3 Common Mistakes In PANCE Exam Preparation—And How To Avoid Them

Remember when we were kids, bursting with curiosity? We’d ask endless questions—some answered, some brushed aside with a “Focus on your syllabus!” Over time, that subdued inquisitiveness turned us into rule-following robots, memorizing facts just to pass tests rather than truly learning. The same happens in PANCE exam preparation; cramming without understanding leads to shaky confidence and poor critical thinking. But here’s the good news: the race will not surpass if we stop, ask relevant questions, and engage deeply with the material.  

Critical thinking is important for all fields, but more so for healthcare professionals as they deal with human lives. Any delay in administering the right treatment can reverse the patient’s outcome in a bad way. That’s a spot no one wants to find themselves in. So, let’s fix three big mistakes many PA students make—and how to avoid them with joy (yes, joy!) in your study routine.  

Mistake 1: Memorizing Instead of Understanding  

The Trap: You see a disease, memorize its symptoms and treatments, then move on. But PANCE doesn’t test recall—it tests application. A question might describe a patient in a way that’s different from your notes, leaving you stuck.  

The Fix: Ask “Why?” relentlessly.  

• Instead of just knowing “Hypertension = ACE inhibitors,” ask: Why does this patient need an ACEI over a thiazide? What if they have CKD?  
• Use case-based questions (UWorld, Rosh Review) to practice thinking like a clinician. The more you question, the sharper your reasoning becomes.  

Mistake 2: Ignoring Weak Areas  

The Trap: It’s tempting to keep reviewing cardiology because you love it (and feel smart doing it). But avoiding weaker topics—say, rheum or derm—means leaving easy points on the table.  Follow these fixes to overcome the weakness:

• Take a diagnostic test early to spot weak spots.  
• Spend 20% more time on tough subjects, but make it fun: Draw out rashes, create silly mnemonics (“SLE criteria? Just remember ‘SOAP BRAIN MD’!”), or teach a friend. The more you engage, the less scary it feels.  

Mistake 3: Burning Out Before Test Day  

The Trap: You study 10 hours a day, skip workouts, and survive on caffeine. By test day, you’re exhausted, second-guessing every answer.  The Fix: Study smarter, not harder.  

• Pomodoro Technique: 25-minute focused bursts with 5-minute breaks (dance, walk, hydrate). Your brain retains more when rested.  
• Mock exams under real conditions: Build stamina so the real PANCE feels familiar, not frightening.  
•  Celebrate small wins: Finished a tough topic? Treat yourself—ice cream, a Netflix episode, or a victory lap around your living room. Joy keeps motivation alive.  

Final Thought: Curiosity Beats Cramming  

PANCE prep isn’t about outworking everyone—it’s about outthinking the exam. The race will not surpass if we stop, ask relevant questions, and build true confidence in our knowledge. So, put on your explorer hat again. Question everything. Laugh at the weird mnemonics. And remember: Every PA before you felt the same pressure—yet here they are, thriving. You’ve got this. Now go conquer it—one joyful, curious step at a time.