ANCC Acute Care NP Exam Guide & Practice Test

ANCC AGACNP Exam Overview

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) is a board certification exam that measures the clinical skills and knowledge in the adult-gerontology acute care specialization. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) administers this exam to nurse practitioners seeking this credential in all 50 states. The Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) accredits this ANCC acute care certification exam. This certification remains valid for five years.

The ANCC AGACNP exam contains three content domains encompassing a total of 175 questions. These questions address such topics as components and characteristics of patient assessment processes, diagnostic tools, drug types, and administration, healthcare policies and systems, and the role of nurse practitioners.

The following table provides details about the exam:

Content Domains on the ANCC AGACNP-BC Exam

For the ANCC AGACNP exam, candidates should be familiar with advanced topics in pharmacology and pathophysiology; processes and tools in the physical assessment of patients; clinical care standards; types of medication and non-medication treatments; quality control in healthcare; preventative care; and promotional strategies in healthcare.

The three content domains of the AGACNP exam and the percentage of the exam each domain represents are:

• Core Competencies: 23%
• Clinical Practice: 45%
• Professional Role: 32%

Core Competencies

In the Core Competencies content domain of the ANCC AGACNP exam, test takers will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of assessment methods and care approaches for adult gerontology patients.

Test takers should be aware of various types of drugs and drug treatments for different illnesses and injuries; human physiology; the effects of aging; and intervention strategies in the acute care of gerontological patients.

Questions in this domain are likely to cover several topics:

• Complete a detailed patient history.
• Determine the process for conducting a physical examination.
• Learn about the methodology for performing pharmacotherapeutic interventions.
• Describe the ways in which pathophysiological changes are noted in aging patients.
• Assess an aged patient's functionality.
• Select non-pharmacological treatments.
• Recognize those patients who may be at risk.
• Differentiate between normal and abnormal physiological changes in older patients.

Clinical Practice

The Clinical Practice content domain of this ANCC acute care certification exam represents the largest percentage of the test. The content addresses clinical processes and practices relating to patient care, health promotion, preventative care, healthcare costs, diagnostics, and treatment approaches.

This content domain measures a test taker's ability to understand the following concepts:

• Identify the psychosocial aspects of gerontological care.
• Determine the characteristics that help to identify risk groups.
• Describe the application of disease prevention practices.
• Outline healthcare standards.
• Discuss the development of treatment plans.
• Describe the use of diagnostic tools and testing methods.

Professional Role

The last content domain of the ANCC AGACNP exam covers aspects of the professional roles and responsibilities of nurse practitioners in the acute care of adult-gerontological patients.

Test takers should be knowledgeable about the following topics in order to answer questions correctly in this domain:

• Describe the development of health policies.
• Identify the types of practices used in patient education.
• Understand the patient-nurse and nurse-family relationships.
• Know the processes employed in adult care quality control.
• Discuss the evidence-based strategies used in professional practice.
• Recognize the features of the standard of care within an adult-gerontological practice.

ANCC Acute Care NP Exam Preparation

When it comes to preparing for this certification, candidates could find it most helpful to use an ANCC AGACNP practice exam. The latter allows them to become familiarized with the type of questions and the possible content of the actual test.

Answering ANCC AGACNP practice questions also helps candidates find out which topics they are least familiar with. Candidates can focus their test preparation on those topics where they answered questions incorrectly. Once they identify which topics they should focus on, they can best prepare for the exam by doing the following:

• Create a study plan.
• Become familiar with the test's content.
• Study for a consistent period of time every day.
• Join a study group if possible.
• Enroll in a review course.

ANCC AGACNP Study Guide

A highly effective way for candidates to prepare for the ANCC Acute Care Nurse Practitioner exam is to refer to a study guide. A guide will review material specifically found within each content domain of the test.

A study guide benefits candidates in a number of ways:

• It provides examples of questions in the same format as the actual exam.
• The guide details a plan of study.
• It outlines detailed test-taking strategies for exams featuring multiple-choice questions.
• A study guide lists the explanations of answers so candidates more fully understand the material.

ANCC AGACNP Practice Questions

Another valuable tool that candidates can use to prepare for this exam is ANCC AGACNP practice questions. Practice questions that are similar to those found on the test help candidates discover what to expect on test day.

ANCC Acute Care practice questions also assist candidates in identifying topics that they are unfamiliar with so they can use their study time to focus on those areas. Detailed explanations discussing what makes a correct answer help candidates become more knowledgeable about the material.

Finally, candidates can answer practice questions while timing themselves to get used to tackling questions within a certain time frame. Since the AGACNP-BC exam is a timed exam, this exercise helps them recognize whether they will be able to complete the full exam within the designated time limit.

ANCC AGACNP Practice Exam

To ensure they are fully prepared for test day, candidates should complete an ANCC AGACNP practice exam. A practice exam in the same format that reflects the same topics found in the actual exam is optimal.

Candidates should perform a practice exam in quiet surroundings and time themselves to create the same type of experience they will have in a testing center on the day of their exam.

Completing a practice exam helps candidates find their strengths and weaknesses and identify those areas on which they need to focus their studies. A practice exam also helps them apply test-taking strategies for better results.

ANCC AGACNP-BC Exam Logistics

Candidates take the first step in taking the ANCC AGACNP exam by registering with ANCC. They will create an account, and then enter all required information and validations relating to education and RN licensure. ANCC also requires that education transcripts be submitted, preferably in electronic format. If a candidate is unable to submit transcripts electronically, ANCC accepts these documents by mail.

Candidates pay the fees during the registration process. Fees for the exam are as follows:

• Member, American Nurses Association: $295
• Member, American Association of Nurse Practitioners: $340
• Student Member, American Association of Nurse Practitioners: $290
• Member, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association: $340
• Non-member of any professional association: $395

Should candidates withdraw their application, ANCC retains $140, with the remainder being refunded to the candidate.

Test takers receive an emailed Authorization to Test (ATT) after they successfully complete the registration process. This allows them to schedule the date and location of their ANCC Acute Care NP exam.

Testing sites and scheduling for ANCC exams are found on the Prometric website. Once scheduled, candidates receive a test confirmation number via email. This number and a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, must be presented at the test site on the day of the exam.

It is recommended that candidates arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before the exam begins. Candidates place all valuables in a secured locker prior to entering the exam room. They must also review testing site regulations prior to the start of the exam.

Staff escort candidates to their workstations when they enter the exam room. The exam begins once a candidate is seated at a workstation. Test takers have 3.5 hours to complete the ANCC AGACNP exam.

ANCC Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Exam Scoring

A total of 150 out of the 175 questions on the ANCC AGACNP certification exam is scoreable.

Scores are determined on a scale, with the highest score being 500. A scaled score of at least 350 must be attained to pass the ANCC Acute Care Nurse Practitioner exam.

The score report of an ANCC test shows a candidate's score and indicates a Fail if the candidate did not achieve a passing score. The report also covers each content domain and details the test taker's performance in each domain. This assists candidates in identifying which areas they need to focus on when studying to take the exam again.