🔎 Where to Begin Studying for the PANRE on Smarty PANCE

If you're preparing for the 2025 PANRE (traditional in-person exam at Pearson VUE), Smarty PANCE provides a structured, step-by-step approach to ensure you know the tested topics, practice effectively, and feel fully prepared for exam day.

Follow this guide to streamline your studying and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

1. Start with the PANRE/PANRE-LA Blueprint

The PANRE Blueprint provides a breakdown of all potential exam topics and their performance expectations.

🔗 Access the Interactive PANRE Content Blueprint here:

Smarty PANCE PANRE/PANRE-LA Blueprint

How to Navigate the PANRE Blueprint on Smarty PANCE:

  1. Click on "Blueprint" in the top menu.
  2. Select "PANRE Blueprint" to access the full list of tested topics.
  3. Click on each system to explore Smarty PANCE lessons, exams, and flashcards.

💡 Tip: Each topic includes a "Mark Complete" button to help you track progress.

2. Understand the PANRE Blueprint Breakdown

The PANRE Blueprint includes 378 diseases and disorders, categorized by performance expectations:

  • All 378 topics include History & Physical (H&P) and Diagnosis.
  • 194 topics also require Basic Intervention.
  • 45 topics require knowledge of Complex Intervention.

Organ System Breakdown for the PANRE

Compared to the PANCE Blueprint (~482 topics), the PANRE Blueprint focuses on fewer diseases (378) and has a slightly different weighting across organ systems.

Organ System % of Exam Total Disorders Basic Intervention Complex Intervention
Cardiology 12% 43 28 8
Pulmonary 10% 18 15 4
GI & Nutrition 10% 42 32 2
Musculoskeletal 8% 23 14 0
EENT 8% 43 28 4
Reproductive 5% 28 18 1
Neurology 5% 17 9 1
Endocrinology 6% 16 8 4
Infectious Disease 6% 21 14 0
Psychiatry/Behavioral 5% 15 8 2
Genitourinary 5% 17 11 1
Renal 3% 5 4 1
Dermatology 6% 32 22 1
Hematology 4% 12 3 1

🔗 Official NCCPA PANRE Blueprint is available here:

NCCPA PANRE Blueprint

3. Use the PANRE-LA Smart Search for Quick Topic Review

Even though PANRE-LA is an open-book test, the PANRE Smart Search is useful for PANRE prep as well.

  • Use the Smart Search Bar at the top of each system’s blueprint page to find high-yield lessons instantly.
  • For a comprehensive search across all PANRE content, use the Global PANRE Search Tool.

This feature helps busy PAs quickly review weak areas while reinforcing high-yield concepts.

4. Follow the PANRE Study Plan & Trello Board

For structured studying, use the PANRE Study Planner to track completed topics.

🔗 Access the PANRE Study Planner:

Trello Board & 8-Week Study Schedule

✅ Why use this?

  • Customizable template that includes all the PANRE lessons organized by performance level.
  • Pre-built 8-week plan designed for working PAs.
  • Allows you to check off completed topics.
  • Keeps you on track with daily study goals.

5. Go Through PANRE Lessons & Mark Progress

Once you've mapped out your study plan, it’s time to go through PANRE lessons and fill in knowledge gaps.

Each Smarty PANCE PANRE Lesson Includes:

  • Presentation: Signs, symptoms, and clinical features.
  • Diagnosis: Key tests, imaging, and lab findings.
  • Treatment: First-line and second-line management options.
  • Flashcards: Quick recall points for high-yield concepts.
  • PEARLS: Must-know facts for fast review.

How to Study Each Lesson:

  1. Click on a topic from the PANRE Blueprint.
  2. Work through each section (Presentation → Diagnosis → Treatment).
  3. Take the topic quiz to reinforce learning.
  4. Use flashcards for rapid recall.
  5. Click "Mark Complete" at the bottom to track progress.

💡 Pro Tip: Stay efficient—focus on topics you're less familiar with, rather than spending time on concepts you already know.

6. Take PANRE Practice Exams

Timed practice tests are essential to simulate exam day conditions and reinforce test-taking strategies.

Where to Find PANRE Practice Exams:

✅ Smarty PANCE Qbank (NEW!): PANRE-style multiple-choice questions and exams both prebuilt or sortable by tag - links to Smarty PANCE Blueprint Lessons.

✅ Smarty PANCE Virtual PANRE Exams: Located in the exams section of the Smarty PANCE website.

💡 Tip: Review explanations for both correct and incorrect answers to strengthen understanding.

7. Join the Smarty PANCE Community for Support

You're not studying alone! Join the Smarty PANCE Community to:

  • Get answers to tough questions.
  • Discuss strategies with other PANRE test-takers.
  • Receive feedback on practice questions.

🔗 Read how others have successfully used Smarty PANCE for PANRE:

How I Used Smarty PANCE to Ace My PANRE-LA (And You Can Too)

8. Understand Key PANRE Exam Dates

Traditional PANRE (Pearson VUE)

  • 240 questions divided into four 60-question blocks
  • Exam windows:
    • January 2, 2025 – December 18, 2025
    • January 2, 2026 – December 18, 2026
  • Administered at Pearson VUE testing centers.

Breakdown of Exam Structure:

  • 4-hour exam with 60-minute blocks for each 60-question section.
  • 45 minutes total for breaks (self-managed).
  • 15-minute tutorial before starting.

🔗 NCCPA - Maintain Certification: https://www.nccpa.net/maintain-certification/

Final Steps:

✅ Step 1: Review the PANRE Blueprint to identify tested topics.

✅ Step 2: Use the study plan & Trello board to structure your study sessions.

✅ Step 3: Go through PANRE lessons, mark progress, and take quizzes.

✅ Step 4: Take practice exams to reinforce test-taking strategies.

✅ Step 5: Join the community for additional support.


🚀 With this structured approach, you'll be fully prepared to tackle the PANRE exam with confidence!

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