Scoring High 40s on APEA Q Bank..

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I have taken 2 random test via APEA Q Bank and scores have been 48% and 45%. I know this is just two test and I just started using this question bank but this is making me nervous. I wanted to take my FNP certification the 2nd week in February but the rate I am going I may move the date further out. I love the Q Bank for APEA because as well as I am scoring low I am learning alot too. I have been using the exam mode and then going over the questions when finished. I also make take some notes in a notebook and reference back often. I just started doing the Leiks questions in the book as well this week which are very good. I am so nervous feeling like I need to go back to the beginning of my studies. I did do the Barkley review and I loved it. I think I cram and I am stressed on top of working long hours. Sometimes I can't remember things I feel like should know. I hope my scores gets better as I keep testing. smh.. Thanks for any feedback.

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

I have to admit that I felt I knew absolutely nothing when I went for my exam. By the time I went, I had crammed so much I was exhausted and the practice exams just seemed to show I was not going to make it...but I did. Review Leik's book and review the Barkley review also. Have you done the question bank with APEA? It really helped me to get the answer right away to find out how I was incorrectly reading the question or the answers. I was pleased as punch when I submitted the exam and got a the pass screen.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Hospice.

Me, personally, If I were getting those scores, I would probably study more and push my test back. My university requires us to use APEA Q-bank and pre and post tests and we have to score at least 72% or higher to pass our residency class. I have been averaging between 63% to 73% on my Q-bank tests. So maybe in the 40's mean you have a little more work to do? Just my two cents though.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

I would also be leery of taking the exam with scores in the 40's.

I took the APEA predictor exam and made a 72%. It said I had a good chance of passing (and I did) but I'd imagine with a score of 48% it would say something different.

I am someone who would rather take extra time to study than take it prematurely and be out almost $300....

I think Leik's book helped quite a bit. I also listened to APEA review CD's several times to where I could hear Amelie in my head talking about certain issues.

My guess is this is a test you only wanna take once. Set up a study plan, STICK with the study plan, act like you're teaching the information (if you can teach it you KNOW it), etc.

Good luck to you! This is an exam you shouldn't cram for!

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I just passed the AANP FNP exam today, and I used the Barkley review, Leik Book 2nd ed. and APEA Qbank. I would say that the Leik book helped the most and then the Barkley review and then the APEA Qbank. I was scoring mostly in the 60's, I would also do some quizzes with stuff that I had missed. I got an app on my iphone that has the Leik book questions, I really liked using it, made the questions more convenient and I could do some after each chapter because you can customize it by system and it will give you the rationale after each question if you want. As people have said there was a lot stuff from the Leik material and those kinds of questions looked more like the real exam than the APEA Qbank. I also used Quizlet, its a free resource online and many students have already made some really good study materials, those helped to cement a lot of the main concepts. What ever you do don't cram, that is what I did the first time and I failed. I took about 3 weeks and studied everyday. Another thing with Barkley, he really pushes the quiz partner thing and I used one after failing, it really makes you realize what you don't know. I studied the material until I was sick and tired of looking at the material, I actually developed bronchitis a couple of days before the exam. Good luck in your studies.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Adult Internal Medicine.
ryguyRN said:
I just passed the AANP FNP exam today, and I used the Barkley review, Leik Book 2nd ed. and APEA Qbank. I would say that the Leik book helped the most and then the Barkley review and then the APEA Qbank. I was scoring mostly in the 60's, I would also do some quizzes with stuff that I had missed. I got an app on my iphone that has the Leik book questions, I really liked using it, made the questions more convenient and I could do some after each chapter because you can customize it by system and it will give you the rationale after each question if you want. As people have said there was a lot stuff from the Leik material and those kinds of questions looked more like the real exam than the APEA Qbank. I also used Quizlet, its a free resource online and many students have already made some really good study materials, those helped to cement a lot of the main concepts. What ever you do don't cram, that is what I did the first time and I failed. I took about 3 weeks and studied everyday. Another thing with Barkley, he really pushes the quiz partner thing and I used one after failing, it really makes you realize what you don't know. I studied the material until I was sick and tired of looking at the material, I actually developed bronchitis a couple of days before the exam. Good luck in your studies.

Congrats! I take my exam (AANP FNP) this Saturday. I'm a nervous wreck since I have an NP job pending. Ugh......

ALLOYRN MS, FNP

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@ Ihflanurse.......I understand. I was cramming so much that I couldn't remember things and I was exhausted. I now study 3 to 4 nights a week for 4 hours and Saturday and Sunday. I get very anxious during test. Yes I am currently doing the APEA Q Bank and trying to do the Leiks questions in the back of the book. My scores is not were I want them to be for APEA. If you don't mind me asking what were your APEA scores starting out and where were they before you took your test? Thanks also, your response was helpful.

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Please share the name of the iphone app with the Leik questons.

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@ryguyRN......CONGRATULATIONS!!! I feel like I am taking forever to get through everything. Did you do the whole Leiks book and all the questions?? I study at least 3 to 4 days a week for 4 hours and Saturday and Sunday. I was cramming and it got me sick and unable to retain anything I was learning. How did you get the Leiks questions on your Iphone? I know I have a person that I could study with but I didn't feel I was where I needed to be to study with her yet? Maybe I should because that is what Barkley recommend. So you only had a 3 week turn around before retaking the exam? Wow that was fast but you were successful. The only thing you changed after failing was getting a study partner? or is that when you did Leiks and the APEA Q Bank. Thank you for all your information it really helps.

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the app is called FNP Q&A but you can also search it in the apps store as Leik review. What I did was I would read/study my Barkley book by chapter (most of my focus was on Adult and Gero) because that is where more of your questions will be. Then I would read to supplement with the Leik review and then do some questions. The quiz partner thing really helped me and using some flashcards also works for me. Most of my scores (150 questions test) were in the 60's even before sitting for the exam. Believe me I know how it feels, keep pushing through, I didn't feel like I was making much progress. But as I did get closer to the test, about 3 weeks of 6 hours a day studying I finally started to feel like I was knowing more content. I would make a list of topics and going down the list either write it out or talk out the assessment, lab/diagnostics and treatment for each thing. Know your norms from abnorms with Geros and medication specifics (Leik has good info on those sections but don't memorize dosages). I didn't want to wait long before taking the exam, 3 weeks was a good amount of time for me, I was studying before I got my ATT then when I did I scheduled the exam about 4 days later. I also had a job waiting on me to pass. What I felt helped the second time was really diving into the information learning it however you do best (I like to talk it out either out-loud or in my head, for the past 3 weeks I don't think I have ever studied anything so hard in my life.

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Thank you for all your information ryguyRN. I did download the application (sooo happy about the app) and I am going to follow your pattern because what I am doing is not working. I am so happy for you and I hope I be successful when its time. My test is about 3 weeks away and I am hoping I am ready but so anxious when I even think about it. I am able to study 3 to 4 hours a night during the week and I study about 6 hours on Sat and Sun. Its hard to study that long everyday because I have to be up by 5am for work and get home between 4 and 5pm. So happy for you and I will keep you updated.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Adult Internal Medicine.

I PASSED the FNP AANP exam!!!!!

It was an extremely DIFFICULT exam. Tons of cardio, women's health and peds.

I attended Fitzgerald's live 3-day review course back in September, purchased the AANP practice exam, Apea Q bank (1 month subscription), purchased two predictor exams from APEA and reviewed Leiks FNP review book.

I'm relieved its finally OVER. :-)

ALLOYRN MS, FNP

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