Study tips ANCC AGPCNP

[erinhoga]

OMG you guys, I passed my ANCC Adult Geri Primary Care for the first time yesterday! I wanted to submit some tips, since I know many people wipe their hands of the exam afterwards, and I found some of the tips on here helpful! 
 

Study Materials:

• Leik: I bought the book and a 6 month digital access. It was $99, but you can occasionally find a promo code for 25% off, so it only cost me $75. Totally worth it. I reviewed every topic and answered all of the practice questions. The app is super helpful as you can use it on the go (commuting, laying in bed, etc). 
   

I did find Leik helpful, but be wary because some of the answers contradict themselves. The exam tips / pearls at the end of each chapter were a great way to go back and review what you didn't know. I created my own study guide with just these and added in whatever I didn't know (happy to share this). 
 

•  Board Vitals: Ah, the infamous Board Vitals. I agree with most, this app is filled with loads of questions they say are much harder than the exam itself. While I personally disagree with them being harder, I felt the format and critical thinking was VERY similar to the boards. The rationals are great, and you are able to see how you scored compared to others. BTW, I was scoring a terrifying 30-60% in the beginning on 10 question quizzes, but towards the end worked myself up to 25, 50, 150 ?s and scored mostly 72-83%. Pro tip: if you work at an academic institution, you may have free access to board vitals. I'd Google it or ask around at your job (the latter is how I found out). 
   
• Fitzgerald: We used this for school. She is so intelligent, but talks SO SLOW. I added an extension on Google chrome to be able to speed up her videos. I reviewed the topics I felt I was weak on and it was really helpful. She really know how to break things down in a simple way. 

 

• Other materials: I found this cool app called PicMonic, which creates quick, 1 minute ridiculous stories on a variety of topics. This is how I learned to remember which antibiotics are in which class (ex, fluoroquinolone = flower queen who herds oxen, as in they all end in "oxacin.” Picmonic has a free 7 day trial on their app. 

I also utilized good ol Google to search for images such as skin diseases. As Leik says, you should know to identify some skin disorders and she was right. 
 

The exam:

OK, I don't mean to scare you all, but I'm gonna be real. Everyone I talked to said "it's not that bad, it's very straightforward, you'll be fine.” I did NOT feel fine and did NOT find it straightforward. I would read the first part of the question and be like "OK I got this,” only for them to add another twist! I had a LOT of select 2-3, select all, drag / drop, even matching (I had one that required me to match all these meds I wasn't familiar with with the drug class). I was wiping away tears, absolutely convinced that I failed. With 30 minutes to go and all questions answered, I used this time to take a much needed break- went to the bathroom, stretched a little, threw some water on my face and gave myself a little pep talk in the mirror (cheesy, but works!). I went back in and reviewed my flagged answers. OK, so! Of course be VERY careful about changing your answers. I found myself wanting to change them all, but resisted. I spotted one question that said "select 2,” which I hadn't spotted before, yikes. So I then went through my flagged questions just to make sure I didn't misread anything like that- so be careful , take your time and read the questions very carefully!! 
 

I was 100% convinced I failed. It asked me about 10 times if I was sure I wanted to submit. I was like "yes, but idkkkkk?!” Waiting for my results was the longest 10 seconds of my life. When it said that I passed, I literally just sat and stared at the screen for a good 10-15 seconds OMG. 
 

For the record, I didn't start studying until 5 weeks before my exam... BUT- I studied every day for like, IDK, 6-8 hours each day? I'm fortunate enough that I don't have kids and do have a really supportive partner. Plus I am only working per diem and doing on call sexual assault shifts, an ideal situation for someone who wants to cram for this. 
 

You guys can do it!! Don't take it lightly, prepare yourself! Expect it to be harder than you think. Def do Leik and BV. Do some full practice exams beforehand to get used to having to sit for that entire period of time. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
 

 

[maxnurse0507, BSN, MSN]

Thanks for this. I'm taking my exam soon but doing AANP. I'm also using BV and Leik. I did buy Sarah Michelle Qbank. I've read the Leik book maybe three times and also made study guide out of the exam tips. I've done all her questions and exams like tons of times. I even did the "Sudden Death" game and went all the way up to 794 in 1 sitting (took me hours to finish).  I've finished all the BV questions. I've been doing them over and over and I'm scoring in the 80s-90s (but also because some questions are being repeated each test)

I did like three PSI exams, I got 79%, 89%, 93%. 

But Im just so nervous about it.

I feel ready but at the same time I don't XD

[erinhoga]

@maxnurse0507 You sound very prepared and ready! Do you have it scheduled yet? IMO, just bite the bullet and get it over with. You will feel so much better!! 

[maxnurse0507, BSN, MSN]

Yeah I have it scheduled. I'm just doing 150 Qs from BV now leading up to the exam which is literally right around the corner and a loop LOL. I hope I pass. Congrats btw. You deserve a vacation!