NURSE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION
EXAM PREP
7TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARGARET FITZGERALD
TEST BANK
1. Ch. 1 — Prepping for Nurse Practitioner Boards — Exam
Format & Blueprint Interpretation
Stem
A 32-year-old FNP student scores 65% on a 150-question mixed-
format practice exam taken under timed conditions. She reports
knowing content but misses questions on test strategy and
prioritization. As her faculty coach, which single change to her
study/test approach is most likely to increase her exam
performance quickly?
A. Study additional content textbooks for 2 extra hours daily.
B. Complete timed 75-question mixed practice exams weekly
with focused post-exam review.
,C. Switch to only untimed question practice to reduce anxiety.
D. Reread high-yield chapter summaries and make flashcards.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Timed, full-length or board-style practice with focused review
identifies patterns in errors (content gaps vs. strategy), mirrors
test conditions, and improves pacing — high yield for
immediate score gains. Fitzgerald emphasizes deliberate
practice under exam conditions to build test endurance and
exam-taking heuristics.
Rationale — Incorrect
A — Extra content study may not address pacing/strategy
deficits driving incorrect answers.
C — Untimed practice reduces transfer to timed board
conditions and limits pacing skill development.
D — Flashcards help recall but do not train higher-order clinical
reasoning or timed decision-making.
Teaching Point
Simulate exam timing and review errors; practice under test
conditions.
Citation
Fitzgerald, M. (2025). Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Prep
(7th ed.). Ch. 1.
, 2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Prepping for Nurse Practitioner Boards — AANP vs
ANCC Differences
Stem
A newly graduated AGPCNP is trying to decide between the
AANP and ANCC exams. Which test characteristic should most
influence her choice based on likely impact to preparation
strategy?
A. Whether the exam uses multiple-choice versus multiple-
response items.
B. The presence of clinical judgment vignettes requiring
evidence-based rationale.
C. The relative weighting of pharmacology items.
D. The availability of test sites near her home.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Differences in emphasis on clinical judgment and practice-based
vignettes inform study strategy (case-based reasoning,
application of guidelines). Fitzgerald advises aligning
preparation with the certifying body’s cognitive emphasis; thus,
understanding vignette/analysis demand is critical.
Rationale — Incorrect
A — Both exams primarily use single-best-answer items; format
is less decisive than cognitive level.
, C — Pharmacology weighting is important but secondary to test
cognitive style.
D — Logistics matter but do not change study content or
cognitive preparation.
Teaching Point
Match study methods to the exam’s cognitive style (vignette-
based vs. recall).
Citation
Fitzgerald, M. (2025). Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Prep
(7th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Prepping for Nurse Practitioner Boards —
Diagnostic Efficiency & “Sick vs Not Sick”
Stem
During a mixed-format practice exam, a candidate consistently
misclassifies “sick vs not sick” vignettes, selecting low-acuity
options for unstable presentations. Which study exercise will
best improve this skill?
A. Memorize diagnostic criteria tables.
B. Practice rapid triage algorithms using timed clinical vignettes
and explain reasoning aloud.
C. Focus on pharmacology flashcards to improve drug
knowledge.
D. Increase reading of primary care guidelines.
EXAM PREP
7TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARGARET FITZGERALD
TEST BANK
1. Ch. 1 — Prepping for Nurse Practitioner Boards — Exam
Format & Blueprint Interpretation
Stem
A 32-year-old FNP student scores 65% on a 150-question mixed-
format practice exam taken under timed conditions. She reports
knowing content but misses questions on test strategy and
prioritization. As her faculty coach, which single change to her
study/test approach is most likely to increase her exam
performance quickly?
A. Study additional content textbooks for 2 extra hours daily.
B. Complete timed 75-question mixed practice exams weekly
with focused post-exam review.
,C. Switch to only untimed question practice to reduce anxiety.
D. Reread high-yield chapter summaries and make flashcards.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Timed, full-length or board-style practice with focused review
identifies patterns in errors (content gaps vs. strategy), mirrors
test conditions, and improves pacing — high yield for
immediate score gains. Fitzgerald emphasizes deliberate
practice under exam conditions to build test endurance and
exam-taking heuristics.
Rationale — Incorrect
A — Extra content study may not address pacing/strategy
deficits driving incorrect answers.
C — Untimed practice reduces transfer to timed board
conditions and limits pacing skill development.
D — Flashcards help recall but do not train higher-order clinical
reasoning or timed decision-making.
Teaching Point
Simulate exam timing and review errors; practice under test
conditions.
Citation
Fitzgerald, M. (2025). Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Prep
(7th ed.). Ch. 1.
, 2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Prepping for Nurse Practitioner Boards — AANP vs
ANCC Differences
Stem
A newly graduated AGPCNP is trying to decide between the
AANP and ANCC exams. Which test characteristic should most
influence her choice based on likely impact to preparation
strategy?
A. Whether the exam uses multiple-choice versus multiple-
response items.
B. The presence of clinical judgment vignettes requiring
evidence-based rationale.
C. The relative weighting of pharmacology items.
D. The availability of test sites near her home.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Differences in emphasis on clinical judgment and practice-based
vignettes inform study strategy (case-based reasoning,
application of guidelines). Fitzgerald advises aligning
preparation with the certifying body’s cognitive emphasis; thus,
understanding vignette/analysis demand is critical.
Rationale — Incorrect
A — Both exams primarily use single-best-answer items; format
is less decisive than cognitive level.
, C — Pharmacology weighting is important but secondary to test
cognitive style.
D — Logistics matter but do not change study content or
cognitive preparation.
Teaching Point
Match study methods to the exam’s cognitive style (vignette-
based vs. recall).
Citation
Fitzgerald, M. (2025). Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Prep
(7th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Prepping for Nurse Practitioner Boards —
Diagnostic Efficiency & “Sick vs Not Sick”
Stem
During a mixed-format practice exam, a candidate consistently
misclassifies “sick vs not sick” vignettes, selecting low-acuity
options for unstable presentations. Which study exercise will
best improve this skill?
A. Memorize diagnostic criteria tables.
B. Practice rapid triage algorithms using timed clinical vignettes
and explain reasoning aloud.
C. Focus on pharmacology flashcards to improve drug
knowledge.
D. Increase reading of primary care guidelines.
