What are the odds of passing the PANCE?

The odds of passing the PANCE are very high, with recent first-time pass rates hovering around 92-93%, though overall rates (including retakes) are even higher, around 95-97%. While national trends show high success, individual results vary, and recent blueprint changes sometimes cause temporary dips, but dedicated studying with resources like NCCPA practice exams and question banks like Rosh and UWorld significantly improves your chances.

What is a good first time PANCE pass rate?

The first-time pass rate is typically between 91–93% The overall pass rate (including retakes) is around 95–97%

How many chances do you have to pass the PANCE?

You may take the PANCE up to a maximum of six times within the six years following the date of your graduation from PA school. If you haven't passed the PANCE after six attempts, or if you don't take the PANCE before your six-year window has ended, you will no longer be eligible to take the exam.

Is PANCE harder than UWorld?

📚Uworld - level of difficulty was about the same or harder than questions on the PANCE so I definitely think it prepares you well. Reading explanations for things you get wrong & understanding it is key. The PANCE also looks EXACTLY like uworld so that helped me feel more familiar on test day!

Is 70% on UWorld bad?

No, 70% on UWorld is generally not bad; it's considered a solid, above-average score, especially on a first pass, indicating you're in good shape for exams like the NCLEX, where averages around this mark often predict high pass rates, though the key is learning from mistakes, not just the score itself.
 

Checking my PANCE Results…😮‍💨

Is 500 a good PANCE score?

Though passing scores are no longer published, a PANCE score of 350+ is generally accepted as "passing," however, passing scores can and do range from 350-392. The highest score attainable on your PANCE is 800.

Is 3 weeks enough to study for PANCE?

Yes, 3 weeks can be enough for PANCE prep, especially if you're a strong student with recent clinical knowledge, but it requires intense, focused study (9-5 days, high volume practice questions, active recall) using the NCCPA blueprint as your guide, focusing on weak areas; for those who need more time, 2-3 months or more is often recommended for a less overwhelming experience. 

Is 50% enough to pass NCLEX?

Yes, you can pass the NCLEX with around 50% of questions right because it's not about a simple percentage; the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) adjusts difficulty, aiming for you to get roughly half the harder questions correct to prove competency above the passing standard. You pass by demonstrating consistent ability, not by hitting a specific score, with the test stopping when it's 95% sure you've met or missed the passing line, which often happens at the minimum 75-85 questions. 

What is the hardest PA school to get into?

The hardest Physician Assistant (PA) schools to get into are extremely competitive, often featuring <2.3% acceptance rates, like Duke University, with top-tier programs also including Baylor College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Emory University, and George Washington University. These programs demand exceptional academics (high GPAs), significant patient care hours (often thousands), strong GRE scores, and a deep understanding of the profession, making them far tougher than general university admissions, even at elite schools like the University of Pennsylvania. 

Is 60% enough to pass step 1?

Yes, around 60% correct is generally considered the approximate pass mark for USMLE Step 1, though the exact percentage varies with each exam form, and the score is reported as Pass/Fail, not a number, so consistently scoring higher (like 65-70%) on practice exams (NBMEs) is recommended for a comfortable pass. The official passing score (around 196 before 2022, now just "Pass") isn't a fixed number of questions, as some are experimental, but aiming for about 60% on practice tests is a good benchmark, with 70%+ being a safer target for a strong pass. 

Is PA school harder than med school?

Neither PA school nor medical school is definitively "harder"; they are intensely rigorous but differ in focus, duration, and admission hurdles, with PA school often requiring more diverse patient care hours upfront but medical school demanding deeper foundational science and the challenging MCAT, culminating in longer, specialized residency for MDs versus direct PA practice. PA school condenses core medical knowledge into a fast-paced 2-3 years, while medical school (4 years + residency) offers broader, deeper, and longer specialization, making both demanding in different ways. 

How many people pass all 4 CPA exams on first try?

Only a small percentage of candidates pass all four CPA exam sections on their first try, with estimates generally falling between 13.9% and 20%, though some older data suggests around 13.6%. While individual section pass rates vary (often 40-70% depending on the section and quarter), successfully completing all four parts on the first attempt is a challenging feat, with many candidates taking longer or needing multiple attempts to pass all sections within the 18-month window, say sources like Accounting Today and UWorld. 

What is the PANCE pass rate in 2025?

For the most recent graduating Class of 2025, the first-time test-taker pass rate is 100%. The first-time test-taker pass rate during the most recent five-year period is 97%.

What is the easiest PA school to get into?

There isn't a single "easiest" PA school, as it depends on your profile, but programs like Advent Health University, West Coast University, University of North Dakota, and Mercy College are sometimes cited for lower minimum GPAs or acceptance rates, while others like Barry University, Marquette University, and Loma Linda University accept applicants with lower scores but still require strong applications overall, with many schools looking for GPAs around 3.0 and beyond, plus clinical experience. 

What if you fail the PANCE?

Since you failed PANCE or PANRE, you have to wait 90 days. Take a week off from the exam and get your mind in order. Now that you have a list of the subjects you need to study, a review course can help. The HELP PANCE PANRE review let's you choose exactly what you need to study.

Is NCLEX shutting off at 85 good?

Yes, the NCLEX stopping at 85 questions is generally a good sign, indicating you likely passed because the Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) algorithm found you consistently above the minimum passing standard for safe nursing practice; however, it can mean you failed if you were consistently below that standard, but statistics heavily favor passing at 85 questions, showing strong performance. 

Is 70% enough to pass NCLEX?

You can potentially pass the NCLEX with a 70% on practice tests, as it's not about a fixed percentage but consistently demonstrating competency above the passing standard, though scores above 70% often indicate readiness, with some aiming for 70%+ in practice questions. The NCLEX uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) that adapts difficulty, so a high practice score means you're likely answering harder questions correctly, putting you above the passing threshold.
 

What are good signs you passed NCLEX?

Good signs you passed the NCLEX include the Pearson VUE trick (getting the "good pop-up" saying you can't re-register), your Pearson VUE account showing "exam complete" and no ATT, seeing your name on the State Board of Nursing's license verification site (often with an RN/LPN number), and feeling confident after the exam with tough questions appearing at the minimum question count (like 85) before it shuts off. The only official confirmation is the State Board of Nursing, but these indicators provide strong clues.
 

How many people pass PANCE on First Try?

Most people pass the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination) on their first try, with national first-time pass rates typically hovering around 92-93%, though it can fluctuate slightly year to year, with figures around 89-95% reported in recent years (2020-2024). While overall pass rates (including retakes) are higher (95-97%), the first attempt is generally very successful for most graduates. 

What is the 3/2:1 rule in studying?

The 3-2-1 rule in studying refers to different effective techniques, most commonly: reading a concept three times, saying it out loud twice, and writing it down once from memory for better retention, or using it for motivation with 3 minutes of activity, 2 minutes of deep breathing, and 1 minute of focused prep before studying. Another version involves reviewing new material 3 times the first week, 2 times the second, and 1 time the third, using spaced repetition for long-term memory.
 

Is the PANCE changing in 2025?

Yes, the PANCE blueprint changed in 2025, with updates taking effect January 2025, reflecting the evolving medical field through percentage adjustments in content areas (like increased emphasis on Psychiatry and Infectious Disease, decreased Cardiology), new and moved topics (e.g., new musculoskeletal topics, revised neurology sections), and slight renamings to align with current medical terminology. These changes, determined by the NCCPA, ensure the exam remains relevant for new Physician Assistants.
 

Has the PANCE gotten harder?

After trending upward to 95% in 2020, the PANCE pass rate has been declining, with PANCE pass rates down to 92% for the past three years. While a 92% PANCE pass rate is nothing to scoff at, it does indicate a downward trend in PANCE performances that test-takers need to understand to strengthen their exam strategies.

What is an average PANCE score?

The average PANCE score for first-time test takers in 2024 was 455. Remember, the score needed to pass is 350, so if the average is 455, this should be encouraging to you! This means that many PANCE test-takers do well on the exam, regardless of where they did their schooling.

What's the hardest PA school to get into?

The hardest Physician Assistant (PA) schools to get into are extremely competitive, often featuring <2.3% acceptance rates, like Duke University, with top-tier programs also including Baylor College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Emory University, and George Washington University. These programs demand exceptional academics (high GPAs), significant patient care hours (often thousands), strong GRE scores, and a deep understanding of the profession, making them far tougher than general university admissions, even at elite schools like the University of Pennsylvania.