Free Study Guide

8-Week PANCE Study Plan

A realistic, week-by-week plan to take you from 'I don't know where to start' to walking in exam-ready. Built around the NCCPA blueprint and spaced repetition. Adjust the pace to your real timeline — the structure matters more than the exact dates.

How to use this plan

Each week pairs 1–2 high-yield organ systems with a lighter system so the volume stays even.
Daily: ~40–60 practice questions, read every explanation (right and wrong), and log what you miss.
Let spaced repetition resurface your misses — don't re-read everything, re-test the weak spots.
End each week with a short mixed, timed block to simulate the real exam and find gaps.

The 8-week schedule

Week 1 · Cardiovascular + EENT

Build the habit. ACS, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular disease; common eye/ENT complaints. Establish your daily question count.

Week 2 · Pulmonary + Dermatology

Asthma/COPD, pneumonia, PE, pleural disease; common rashes and skin-cancer recognition.

Week 3 · Gastrointestinal + Renal/Urology

GI bleed, IBD, hepatobiliary, pancreatitis; AKI vs CKD, electrolytes, acid–base, UTIs/stones.

Week 4 · Endocrinology + Hematology

Diabetes, thyroid, adrenal; anemias by MCV, coagulation, common malignancies. Mid-point timed block.

Week 5 · Musculoskeletal + Neurology

Fractures, the acute joint, low back pain; stroke, seizures, headache, neuropathies, MS.

Week 6 · Infectious Disease + Reproductive

Sepsis, antibiotics, STIs, common ID; prenatal care, obstetric emergencies, menstrual disorders, contraception.

Week 7 · Psychiatry/Behavioral + weak systems

DSM-5 criteria, psychopharmacology, emergencies; then circle back to your two weakest organ systems from analytics.

Week 8 · Full-length simulation + targeted review

Do timed, mixed blocks under exam conditions. Drill only your weakest topics. Taper the final 1–2 days — sleep beats cramming.

Common mistakes to avoid

Passive reading instead of active recall — questions first, notes second.
Re-doing material you already know because it feels productive.
Ignoring the lowest-yield systems entirely (EENT, derm still appear).
Skipping timed practice until the last week.
Cramming the night before instead of resting.

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Educational use only. This outline is a study aid for PA students and is not medical advice or a substitute for clinical judgment. FirstPassPA is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NCCPA. PANCE® and PANRE® are registered trademarks of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.