FirstPassPA vs SmartyPANCE
SmartyPANCE pairs a large (beta) question bank with didactic courses at a very low annual price. FirstPassPA offers a slightly larger, out-of-beta bank with an AI tutor and a low-friction trial. Both are strong budget options — here is how they differ.
Side-by-side specs
| Provider | Lowest price | Billing | Questions | EOR | AI tutor | Free trial | Pass guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FirstPassPA | $14.99/mo or $129.99/yr |
Monthly or annual | 5,500+ | All 8 rotations | ✓ Yes | 7-day, no card | ✓ Yes annual plan |
| UWorld PA | $279+ 90–360-day access |
Fixed-length access | ~1,850 | — | ✗ No | — | — |
| Rosh / Blueprint PA | $259+ EOR bundle $349; stacks to ~$699 |
Fixed-length access | ~3,800 | Yes (bundle) | ✗ No | — | ✓ Yes |
| BoardVitals | $79+ 1–6 months |
Fixed-length access | ~1,650 | No | ✗ No | — | ✓ Yes |
| SmartyPANCE | $55+ 2-wk to 1-yr; $79/yr |
Subscription | ~5,000 (beta) | — | ✗ No | — | — |
| The PA Platform | $199 lifetime course (~$169 w/ code) |
One-time (not a QBank) | Not a QBank | No native EOR | ✗ No | — | — |
Pricing and features as of June 2026, summarized from each provider's public pages; they change often — confirm current details with each provider. "—" means we could not confirm that detail publicly (not necessarily "no").
When each is the better choice
Choose SmartyPANCE if…
- The lowest annual sticker price of any option here — around $79/year (or ~$99 with ReelDx video).
- Fourteen didactic courses, so you can learn a topic and then practice it in one place.
- A large question bank (~5,000, still in beta).
Choose FirstPassPA if…
- An AI tutor that explains any answer — SmartyPANCE has none.
- A slightly larger, out-of-beta bank (5,500+) plus a 514-diagnosis review library and all eight EOR rotations.
- A true monthly plan ($14.99/mo) and a 7-day no-card trial for the lowest-commitment start.
FAQ
Is SmartyPANCE cheaper than FirstPassPA?
On an annual basis, yes — SmartyPANCE's ~$79/year is lower than FirstPassPA's $129.99/year. But FirstPassPA offers a true $14.99/month plan and a no-card trial for a lower-commitment start, plus an AI tutor SmartyPANCE does not have.
Which has more questions, FirstPassPA or SmartyPANCE?
They are close. FirstPassPA has 5,500+ (out of beta) and SmartyPANCE has roughly 5,000 (in beta) as of June 2026. FirstPassPA also adds an AI tutor and a 514-diagnosis outline library.
Try FirstPassPA free
5,500+ questions, all 8 EOR rotations, and an AI tutor on every answer. 7-day trial, no credit card.
Start free → See today's free questionHow we compare. Figures above are summarized from each provider's public pages as of June 2026 and are meant as a neutral, spec-level starting point — plans and features change, so verify current details with each company before buying. FirstPassPA is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by UWorld, Rosh Review, Blueprint, BoardVitals, SmartyPANCE, or The PA Platform; all product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. FirstPassPA is also not affiliated with NCCPA; PANCE® and PANRE® are registered trademarks of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.