Presentation to the AAPA Student Track

Monday, May 27, 2013

1:00-2:00 p.m.

PREPARING FOR PANCE

Randy D. Danielsen, PhD, PA-C

Professor & Dean
Arizona School of Health Sciences
A.T. Still University
Former Chair of Board, NCCPA

Sheila Mauldin, MNM

VP of Exam Programs
National Commission on Certification
Of Physician Assistants

PA-C
A mark of professional accomplishment
Emphasizes clinical practice knowledge
Requires knowledge of basic pathophysiology
Requires knowledge of basic health sciences
Core functions in which PAs should be skilled in
primary care

Goal: Successful Passage of

PANCE
Three conditions are generally necessary for
successful passage of PANCE:
1.Knowing about or recognizing the medical
information contained in the questions,
2.Using appropriate test-taking skills and
strategies, and
3.Avoiding situations that are likely to cause
mistakes or impede performance. 1
Miller & Jarski, Test-Taking Skills: Tips and Techniques, Physician
Assistant Examination, Lange, Edition 6, pg 1
1

Todays Presentation
Areas we will discuss today:
How to study and prepare for the exam
About the exam
What to do during the exam, and
What to do AFTER the exam

General Test Taking Tips

Test-taking skills
A purposeful, positive attitude
Strategic thinking
Planning
Naturally, a solid grasp of the REQUIRED
content

Lets Talk about the PANCE

Two dimensions:
Knowledge and skills areas (PA tasks)
Diseases, disorders and medical assessments of the
organ systems
Approximately 20% of the test questions will
cover surgical issues.
Up to 2% may be legal or ethical questions.

Percentage of Diseases/Disorders
of
Organ Systems

Percentage of Knowledge & Skill (Task)

Areas

Test Development Terms

Stem
The stem refers to any information preceding the
response items.
The stem usually contains (1) a question or an
incomplete statement/phrase to be completed by
selection of a response option and (2) any
information supplied to the student for use in
responding to the item (e.g., case history, clinical
vignette, statement or problem, lab values, PIX,
etc.)

Key
The correct answer (The GOAL!)

Test Development Terms

Distracter
A distracter is any incorrect response in an
item. A good distracter will distract a less
knowledgeable student from the correct
response.

Item Type
Refers to the format of an item
A-Type (type thats on PANCE)
K-Type (not included on PANCE)

Testing Recall versus Reasoning

The development of examination
questions varies in complexity according
to the cognitive process the student must
employ to identify the correct answer.
There are generally two kinds of items:
(1) recall (or memory) items, and
(2) reasoning (or application of knowledge) items.

Testing Recall versus

Reasoning

Recall Items ask for the recognition of

memorized facts or data a one step process.
Reasoning Items involve a cognitive process of
three or more steps. A reasoning item asks the
student to:
recall what is known about the problem at hand,
interpret/translate information that is recalled or that
is presented in the stem, and
apply the interpreted information to arrive at a
conclusion

PANCE requires reasoningnot

simple recall.

How to Study
Your chances of doing well are
directly dependent on a concentrated
review effort.
The key: Don't wait until the last
minute. Begin your review early.
To develop test-taking skills you
must actively practice what you will
be doing on the test---answering
multiple-choice questions

How to Study
Direct your studying to the primary
care areas with which you are least
familiar!
How to do that? Take multiple-choice
tests cold then go back and just study
the areas that you missed.
Some like to actually write their own
questions as part of the study process.

When to Study
NOW!
Be aware of your best time of day.
Many students learn best in daylight hours.
Use waiting time: Five minutes waiting
for the bus, 20 minutes waiting for the dentist,
10 minutes between classes It adds up fast!
Have short study tasks ready to do during these
times.

Where to Study
Use a regular study area.
Your body knows where you
are. When you use the same place
to study, your body becomes trained.
When you arrive at that particular place, it will
automatically sense that it's time to study. You will
focus your concentration more quickly.

Don't get too comfortable.

Put yourself into a situation where your mind is
alert.

Where to Study
Use the library.
Libraries are designed for learning.
Entering a library is a signal to your body to quiet the
mind and get to work.

Most students can get more done in a shorter

time at the library.

Where to Study
Set up study groups.
Forces you to articulate concepts and
makes a review more fun and productive.
Keeps your review on schedule and helps you
avoid procrastination.
Allows you to benefit from other students
expertise

A study group doesn't take the place of

individual study.

How to Handle Life

Pay attention to your attention span.
Breaks in concentration are often
caused by internal interruptions;
your own thoughts jump in to tell
you another story about the world.
If this happens too often, perhaps
you need to find a different study
time or place.
Agree with living mates about study
time.

How to Handle Life

Avoid noise distractions.
Don't study in front of the TV. Turn off
the stereo. Many students insist they
study better with music, and that may
be true. Some students have reported
good results with carefully selected
and controlled music.
The overwhelming majority of
research indicates that silence is the
best form of music for study.

How to Handle Life

Notice how others misuse your time.
Be aware of repeat offenders. Ask yourself if
there are certain friends or relatives who
consistently interrupt your study time.
If avoiding them is impractical, send a clear (but
gentle) message.
Sometimes others don't realize they are breaking
your concentration.

How to Handle Life

Get off the phone.
You don't have to be a telephone victim.
Try saying, "I can't talk right now, I'm
studying" or leave your answering
machine on. Or, avoid the whole problem
by studying at the library.

Learn to say no.

This is a valuable time saver and an important
life skill. Many people feel it is rude to refuse a
request. Saying "no" can be done effectively
and courteously.

Getting Ready for PANCE

Be prepared emotionally and
physically as well as
intellectually.
Locate the test center the day
before the exam.
Find a center near you at
www.pearsonvue.com/nccpa.
Arrive at the site early,
particularly if parking may be a
problem.

More Details on PANCE

Where does it start?

Exam blueprint is based on
information obtained from the
practice (job) analysis

How Exams Are Developed

Scoring & Analysis

Each question counts
equally.
Items are not
weighted, nor are
points subtracted for
incorrect answers.

Scoring & Analysis

PANCE is a criterion-referenced
examination.

Scoring & Analysis

PANCE passing standards
are not normative.
If 100% of the candidates
meet the specified passing
criteria, then 100% will
pass the examination.

Scoring & Analysis

Periodically, the passing standard is evaluated.
Standard setting committee is comprised of
certified PAs and physicians who have
experience working with PAs.
They review questions from the exam and develop a
recommended passing standard

NCCPA Board of Directors makes the final

decision.

PANCE Details
300 multiple-choice questions,
administered in five blocks of 60 questions
60 minutes to complete the test questions
in each block (1 minute/item)
Time Allotments:
Testing time = 5 hours
Tutorial time = 15 minutes
Break time = 45 minutes

PANCE Details
Cost for the exam - $475
After applying, you will have a 180
eligibility period for taking the exam.
Earliest date you can test is 7 days after
graduation.

On Exam Day.
When you arrive at the Pearson VUE test center, youll
be asked to present:
a current government-issued photo ID (i.e., drivers license or
passport) with your pre-printed name and signature.
a second current ID with your name pre-printed and signature.

When you apply, please verify that your name as listed in

NCCPAs records is the same as on your ID.
If they do not match when presented at the test center; you will not be
allowed to test that day.

Youll be required to do a palm vein scanning and have

your picture taken at the test center.

On Exam Day
No personal belongings are allowed in
the testing room. You will have use of a
locker for storing those items.
Brimmed hats, book bags, handbags, books,
notes, study materials, calculators, watches of
any kind, electronic paging devices, recording
or filming devices, radios, cellular phones, or
food and beverages, jackets)

If you need to take a medical device in

with you, you may have to apply for
special accommodations when registering.
For more information, go to www.nccpa.net.

On Exam Day
Test center staff will provide
instructions on the use of the
computer equipment.
Then, youll have the opportunity to
complete a brief tutorial.
The examination will be managed and
observed by test center staff with the
aid of audio and video monitors and
recording equipment.

On Exam Day
Clock-stopping breaks are not permitted once a test block
begins.
Take breaks between exam blocks, although keep in mind your
total break time is limited to 45 minutes.
Taking long or frequent breaks early in the day
may leave you with no break timeeven
between blockslater in the day.
Each time you leave, you will be required to
sign out and sign back in upon return. You must present your
ID each time you sign in.

On Exam Day
You may answer the questions within a block in
any order, and you may review and change
responses within a block of questions during
the time allotted for that section.
After you exit a block of test questions or after
time expires for that block, you wont be
allowed to review its questions or change your
answers.

Scores
NCCPA provides online score reports.
When your scores have been processed (within two
weeks after your test date), NCCPA will e-mail you
instructions for accessing your score report on your
secure online record.
Each exam is scored on two independent computer
systems to assure accuracy.

More About Taking PANCE.

Consider nutritional and other personal
needs:
Avoid heavy meal within two hours of
examination
A complex carbohydrate shake approximately 30
minutes before examination may be beneficial
Keeps snacks and food for lunch available
(cannot take into room)

More About Taking PANCE.

Get proper rest!
Your exam performance should reflect your
knowledge base rather than physical and
mental endurance!
Lack of sleep may result in deterioration of
normal cognitive and psychomotor function

More About Taking PANCE.

Your physical and environmental needs
during the testing period should be
considered:
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your
scheduled testing time.
Arriving early MAY allow you to select a
computer terminal in an optimal location
choose one with fewer distractions
If you arrive late you may not be admitted, and
you will have to forfeit your exam fee and
reapply.
Temperature extremes may be possible so dress
in layers that will allow you to be comfortable

More About Taking PANCE

Do not panic if you see a question you did not
anticipate or prepare for.

Read the question as is. Avoid over analysis or

oversimplifying.

More About Taking PANCE

More Suggestions:
If you have never heard of the choice, it is
probably not the correct answer.
Answer each question as you progress
Test center personnel are not allowed to answer,
interpret or clarify test itemsand anyway, theyre
not medical professionals!
CHANGE AN ANSWER ONLY IF YOU ARE SURE
YOU HAVE ANSWERED IT INCORRECTLY!

Once the Exam is Over

Try not to worry about your performance.

The test is over!

Do not discuss the test with others.
Sharing exam questions with others
constitutes irregular behavior or
cheating.
Its just not worth it.

Conclusion
Remember, testing is a part of professional
life.
It is important to deal with it in a rational
way through preparation, review, study,
and practice.
These suggestions plus your ability should
help you obtain the score that is truly
reflective of your ability.