I am the type of person who likes to do as much as possible at the last minute. That is a relatively stressful way to prepare for an exam as important as our boards. In order to mitigate some of that stress I am planning to begin studying in earnest next week (Nov. 25th) as it is a shorter week and so I can dedicate real time to the two largest topics on the PANCE – cardio and pulm. I also plan to take one of the practice exams offered by NCCPA next week so I can understand my baseline. I know it is a $50 exam, but the questions used come from the PANCE question bank and I will use my performance to see where my strengths and weaknesses lie.

From our EORE breakdown I know that I am consistently strong in cardio, pulm and GI but consistently weak in neuro, heme, endo, musculoskeletal, and ID. I will focus my first week of study on cardio and pulm for a more in-depth review of concepts I am already familiar with and then follow with the topics I am weakest in which I have outlined above. I will then review the remaining topics: GI, GU, derm, ENT, psych, renal and reproductive. I plan to take one more NCCPA practice exam once I have completed my review to see what progress has been made. My final week before taking the PANCE will be spent further reviewing my weakest areas as well as the big three – cardio, pulm, GI.

Additionally, I plan to register for the Kaplan question bank this weekend as well as a 3-day intensive review in early December. As far as practice questions go, I know myself and the likelihood of doing more than 10 questions per day during my rotation is slim. My goal for questions will therefore be 10/day through Dec 13 and 50/day thereafter. I will likely stop doing questions all together a couple of days before the exam. The study materials I intend to use are: PPP (my one true love), Rosh and Kaplan +/- Exam Master.

EXPECTED PANCE DATE: Jan 21

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