Learn what to expect from the boards, tips and strategies for studying, and best practices for acing the exam

Navigating the Nurse Practitioner Exam: A Quick Breakdown

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NAVAGATING THE Nurse Practitioner Exam A Quick Breakdown!

Ready to learn more about the PMHNP-BC Exam?

We’re going to dive into what this exam looks like and give you the information you need to pass it with ease!

EXAM FORMAT

Timeframe and Questions: 

You have 4 hours to complete the exam which consists of 25 pretest and 150 exam questions

Scoring: 

There’s no penalty for incorrect answers, so if you’re unsure of an answer it’s better to just take a guess and fill in the blank!

Results: 

You get the result immediately after taking the test. No waiting!

EXAM CONTENT

Psychotherapies and Related theories:

This makes up 15% of the total score with 22 questions

Ethical and Legal Principals.

This makes up 15% of the total score with 23 questions

Scientific Foundations:

This makes up 20% of the total score with 30 questions

Diagnosis and Treatment:

This makes up 25% of the total score with 37 questions

Advanced Practice skills. This makes up 25% of the total score with 38 questions

EXAM COSTS

Initial Application Fee:

$350 (U.S. students)/ $750 (International students)

Actual Exam Fees

Non-members:

$395

ANA members:

$295

American Association of Nurse Practitioners Student member: 

$290

EXAM DAY

  • Arrive at least 15 minutes early
  • Bring a valid photo ID
  • You may NOT bring any personal items into the Test Center, including cell phones or water bottles
  • You will be given time to familiarize yourself with the computer system prior to the exam starts

Want to see what the question are REALLY like? 

We offer a FREE trial! Just head over to our website (exams.mypsychboard.com) to get started today risk-free (with no Credit Card required!)

Feeling like you need a bit of extra help? Contact us OR sign up for our tutoring!

Taking Your Psychiatric Board Exams: The real costs broken down

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Taking Your Psychiatric Board Exams- The real costs broken down

We are commonly asked this key question about exams, 

“How much does it cost for this or that, or this…”

Aside from your sanity…here is a compilation of all of the costs clearly stated just for you! Learn about your niche-specific costs for the ABPN Certification Examination, PRITE Examination, USMLE – Psychiatry and Neurology categories, and Nurse Practitioner Examination.⁠ ⁠⁠

Let’s jump into it!

ABPN Exam

ABPN Initial certification fees: 

$1,945

Annual Fees:

(1) certification $175

(2) certifications $240

(3) certifications $310 ⁠ 

USMLE Exam

USMLE Application fee: 

$150

Step 1 & Step 2 CK:

$975 (per each exam)

Rescheduling fee:

$0-$600 

(dependent on the Exam and date of cancellation)

Extension of Eligibility Period:

$90/exam

PRITE Exam

Child PRITE:

$125

Regular PRITE:

$140

Nurse Practitioner Exam

Application fees: 

United States $350

International Students $750

Non-member: $395

ANA (American Nurse Association) member:

$295

American Association of Nurse Practitioners Student member:

$290

Re-examination fee:

$250

Want to start your week off with a good deed? 

Share this with your friends/classmates. It will help ease their stress so they can spend less time searching the web and more time …WITH YOU.⁠ ⁠

Now that you’ve gotten the costs straight… it’s time to study study study!

Did you know we offer a FREE trial for our question banks? Just head over to our website (exams.mypsychboard.com) to get started today risk-free (with no Credit Card required!)

Feeling like you need a bit of extra help?

Contact us OR sign up for our tutoring!

Failed Your Psychiatric Board Exams? What should you do now?

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Failed Your Psychiatric Board Exams? What should you do now?

So let’s say you’ve taken round one and failed… what now?⁠

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Firstly, it’s ok! You’re human, breathe. Take a break and avoid freaking out. Take a moment to step away and have some much-needed “you time”. You’ll want to clear your head and get a new perspective, if you need a week or more…take it!

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Now that you’ve taken time for yourself, it’s time to jump back in. Create a realistic timeline and schedule that will work for you. Cover the big areas and focus on where you were unsure.⁠

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Don’t be afraid to change your studying routine. Ask yourself — Are there issues with your previous method? Do you have all the right/up-to-date resources? Are you staying away from distractions?⁠

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Finally, when you’re going back in keep it focused on the questions and stay out of your head. We know it’s easier said than done but everyone goes through ups and downs. Check out our post on what to do differently when retaking the boards for more inspiration!

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You may learn something from this experience!

Did you know we offer a FREE trial for our question banks? Just head over to our website (exams.mypsychboard.com) to get started today risk-free (with no Credit Card required!)

Feeling like you need a bit of extra help?

Contact us OR sign up for our tutoring!

How many attempts can you make to pass?

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Read more

Getting the facts straight: Truth and LIES about the USMLE Exam

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When preparing for the USMLE Exam it’s important to get the facts right.

Getting the facts straight: Truth and LIES about the USMLE Exam

First, Let’s sort out the USMLE LIES…

❌ The more you put off your test and study, the better your score is going to be.

Studies show that cramming can actually be hurtful. Med school is a full-time job and you need to manage your time wisely. You should study alongside your course work AND practice practice practice… But if you take too long and say you’re not ready, you may lose info that you focused on months or weeks back.

❌ Using as many resources as you can leads to a better score.

This will just flood your brain with info. The most ideal way to study is by using practice question banks that imitate real-life tests. While everyone had various study methods, research shows that the Practice Q-Banks hold higher retention than lectures or reading combined.

❌ Practice Question Banks are all the same!

NOPE. You want to ensure you’re not just getting the information correct but that it matches the real-life test. Many question banks are NOT formatted properly and will only just feed you endless information… Thankfully, our USMLE question bank is formatted to get the most out of your learning experience. Studies have proven members who use formatted practice q-banks have a much higher score/pass rate.

NOW, Let’s get the TRUTH right so you can pass your USMLE With Ease!

✅ The more practice questions you study with, the higher your USMLE Score will be.

As we covered before about the Pract. Q-Banks, you want to ensure you’re studying with resources that will benefit you. They say practice makes perfect and this is 100% true!

✅ There is no “one perfect way” to prepare for the USMLE Exam.

Find a study plan and create one that works for YOU. Everyone is different so don’t listen to the noise others spew about how YOU should be studying.

✅ With the right study plan, you will pass!

This goes with any test and we’ve covered it before, put in the work, create a plan, and dive in. If you’re prepared it’s almost impossible to fail.

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We hope this helps! What other lies or statements have you heard? DM or Contact Us to let us know. We love hearing your feedback!

The ABPN Exam Blueprint and Format Broken Down

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If you’re walking into your ABPN exam unsure of what’s to come it can just complicate and add stress to the process.

Two of the most common questions we get are… 

“How is the Psychiatry Certification Exam formatted?” and “Are there any breaks during the Exam?”. 

We are here to break it down and walk you through the process!

Let’s start out with breaks!

Naturally, when taking an exam that’s 425 questions across 8.5 hours, we can’t imagine not being able to take a moment to collect your thoughts. Due to this, you’re given some time for yourself.

The exam is broken up into 8 total sections and after completion of each, you’ll have the opportunity to take a break. You’re allotted 60 total minutes of break time and you can choose to use as little or as much time as you wish.

So what happens if you use up all your break time?

You won’t just be forced back into the exam and can choose to keep taking as much time as you need (outside of your 60 total minutes). With that said, note that any time outside of your 60-minute time frame will be taken from your exam time. You are expected to manage your pace and timing of the exam. The optional break sections are part of the pooled break time. Once taking a break, a proctor must log candidates in after breaks. Candidates must be signed in and out each time they enter and leave the testing room.

ABPN Exam Format
Looking for more? Click on over to here for more information on the exam, OR check out our FREE video library that has resources that go over the ABPN exam, question formats, topics, and more!

Group Studying VS Self Studying (Which is better?)

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an illustration of Students sitting around a table studying together. A text bubble reads "ok next chapter"

Studying alone vs with a group is just a personal choice right? Well not exactly… 🤔⁠ It turns out that studying can actually be MORE effective than when alone & have other pros!

🥰 When in a group…⁠
– You’re held more accountable to study.⁠
– You can feel more motivated as the topics will seem less mundane.⁠
– Human interactions can lower your stress and anxiety levels.⁠
– You get an extra rewarding feeling when answering questions correct (since others are there to praise you)⁠
– Share various techniques (you might find something NEW that works better for you!)⁠
– You can test each other so it’s not just constant question review.⁠
– You will ensure you’re not missing any subjects.⁠
– You will have a higher chance of staying more organized.⁠
– You won’t be the only one providing info, others can take the load off of you.⁠
– Best of all, you may build and create new long lasting friendships! You’re all going through the same things…it will bring you closer together!⁠
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Now of course with any positive comes the negative so be careful… studying with others can lead to more distractions, side conversations, and procrastination ❌ If at any point the studying isn’t working make sure you make adjustments as needed.⁠
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But hey…If you’ve never tried a group setting give it a shot!…it can be the great start of fun times after you study!⁠

Did you know we offer a FREE trial for our question banks? Just head over to our website (exams.mypsychboard.com) to get started today risk-free (with no Credit Card required!)

Feeling like you need a bit of extra help?

Contact us OR sign up for our tutoring!

How To: Choose the best path when studying for your Psychiatric Board Exams!

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An image reading "Choose the best path when studying for your Psychiatric Board Exams!" - in the image is a dark path for stressful exam prep OR a light path for easy studying.

When taking your journey there are many choices you can make that will either help or hurt you in studying. Would you want to take a path that seems rocky & has a higher chance of failure OR one that is sunny & straightforward?

Everyone is different when it comes to taking tests & exams BUT, if you go into your exam with a clear plan your odds of passing become so much higher already!

🤨 “So what’s your advice then?”

You’ve taken tests all your life & know what works for YOU. Take a look back at some of your best / worst tests. Write down the areas you think hurt you & those that helped so you won’t make the same mistakes. Just focus more on the positive areas than the negative.

If you spend more time worrying & less time studying/creating a plan you’re just going to make things worse. You’ll just stress yourself out. The exam is only a small moment in time so don’t let it run months of your life.

⏰ Since we’re talking about time, remember to pace yourself!

Some people finish within seconds to spare & others finish early, but again, we’re all different. There are a few strategies that you can put into place. We’ve outlined two, but we recommend researching more about what others have done.

1️⃣ Review & Tag Method:
Read your question & choose the answer you think is right after thinking quickly about it. Tag questions for review & return to them later. This will keep you moving quickly through the exam hitting questions you’re confident about. When you complete the questions go back & spend more time on the ones you weren’t sure about.
(*Some exams do NOT allow tagging. DM us if you want to learn if you’ll be affected).

2️⃣ Using every second:
It’s not a race, so if you’re the type who feels more confident taking it slow then do it! Spend as much time as you can considering each option & remove the choices you know that wouldn’t be correct. It’s better to answer every question than to leave it blank. You still have a higher chance it’s right.

When your exam is done, leave it in the past. There’s no point saying “I should’ve done this”.Well, that’s enough for now so we will focus on what to do AFTER your board exams in a future post…

Stay tuned!

Did you know we offer additional tutoring? Contact us today to learn more! OR Jump right in with our FREE question banks!

How to make the most of DOWNTIME while in school

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Text reads "How to make the most of DOWNTIME while in school!" it shows 2 students walking into a beautiful school and then a desk inside with a green chalk board.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with school or maybe you feel as if you’re not doing enough..?⁠
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Here are our top 3 tips on how YOU can make the most of your downtime while in school.. it’s not all books and tests, you can have fun too!⁠
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Stay Active!

Exercise is crucial to your mental health, not just physical! Getting up and being active can help by reducing anxiety and depression, improving your mood and self esteem! Studies show it also alleviates social withdrawal and improves your ability to study and learn!

Be Social!

Talk to your fellow students and friends! It will break up the monotony of your classes. Go do something you enjoy, join a club, or just go grab coffee. Being social ALSO has positive effects on your study routines!

Study Study Study!

This should go without saying…make sure you use your time wisely! Although the other topics are essential to your mental health…so is studying!


📲 SHARE this with someone who could use the help! Are you enjoying these tips? Check out our previous post on how you can get the most out of studying. It’s a lifesaver…

Did you know we offer a FREE trial for our question banks? Just head over to our website (exams.mypsychboard.com) to get started today risk-free (with no Credit Card required!)

Feeling like you need a bit of extra help?

Contact us OR sign up for our tutoring!

How to Get the Most Out of Studying

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image of book with text "how to get the most out of studying"

This past week we took time to speak with leading professors, current students, and recent graduates to learn more about where the biggest issues in studying take place and how you can overcome it!

✨ Welcome to our top 5 Studying Secrets!

1️⃣ GET ORGANIZED
Before you can even begin studying you need to make sure you have all the resources you need. Organize items into folders, check you have all the materials you need, and tidy up your study spot.

2️⃣ DESIGNATE A STUDY SPOT & LIMIT DISTRACTIONS
Find a place distraction free and put your phone on do not disturb. When finding your spot, try to keep this away from your bedroom if possible. Believe it or not..It can cause additional stress on you when you’re trying to sleep if this is where most of your work and studying take place!

3️⃣ SET UP A STUDY SCHEDULE
You’ll begin to feel less stressed knowing you have allotted time in your day to put in the work. Stick to it, no matter how hard it may be — its essential.

4️⃣ TAKE NOTES & COMPARE WITH YOUR CLASSMATES
Maybe it’s something you missed in class? Maybe you’re not understanding? Support each other! Review notes, make corrections, and talk it out. It will seem less like a chore when you’re interacting with others… just make sure when you notice the studying is becoming unproductive you stop, get up, walk around, and take a break for a moment. Focus on something else..It’s ok to breathe.

5️⃣ MAKE STUDYING FUN & REWARD YOURSELF
Yes… we know… it’s not always going to be fun but it can be Create games, go online, have group study sessions, and create rewards for yourself Remember why you’re studying so hard in the first place. It will all be worth it soon.

Did you know different STUDY STYLES can make a difference on how prepared you feel? Check out our blog on just this topic here! Did you also know we have tailored Question Banks to ensure you are passing your boards with ease! Check out our FREE Trial here.

If all else fails, talk to your teacher directly. Discuss the pain points, ask what helped them, and try to change your routine up. Most teachers said they actually wish more students would talk to them.. after all they were in your position before. They’re just like you!

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YOU GOT THIS 💖

Send this with someone who is just as stressed as you were, let’s help each other!

Need additional help? Contact us today!