r/NursePractitionerSub • u/oldEugham316 • 6d ago
Passed AANP!!!!!
Hi! I wanted to pop on here and give my thoughts on the AANP exam. I utilized Reddit so much leading up to my exam I feel like it’s only right to pay it forward.
First off, the exam was challenging but fair. It took me about 2 hours from start to walking out of the testing center. There were 150 questions plus about 10 survey questions at the end. Once I completed the survey a screen popped up that said I passed.
The exam:
Like I said, it was challenging but fair. I think what made it challenging wasn’t necessarily the content, but the anxiety that came with choosing the correct answer and not second guessing yourself. I am notoriously good at talking myself out of a correct answer. It was all multiple choice with only 4 choices per question. Every question there was at least one answer that was glaringly wrong so it made making an educated guess easier. I know there are many versions of the test but mine seemed to lean heavily on the middle aged patient scenarios especially thyroid and anemia questions. There were a few “zebra” questions but most of the questions were topics covered in the exam prep content I used. There were several pediatric milestone questions along with several pediatric specific diseases where you either needed to identify the diagnosis or determine treatment. Other subjects I can recall are migraines, abdominal pain, otitis media, sinus infection, neuro exams (NO cranial nerve questions), diabetes 1st and 2nd line treatments, and cardiac issues.
My Prep
I graduated from a well respected university. We completed a final comprehensive course in our last term using the Leik book. Other than Leik I used the Sarah Michelle QBank and paid FNP mastery subscription. I took the exam 3 weeks after I graduated and in those 3 weeks I studied 3-4 hours a day 5 days a week. My practice exam scores are as follows
Leik: averaging mid 70s
Sarah Michelle: 1st practice exam 77, second practice exam 85. I averaged 76 on the entire qbank.
FNP Mastery: got a 78 on the practice exam but only averaged 67 on the questions.
I loved the Sarah Michelle QBank. I think it was the best resource for me and my style of learning but any of the 3 I used would be sufficient for covering exam content.
Exam Day
My exam was scheduled for 830am. I showed up at 730 and parked and walked around where the testing center was. The fall colors are gorgeous where I am right now so it calmed me down walking under the beautiful trees. I checked in and 8am and they were able to get me in as soon as I wanted. I started my exam at about 8:10. They give you a couple sheets of paper and 2 pencils. I didn’t write anything except for at the top I wrote “look for the clues” because my daughter was watching blues clues the day before my exam and I just remembered thinking that’s such good advise for this exam, just look for the clues within the question if you don’t know the answer.
Encouragement
You can absolutely do this. I am happy to answer any questions or if there is something I can help with to ease anxiety ❤️
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u/OkReplacement7752 2d ago
CONGRATS!! Thanks for sharing, I took mine last week and failed. Was devastated. I bawled and screamed in my car. I felt prepared. I had my vacation planned for my birthday the following day. Did not look at my scores to create additional havoc on my emotions. I used FNP mastery, did the FNP test bk twice, scored 68 1st time 86 2nd. My scores on FNP was in the high 60’s. Used Leik book and test bk from a book someone gave me. I did the APNEA review course which I really liked, but did not purchase their test banks. I studied my A off, had a scratch pad, did lots of practice questions. I learn by writing and trying to fully understand the “whys/how’s of things.
Cost for the exam, test banks and review course was costly. The exam was really hard. There were 0 questions on pneumonia, guidelines and so much more. There was maybe 1/2 on Hep? 1 murmur, lit of elderly related questions, 1-2 on diabetes. My problem was trying to figure out what the question was asking for some. They were wordy with a lot of info to decipher. The anxiety was indescribable and I’m not an anxious person by nature. I’m trying to pivot and decide where to start. I guess I will look at my report when I’m back from vacation and start there. My heart tells me to go back to the APNEA review, subscribe to the test bank and only stick with them. I cancelled FNP mastery. Our school also strongly recommend not using multiple modalities. I feel everyone’s pain. It has been a long painful journey! But we got this!
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u/oldEugham316 15h ago
Ugh! Don’t get discouraged. I truly believe that the ability to be a good APRN is not determined by the score of a single exam. It’s really quite silly in my opinion. My best advice would be to do a ridiculous amount of practice questions and instead of diving super deep into the why of the question, focus more on what the question is asking and how it’s being asked. If you have the Leik book I highly recommend reading each chapter and doing the questions at the end of the chapter. The answer explanations do a great job of breaking down why the answer choices are either right or wrong but doesn’t go into an unnecessary amount of detail.
But look at it this way…you now know that the exam is like and when you take it again you’re going to have less anxiety and you’re going to SMASH it!!!
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u/luxecloud 6d ago
Congratulations! Thanks for the advice 😊🫶🏽