Physician Assistant students preparing for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) now have access to the most comprehensive mobile study tool available. The PANCE Prep Review & Exams app, developed by Jeremy Boroff, PA-C, of CME Review Courses, is specifically engineered to align with the current NCCPA content blueprint and provide a high-volume, high-fidelity testing experience.
PANCE Prep Review & Exams: Essential Deliverables
- Total Questions: 4,500 board-style questions.
- Exams: 15 full-length practice examinations.
- Study Library: 18-chapter high-yield review covering all organ systems.
- Pricing: Free (Exam 1 and select chapters); $59.99 (Exam Ready Pass – 90 days access); $99.99 (Permanent All-Access – One-time purchase).
- Platform: iOS (iPhone and iPad).
- Download: App Store Link.
A Flagship Tool for PANCE Readiness
The PANCE Prep Review & Exams app represents a significant expansion in the CME Review Courses digital library. While the PACKRAT app focused on foundational knowledge, this flagship application is designed for the final, intensive push toward certification. With 4,500 questions, it offers three times the volume of previous mobile offerings, ensuring students can rotate through 15 unique, full-length exams without encountering repeat content.
Evidence-Based Rationales and Cited Sources
Accuracy and clinical validity are paramount when preparing for the NCCPA boards. Every question in the app includes a detailed explanation that does not just state the correct answer but justifies it using current medical standards. Citations are pulled directly from major specialty-society guidelines and standard clinical texts, including:
- ACC/AHA (Cardiology)
- ADA (Diabetes)
- IDSA (Infectious Disease)
- ACOG (OB/GYN)
- AAN (Neurology)
- KDIGO (Renal)
- GOLD/GINA (Pulmonology)
Advanced Testing Modes and Performance Analytics
The app features two distinct modes of study to facilitate both learning and simulation. Tutor Mode provides immediate feedback and a cited explanation after every question, which is ideal for early-stage review. Timed Mode simulates the real exam environment with a countdown timer, allowing students to practice pacing and stamina.
Students can monitor their progress via an advanced analytics dashboard. The app tracks accuracy across specific organ systems and task areas (e.g., history taking, diagnostic studies, clinical therapeutics). A 75% "on track to pass" benchmark is provided, alongside a score trend over time, to give students a data-driven assessment of their exam readiness.
Integrated 18-Chapter Study Library
Beyond the question bank, the app houses a complete 18-chapter study library. This resource is weighted by organ system to mirror the NCCPA exam blueprint. It includes:
- High-yield tables for rapid comparison of disease states.
- Pinch-to-zoom EKGs and clinical figures for detailed visualization.
- Full-text search capabilities to quickly locate specific pathologies.
If a student identifies a weakness in a particular organ system through the analytics dashboard, they can jump directly to the corresponding chapter in the review library for targeted remediation.
Clinical Practice Scenarios
To demonstrate the level of clinical depth provided in the app, review the following practice vignettes.
Scenario 1: Cardiology
Your patient is a 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and tobacco use who presents to the emergency department with a 2-hour history of substernal chest pressure. His HR is 92 bpm, BP is 145/88 mmHg, and SaO2 is 96% on room air. The EKG reveals ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
A) Administration of intravenous beta-blockers
B) Immediate referral for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
C) Emergent administration of thrombolytics
D) Emergent surgical consultation for CABG
Explanation: The correct answer is B) Immediate referral for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The patient is presenting with an acute inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). According to ACC/AHA guidelines, primary PCI is the preferred reperfusion strategy if it can be performed within 90 minutes of first medical contact at a PCI-capable hospital. Thrombolytics are reserved for cases where PCI is not available within 120 minutes. Beta-blockers are generally avoided in the acute phase of a STEMI if there are signs of heart failure or low output.
Scenario 2: Pulmonology
Your patient is a 24-year-old female complaining of a persistent cough and wheezing that worsens at night. She reports using her albuterol inhaler four times per week. She has no history of intubation or systemic corticosteroid use. Her FEV1 is 85% of predicted.
According to GINA guidelines, what is the preferred maintenance therapy?
A) Low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) taken whenever SABA is used
B) Medium-dose ICS monotherapy
C) Long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) monotherapy
D) Daily oral prednisone
Explanation: The correct answer is A) Low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) taken whenever SABA is used (or daily low-dose ICS). For patients with mild persistent asthma symptoms occurring more than twice a week but not daily, GINA guidelines now emphasize the early introduction of ICS to reduce the risk of exacerbations. SABA monotherapy is no longer recommended. LABA monotherapy is contraindicated in asthma due to increased risk of asthma-related death.
Career-Long Education and CME
While the PANCE Prep app is designed for initial certification, CME Review Courses provides long-term support for PAs transitioning into practice and preparing for the PANRE.
For PAs nearing their recertification cycle, we offer the PANRE Review Course, which provides 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credit.
PANRE Review & CME Logistics:
- Credit: 100 AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credits.
- Content: 17 hours of video lecture and 1,672 practice questions.
- Access: 30 months.
- Price: $399.99.
- Add-on Options: Amazon or Apple Gift Cards ($100–$1,500).
Our CME with Gift Card packages allow clinicians to maximize their employer-provided CME funds. By adding a gift card to a CME purchase, you can acquire necessary educational credits while also securing funds for additional medical equipment, books, or electronics to further enrich your clinical practice.
The PANCE Prep Review & Exams app is the essential starting point for your career. Download it today on the App Store to begin your 4,500-question journey toward becoming a board-certified Physician Assistant.