Overview of the PANCE, PANRE and Pilot Alternative Blueprints

Update! 2023 saw the development of the new PANRE-LA! Click here to read all about the best new way to recertify along with insights from my own experience.

In 2019 the PANCE and PANRE along with the new PANRE pilot (now closed to new applicants) are using different (although similar) blueprints.

In this post, I am going to walk you through these two new blueprints, and we will take a detailed look at the new PANRE three-tier assessment system.

I have also created two new interactive PANCE and PANRE/Pilot alternative blueprints accessible on my smartypance.com website, which make studying blueprint topics a breeze. They are freely available in both an online and hyperlinked PDF format.

• Interactive Content Blueprint for the PANCE / (PDF)
• Interactive Content Blueprint for the PANRE / (PDF)

Each blueprint is a replica of the NCCPA™ official publication linked to smartypance.com topics which include video lessons, quizzes, flashcards, exams, and links to Picmonic, ReelDx, and Osmosis content.

PANCE Blueprint Breakdown

The PANCE continues to be a five-hour exam including 300 multiple choice questions, administered in five blocks of 60 questions, with 60 minutes to complete each block, and a total of 45 minutes allotted for breaks.

The 2019 NCCPA™ PANCE Content Blueprint is made up of 14 organ systems (ranked by percent of exam content) along with 105 subsections (within each organ system) and 482 diseases/disorders.

The layout is familiar and similar to previous versions of the Blueprint.

Organ system » organ system subsections » disorders

There are 14 organ systems » 161 subsections » and 482 diseases/disorders

1. Cardiology 13% » 11 subsections » 51 disorders
2. Pulmonary 10% » 8 subsections » 31 disorders
3. GI and Nutrition 9% » 14 subsections » 38 disorders
4. Musculoskeletal 8% » 9 subsections » 36 disorders
5. ENT 7% » 26 subsections » 61 disorders
6. Reproductive 7% » 11 subsections » 46 disorders
7. Neurology 7% » 13 subsections » 34 disorders
8. Endocrinology 7% » 7 subsections » 17 disorders
9. Infectious Disease 6% » 8 subsections » 41 disorders
10. Psychiatry/Behavioral Science 6% » 16 subsections » 18 disorders
11. Genitourinary 5% » 10 subsections » 25 disorders
12. Renal 5% » 7 subsections, » 14 disorders
13. Dermatology 5% » 14 subsections » 55 disorders
14. Hematology 5% » 7 subsections » 15 disorders

Here is an example from the PANCE Cardiovascular System Blueprint which represents 13% of the PANCE content. There are 11 subsections with 51 disorders.

Cardiology » 11 organ system subsections » 51 disorders

1. Cardiomyopathy - 3 disorders
2. Conduction Disorders - 10 disorders
3. Congenital Heart Disease - 5 disorders
4. Coronary Heart Disease - 7 disorders
5. Heart Failure - 1 disorder
6. Hypertension - 3 disorders
7. Hypotension - 3 disorders
8. Lipid disorders - 2 disorders
9. Traumatic, infectious, and inflammatory heart conditions - 4 disorders
10. Valvular Disease - 4 disorders
11. Vascular Disease - 9 disorders

Each disorder is arranged within an organ system subsection as follows:

Cardiology (Organ System)

1. Cardiomyopathy (subsection)

1. Dilated
2. Hypertrophic
3. Restrictive

2. Conduction disorders/dysrhythmias(subsection)

1. Atrial fibrillation/flutter
2. Atrioventricular block
3. Bundle branch block
4. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
5. Premature Beats
6. Sick sinus syndrome
7. Sinus arrhythmia
8. Torsades de pointes
9. Ventricular fibrillation
10. Ventricular tachycardia

3. Congenital Heart Disease (subsection)

1. Atrial septal defect
2. Coarctation of aorta
3. Patent ductus arteriosus
4. Tetralogy of Fallot
5. Ventricular septal defect

4. Coronary Heart Disease (subsection)

1. Acute myocardial infarction
   1. Non-ST-segment elevation
   2. ST-segment
2. Angina pectoris
   1. Prinzmetal variant
   2. Stable angina
   3. Unstable angina

5. Heart Failure (subsection)

6. Hypertension (subsection)

1. Essential
2. Secondary
3. Hypertensive emergencies

7. Hypotension (subsection)

1. Cardiogenic shock
2. Orthostatic hypotension
3. Vasovagal hypotension

8. Lipid disorders (subsection)

1. Hypercholesterolemia
2. Hypertriglyceridemia

9. Traumatic, infectious, and inflammatory heart conditions (subsection)

1. Acute and subacute bacterial endocarditis
2. Acute pericarditis
3. Cardiac tamponade
4. Pericardial effusion

10. Valvular disorders (subsection)

1. Aortic (stenosis and regurgitation)
2. Mitral (prolapse, stenosis, and regurgitation)
3. Pulmonary (stenosis and regurgitation)
4. Tricuspid (stenosis and regurgitation)

11. Vascular disease (subsection)

1. Aortic aneurysm/dissection
2. Arterial embolism/thrombosis
3. Arteriovenous malformation
4. Giant cell arteritis
5. Peripheral artery disease
6. Phlebitis/thrombophlebitis
7. Varicose veins
8. Venous insufficiency
9. Venous thrombosis

This organizational scheme repeats for all 14 organ systems.

On Smarty PANCE, you can find an interactive blueprint within each system course. Here is the corresponding 2019 PANCE Cardiovascular System Content Blueprint.

PANRE Blueprint Breakdown

The new 2019 PANRE and PANRE Pilot Blueprint (pilot program closed to new signups as of June 2018) comprise similar diseases and disorders as the PANCE but now includes three assessment levels ranging from basic to a more in-depth understanding of each required topic.

The traditional (non-pilot) PANRE will continue as a four-hour computer-based exam taken at a Pearson Vue Testing Center near you. It consists of 240 multiple-choice questions administered in four blocks of 60 questions, with 60 minutes to complete each block and 25 minutes allotted for breaks between blocks.

The percentages of each organ system are a bit different from the PANCE, and there are far fewer diseases overall.

The NCCPA™ PANRE Content Blueprint 

Organ system » disease/disorder » Level 1, 2, or 3

There are 14 organ systems » 320 diseases/disorders (92 level one only / 198 level two / 30 level three)

1. Cardiology 13% » 45 disorders (level 1) » 7 level three » 29 level two
2. Pulmonary 10% » 18 disorders » 6 level three » 16 level two
3. GI and Nutrition 11% » 37 disorders » 3 level three » 22 level two
4. Musculoskeletal 8% » 28 disorders » 0 level three » 16 level two
5. EENT 8% » 38 disorders » 3 level three » 25 level two
6. Reproductive 7% » 25 disorders » 0 level three » 10 level two
7. Neurology 7% » 22 disorders » 3 level three » 12 level two
8. Endocrinology 6% » 14 disorders » 5 level three » 7 level two
9. Infectious Disease 6% » 20 disorders » 2 level three » 17 level two
10. Psychiatry/Behavioral Science 5% » 12 disorders » 0 level three » 5 level two
11. Genitourinary 5% » 17 disorders » 0 level three » 11 level two
12. Renal 3% » 5 disorders » 0 level three » 3 level two
13. Dermatology 6% » 27 disorders » 1 level three » 22 level two
14. Hematology 4% » 12 disorders » 0 level two » 3 level two

In addition to covering the topics listed in the above categories, up to 2% of the questions on PANRE and the Pilot Alternative to PANRE may cover professional practice (legal and ethical) issues.

You can see a full breakdown of the PANRE and PANRE pilot blueprint here: Panre and Pilot Alternative to Panre Interactive Content Blueprint.

PANRE Assessment Levels

• Level 1: Recognize the most likely diagnosis and refer appropriately (e.g., abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic stenosis, acne vulgaris)
• Level 2: Make a diagnosis, interpret results and know the first-line treatment (e.g., acute pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, molluscum contagiosum)
• Level 3: Know everything along with how to manage comorbid conditions, contraindications, and complications (e.g., atrial fibrillation, essential hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus)

*I encourage you to know the level one and level three disorders and everything else will fall in the middle.

Here is an example from the PANRE Cardiovascular System Blueprint which just like the PANCE, represnts 13% of the exam.

On the PANCE there are 11 subsections with 51 diseases and disorders. The PANRE and Pilot alternative cardiology blueprint covers 45 level-one cardiology system disorders of which 29 are level-two, and 7 are level-three.

This table is only viewable on larger screens. 

Understanding PANRE assessment levels

The diseases and disorders covered on the PANRE and the Pilot Alternative are sorted based on the level of assessment. Here is an example of what you should expect of three diseases based on each assessment level.

Level 1 disorder abdominal aortic aneurysm:

• The classic presentation is an older male (>60y) with severe back or abdominal pain who presents with syncope and hypotension with a tender pulsatile abdominal mass. If > 5.5 or > 0.5 cm expansion in 6 months -  refer for immediate surgical repair (even if asymptomatic).

Level two disorder acute pericarditis:

• Chest pain that is relieved by sitting and leaning forward, associated with pericardial friction rub heard best with patient upright and leaning forward. EKG will demonstrate diffuse, ST segment elevations in the precordial leads. Treatment involves identifying and treating the underlying disease - e.g. corticosteroids, antibiotics, and pericardiocentesis.

Level three disorder atrial fibrillation:

• An elderly patient often with excessive alcohol use, presenting with syncope, dyspnea, palpitations, and an irregular pulse. EKG demonstrates low-amplitude fibrillatory waves without discrete P waves and an irregularly irregular pattern of QRS complexes. Treatment includes rate control with calcium channel blocker (diltiazem, verapamil) or beta blocker (metoprolol). Treat with cardioversion and amiodarone with transesophageal echo if duration < 48 hours, if > 48 hours anticoagulate for 21 days before cardioversion. Use a CHADS2 score to assess the risk of stroke and determine the need for anticoagulant therapy.

As a general rule, level one disorders tend to be more acute. You need to make the diagnosis and know when to refer. Level two disorders lie somewhere in between, and level three disorders tend to be conditions which involve more detailed and or chronic treatment such as atrial fibrillation (in the example above), diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, and migraine headache.

Alternative to PANRE: A Pilot Program

Marketed as a pilot to "promote learning and to help you grow what you know" the new alternative to the traditional PANRE seems like the future of the exam.

The NCCPA was kind enough to publish this video tutorial outlining the PANRE pilot. Over 12,000 PAs have signed up to take the PANRE pilot alternative which as of June 2018 has closed to new applicants.

Avoiding Overwhelm

If you are feeling overwhelmed rest assured you are not alone.

But the PANCE blueprint and the new PANRE tiered assessment system is meant to do the exact opposite. Instead of drowning in a sea of possibilities the NCCPA has provided us with an oxygen tank.

The key to success will be mastering the necessary blueprint topics, understanding how test questions are formed and knowing how to find the right answer amid a sea of well-designed distractors.  Topics we will cover in a later blog post.

PANCE and PANRE Resources and Downloads

PANCE

• Smarty PANCE Interactive Content Blueprint for the PANCE / (PDF Download)
• NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint (effective for all PANCE administrations beginning in January 2019)
• NCCPA sample questions and explanations
• NCCPA about PANCE and PANCE eligibility
• Smarty PANCE Virtual PANCE

PANRE

• Smarty PANCE Interactive Content Blueprint for the PANRE / (PDF Download)
• NCCPA About PANRE and About Alternative to PANRE
• NCCPA PANRE and Pilot Alternative to PANRE Content Blueprint (effective January 2019) – organized by assessment level
• NCCPA PANRE and Pilot Alternative to PANRE Content Blueprint (effective January 2019) – organized by content area
• NCCPA Sample core medical knowledge question and critique from PANRE Pilot
• Pearson Vue NCCPA webpage and PANCE and PANRE Exam Tutorial

PANCE/PANRE

• Full-Length Mock PANCE and PANRE Practice Exams
• Free Daily PANCE and PANRE 60-Day Email Series
• NCCPA practice exams
• Smarty PANCE Membership Options - Join Now and Save

*Smarty PANCE is not sponsored or endorsed by, or affiliated with, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Stephen Pasquini PA-C Physician Assistant

Stephen has been a family practice PA since 2004 and is the creator of The PA Life, Smarty PANCE Board Review, and PASchoolfinder websites. A National Health Service Corps Scholar and a graduate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Rutgers) PA Program and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Stephen's goal is to provide one-of-a-kind online resources for those interested in or practicing in the PA profession, to promote better access to healthcare for all, and to foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

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