I was very busy and a little scared. I had recently moved, started a new job and added little baby Derek to our now family of four. It was the fifth year of my testing cycle. I did everything I could to totally avoid the reality of eventually having to take my PANRE. I went so far as to start a podcast about taking the exam just so that I could procrastinate about actually taking the exam. I could pretend, mostly to myself, that I was studying.
Months passed and the fear built. I was having trouble keeping it in the back of my mind. It was now forcibly pushing into every day, making me more stressed without my realizing why. Let’s not forget that I was working on creating a community of people who were getting ready for their exams as well. So now, not only did I have my employer, my wife, and myself to disappoint, I had a whole community watching me. So, I did what any sane person would do – – I ignored it.
One thing I’ve learned about myself over the years is that the hardest part of any project is the first step. Once I get past that, the project takes on a life of its own, and before I know it, it’s done. The problem for me has always been that first step.
It took me almost a year to take the first “real” step towards my PANRE. That first step was only possible because it included my secret, amazingly powerful (though very underutilized) method for starting any project – no matter how big and scary that project is. Are you ready for it? Make the first step as simple as possible. That’s it. That is my super powerful formula for starting any project, even one as scary as my PANRE Do you want to know just how simple I made that first step?
I chose the month I would take the exam. Not the specific date, but just the month. I decided on June. June sounded nice. It was before summer got started, and it would leave me plenty of time to retake the exam if things didn’t go so well.
Just as had happened in the past, I started to gain momentum as soon as that first step was taken. The framework I would use as my “study plan” began to fall into place. I knew there were 14 subject topics I needed to cover, and I had 3 months to do it in. I could easily map out the time I had to complete those topics. I knew I wanted to complete a few full-length practice exams, so I chose dates to take them.
A well-thought-out study plan can make a huge difference on test day. Throughout your studying, it will help you stay on track. It can help you feel like you are actually making some progress. This is extremely important in keeping up your motivation and your confidence during this marathon. Creating and completing a study plan can do even more for you.
Completing your study plan creates the feeling that you have already accomplished something great, because you have. You can reflect on what you have done the night before and the day of your exam. Knowing what you have already accomplished will provide you with a dramatic boost in confidence. Having a plan, even a rudimentary one, has always given me the feeling of moving downhill instead of up.
I was beginning to get everything done that I needed to for my exam and still have some time to see my family. Along the way, I refined specific methods for the challenges of taking exams that I had previously used In PA school.
I found a way to speed up my review.
I found a way to dramatically increase my retention.
I found a way to break down long test questions and make them easy to understand.
I found a way to increase my testing speed.
I found a way to build confidence as I practiced with the material.
I found a way to be calm and get some sleep the week before my exam.
I found a way to walk into the exam room and be confident both in the test-taking skills I had developed and my knowledge of the core material.
I discovered most of these tools and processes while studying in PA school and for my PANCE and PANRE. A few I picked up while talking to thousands of test takers. I’ve been sharing all these since I started the podcast, and I have seen the results in the community.
Eric reached out to share his success. “I recently took and passed the PANCE. I haven’t practiced in 20 years so I have to give you a lot of the credit. Thank you.” Eric hadn’t practiced in 20 years! You can pass this exam. You can pass it with confidence. If you made it this far, I have no doubt you can pass one more exam.
William had similar things to say, “Hey Brian, highest score yet on my PANRE. Thanks again for all your information.” Normal PAs with normal anxieties, difficulties, and busy lives. You can do this.
I recently came across a few studies which back up the methods I had been using for a long time. I was shocked by the data. I knew these methods worked better, but having the data makes me feel that much more strongly about it. I’ll share all the details with you tomorrow.
Brian Wallace