
How many times can you take the PANCE exam?
Application for the PANCE can be done through the NCCPA. Once the application is accepted, there will be 180 days available to schedule the exam. The earliest test date that will be available is 7 days post-graduation. The exam can be taken once in any 90-day period or three times within 1 year.
How soon after graduation should you take the PANCE and when?
How soon after graduation should you take the PANCE and when should you start studying? The earliest date you'll be able to test is seven days after your program completion. But, I wouldn’t necessarily look at it this way. Instead, plan your test date so that you have at least 7-8 weeks to cover all of the PANCE blueprint material.
What is the earliest date I can take the PANCE test?
The earliest date you'll be able to test is seven days after your program completion. But, I wouldn’t necessarily look at it this way. Instead, plan your test date so that you have at least 7-8 weeks to cover all of the PANCE blueprint material.
What is the best date to take the PANCE?
Since you need at least 24 business hours, our school suggested we schedule the PANCE on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, should anything happen and we do need to reschedule. Just something to take into consideration when selecting a date to take the exam!
How to get a PANCE?
How long is the PANCE exam?
How long is section 5 of PANCE?
How long does it take to get a NCCPA score?

How soon after graduation can I take the PANCE?
7 daysWhen can I take the PANCE? You must graduate from an accredited program to qualify for the PANCE, and you can apply for the exam anytime within 180 days before your program completion date. The soonest you can take the exam is 7 days after your program completion date.
Can you take the PANCE before you graduate?
➢ Students may apply for the PANCE as early as 90 days prior to the expected completion/graduation date provided to NCCPA.
How long does it take to take the PANCE?
The five-hour PANCE exam includes 300 multiple-choice questions administered in five blocks of 60 questions with 60 minutes to complete each block. There is a total of 45 minutes allotted for breaks between blocks and you will be responsible for managing your break time.
How long do I need to study for PANCE?
Some students begin studying 36 weeks in advance by devoting a few hours a week to reviewing relevant material or practicing. Others study for the PANCE only 8 weeks in advance. Your timeline depends on you.
What is the PANCE pass rate?
The following report illustrates PANCE pass rates for first-time test takers for each of the graduating classes of the last 5 years. For the most recent graduating Class of 2021, the first-time test-taker pass rate was 94 percent. Overall, the average first-time test-taker pass rate during this five-year period is 99%.
How many times can you fail the PANCE?
How many times can you fail the PANCE? You may take the PANCE exam up to a maximum of six times within the six years following the date of your graduation from PA school.
How many times do you have to take the PANCE?
You may only take PANCE once in any 90-day period or three times in a calendar year. There will be no testing between Dec. 18 – 31, 2022.
How many questions do I need to get right to pass PANCE?
The PANCE scale has a minimum score of 200, a maximum score of 800, and the passing score is 350.
What happens if I fail the PANCE?
Since you failed PANCE or PANRE, you have to wait 90 days. Take a week off from the exam and get your mind in order. Now that you have a list of the subjects you need to study, a review course can help. The HELP PANCE PANRE review let's you choose exactly what you need to study.
What is the best way to study for PANCE?
Take notes on things you don't know. Try to do 100 questions a day. Next, break your studying up by section (cardio, pulmonary, etc). The third time, go through every question in mixed-up chunks of 60 questions each to mimic the PANCE.
What happens after you pass the PANCE?
After you pass the PANCE (congratulations by the way!) you need to apply for your PA license in the state in which you will be practicing. Each state has their own website and process for this, so be sure to look into your own state ahead of time.
Do I need to study for the PANCE?
The most important thing that you should be doing to pass the exam is actually practicing taking the exam as closely as possible to the real deal. NCCPA has their own practice exams, so it's a great idea to get those as well.
How often is the PANCE exam offered?
When either the six attempts or six years is exhausted, whichever occurs sooner, the individual loses eligibility to take PANCE. The only way to establish new eligibility to take PANCE is to enter into and complete an unabridged ARC-PA accredited physician assistant educational program.
Do you have to do residency after PA school?
They may choose to pursue additional training, but it's not required. “There are optional residencies,” Strong explains. “But most PAs round out their skills with on-the-job training.” That fast track is part of why she decided to pursue a career as a PA.
When can I take the PANCE?
You must graduate from an accredited program to qualify for the PANCE, and you can apply for the exam anytime within 180 days before your program c...
Where can I find free PANCE practice questions?
You can access free practice questions with a free trial for the PANCE Qbank—no billing information required. The free trial includes practice qu...
How should I study for the PANCE?
If you found a study routine that worked well during your rotation exams, stick with it! If you're still trying to find your optimal strategy, chec...
Free PANCE Practice Questions & Tests | Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Medical will help you succeed on the PANCE. Start your preparation now with a free practice quiz.
PANCE/PANRE Exam Dates & Registration - NEJM Knowledge+
Learn key information for the PANRE or PANCE exam. Learn registration requirements, find exam dates and locations, and learn what to expect on exam day. Get tips for maximizing your time on exam day, and face your PANCE vs PANRE exam with confidence.
PANCE Blueprint - NCCPA
NCCPA is the only certifying organization for PAs in the United States. Established as a not-for-profit organization in 1974, NCCPA provides certification programs that reflect standards for clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning and other medical skills and professional behaviors required upon entry into practice and throughout the careers of PAs.
Register – Physician Assistant National Certification Exam Review
Physician Assistant National Certification Exam Review Main Menu. Home; FAQ; Enroll; Subscriptions; Top Students Menu Toggle. Top Students – Based on Average Score
Registering for the PANCE – Kaplan Test Prep
To register to take the PANCE, you first must be certified as eligible by the NCCPA.After graduating from an accredited physician assistant program, or after completing the require ments for graduation from an accredited program, you must submit proof to the NCCPA and then be verified as eligible. This initial eligibility lasts for 6 years, and the exam may be taken up to six times during that ...
How to study for PANCE?
A very common method students will use to study during their time in physician assistant school, as well as when it comes time to study for the PANCE, is by using review books. Even when I was in physician assistant school you would regularly see copies of what was known as “The Green Book” (A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants) floating around the program’s hallways.
How many questions are in the pre-book of the PANCE?
I particularly like this book because it has 303 pre-book questions that are on various medical topics. It gives concise, key point oriented answers which I found very helpful. The book is then a review of all of the diseases on the PANCE, organized by body system.
What is the NCCPA PANCE blueprint?
Studying should be guided by the NCCPA PANCE blueprint, which quite literally lists all the topics—categorized by organ systems— that could be on the exam.
How to use the packrat?
Use the packrat to affirm your didactic year knowledge. Be studious and engaged on your rotations. Pick up pearls, mnemonics, and ask others during rotations how they study. Pick a combination of whatever study techniques works well for you and learn to perfect it.
How long does it take to become a PA?
Once ready to take the PANCE, students have been training under different physicians & PAs for 1-1.5 years.
Should a PANCE book have all the information needed?
Theoretically, these books should have all the information needed, covering all of the topics, in one concise resource for everything that might be tested on the PANCE.
How long does it take to take a PANCE?
Once you have successfully submitted all your required materials, you will have 180 days to take PANCE. For complete guidelines, you can download the NCCPA’s PANCE policies and procedures from their website.
How to apply for PANCE?
To register for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) you must apply online through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). NCCPA will accept your application as early as 90 days prior to your expected program completion date, and you can take PANCE as early as 7 days after your program completion. After processing your application, NCCPA will send you instructions for scheduling your exam.
What is the PANCE exam?
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) are computer-based exams offered through Pearson VUE testing centers on a rolling basis throughout the year. The exams are made up of multiple-choice questions, focused on assessing core medical and surgical knowledge.
How to register for the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam?
To register for the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) you must apply online through NCCPA. We’ve provided additional information on PA certification maintenance requirements.
How many questions are asked in the Physician Assistant exam?
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) is a 5-hour exam comprised of 300 multiple-choice questions. Each of the five sections contains 60 questions; you have 60 minutes to complete each exam block. You will be allotted a total of 45 minutes of breaks during the exam. You may follow the scheduled breaks or opt for unscheduled break times; however, you must manage your own break time.
Can you use headphones for PANCE?
There may be several other exams being administered along with PANCE/PANRE. If you feel that the noise from other test takers will be a distraction for you, the testing center can provide you with earplugs or headphones.
Can you go back to the exam after each section?
The exam is broken out into sections, or “blocks.” Once each section of the exam is complete (or the allotted time has ended) you may not go back to that section.
How long do you have to take a PANCE?
Individuals who have never been certified and who graduated from an ARC-PA accredited PA program on or after January 1, 2003, will be eligible to take PANCE for up to six years after completing the requirements for graduation from that program.
How many times can you take a PANCE?
During that six-year period, PANCE may be taken a total of six times.
How long is the PANCE exam?
The five-hour PANCE exam includes 300 multiple-choice questions administered in five blocks of 60 questions with 60 minutes to complete each block. There is a total of 45 minutes allotted for breaks between blocks and you will be responsible for managing your break time. You will have 15 minutes to complete the PANCE tutorial.
What is the eligibility for Pance?
PANCE Eligibility. To be eligible for PANCE, you must graduate from a PA program Open in new window accredited by ARC-PA. PA program graduates will be deemed to have graduated from an accredited program if their PA educational program was accredited at the time of their matriculation.
What is a PANCE?
accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or its predecessors, you can take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination® (PANCE) for certification. The multiple-choice exam assesses basic medical and surgical knowledge.
How to view tutorials on Pance?
To view a tutorial of PANCE, go to www.pearsonvue.com/nccpa. Open in new window
How long does a PA-C certificate last?
After passing PANCE, PAs are issued NCCPA certification and can use the PA-C designation until the certification expiration date (approximately two years).
How much does it cost to take the PANCE?
Before scheduling an appointment to take the PANCE, you must submit a registration application to the NCCPA, and pay the PANCE examination fee of $475. After obtaining a scheduling permit from the NCCPA, you can then register to take the PANCE at any Pearson VUE Testing Center.
How many questions are asked on the PANCE exam?
The PANCE exam is a computer-based, timed test comprised of 300 multiple-choice questions assessing medical and surgical knowledge required to become a certified physician assistant. The PANCE exam is administered in 5 blocks of 60 questions each, with 60 minutes provided for the completion of each block.
What is a PANCE score?
Your PANCE score is a scaled score, which means that it does not report the number of items answered correctly, or a percentage answered correctly. Rather, the scaled scoring system involves the number correct as well as the relative difficulty of those items. There are different versions of the exam, which vary slightly in difficulty. A slightly lower percent correct is required for examinees receiving a more difficult version of the test, while a slightly higher percent correct is required for examinees receiving a slightly less difficult version of the test.
How long is the PANCE window?
Before choosing your three-month window of eligibility to take the PANCE, you should be aware of several factors that need to be taken into account:
When does a physician assistant have to take the NCCPA exam?
The exam may be taken as early as year five.
What to do after a test?
Call friends to make plans for after the exam is over. Take in a good movie or shop at a favorite store. In short, do something appealing that you put off during the previous weeks of preparing and treat yourself to something special.
Is the PANCE a test?
Taking the PANCE is NOT the make-or-break day of your life, nor is it a test of your intelligence. It's just one more step on your path to becoming a licensed physician assistant. So keep it in perspective. If you have prepared carefully and practiced with questions, you can approach this exam in a methodical way, dealing with each question as it comes, making your choice, and then moving on.
UGoLong
I waited 4 weeks. That was too long for me. I'm guessing 1-2 weeks would be good.
Wellness
I personally will be looking at my packrat score after clinicals. If you didn't do well, take an extra couple of weeks to study. If you scored well above what is considered the minimal passing PANCE equivalent, maybe take a few days to a week to brush up.
rev ronin
In Portland, OHSU held a 3-day board review course the week after both OHSU and Pacific graduated their PA classes. In that sort of an environment, there is simply no academic excuse for not taking your boards as soon as possible. Delaying PANCE delays every single other aspect of getting into practice.
dmdpac
Why delay? Take it the first day you're eligible to take it. It's easy to fall into the trap of "...I'll just push it back another week *then* I'll be ready...". If that's the case you'll never feel ready.
SHU-CH
I always advise students to take it as soon as possible. The earliest you can take it is one week after graduation.
UCPA2018
I took it 2 weeks after graduation. Took 4-5 days off after graduation to basically lay on the beach all day, then studied for a few days prior to the test. You know more than you think you do and if you did well on your EOR exams and pay attention during your board review and review pance prep pearls on stuff you're unsure about you'll do fine.
DarwinStarwin
I'll take it 2.5 weeks after graduation. But, I'll spend the first 5 days after graduation hosting visiting family. Hope I can find a way to enjoy the time with them and not be chomping at the bit the whole time... Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Tell your patients your an LGBTQ ally
This post is half about sharing some positive experiences I've had in clinic, and half about a small little tip.
Why is it so hard to get a job now
Graduated in august and theres only 5 ppl in our class (out of about 70) have a job. I had few interviews and they all offered like 80K 90K in nyc with minimum basic packages because im a new grad. Applied close to 100 places all east coast plus california chicago all main cities in the US and still no job.
10 year PA feeling a little lost
Paramedic who became a PA. Been working for 10 years in neurosurgery. Got the chief position. Getting great pay. Wasn’t feeling satisfied so got a per diem job doing ICU that gave me some autonomy and some satisfaction.
Gave resignation and they let me go early
I'm going to try to make a long story short. I got a new job. Closer to work, higher paying. I work in the emergency department. I have to give 90 day notice. 2 weeks following my resignation, the following things happened:
The VA looks pretty good!
I recently applied for a job at the local VA. Years ago, I skipped over one because the pay was pretty low in comparison to other gigs in the area. Looks like they have updated things and the pay is pretty competitive.
Finally done with student loans thinking about career change
I’m trying to retire early and to be completely honest, working in medicine for the next 30-40 years seems miserable to me. Has anyone made a career change after paying off their loans?
Union?
I work urgent care for a large hospital group in North Carolina. Two years ago new contracts came down from admin - "NO PTO". Now this was across the board for all providers. Fast forward a few weeks. Those who could quit, retire, transfer, or otherwise get out of medicine, did so.
How to get a PANCE?
To qualify for the PANCE exam, you must graduate from a program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) as a Physician Assistant.
How long is the PANCE exam?
Test details. The PANCE exam consists of five 60-minute sections. Yes, you read that right, it is a 5-hour exam! Each section has 60 questions, giving you 1 minute to complete each question. A total of 45 minutes of break time is allotted to you. You are responsible for managing this time.
How long is section 5 of PANCE?
Section 5: 60 minutes. There are a few quick tips that are important to know about the PANCE exam prior to taking it. There is a tab for normal lab values. Also, the temperature will be given in Fahrenheit and Celsius.
How long does it take to get a NCCPA score?
Once you have finished the exam, your score could take up to two weeks to arrive. The score will be listed on the NCCPA site. Aside from that, it is important to discuss with your future place of employment what is needed for credentialing. States have different licensing requirements which may include a state license, controlled substance license, and a DEA license. Some places of employment will pay for these expenses. If you plan to work under a temporary license, you must email the NCCPA for an eligibility letter which you will submit to the state of employment.