Navigating the Path After a Failed AANP or ANCC Exam

If you failed your AANP or ANCC exam and are wondering what to do, we’re here to help here at SMNP Reviews! This video by Caroline Grantham, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC is a great resource for you—she’s got some practical advice on what to do next, including how to curb your anxiety, manage your time, and pass your exam the next time around. 💜

Here are Caroline’s top tips to keep in mind as you move forward:

1. Be gentle with yourself.

Take a couple of days to do whatever will comfort you, and be kind to yourself! It’s important to understand that plenty of people fail the AANP and ANCC each year, and often it’s only a temporary setback. You’ve made it through NP school, so remind yourself that you have what it takes to pass your exam the next time around.

2. Reflect on what happened.

Did you have test anxiety?

Take some time to think about what happened the first time you took the exam. Caroline talks about how it’s important to reflect on any anxiety you experienced—anxiety is very common among test-takers, so just know that you’re not alone! Make sure to create an anxiety plan and take steps that will help you manage it the next time around.

For more specific tips about how to make an anxiety plan before your retake, check out this other post on the SMNP Reviews blog: Tips for Managing Test Anxiety Before Your NP Boards 💜

And be sure to check out the SMNP Reviews Live Study Group, which was specifically designed to support NP students through their test anxiety!

How was your time management?

In the video, Caroline mentions that another common struggle during the NP board exam is managing the clock. Did you simply run out of time? If so, one way to fix this is to take full-length practice exams with a built-in timer. 

👀 You can find full-length practice exams for the FNP/AGPCNP exams in our Primary Care Qbank, plus 1,000 additional board-style questions to complete on your own time!

3. Switch up your studying for next time.

Caroline wraps up the video with some great tips that’ll help you succeed next time around. She talks about how if you want to get the most out of your studying, it’s important to understand your learning preferences. For example, do you learn better when reading? Or do you like listening instead?

Lastly, it’s important to understand that quality study time (meaning no distractions) is worth way more than studying for hours while keeping an eye on Facebook!

Keep Caroline’s tips and tricks in mind, and you’ll crush it next time. We’re rooting for you here at SMNP Reviews!

Be sure to watch the video above and subscribe to our YouTube channel, where you’ll find lots of great tips on how to get through NP school, crush your boards, and kickstart your NP career!

And for even more (free!) resources to help you pass your NP board exam next time around, check out these other posts on the SMNP Reviews blog:

• The AANP FNP Pass Rate is Down to 75%. Here’s What to Know to Decrease Your Anxiety and Pass the Exam
• [Video] Common Studying Mistakes & Tips to Improve Your NP Board Prep
• [Podcast] Ep #12: Exam Day Anxiety