How I Passed the AANP Family Exam Today

[Michael Dickerson, DNP]

This is my first post although I have been reading messages on this board for many years since nursing school. I thought I would post what I did to prepare for the exam. I know I certainly appreciated all the tips on this board. Here's what I did:

1. Leik: I purchased the Leik bundle that gave me online access to resources and practice tests and also came with the paper textbook. I never cracked the text. I went through every module online and rewrote the information as a Word document, but only stuff I didn't already know from being a nurse. I highlighted all the medication treatments in red and bold. I then took every practice quiz after each module, and added the info I missed to the document. After completing Leik I took the two full AANP-format practice tests. I made like upper 60% on those. The downside of Leik is that there is a certain amount of out-of0date stuff on there, especially regarding changing guidelines like for asthma and screening recommendations. But if you just update some of that stuff Leik was by far the best decision I made.

2. Fitzgerald: I watched the Fitzgerald videos and took notes on her as well. It was a complete waste of my time. I would have skipped Fitzgerald altogrther. Waaaaay too much detail.

3. Notes Review: I finished both courses and gave myself a week to review before the exam date. I simply read my notes over and over and over all day long for every moment I had.

4. The First-Line List. I made a list that ended up being about 5 pages of nothing but diseases and first-line medications. Although for antibiotics I  also put second-line and allergy alternatives (glad I did). I thin quizzed myself over those meds several time each day. After Leik this was the second most important decision I made. I  knew my meds flat.

5. Predictor Exams: I took two APEA predictor exams one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. I took the exam on Saturday (today). I scored 71% and 73% which put me in the "Highly likely to pass" category. 63-69% was the "As-Risk" category and <63% was "Likely to Fail." I will say I felt as if I was bombing these exams as I was taking them and was surprised I did as well as I did. In fact, I thought I was doing so bad on the second (Thursday) one I had decided I was going to reschedule the exam to give myself more study time. But when I saw I had actually done better than the first time I decided to stick it out.  There were two or three questions that were exactly the same as the predictor exam.

6. Review Low-Scoring Subjects: The last couple days I concentrated on intensely studying the areas I did the worst on the predictor exams, specifically renal, pregnancy, and peds for me. I also kept going back over all my other notes at night to review.

7. The AANP Exam: I thought it was a lot harder than the predictor exams. I thought for sure I failed. Then I clicked "Finish Test" and it said "PASS."

8. What I would have done different: Forget about Fitzgerald altogether. I mean, she is a great FNP teacher, but it didn't prepare me for the exams at all, and I did ALL her lessons. I would have swapped that time out and done FNP Mastery questions instead. I only did a few of those the day before the test, and it actually helped me answer a couple questions! 

In summary - do ALL of Leik, make a First-Line Med List, take a couple Predictor Exams, study your weakest areas ib the final stretch.

I hope this helps someone!

[Michael Dickerson, DNP]

Sorry for the typos above. I wrote this up right after I took the test so my brain was fried. And it won't let me edit the post.

Some additional thoughts:

I graduated May 13 and I gave myself 6 weeks to do Liek, Fitz, and the week of reviewing notes/predictor exams. I based this on many of the recommendations I read here saying to take the test within 4-6 weeks of graduating.

On the actual exam: I was given normals for every single question that needed them. I stopped writing them down on the scratch paper once I realized this to save time. That being said, weirdly, the normals changed from question to question.

There were some topics that were absolutely not covered in Leik. I swear there were some diseases mentioned I have not every heard of, even being a nurse, a patho teacher, and have a DNP degree LOL. That being said, I feel if you just learn Leik you will know enough to pass the exam.

Leik desperately needs to update the asthma, COPD, and screening guidelines. I also think you should use additional resources in studying birth control and pediatric heart conditions. Other than that, Leik is da bomb.

 

[Mycarra, MSN, APRN, NP]

Hi Michael,

Thank you for all the info you shared. Congratulations! Can you share the notes you made up?  Your notes will come handy to people preparing for boards. I'm waiting for ATT to test for AANP. I was unsuccessful with both certification exams...Only by 5pts. It's funny how the review courses advertise money back gurantee yet disregard you once you fail. Congratulations again.