📚 How to Study for the PANCE Using Smarty PANCE
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) is the final step before earning your PA-C certification. This guide provides a structured, stepwise approach to help you study efficiently and pass the PANCE with confidence using Smarty PANCE.
1. Understand the PANCE Exam Structure
The PANCE is a 5-hour, 300-question multiple-choice exam administered by the NCCPA at Pearson VUE testing centers.
Exam Format:
- 5 blocks of 60 questions
- 60 minutes per block
- 45 minutes of total break time
- 15-minute tutorial before starting
💡 Tip: You are responsible for managing your break time. Plan accordingly to avoid fatigue.
🔗 Official NCCPA PANCE Blueprint:
View the PANCE Content Breakdown (NCCPA Website)
2. Start with the PANCE Interactive Blueprint
Your first step should be to review the PANCE Blueprint, which outlines all tested topics.
🔗 Smarty PANCE Interactive PANCE Blueprint (Hyperlinked)
Access the Interactive PANCE Blueprint
💡 Tip: Every Smarty PANCE course is built on PEARLS + Lessons, providing a high-yield summary of each topic. You can click through to full lessons for a detailed review.
3. Breakdown of the PANCE Blueprint
The PANCE Blueprint includes 14 organ systems, covering ~681 diseases and disorders across 110 sections and 25 subsections per system.
Medical Content Categories (2025 Blueprint)
| Organ System | % 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 Breakdown
| Task Category | % of Exam |
|---|---|
| History Taking and Performing Physical Examination | 16% |
| Using Diagnostic and Laboratory Studies | 10% |
| Formulating the Most Likely Diagnosis | 18% |
| Managing Patients – Health Maintenance, Education, and Prevention | 11% |
| Managing Patients – Clinical Intervention | 16% |
| Managing Patients – Pharmaceutical Therapeutics | 6% |
| Applying Foundational Scientific Concepts | 8% |
| Professional Practice | 6% |
💡 Tip: Prioritize higher-weighted organ systems and task categories in your study plan.
4. Create a Stepwise Study Plan with Trello
To stay organized, use the PANCE Study Planner to track progress.
🔗 PANCE Trello Board & 8-Week Study Plan:
✅ How to Use the Trello Study Plan:
- Select an organ system to study.
- Mark topics as you complete PEARLS, quizzes, and flashcards.
- Use the checklist to track weak areas.
- Stick to an 8-week schedule for structured learning.
5. Work Through Smarty PANCE Lessons (PEARLS-Based)
Each PANCE topic on Smarty PANCE is structured around PEARLS and links to detailed lessons.
Each PANCE Lesson Includes:
- PEARLS: High-yield, must-know clinical facts
- Presentation: Signs, symptoms, and clinical features
- Diagnosis: Best initial tests, imaging, and lab findings
- Treatment: First-line & second-line management
- Flashcards & Quizzes: Reinforce high-yield concepts
🔗 Access PANCE Lessons Here:
💡 Tip: Start with PEARLS, then click through for a deeper review if needed.
6. Take PANCE Practice Questions
Smarty PANCE offers two ways to take practice exams with over 4,560 questions available across both platforms.
1️⃣ On Smarty PANCE (Standard Format)
📌 Embedded within courses and lessons
📌 Fixed exams covering full-length and topic-specific questions
✅ Best for: Structured study and reinforcing lessons
2️⃣ In the New Smarty PANCE Qbank (Adaptive & Customizable)
📌 Create custom exams by organ system, difficulty, or topic
📌 Adaptive testing mimics real PANCE/PANRE conditions
📌 Tracks progress and identifies weak areas
✅ Best for: Personalized, targeted practice and realistic exam simulations
Practice Exams on Smarty PANCE
1️⃣ 225-Question Full-Length Exams
2️⃣ Virtual PANCE/PANRE Simulation – Timed, 5-block exams like the real test
3️⃣ 60-Question Interactive Exams – Shorter, topic-focused tests
4️⃣ Daily PANCE/PANRE Email Series – Questions from our daily email searies
5️⃣ 13 System-Specific Exams – Target Cardiology, Pulmonary, GI, MSK, Neuro, etc.
6️⃣ Free PANCE/PANRE Exams – Try sample exams before committing
Why Use the Smarty PANCE Qbank?
✅ Adaptive Testing – Adjusts difficulty based on performance
✅ Customizable Exams – Choose topics, difficulty, and question types
✅ Detailed Explanations – Each question links to Smarty PANCE Blueprint
✅ Progress Tracking & Analytics – Identify weak areas over time
✅ Integrated Study Mode – Review explanations immediately or post-exam
🔗 Access the Smarty PANCE Qbank
💡 Tip: Qbank questions match those in Smarty PANCE courses but provide a more personalized testing experience with analytics and adaptive testing.
7. Join the Smarty PANCE Community for Support
Preparing for the PANCE can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone! Join the Smarty PANCE Community to:
- Ask questions and discuss difficult topics
- Get exam-taking strategies from other PA students
- Share study tips and experiences
🔗 Join the Smarty PANCE Community: