. I am preparing for my exam with all that everyone discussed earlier.

   Barkley-book and CDs,  PNCB book, Burns book, Flagg & Sloand textbook, and notes from school. Is there anything else more helpful than these, that you think of. All the best for your exam. My email ID [email protected].

 

 

      

[gradstudent2017]

Hello,

Has anyone retaken their exam and passed? If so, could you please share what you did different to prepare?

 

Thanks

[Kaley Adams, MSN]

I took my test back in March and I passed! I know having to continue to study can be hard. Looking at the same information over and over made me so tired but I knew I had to know it. I continued to study Barkley review, and I also read Silbert and Flagg again. I would read information I felt I was weak on in the Burns textbook. Another thing that really helped me was an app called Nursing Pocket Prep. They had 500 questions and I would take little quizzes daily. Their questions were good and rationales also came from Burns. I hope this helps you some and please know you are going to pass! Last year was so hard for me but I finally passed and I am getting ready to start my new job next week! You can do it! 

[gradstudent2017]

16 minutes ago, Kaley Adams said:

I took my test back in March and I passed! I know having to continue to study can be hard. Looking at the same information over and over made me so tired but I knew I had to know it. I continued to study Barkley review, and I also read Silbert and Flagg again. I would read information I felt I was weak on in the Burns textbook. Another thing that really helped me was an app called Nursing Pocket Prep. They had 500 questions and I would take little quizzes daily. Their questions were good and rationales also came from Burns. I hope this helps you some and please know you are going to pass! Last year was so hard for me but I finally passed and I am getting ready to start my new job next week! You can do it! 

Congratulations on passing and starting your new career. Thanks for responding. 

[Carol Thomas]

Hy Kaley,

CONGRATS!! I am so glad that you passed and thank God. I am waiting for the approval and hopefully take the exam in one or two weeks. As you sugge

sted, I signed in the pocket review and doing the rest as before (PNP review book, Barkley reviews-book and CD), Quizlets, Podcasts PEDS/Peds cases, my notes and some school stuff too). Hoping to clear it this time.

Good luck with the new chapter in your life and all the best.

Carol.

 

[KateC]

Hi all,

Looking for some tips/any advice. I wrote for the 1st time yesterday and failed. I haven’t found out yet by how much. I used the silbertt-Flagg and although at first was getting low marks but by the end I was getting high 80’s. I did maybe 500 board vitals but found they didn’t really help/reflect primary care topics. I also skimmed the AAP anticipatory guidance and bright futures booklets. The week before the exam I took the PNCB 501 got 54.67% and the 502 and got 60%. I was a bit rattled but kept studying. Unfortunately my insomnia and anxiety got the best of me and on exam day I was exhausted.

I start my new job on Tuesday so now I’ll have to study while working but they’ll give me two weeks off before the exam. What do you guys recommend I do differently this time ? I found the exam soooo much harder than my prep questions. 

[JJ L]

On 9/10/2020 at 1:22 PM, mcduran said:

Oh okay! Thank you I will look at because the ones I saw you have to pay for. Id like to find as many free ones as possible. The one category I'm having trouble finding ones for is the professional issues, which how I scored low in that category is beyond me. But crazier things have happened. haha

Hello, could you share your experience about how to find CE? I'm having difficulties to find enough free CE hours. Appreciate. 

[gradstudent2017]

Hello,

I used Texas Health Steps for CEs.