PANCE Practice Test

Prepare for your test with realistic questions.

The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) is administered by the NCCPA to assess the basic surgical and medical knowledge of prospective physician assistants.

Click “Start Test” above to take a free PANCE practice test, and check out our premium-quality PANCE test prep resources by clicking the links below!

PANCE 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 Categories
Medical Content CategoryPercentage of Exam
Cardiovascular System13%
Dermatologic System5%
Endocrine System7%
Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat7%
Gastrointestinal System/Nutrition9%
Genitourinary System5%
Hematologic System5%
Infectious Diseases6%
Musculoskeletal System8%
Neurologic System7%
Psychiatry/Behavioral Science6%
Pulmonary System10%
Renal System5%
Reproductive System7%

 

Task Categories
Task CategoryPercentage of Exam
History Taking and Performing Physical Examination17%
Using Diagnostic and Laboratory Studies12%
Formulating Most Likely Diagnosis18%
Health Maintenance, Patient Education, and Preventive Measures10%
Clinical Intervention14%
Pharmaceutical Therapeutics14%
Applying Basic Scientific Concepts10%
Professional Practice5%

 

Online PANCE Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online PANCE prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The PANCE course includes:

  • Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
  • 600+ PANCE Practice Questions
  • More than 600 Digital Flashcards
  • Over 30 Instructional Videos
  • Money-back Guarantee
  • Free Mobile Access
  • and More!

The PANCE prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their PANCE exam. Click below to check it out!


20% off coupon for the PANCE online course.

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PANCE 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 PANCE 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 PANCE 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.


By Kate Nockunas

Kate has been Mometrix’s Nursing and Medical Editor for over four years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Vanderbilt University, a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Marymount University, and a master’s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins. Kate is a critical care registered nurse who still works occasionally in the ICU and PACU.

 

by Mometrix Test Preparation | This Page Last Updated: March 5, 2024