Critical Thinking: One Minute per Question for Exams Jim Jankowski, MT(ASCP), M. Ed., MPAS PA-C Michael A. Taylor, MPAS PA-C Christina Robohm-Leavitt, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA TTUHSC SHP PA Program

NCCPA guidelines The five-hour PANCE exam includes 300 multiple-choice questions administered in five blocks of 60 questions with 60 minutes to complete each block. There is a total of 45 minutes allotted for breaks between blocks and you will be responsible for managing your break time.

Testing advise Penn State Learning - “do not linger too long on any one question” St. Mary’s (CA) – “focusing on the answer you think is correct and to not stop and waste 3 minutes on a question that may be worth two points”. - “If you have time, go back and answer questions you checked. Do not change the answers to those already completed”

PANCE In 2011, PANCE failures polled on their performance; - Four of five cited time management

TTUHSC SHP PA Program Prior examples of time allotted per exam; - Pharm I, 50 questions, 2 hours - Clin Lab, 50 questions, 90 minutes - Clinical Medicine courses, (Variable) but 100 questions, 2 hours

Students interviews I would go back and change answers I would take the test up to five times Hoping the answer would “pop’” in their head Would use all time allotted because I had time Started to doubt self/answer choice

Why change time? Prepare for Certification exam

Method 1st semester; - reduce time per exams a. Pharm I reduce to 75 minutes b. Clin Lab reduce to 75 minutes 2nd semester - certain courses to one minute/question a. Pathology b. PE c. MI

Method 3rd semester and moving forward - all exams: ~ one minute per question - including EOR Class of 2012 - beginning 4th rotation Class of 2013 - 3rd semester

Findings Class of 2013 - only one failure did not cite time management Graduate survey a. “Did one minute/question improve test taking skills for your PANCE exam? - 33 responses - 97% - YES

Findings Subsequent class to graduate an take PANCE who failed - have not cited time management as an issue

References PANCE Eligibility Requirements. Available at: http://www.nccpa.net/pance-eligibility. Accessed April 27, 2017. PennState Undergraduate Education, Penn State Learning. Available at: https://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/test-taking-tips. Accesses April 27, 2017. Saint Mary’s College of California, Academics, Test Taking Strategies. Available at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/academic-resources-support/student-academic-support-services/tutorial-academic-skills-8. Accessed April 27, 2017.