– expect many vignettes requiring you to identify the most likely condition before answering a management question. 4. Sample Day 1 Schedule (Actual Timetable) | Time | Activity | |------|----------| | 7:30 AM | Arrive at Pearson VUE center. Check-in (ID, palm vein scan, photo, pockets emptied, no electronic devices). | | 8:00 AM | Tutorial (15 min, untimed). | | 8:15 AM | Block 1 – 60 minutes (60 questions). | | 9:15 AM | Optional break (5–10 min). | | 9:25 AM | Block 2 – 60 minutes. | | 10:25 AM | 45-minute lunch break (you may review notes outside, but no phones in testing area). | | 11:10 AM | Block 3 – 60 minutes. | | 12:10 PM | Optional final break. | | 12:20 PM | (If 4th block on Day 1) Block 4 – 60 minutes. | | 1:20 PM | Day 1 ends. Score not released – results given after Day 2 completion. |
1. Executive Summary The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) is a computer-based, multiple-choice examination administered by the NCCPA. Day 1 of the PANCE is the first of two (or occasionally three, depending on scheduling) testing days required to complete all five content blocks. It serves as a critical assessment of foundational medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and data interpretation. Day 1 typically consists of three to four blocks of 60 questions each, with a total testing time of approximately 5–6 hours including scheduled breaks. No clinical skills or practical components are tested on Day 1. 2. Exam Format and Structure – Day 1 | Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Total exam length (full PANCE) | 300 scored questions + 60 pilot questions (total 360) | | Questions per block | 60 (mix of scored and pilot) | | Number of blocks on Day 1 | Typically 3 or 4 (depends on testing center scheduling) | | Time per block | 60 minutes | | Break policy | After each block: optional 5–10 min (untimed). After block 2 or 3: one 45-minute lunch break | | Question type | Single-best answer, multiple choice (A–E) | | Media included | High-resolution images, audio clips (heart/lung sounds), lab results, clinical vignettes | Note: Some candidates take all 5 blocks in one day. However, the standard split is Day 1: 3 blocks (morning, afternoon session) and Day 2: 2 blocks – this report assumes that structure. 3. Content Domains Covered on Day 1 The PANCE blueprint organizes content by organ systems and tasks. Day 1 includes a proportional mix of all systems, but early blocks may emphasize history-taking, physical exam, and diagnostic reasoning before moving to management. 3.1 Organ Systems Tested (All appear on Day 1) | System | Approx. % of Exam | |--------|------------------| | Cardiovascular | 11% | | Pulmonary | 9% | | Musculoskeletal | 8% | | GI / Nutrition | 8% | | Genitourinary | 6% | | Reproductive | 7% | | Endocrine | 6% | | Neurologic | 6% | | Psychiatric/Behavioral | 7% | | Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat | 6% | | Dermatology | 5% | | Hematology/Oncology | 5% | | Infectious Disease | 6% | | Renal | 4% | | Multisystem / Emergency | 6% | 3.2 Task Categories (Day 1 Emphasis) | Task | % of Questions | |------|----------------| | History & Physical exam | 20% | | Diagnostic studies (ordering, interpreting) | 18% | | Diagnosis (most likely, differential) | 25% | | Pharmacotherapy & non-pharm management | 20% | | Health maintenance / prevention | 10% | | Clinical intervention (procedures, referrals) | 7% | – expect many vignettes requiring you to identify
