PASSED AANP FNP

[missladyFNP]

Hello All!!

I am so THANKFUL to report that I PASSED the AANP exam! This board has been critical in my education and career since nursing school. I don't post often but I wanted to make sure I paid it forward and provided my experience with this exam. I graduated in May 2019, I have been mildly studying for the exam since January. I was unable to commit to any moderate studying due to family circumstances. I began intensely studying 1 week ago devoting 2-6 hours per day of studying during that time. I used the Leik book, APEA predictor, AANP Practice tests and the Hollier question text. I did a total of 1500+ questions and reviewed ALL of the rationales (I wrote them in a notebook).

-I did not pay for a review, but I was able to copy the 2018 Barkley Review CDs and text from a classmate. I listened to the adult chronic conditions portion of his audio back in March and I did not click with his review. I heard so many great things about this review and I am an audio/ visual learner so I was really hoping that it would work for me considering I only paid $30 for a $500 review. The program in its entirety did not meet my needs but there were some small sections that were very helpful.

- APEA predictor: My school gave me a pre test in January (65%), Post test in May (64%). I purchased 2 predictor exams on my own, Pretest I took 2 weeks ago (72%), Post test I took 5 days ago (71%). I used this to help me determine my weak content areas.

- AANP: I felt the retired questions were much harder than the actual test but the concept was the same. Test #1 (69%), Test #2 (64%). I am so glad they retired those questions!

- Hollier Text: I completed about 1/3rd of this book and I averaged 60's to low 70's. These questions were really hard but the rationales were so great!

- LEIK: NEED I SAY MORE........ READ IT COVER TO COVER, USE THE APP, KNOW THE EXAM TIPS. YOU CAN AND WILL PASS WITH THIS STUDY BOOK ALONE (THE END ?

- The AANP FNP Exam: The questions were similar to a mixture of Leik and Hollier. There were questions verbatim that I had seen while studying questions. The test is much easier than leik or hollier. The answers were VERY obvious. I didn't feel like I was being tricked. You can master ALL of the content in the world but you cannot skip the SOAPE and I found Leik to be the only study tool that emphasized this. Her study tips were gems that I missed half way thru my studying. PLEASE LOOK AT THE AANP DOMAINS! Know how the exam will be divided content wise. Like Leik emphasized, don't spend a week on pregnancy and there will only be 4 questions on this area on the exam. That is one area you can pretty much check off of you list.

- Almost Done: I did not share my test date with anyone other than my family. I believe in positive energy and avoiding unnecessary pressure. I did the same thing for my NCLEX and it worked well for me. I failed the NCLEX the first time, took Kaplan and passed with 75 questions the second time. I committed to the AANP, paid my money back in January and selected a test date in May. I moved my test date once, a week later. I did not engage in the great debate that many students had regarding the AANP vs the ANCC. I KNOW what my strengths and weaknesses are and which exam was more congruent with my strengths. Figure which test is most compatible with YOU and select that one. I am far from a good test taker and I am a proud and solid B average student (& worked very hard might I add). I felt my school prepared me VERY well for this exam so the materials above I felt were a supplement to what they had already taught or observed in clinical. I studied for this exam similar to the way I studied in school.

- Finally Done: There is a lot of information on the internet and through discussions with other people which can be a blessing and a curse. You have to filter the information and DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU. What worked for me doesn't work for everyone and it isn't the only way. You know your brain and study habits better than anyone, don't forget that. I kept telling my self I am walking into this building an RN and walking out an NP. Best of luck to everyone!

[FinallyNP]

congrats! taking mine tomorrow, haven't told my family either. I used hollier and read leik cover to cover. Hoping I see PASS when im done tomorrow! congrats to you! go celebrate! ?

[NewNPLDG]

Congrats Misslady! I am completing my last clinical rotation (about 25 hours left to do) and program complete in August. I am assuming it will take a few weeks for the university to give me the ok to test. Your tips are very helpful! It can be kinda overwhelming trying to figure out what study materials to use. I have Leik's book and app and have been using those every day for the past few months. We just had to do the APEA exam and I got 67% on it, so that shows me my study areas. Anyway, congrats to you!

[NewNPLDG]

Good luck to you FinallyNP! Are you taking AANP or AANC?

[FinallyNP]

Im taking AANP! I suck at non clinical questions so i’m not even going to torture myself with ANCC lol

[missladyFNP]

13 hours ago, LGBSN said:

Congrats Misslady! I am completing my last clinical rotation (about 25 hours left to do) and program complete in August. I am assuming it will take a few weeks for the university to give me the ok to test. Your tips are very helpful! It can be kinda overwhelming trying to figure out what study materials to use. I have Leik's book and app and have been using those every day for the past few months. We just had to do the APEA exam and I got 67% on it, so that shows me my study areas. Anyway, congrats to you!

Hi LGBSN,

You can apply to test 6 months in advance. I applied and paid for my test back in January, received my authorization to test May 1, graduated May 10, Final Transcript was received June 2. Apply in advance! That is one less headache to interfere with your studying. Many students in my program are still trying to finalize registration with AANP. It is high volume time because everyone is applying at the same time. 3 people in my program had taken the AANP and passed before graduation.

[missladyFNP]

15 hours ago, FinallyNP said:

congrats! taking mine tomorrow, haven't told my family either. I used hollier and read leik cover to cover. Hoping I see PASS when im done tomorrow! congrats to you! go celebrate! ?

Congrats in Advance FinallyNP!!!!! When did you graduate? Please let us know how you did and your thoughts on the test. Its a lot less pressure when you keep it to yourself. I did agree to tell one of my friends whether I passed or not my thoughts on the exam to help her. But I only shared my date with family. I wouldn't even give anyone the month or timeframe. Everyone was VERY surprised when I announced I passed.

[NewNPLDG]

Hi Misslady,

Thank you! I will do that.

[FinallyNP]

9 hours ago, missladyFNP said:

Congrats in Advance FinallyNP!!!!! When did you graduate? Please let us know how you did and your thoughts on the test. Its a lot less pressure when you keep it to yourself. I did agree to tell one of my friends whether I passed or not my thoughts on the exam to help her. But I only shared my date with family. I wouldn't even give anyone the month or timeframe. Everyone was VERY surprised when I announced I passed.

Hey so I took the test today and PASSED! I’m so glad it’s over lol. I started passively studying in January just listening to APEA review in the car and while doing housework when I could lol started intense studying around March for exit exam in May but I told myself I would study like it’s boards so I could take my test earlier. I took a break May 1st till about May 10th and started listening to hollier a topic a day 4-5 days a week and read Leik one topic a day to add to what I learned in holliers review. I also did One exam edge a day x 5 scored 490-565. I did the two exams that came with hollier review as well. I also did 5 apea predictors scoring from 79-87. I also did the psi and got an 84.

In summary, I did 2 live reviews ( Leik and hollier). Hollier is amazing to get the basics. Leik live is not very interesting. However HER BOOK IS THE KEY!!! I swear you could pass just reading her book alone. I read t cover to cover twice and did all her questions.

Leik and apea questions were very close to exam. Psi was the closest for obvious reasons. Exam edge was not very helpful but was ok for content review.

I would recommend doing 150 question “mock exams” daily so the length of the test doesn’t overwhelm you on test day.

I did adult gero, there was a lot of frail elderly, women’s health and some psych. Know your first line treatments, Med safety stuff. Read all of Leik exam tips and make sure you know them well!

Good luck to everyone taking the exam!

Stalking allnurses for exam tips definitely helped my anxiety a lot haha

[missladyFNP]

14 hours ago, FinallyNP said:

Hey so I took the test today and PASSED! I’m so glad it’s over lol. I started passively studying in January just listening to APEA review in the car and while doing housework when I could lol started intense studying around March for exit exam in May but I told myself I would study like it’s boards so I could take my test earlier. I took a break May 1st till about May 10th and started listening to hollier a topic a day 4-5 days a week and read Leik one topic a day to add to what I learned in holliers review. I also did One exam edge a day x 5 scored 490-565. I did the two exams that came with hollier review as well. I also did 5 apea predictors scoring from 79-87. I also did the psi and got an 84.

In summary, I did 2 live reviews ( Leik and hollier). Hollier is amazing to get the basics. Leik live is not very interesting. However HER BOOK IS THE KEY!!! I swear you could pass just reading her book alone. I read t cover to cover twice and did all her questions.

Leik and apea questions were very close to exam. Psi was the closest for obvious reasons. Exam edge was not very helpful but was ok for content review.

I would recommend doing 150 question “mock exams” daily so the length of the test doesn’t overwhelm you on test day.

I did adult gero, there was a lot of frail elderly, women’s health and some psych. Know your first line treatments, Med safety stuff. Read all of Leik exam tips and make sure you know them well!

Good luck to everyone taking the exam!

Stalking allnurses for exam tips definitely helped my anxiety a lot haha

FinallyNP Official CoNgRatS!!!!! I could not agree more with your perspective on the AANP exam. There is NO need to spend extra money on review courses or an extensive amount of time studying. I know people that have studied for 6 months to a year for this exam. All of the information I read recommended taking the exam 3-6 weeks after graduation. Leik, Leik, Leik Best $40 I ever spent and its all that is needed to pass the exam. AANP is very quick in their processing too. I got my NP wallet in my account 2 days later.

[FinallyNP]

Oh ice! I have to send them my official transcript so I can get mine ? yea Leik is something else, God bless that woman! She even had more tips, questions and info on her site for free. Apea is good for auditory learners or people who need to learn on the go because you can listen and do it all from your phone. I just don’t think I would have passed with her alone. Leik recommends her book or review plus another source but I think her book is enough lol congrats again on passing!

[ccombs75]

Hi guys, I took the AANP exam back in October and did not pass. I took the Hollier review via the web and am now doing questions with the Leik book and Fitzgerald. I feel so overwhelmed with information. I think I will just keep doing the questions over and over until I have all the answers...What do you alll think? I want to retest in the next two weeks since its been 3 months since I last tested.