The PANCE and PANRE Content Blueprint Checklist

Your Blueprint to Success Starts Here!

If you are at all like me the hardest part of studying for your PANCE or PANRE is figuring out where to begin.

There is an ever-growing list of review books, podcasts, online programs, in-person review courses, and anecdotal recommendations to choose from.

It's overwhelming!

So, the key to success is to choose one or two, set a study schedule, and STICK WITH IT!

The NCCPA™ is kind enough to provide us with a list of topics that will be on the exam in the form of the NCCPA™ Content Blueprint.

This year for the first time, the PANCE and PANRE blueprints are different.

New for 2021! 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 / (Download PDF)
• Interactive Content Blueprint for the PANRE / (Download PDF)

When creating exam questions, the NCCPA does not deviate from this list of required topics. Sometimes their questions are frustratingly complex or convoluted for sure, but it is a safe bet that if you know the key terms from each of these topics, you will pass your exam.

To make this a bit less overwhelming for PANRE test-takers, the content blueprint is now divided into three assessment levels.

• Level 1: Recognize the most likely diagnosis and refer appropriately
• Level 2: Make a diagnosis, interpret results, and know the first-line treatment
• Level 3: Know everything along with how to manage comorbid conditions, contraindications, and complications

The take-home message from the NCCPA is clear: follow the blueprint, and your success is guaranteed, but who has time to review and memorize 482 diseases?

The NCCPA™ PANCE Content Blueprint

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

Total: 14 organ systems and 482 diseases/disorders

The NCCPA™ PANRE Content Blueprint

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

Total: 14 organ systems and 320 diseases/disorders (92 level one only / 198 level two / 30 level three)

Some topics are very narrow such as viral croup, and other topics are extensive such as normal labor and delivery... I mean seriously, how do you even begin to wrap your head around this one?

Hence, these easy to use, interactive PANCE and PANRE checklists.

I have also been compiling PANCE and PANRE Blueprint Pearls with flashcards sets to simplify the review process, allowing you to hone in on the questions stems that will guide you to the correct answer.

Print it up, download it, or access it online and start crossing out the topics you understand, marking the ones you don't and making notes of key terms you would like to remember. The PDF version is interactive and linked directly to the individual lessons on SMARTY PANCE.

Follow the links below to download your PANCE or PANRE interactive checklist (online or PDF).

2020 Content Blueprint for PANCE

2020 Content Blueprint for PANRE

This is an entirely interactive checklist, and unlike a static book, I have created a searchable online index of the entire content blueprint as part of the Smarty PANCE and PANRE board review website.

The checklist links to each of these 467 topics, members can simply click on an item to explore it further.

Also included are 13 topic-specific content blueprint exams available to all members, as well as a slew of other exams and review material.

Members of both the PANCE and PANRE Academy and Smarty PANCE receive access to both sites with a single login... Cool!

If you are interested in becoming a member, you can sign up here at Smarty PANCE + ReelDx.

If you have any questions or need help along the way, don't hesitate to drop me a line or leave me a message in the comments.

Warmly,

Stephen Pasquini PA-C

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.

See Full Bio

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