The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) is administered by the NCCPA to assess the basic surgical and medical knowledge of prospective physician assistants.
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Eligibility
The only eligibility requirement needed to take the PANCE exam is being a graduate from an accredited PA program. The program must be accredited by ARC-PA.
PANCE Exam Outline
The PANCE exam contains 300 multiple-choice questions and you will be given a time limit of 5 hours. The exam is administered in five blocks of 60 questions each. You will have one hour to complete each block, and you will be permitted a total of 45 minutes of break time to use between blocks as you please.
The questions on the exam are categorized in two dimensions:
| Medical Content Category | Percentage of Exam |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular System | 11% |
| Dermatologic System | 4% |
| Endocrine System | 6% |
| Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat | 6% |
| Gastrointestinal System/Nutrition | 8% |
| Genitourinary System | 4% |
| Hematologic System | 5% |
| Infectious Diseases | 7% |
| Musculoskeletal System | 8% |
| Neurologic System | 7% |
| Psychiatry/Behavioral Science | 7% |
| Pulmonary System | 9% |
| Renal System | 5% |
| Reproductive System | 7% |
| Task Category | Percentage of Exam |
|---|---|
| History Taking and Performing Physical Examination | 16% |
| Using Diagnostic and Laboratory Studies | 10% |
| Formulating Most Likely Diagnosis | 18% |
| Health Maintenance, Patient Education, and Preventive Measures | 11% |
| Clinical Intervention | 16% |
| Pharmaceutical Therapeutics | 15% |
| Applying Basic Scientific Concepts | 8% |
| Professional Practice | 6% |
PANCE Online Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online PANCE prep course designed to give you everything you need to succeed!
Here’s what you’ll find in the PANCE course:
- 60+ Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- 600 PANCE Practice Questions
- 30+ Video Tutorials
- 500+ Digital Flashcards
- Money-back Guarantee
- Mobile Access
Everyone learns differently, so we’ve tailored the PANCE online prep course to ensure every learner has what they need to prepare for the PANCE exam.
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Registration
To register for the exam, you must first submit an application to NCCPA. You must also submit the $550 examination fee along with your application.
Once your application is approved, you will be sent information about how to schedule your examination appointment.
Test Day
You should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes earlier than your scheduled appointment. If you arrive late, you will not be permitted to take the exam that day and your exam fee will be forfeited. When you arrive, you will be asked to present two forms of ID, one of which must contain both your photo and signature.
Once the check-in process is complete, you will be asked to leave all personal items, such as your cell phone, backpack, wallet, keys, and watch, in a secure locker outside the testing area.
Before the exam begins, you will be given 15 minutes to review a tutorial of the testing system. During the exam, you are permitted to take breaks between each block of questions. You may access your personal items during these breaks if you wish.
How the Exam is Scored
Your PANCE score is determined using a scaled scoring system, which takes your raw score (how many questions you answered correctly) and converts it to a numerical score on a scale of 200 to 800.
To pass, your final scaled score must be at least 350.
Retaking the Exam
If you do not pass the exam, you may retake it after a 90-day waiting period. You may not take the exam more than three times in one calendar year.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the PANCE exam?
A
There are 300 multiple-choice questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the PANCE exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 5 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the PANCE exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must achieve a minimum scaled score of 350.
Q
How much does the PANCE exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $550.
