There are two FNP certification exams you can choose to take. They are regulated by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP®) and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC®). Aspiring FNPs who want to work in clinical care usually take the AANP FNP exam, while those seeking teaching, research, or management roles take the ANCC FNP-BC exam. Let’s dive into creating an effective study plan for each.
What to Study for the AANP and ANCC FNP Exams
Start your FNP review by learning about each exam. While similar, there are a few differentiating factors that can affect your overall study plan. For example, the ANCC exam is slightly longer and has a broader focus, and both exams feature unique retake policies.
Create an FNP Study Schedule
Preparing for the FNP exam takes about 2 to 3 months for many test-takers. This ensures enough time to review the tested concepts without rushing and remediate weaknesses as needed. Your required time may vary based on your availability and needs. The keys to include in your study plan are:
- Select your FNP exam.
- Build a detailed study schedule.
- Practice exam-style questions.
- Assess your strengths and weaknesses.
- Stay consistent while avoiding burnout.
With these points in mind, let’s construct some sample schedules using the UWorld FNP review.
3-Month FNP Study Plan
- 3+ Months Out: Select which FNP exam you want to take based on your career goals. Before you create your study schedule, determine your starting point by taking an AANP practice exam (there are 3 available with 75 questions each). Then begin your UWorld FNP QBank, averaging 15 to 20 questions per day. Plan for about 5 minutes per question to review the rationale, take notes, and make flashcards.
- 2 Months Out: Take another AANP practice exam and dive into your QBank performance data. Identify which content areas you need more practice in and begin to focus on them while going through your practice questions. Continue creating custom notes and flashcards.
- 1 Month Out: Check your performance data in detail again to track your strengths and weaknesses. You should have completed most of your QBank questions by this point. Begin practicing incorrect and omitted questions during your reviews if you haven’t already, and study your notes and flashcards daily.
- 1-2 Weeks Out: Take the final AANP practice exam or the ANCC PracticeIQ (1 available with 240 questions). While it’s late to remediate many weaknesses, taking another practice test will build your endurance and get you familiar with what to expect on exam day. Continue studying your notes and flashcards, and finish off any unused QBank questions. Review incorrect questions if you have time.
- Pass the FNP Exam!
Weekly FNP Study Plan
As you complete your question bank, use our active learning study tools to maximize your retention. My Notebook lets you summarize and personalize key concepts, while our flashcards use spaced-repetition technology to show you the content you struggle with more frequently.
Here’s an example of how you might incorporate them into your review, focusing on the cardiovascular system:
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*If you use this study plan, ensure you have enough time to rotate through all the tested topics for your exam.
AANP and ANCC FNP Exam Tips
Here are a few expert tips to help you study for your FNP exam.
Manage Your Time: Realistic practice is the most effective way to prepare for the FNP exam. As you get comfortable with the material, aim for 1 minute per question to allow time for review. Both exams give you about 1 minute and 12 seconds per question. This can be simulated with our QBank’s “timed” mode.
Answer Every Question: Neither FNP exam has a penalty for incorrect answers, so you should never leave a solution blank. Eliminate obviously wrong answers and take your best guess.
Flag Questions: To save time, mark questions you struggle with and return to them later. Sometimes seeing other questions will jog your memory. Make sure you answer every flagged question at the end of your exam before submitting it. This can be practiced in our QBank.
Trust Your Instincts: Second-guessing can waste time, shake your confidence, and lead to incorrect answers. Take a deep breath to calm any nerves, read every answer option, and choose the most correct answer.
Free FNP Exam Questions
If you’re unsure about enrolling in an FNP course or subscribing to a QBank, check out our free FNP sample questions. This will give you a good idea if UWorld is right for you. We also offer a 7-day free trial of our full FNP review. The real difference with our exam prep is in the rationales. We explain why each answer option is correct or incorrect, provide detailed illustrations and charts, and ensure the material is always up-to-date.
For additional practice, the ANCC offers 25 free FNP questions, but they do not come with answer explanations.
Final FNP Study Guide Advice
At this point in your nursing career, you’re intimately familiar with high-stakes exams. However, your professional and family obligations have likely changed since your NCLEX days. As a nurse, it’s your instinct to care for others, but don’t forget to care for yourself. Give yourself time, take breaks as needed, and approach the FNP exam with the confidence you’ve earned throughout your studies. You’ve got this!
Read More About the FNP
Explore an overview of both AANP and ANCC exams, including key differences in structure, content focus, and test format to help guide your certification decision.
FNP Registration, Cost and Eligibility Page
Find detailed steps to register, understand eligibility requirements, and review associated fees for both AANP and ANCC certification exams.
Learn how the FNP exams are scored, what counts toward your result, and how to interpret your performance for both AANP and ANCC formats.
See what's tested on the AANP Exam Blueprint and ANCC Test Content Outline to understand the topics covered in each Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification exam.
