Now this little tip will work best on cumulative exams like the PANCE. It’s a bit less valuable on the day-to-day quizzes, and you’ll see why in a second. But here’s the key: file this one away some place where you’ll remember to remind yourself to see it as you move through PA school and on to the PANCE.
As you read through a question stem on a PANCE type question, the key is to figure out what topic the question comes from. Is it cardiology, ENT or pulmonary? Knowing the topic narrows down the answer possibilities. It makes it easier for your brain to pick out the right answer. Think about going through a question bank topic-by-topic versus all mixed together. Topic-by-topic is much, much easier. It’s like your brain gets a head start. Rather than having to rummage through all 14 dusty shelves that are storing PANCE info in your brain, you can jump immediately to the shelf labeled ENT.
Thinking this way saves time and energy.
Make this an explicit instruction for your brain and either voice the topic out loud or put a little mark on your dry erase board to indicate which topic the question is from.
This may seem like it’s taking up time, but the few seconds it takes will more than make up for itself.
The October issue of the Physician Assistant Exam Newsletter is all about test taking. One little idea might make all the difference for you. Let me help you come up with a plan.
Physician Assistant Exam Scholars
Brian Wallace
P.S. The PAES newsletter is a monthly PRINT newsletter that is mailed directly to your door covering topics in a much deeper and more thorough way than I possibly could in an email. If you get something out of the email content you will LOVE the Physician Assistant Exam Scholars Newsletter.