Since many members of AN helped me a lot with formulating my own study plan, I promised that I will share my study plan as well once I pass the board exams. Here's a quick summary of my study plan:
1) Studied each body system at a time. I started with listening to Hollier's CD lecture (because she is waaaay easier to understand than
Fitzgerald or any book). So for example, i listened to her full dermatology lecture first as my warm up.
2) I would then study the dermatology lecture on my Leik Book. OMG! Best book ever! If you know the book from cover to cover, you are guaranteed to pass the exam. Be careful with some typos or wrong answers at the back of the book though. The errors were minimal and i was able to recognize that they were incorrect.
3) Then after reading and understanding the concepts in dermatology, i then listened to Fitzgerald's lecture on dermatology. I have two versions of her CD so i listened to both versions. I think this was the best strategy because when you listen to her (after listening to Hollier and reading the Leik book), it was easier to understand the topic. This strategy reinforced what I already know about the topic (in this case, dermatology). So while i was listening to her, i found myself saying "oh yeah, that's why...." Or "oh my god, now i understand why this rash is different from rubella...". Or sometimes i'd also say, "dang, i gotta review that topic again."
4.) After the steps above, i answered all of the qbank questions under dermatology. I kept track of my score for each topic. Seeing the scores improve gave me confidence whenever i feel overwhelmed and depressed about studying.
5.) Then i answered Leik's questions (they made an app for this but they are the same questions in the back of the book) on dermatology. I also kept track of my scores for each topic.
6.) Then those topics that I got low scores on, i decided to skim through and review again using Leik's book.
7.) Then i answered the qbank and leik questions again to test my knowledge. Surprisingly, i still got a lot of wrong answers even though they were repeat questions. So i wrote those questions that i missed in a small notebook to serve as my study guide later.
8.) Then i took the time to really understand why those questions that were missed. I had to really know the concept behind those topics so I could remember them.
9.) Then took the same questions until i got an 85% and above on each
topic. I also purchased the AGNP (83%) and FNP (89%) sample exams from the AANP website (I was determined to pass this test!). I also took the two practice exams (50% and 71%) given to us by the APEA website (I scored low on these though because it was late at night when i took them).
10.) The day before the exam: I studied my study guide in the morning. Then I spent my afternoon with hubby and we also watched a movie!
11.) On the day of the exam, i went to the gym at 5am. Then i studied my study guide again for an hour. Then i went to breakfast, took my mind off of studying completely. I tried to relax for an hour but I was having really bad palpitations! I had to take multiple deep breaths and meditation exercises. I listened to my favorite songs during my drive to the testing center.
12.) I arrived at the Prometric Center at 10 am (my appointment was 11). They checked me in at 1030. Felt like I was in prison because i had to empty my pockets and go through the metal detectors. You also have to check in/out, show ID, and go through the search process every time you take a break. I told myself I was gonna give myself a mini break during the exam but i was so anxious to just be done with it. I had to mentally get my mind off of the test a few times because my brain started going through bouts of mental fatigue (especially when i got to question number 80).
I was so relieved when I saw the word "PASSED" at the end of the exam. Before that though they asked me if I wanted to take a survey and i
clicked NO! I wanted to know first if i passed or not. Cmon! That was
gonna be torture if i took the survey. Lol.
I had tears of joy right after leaving the testing center. I'm so glad this exam is behind me. I could finally get my LIFE back ;-)
By the way, I studied for a total of 4 weeks. I had to work 1-2 days each week. I saw my friends maybe only 2-3x during this study period. I stayed home most of the time!
