Passed AANP without live review?

allnurses Guide · Aug 10, 2014

The pass rate is >80-85% for the board exams; it is a basic entry-to-practice exam. If you went to a quality program and did well you should pass without a problem.

Many people take a live review because it is a good synthesis of your education an it most often ensures a passing score. Is it necessary? Likely not, but many people don't want to risk it.

If you don't have a job waiting for you and you won't get depressed if you don't pass for some reason, you don't need it, unless you think you might be in the bottom 15% of the NP crop.

On the other hand I recommend all may students take a live course.

olvr00 · Aug 11, 2014

Passed first try without live review. Used Leik and Hollier books.

fenix · Aug 11, 2014

I did not go to a live review. I took AANP (7/2014) and passed on first attempt. I did buy Barkley's CD and book, which is a recording of a live review. I like this format because it allowed me to stop the lecture and take notes or rewind and listen to a section again if I missed something. I also used Leik, but did not finish that book. Barkley's was my primary resource. Good Luck!

Juliefin, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Sep 4, 2014

I did not do a live review either and took and passed tHe AANP exam with a good score on the first try less than 3 weeks after graduating. Here's what I did.... Bought CDs from Fitzgerald (used on Amazon) the summer before graduation, put them on my iPod and listened to them all the time over the next 9 months or so. Suffice it to say I wouldn't be sad if I never heard that voice again. I also bought a used version of Hollier's CDs and did the same. They seemed to complement each other...where I felt one was weaker, the other was stronger. I had multiple question books but the only one I would recommend is Fitzgerald. She is most similar to the style of questions on the exam. The others were not helpful and it's too easy to get used to someone's style of writing ?'s and your test questions may be very different, making it more difficult. Also, print a copy of your guidelines for chol, HTN, and diabetes and know them well.

aprnKate · Oct 5, 2014

I know 1 new grad from another school she took her aanp exam this year on February and passed with just reviewing Leik and Hollier review books. I also wanted to tell you some live conferences for nurse practitioners sometimes will silent auction live review courses. I went to texas np conference for the past 2 years and I won a Barkley's live review combo package for less than $150 twice in two years. That is worth more than $500....gave the other one to my hubby who is also in fnp school. If you have a state/local annual np conference perhaps they may do the same thing.

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 5, 2014

I think BostonFNP hit the nail on the head here. Live review courses state they have a better than 99% pass rate, but fail to mention that 85% of all applicants pass their boards with or without a live review.

I personally wasn't planning on going to a live review, but I already received my ATT through the AANP, plus I have a job under contract lined up after graduation, so I want to remove all doubt. That said, I don't think they're necessary.

suprmedic · Oct 6, 2014

There is no need for the live review. You have the tools needed already with the books and CD's. I read the Leik book, listened to each section of the Hollier cd's and did her question book. That was more than enough.

allnurses Guide · Oct 6, 2014

There is no need for the live review. You have the tools needed already with the books and CD's. I read the Leik book, listened to each section of the Hollier cd's and did her question book. That was more than enough.

Two days pay for a 14% increase is worth it for the people on the cusp. If you are top of your class then lowly not needed.

Sent from my iPhone.

olvr00 · Oct 6, 2014

Did not do live exam. Passed AANP with Leik, Hollier, Fitzgerald. Started reviewing during the last semester.