PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (NCCPA)) — Free Online Mock Test
NCCPA-administered for newly-graduated PAs. 300 Q in 5 blocks (60 each), 5h total. Pass ~350/800. · Official language: English.
PANCE exam at a glance
PANCE full-length mock tests
Attempt 50 full-length PANCE mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 300-question, 300-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.
See all 50 PANCE mock tests →PANCE key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) |
|---|---|
| Official website | nccpa.net ↗ |
| Mode | The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) — the entry-level certifying exam for physician assistants in the United States. Passing confers the PA-C credential, which is required to obtain state licensure to practise. |
| Frequency | Offered year-round by appointment at Pearson VUE test centres. |
| Scoring & marking | The exam has 300 multiple-choice questions delivered in five blocks of 60 (60 minutes per block), about 5 hours of testing time. Scores use a 200–800 scale with a passing score of 350, set through a criterion-referenced process and equated across forms. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. |
| Score validity | After certification, the PA-C credential is maintained through continuing medical education and periodic recertification. |
| Language | English. |
Who is eligible for PANCE?
Graduation from a physician-assistant program accredited by ARC-PA; eligibility begins upon program completion.
Last verified July 2026 against NCCPA — PANCE. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
PANCE section breakdown
The PANCE mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. Inter-section breaks are enforced.
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PANCE (300 Q)
PANCE scoring & marking scheme
Strategy: PANCE has no negative marking. Attempt every question — blank answers cost you potential marks but cannot pull your score down.
Scale: PANCE (200-800, pass ~350).
How PANCE is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
Tools available during the PANCE exam
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Lab Values
Wrexa Edge renders these tools inside the mock test exactly as they appear on the real PANCE exam — same shortcuts, same behaviour.
PANCE time strategy
With 300 questions in 300 minutes, you have about 60 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- PANCE (300 Q)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
PANCE topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of PANCE, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
PANCE (300 Q)
- Respiratory · 14
- Vitamins · 8
- Renal · 7
- Endocrine · 7
- Nerve & Muscle · 7
- Lipid Metabolism · 7
- Gastroenterology · 6
- Amino Acid Metabolism · 6
PANCE difficulty calibration
Elite tier. Elite-tier: among the toughest exams in its category. Most successful candidates prepare for 6-12+ months.
NCCPA-administered for newly-graduated PAs. 300 Q in 5 blocks (60 each), 5h total. Pass ~350/800. · Official language: English.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's PANCE bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for PANCE
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
Expert take: what PANCE really tests
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), from the NCCPA, is the entry-level certifying exam for physician assistants in the US; passing confers the PA-C credential required for state licensure. It has 300 multiple-choice questions delivered in five blocks of 60 (60 minutes each), about 5 hours of testing, scored on a 200–800 scale with a passing score of 350. There is no penalty for wrong answers, and candidates must graduate from an ARC-PA-accredited program.
Preparation tips
- Work the NCCPA content blueprint system by system.
- Practise timed 60-question blocks to build stamina.
- Answer every question — there is no penalty for wrong answers.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Reading 350 as a percentage — it is scaled on 200–800.
- Leaving questions blank when guessing carries no penalty.
PANCE study plan
A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.
- NCCPA content blueprint
- Organ systems and task areas
- 300 questions in five blocks
- Cardiology, pulmonology, GI
- Diagnosis and management
- Pharmacology across systems
- Timed 60-question blocks
- Target 350 on the 200-800 scale
- Review weak organ systems
Where PANCE can take you
A strong PANCE result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C)
- Clinical PA practice
Best books & official prep for PANCE
- PANCE content blueprint — NCCPA
- PANCE review courses & question banks — Various
Official practice: Study the NCCPA PANCE content blueprint across organ systems and task areas, with timed block practice; the passing score is 350 on the 200–800 scale.
Previous-year papers: NCCPA publishes the content blueprint and practice exams; review providers supply large question banks.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the PANCE exam pattern?
- Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (NCCPA) contains 300 questions across 1 section: PANCE (300 Q). Total duration is 300 minutes (about 60 seconds per question).
- Does PANCE have negative marking?
- No — PANCE has no negative marking. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, so attempt every question.
- How is PANCE scored?
- Scaled score range: 0 to 800. PANCE (200-800, pass ~350).
- How can I practise PANCE online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length PANCE mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
- What is the difficulty level of PANCE?
- PANCE is rated Elite difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Elite-tier: among the toughest exams in its category. Most successful candidates prepare for 6-12+ months. NCCPA-administered for newly-graduated PAs. 300 Q in 5 blocks (60 each), 5h total. Pass ~350/800. · Official language: English.
- How long is the PANCE exam?
- PANCE runs for 300 minutes total. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including mandatory inter-section breaks.
- What topics are covered in PANCE?
- PANCE is split into: PANCE (300 Q). Each section is timed and weighted separately. NCCPA-administered for newly-graduated PAs. 300 Q in 5 blocks (60 each), 5h total. Pass ~350/800. · Official language: English.
- What tools or aids are allowed during PANCE?
- Built-in lab values reference table (USMLE-style).
- Is the PANCE test adaptive?
- No — PANCE is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
- How many PANCE mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?
- Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct PANCE variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 15000 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
- Is there a free PANCE test series 2026?
- Yes. The Wrexa Edge PANCE test series for 2026 gives you 3 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.
- Are PANCE previous year question–style papers included?
- Every PANCE mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 300-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
- Which is the best free PANCE mock test online?
- Wrexa Edge's PANCE mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and marking scheme, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.
- Can I take the PANCE mock test on mobile?
- Yes. PANCE mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
- What is the PANCE syllabus?
- The PANCE syllabus maps to its 1 section: PANCE (300 Q). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.
- What is the eligibility for PANCE?
- Graduation from a physician-assistant program accredited by ARC-PA; eligibility begins upon program completion. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic PANCE practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
- When is the PANCE exam and how should I prepare?
- Official PANCE exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free PANCE mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.
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