Passed AANP

[YMaggie]

I passed AANP exam, and it feels like a load off my shoulders.

During NP school I used JoAnn Zewekh NP review book, which is purely questions and rationales. I used it to supplement my advanced assessment class, and later on for extra questions in FNP classes. Starting with FNP I, I added Fitzgerald review book, which did not have rationales in online Q&A, but rationales were easy to find in the text of each chapter. Those 2 books helped me with majority of school Q&A practice and provided excellent supplement information.

During the last semester, my friend let me use her Dunphy NP review book, it is similar to Fitzgerald in style, but answers show up with rationales. I would have been fine without this resource, it was purely for additional questions while getting ready for quizzes and exams at school.

Graduated during the height of COVID 19, kids were home schooling due to quarantine, mind not at all focused on more studying.

After graduation, I could not stand reading another question from my resources, so I took a break and did favorite arts and crafts till about mid May. That's when my authorization to test arrived.

Originally, I scheduled to test end of June, literally. At the same time, I took a sample test on PSI website, scored 77, not the greatest, but a solid baseline. Around the same time I started reviewing Leik's book and used her app for questions (my book came with code and instructions). June 1-2, I sat through live APEA review. Took first APEA predictor on June 2, scored 75. June 3, I finished up APEA supplemental materials for FNP (per, pregnancy). Felt ready to test sooner, earliest available was June 15. While waiting, I reviewed Leik's book again from start to finish. Did 2 additional APEA exams, which were based on questions from the live review, 100 questions each. Did all Leik's questions again, scored 90-98%, with average 28sec per question. Did second APEA predictor and 50 bonus questions. Predictor was 79. Took predictor exams intentionally when tired each time, because I have a minimum 2 hour drive to the test center, and no chauffeur to drive me ?.

Most of the 2 weeks prior to testing I spent reviewing 6-10 hours per day, including practice questions. I work per diem, so had some flexibility. During work days used phone app, so that my book was read to me while I drive, plus read or take questions during lunch break. The day before exam was a day off. Sleep, taking it easy, being social with my family, early to bed.

Test day started at 5 am with long drive. Test center gave me scratch paper, 2 pencils and ear plugs. Test room was 2 rows of desks with computers, separated by boards for privacy (no visibility in periphery). Rows were back to back to one another. Only things allowed in the center: car keys, and 2 IDs. Nothing in pockets, NO GUM. Wear a mask.

Test itself had at least 1/3 pure knowledge questions, 1/3 at least 2 step critical thinking style and the rest were a mix of both styles. I marked questions I wanted to review on my paper. Got done with 40 minutes to spare, than clicked through to the beginning and reviewed each question again. Changed 1 answer. Questions were not tricky, mostly 1 phrase, sometimes 3 short sentences. I had a mix of topics.

I searched this forum and Google for information about the exam experience and anxiety, and came across something very pogniant: Years of studying end up being boiled down to 150 questions. For some reason this statement put this exam into perspective, and I stopped being anxious.

As far as school is concerned, I feel my strategy of studying during school combined with trying to connect what I learned in clinical with what I learned in class helped me retain the material. The review course was a nice condensed refresher.

For those who are nervous, don't put the exam on the pedestal. You worked hard to graduate, so you can take one more successful leap - 150 questions is nothing in a big scheme of things. More importantly, you know how you learn best - use that for studying. If you are still in school, do extra work on your own to be prepared, look up things you don't know, do practice questions all the time. It doesn't matter which school you attend, you are still the only one who has to do all the learning. Take care of yourself, sleep and rest when tired. Stay social with family, but put social media on hold.

I'm glad to have this done!