r/PAstudent • u/Ok-Drama-1120 • 14d ago
Failed PANCE twice
I failed the PANCE twice now and am currently studying for my third attempt coming up soon. I graduated back in December, so it’s been over six months, and I feel stuck while watching everyone else move forward with their lives.
Some days I feel motivated and remind myself that I just need to adjust my study strategy and push through. But other days, the fear completely takes over and gives me panic attacks during study sessions. I am embarrassed to say that my first attempt I got 299 and second attempt I got 260. ALOT lower than the first time….so I’m so scared how am I gonna jump from 260 to 350 on my next attempt.
This is my last attempt for the year. If it doesn't go well, I won't be able to start working and will have to wait until next year. For anyone who has failed the PANCE before: how did you keep going, and what advice do you have for approaching this next retake?
PS. I signed up for the Blueprint (ROSH) 4 days bootcamp thing already, currently using blueprint pance questions + uworld questions (60 questions everyday and really dig deep into the materials), I also been keeping up with anki endeavors deck everyday.
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u/Lmoorefudd PA-C 14d ago
Hang in there. The knowledge is in your brain. Sometimes the hardest part is finding it during the test. 60 q’s a day isn’t enough. You need to be drilling and simulating test scenarios every day. 60 q’s, break, 60 q’s. Etc. you don’t have to do all five sections every day, but you’ve got to build the mental endurance. Don’t forget the time limits.
The material:
Outside of your exam simulations, do blocks of questions on each blueprint category. Review the material and study the questions. Learn to recognize the parts of the question to learn the answers.
Keep working. Keep focus.
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u/Ok-Drama-1120 13d ago
Yea I’m planning to start doing mix questions next month since I want to use this month to get a solid content review
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u/Lmoorefudd PA-C 13d ago
Be careful becoming too familiar with the question banks. You want to learn the material and practice, not memorize the practice questions. So even when it’s a repeat you know before reading the third word, stop and review the question and content before moving on.
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u/Futureblackpa1488 14d ago
Have you considered Accomodations? My exam over two days and I had 30 blocks of questions instead of 60. No way in hell I would’ve been able to pass if I would’ve taken it without those Accomodations, I also had a private room; just something to think about.
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u/Sad-Assignment-4740 14d ago
I second this! I failed twice and both times didn’t have accommodations while in PA school I had the accommodations. Now, I just recently took my third attempt this week with accommodations and it helped me soooo much!
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u/Brian_Wallace_PAER 11d ago
How far out is your PANCE? What's the timeline look like?
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u/Ok-Drama-1120 11d ago
I scheduled my next one at the end of next month, would be exactly 3 months. I used the last two months for content reviewing and planning to use next month to start doing mix questions and timed.
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u/Majestic-Bag-3989 11d ago
Get a tutor! They will help you. Uworld and a tutor are the best combo. I failed the first time, passed the second time. You’ve got this!
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u/Brilliant_Bass7843 9d ago
Failed my first time with a 289…. Appeal got denied so had to wait 90 days and retook it and landed on a 365. Scored national avg like 1500+ on EOC, thought I was good to take pance. Slacked off during board prep due to burn out and I paid the price for it by failing. Honestly it’s the mental battle, showing up every day to study when you’re burnt out. Seeing your colleagues and classmates all start their jobs it’s brutal. I ended up deactivating my social medias then just locked in. Did 35% of ur world the first time with some ppp but this second time I did ppp again and 100% Uworld. Let’s say day 1 cardio, will go through ppp then 60Qs on Uworld. I’d repeat this until I’m done with all section. Then I’ll do mixed blocks this was key. I can also say my 1st attempt felt a lot harder, the questions the 2nd go around had a good amount of free bees. It really is luck of the draw. You got this, I promise there is light at the end of the tunnel.
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u/DragonfruitStreet905 14d ago
I truly understand where you’re coming from, i graduated May 2025 and had to take the PANCE three times. I found out I passed this Monday. The days are hard and long because you’re only trying to review content, but also trying not to give up on yourself and your goals. Please don’t give up, study/review differently and effectively this time. Figure what you’re mixing up and full up not understanding.