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Built for PA Students & Practicing PAs

Study smarter.
Show up ready.

FirstPassPA is an online board-exam prep platform for physician assistant (PA) students and practicing PAs — with 5,500+ board-quality questions, ~4,900 clinician-reviewed flashcards with smart spaced-repetition review, timed exam simulation, and an AI tutor that explains every answer, all built for the PANCE and PANRE certification exams.

Every new account gets 7 days of full access — no credit card required. After your trial, keep going free with 3 questions a day, or upgrade anytime.
Full bank + EOR + simulations
Streak saved automatically
No card required
Cancel anytime
5,500+
Board-Quality Questions
13
NCCPA Organ Systems
8
EOR Rotation Modes
$10.83
Per month, billed annually

Meet the PA behind FirstPassPA

Ryan Busch, PA-C — founder of FirstPassPA
Ryan Busch, PA-C
Founder, FirstPassPA
9+ Years in Clinical Practice · Family Medicine · GVSU PA Graduate

Hi, I'm Ryan Busch, PA-C.

I was born and raised in West Michigan and earned my undergraduate degree from Saginaw Valley State University before completing Physician Assistant training at Grand Valley State University.

For the first six years of my career, I practiced family medicine in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), caring for underserved and medically complex patient populations. That experience provided exposure to a broad spectrum of conditions and reinforced the importance of building a strong clinical foundation across every area of medicine.

For the past several years, I have continued practicing family medicine, where I care for patients of all ages and manage everything from preventive care and chronic disease management to acute illnesses and complex diagnostic challenges.

Throughout my career, I have enjoyed teaching students, mentoring future healthcare providers, and finding better ways to simplify difficult medical concepts. I created FirstPassPA because I wanted a study resource that combined high-yield board preparation, clinical reasoning, ECG interpretation, and modern learning tools into a single platform designed specifically for Physician Assistant students.

My goal is simple: help PA students build confidence, master the material, and walk into their EOR exams and the PANCE prepared to succeed.

When I'm not seeing patients or working on FirstPassPA, you'll usually find me spending time with my wife and daughter, enjoying life in West Michigan, or chasing after our two dogs.

Welcome to FirstPassPA — I'm glad you're here.

Why FirstPassPA

Everything you need.
Nothing you don't.

Most PA board prep is bloated, overpriced, or built for physicians. FirstPassPA is designed from the ground up for the way PA students actually study.

01
100% NCCPA-Aligned

Every question is mapped to the official PANCE and PANRE content blueprints by organ system and difficulty — the same framework NCCPA uses to build the real exam.

02
Study Smarter, Not Longer

SM-2 spaced repetition surfaces questions you struggle with more often and backs off on ones you've mastered — so every study session is maximally efficient.

03
Understand, Don't Memorize

Every answer choice includes a reason why it's right or wrong. Our AI tutor can go deeper on any concept, mechanism, or clinical pearl — instantly.

04
Know Where You Stand

Live analytics show your accuracy by organ system, session trends, mastery progress, and blueprint coverage — so you always know what to study next.

Features

Every tool your
board prep needs.

From your first practice question to a full 300-question timed simulation — FirstPassPA adapts to where you are in your prep.

🤖
AI Clinical Tutor

Powered by Claude. Ask why an answer is correct, how a drug works, what differentiates two diagnoses, or drill deeper into any mechanism — without leaving the question. Like having a faculty member on call. No other PA prep tool has this.

Pro
📋
5,500+ Practice Questions

5,500+ high-yield, clinically accurate questions across 13 NCCPA organ systems plus the new Professional Practice domain — medical ethics, law, patient safety & evidence-based medicine — for PA students on the PANCE and practicing PAs recertifying for the PANRE. Every distractor includes "why it's wrong" reasoning.

Pro
🧠
SM-2 Spaced Repetition

A research-backed spaced repetition algorithm — questions you struggle with resurface sooner; mastered cards return only when review is due. Your study time goes where it matters most.

Pro
Timed Exam Simulation

Simulate real NCCPA exam conditions with 1–5 block sessions. Blueprint-weighted question selection for PANCE or PANRE mode. Between-block summaries, pause/resume, and per-block scoring.

Pro
🏥
End-of-Rotation (EOR) Mode

8 clinical rotation-specific question sets — Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and Women's Health. Prep for your EOR exams between shifts.

New
📊
Analytics Dashboard

Accuracy by organ system, 14-day activity trends, session history, mastery badges, blueprint coverage rings, and spaced repetition progress — all in one place. Know exactly what to study next.

Pro
Bookmarking

Star any question while studying to save it for later. Build a personal review list of questions you want to revisit, then practice from your bookmarks as a dedicated mode.

Pro
🃏
Flashcards & Mnemonics

~4,900 clinician-reviewed flashcards across all 13 organ systems — presentation, workup, first- and second-line treatment, complications, pharmacology, and pearls — with smart spaced-repetition review that tightens as your exam date nears and syncs across devices. Plus 40 high-yield mnemonics.

Pro
📈
ECG Rhythm Library

25 textbook-quality 12-lead ECGs covering every rhythm the PANCE tests — STEMI, blocks, V-tach, A-fib, torsades, WPW, hyperkalemia and more. Tap to flip for the diagnosis, key features, and teaching pearls. Mark cards complete and hide what you've mastered.

New
🧪
NCCPA Lab Reference

Complete searchable lab reference values — CBC, BMP, LFTs, ABG, cardiac markers, CSF, and more — available on every question screen. No more tab-switching.

Free
🩺
Outlines

514 board-relevant diagnoses across all 13 organ systems — each a clean one-page outline: definition, pathophysiology, differentials, workup, first-line treatment, complications, and high-yield pearls, with algorithm flowcharts, comparison tables, and ECG strips. Every entry links to related practice questions. Clinician-reviewed.

New Explore all 514 outlines →
See it in action

Built for how PA students
actually study.

A clean, focused interface — question bank, AI tutor, analytics, flashcards, and timed exams, on desktop and mobile.

A board-style practice question with answer rationale
Practice question bank
5,500+ NCCPA-aligned questions with “why it’s wrong” reasoning on every choice.
The AI tutor explaining a clinical concept on a question
AI clinical tutor
Ask why an answer is right, how a drug works, or to compare two diagnoses — without leaving the question.
The analytics dashboard with accuracy by organ system
Analytics dashboard
Accuracy by organ system, activity trends, mastery, and blueprint coverage — so you know what to study next.
A spaced-repetition flashcard
Spaced-repetition flashcards
~4,900 clinician-reviewed cards with smart review that tightens as your exam date nears.
A timed exam simulation block
Timed exam simulation
1–5 block, blueprint-weighted sessions that mirror real PANCE/PANRE conditions.
A one-page diagnosis outline
Outlines
514 board-relevant diagnoses, each a clean one-page outline with pearls and linked questions.
A practice question on a phone
Practice questions · on mobile
The full question bank on your phone — study between classes, on rounds, anywhere.
The AI tutor on a phone
AI tutor · on mobile
Ask the AI tutor to explain any answer, right from your phone.
The analytics dashboard on a phone
Analytics · on mobile
Your readiness score and weak areas, on the go.
A flashcard on a phone
Flashcards · on mobile
Spaced-repetition flashcards in your pocket.
A timed exam on a phone
Timed exam · on mobile
Full timed simulations that work on any screen.
A diagnosis outline on a phone
Outlines · on mobile
514 one-page outlines, readable on any screen.

Aligned to the official NCCPA exam blueprint.

Questions are distributed by organ system weight exactly as NCCPA specifies for the PANCE — so you spend the most time on the highest-yield material. Switch to PANRE mode for adjusted weights.

⚠ Important Disclaimer

FirstPassPA is an independent study tool. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NCCPA. PANCE® and PANRE® are registered trademarks of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

PANCE Blueprint Distribution
♥ Cardiovascular
11%
◈ Pulmonary
9%
⬡ Gastrointestinal
8%
◆ Musculoskeletal
8%
⚗ Endocrinology
6%
◎ Neurology
7%
◉ Reproductive
7%
+ 7 more categories
44%
End-of-Rotation Mode

Prep for your EOR exams
between shifts.

Each clinical rotation has its own focused question set — so you can review the most tested concepts for your current rotation, not everything at once.

🏠
Family Medicine
Outpatient primary care
🏥
Internal Medicine
Inpatient medicine
🔪
Surgery
Surgical conditions
👶
Pediatrics
Peds-specific presentations
🤰
OB/GYN
Obstetrics & gynecology
🧠
Psychiatry
Behavioral health
🚑
Emergency Med
Acute & emergency care
Women's Health
Preventive & women's care
Why FirstPassPA

Why students choose
FirstPassPA.

A modern, all-in-one study platform — with tools most PA prep tools don’t bundle, at a price that fits a student budget.

FirstPassPA Typical PA prep
AI tutor on every question Powered by ClaudeRare
Spaced repetition (SM-2) Research-backedVaries
514 clinical outlines Clinician-reviewedLimited
ECG rhythm library 25 12-lead ECGsRare
Exam-date-aware flashcards ~4,900 cardsVaries
End-of-Rotation (EOR) mode 8 rotationsVaries
Built by a practicing PA YesNot always
Free to try — no card 3 questions/dayOften none
Monthly plan From $14.99/moOften annual-only

Simple, affordable pricing.

Less than a single review book. Cancel anytime. Full access from day one.

Built by a practicing PA · 5,500+ questions across 13 NCCPA organ systems + Professional Practice

Free
$0
forever
  • 3 questions per day
  • NCCPA lab reference on every question
  • Exam countdown timer
  • Track your accuracy
Start Free →
Monthly
$14.99
per month
  • All 5,500+ questions
  • Timed exam simulation
  • Spaced repetition (SM-2)
  • AI tutor on every question
  • EOR rotation modes
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Bookmarks & 4,900+ spaced-repetition flashcards
  • Cancel anytime
Get Monthly →
⭐ Best Value
Annual
$129.99
per year
Save 28% — just $10.83/month
  • Everything in Monthly
  • Lowest price guaranteed
  • Ideal for full PANCE prep cycle
  • Lock in before price increases
  • Cancel anytime
Get Annual — $129.99 →

Cancel anytime  ·  No credit card required to start free  ·  Pricing is locked once you subscribe

⚠️

Not affiliated with NCCPA. FirstPassPA LLC is an independent study tool. PANCE® and PANRE® are registered trademarks of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Use of our platform does not guarantee exam passage. Results depend on individual study effort and preparation.

FAQ

Common questions.

No. FirstPassPA LLC is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). PANCE® and PANRE® are registered trademarks of NCCPA.
All 5,500+ questions are written to mimic the style and difficulty of actual PANCE/PANRE questions — clinically grounded, mapped to the NCCPA blueprint (13 organ systems plus Professional Practice), and tagged by difficulty. The bank covers both PANCE (students) and PANRE (practicing PAs recertifying). Every answer choice includes clinical reasoning explaining why it is right or wrong.
The PANCE and PANRE use slightly different organ system weights. In PANRE mode, questions are weighted with heavier emphasis on Cardiovascular (18%) and Endocrinology (9%), reflecting the PANRE blueprint for physicians recertifying. Toggle between modes at any time from the header.
End-of-Rotation (EOR) mode gives you a focused set of questions tailored to each clinical rotation — Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and Women's Health. Great for studying between shifts during your clinical year.
Yes. All your progress — question history, accuracy by system, spaced repetition data, flashcard review progress, bookmarks, streak, and exam date — is saved locally and persists across sessions. Sign up for a free account to back it up and sync your flashcard progress and exam countdown across devices.
Yes, cancel anytime. You'll keep Pro access until the end of your current billing period. Email support@firstpasspa.com and we'll handle it promptly.
Yes. Free accounts get 3 practice questions per day, access to the lab reference tool on every question, and the ability to track your exam countdown. No credit card required to start.

Get the free 8-week
PANCE study plan.

A realistic, week-by-week schedule built around the NCCPA blueprint. We'll email you the printable plan — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

⚠ Not affiliated with NCCPA. FirstPassPA is an independent study tool. PANCE® and PANRE® are registered trademarks of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

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