I have allocated myself five weeks to prepare for the PANCE. Since we will no longer have classes, I am planning to study during Mon-Fri 7 am to 3pm and rest on weekends. In an unlikely scenario I have not finished allocated material during the week, I would review it in morning hours on Saturday or Sunday before noon. During the didactic year I have gotten accustomed to 25 min studying segments with 5 min breaks in between, 2 hours at a time, with 30 min to 1-hour breaks between each 2 hour period.
PANCE topic blueprint is as follows:
Medical Content (95% of the exam):
| 1. Cardiovascular | 13% |
| 2. Pulmonary | 10% |
| 3. GI/Nutrition | 9% |
| 4. Musculoskeletal | 8% |
| 5. Endocrine | 7% |
| 6. EENT | 7% |
| 7. Neurologic | 7% |
| 8. Reproductive | 7% |
| 9. Psychiatry | 6% |
| 10. Infectious Disease | 6% |
| 11. Renal | 5% |
| 12. Dermatologic | 5% |
| 13. Genitourinary | 5% |
| 14. Hematologic | 5% |
Organizing the medical content in a systemized fashion helps see that the “5%” topics actually comprise 20% of the medical content and, therefore, should not be disregarded. When studying for my EOC examination I wrote out the list of topics that are my weakest points. I am going to review those first, just to alleviate some anxiety. Then I will start working through the topics from the bottom up so the highest yield systems will be the freshest in my head. For question banks, I am planning to use Rosh, Kaplan, Smarty Pance and Exam Master. 2 weeks before the exam, I am planning to try out a UWorld PA package which is designed like PANCE. I am also going to continue my handwritten list of key terms of things I don’t remember yet and review it every morning.
Week 1 Dec 13-Dec 17: Renal, Dermatology, Ortho/Rheum (MSK), HEENT
a. Review each system in PPP x 25 min – 2 hours total followed by 1 hour break
b. 30 questions on each: first in exam mode, then review those answered incorrectly in tutor mode
Friday: take a timed 3 hour 180 question exam on these four systems (5 min breaks between hour sessions)
Week 2 Dec 20 – Dec 24th: Neuro, Reproductive, Psych, Infectious Disease
a. Review each system in PPP x 25 min – 2 hours total followed by 1 hour break
b. 30 questions on each: first in exam mode, then review those answered incorrectly in tutor mode
Friday: take a timed 3 hour 180 question exam on these four systems
Week 3 Dec 27th – Dec 31st: GI, Endocrine, Genitourinary, Hematology
a. Review each system in PPP x 25 min – 2 hours total followed by 1 hour break
b. 30 questions on each: first in exam mode, then review those answered incorrectly in tutor mode
Friday: take a timed 3 hour 180 question exam on these four systems
Week 4: Cardio, Pulmonary, ethical and professional issues
a. Review each system in PPP x 25 min – 2 hours total followed by 1 hour break
b. 30 questions on each: first in exam mode, then review those answered incorrectly in tutor mode
Friday: take a timed 3 hour 180 question exam on these two systems (60 Q for each Cardio and Pulm plus 60Q of ethical and professional issues)
Week 5: PANCE practice exam x 2 with a 2-day break between exams
Continue writing out and reviewing key points
During week 5 I am also planning to drive to the testing site to familiarize myself with the route and the building.
Throughout the preparation time my plan is to go to the gym every other day on weekdays. Weekends I will try to fill with spending time with friends and loved ones and completely disconnect and recharge in order to prevent burnout.
Day before the exam, if the weather permits, I will go on a hike, go grocery shopping and cook a nice meal while listening to podcasts on the topics I still feel week on. My plan is to be in bed by 8pm that day.
