Physician Assistant Exam (PANCE or PANRE) questions cover about 18 topics, depending on how you classify them. The approximate mix of questions on the test is well-documented. Some subject areas require more preparation because the test includes more questions about them. You need understanding and knowledge in these two broad categories:
Body organ systems: Know the disorders of the major organ systems, including causative factors, significant labs, and treatment.
Task areas: Know the general tasks common in working with all body organ systems, including history, examination, and best imaging.
Here is a summary of the percentage and number of questions per body organ system on the PANCE. Although the PANRE is still a general test covering the same 18 topics, PANRE questions are a little different in that the mix of topics varies, depending on which content concentration you chose: adult medicine, surgery, or primary care.
| Body Organ System | Percentage of Questions | Approximate Number of PANCE Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiology | 16 | 48 |
| Pulmonary | 12 | 36 |
| Musculoskeletal | 10 | 30 |
| Gastrointestinal (GI) | 10 | 30 |
| Eyes, ears, nose, throat | 9 | 27 |
| Reproductive* | 8 | 24 |
| Endocrine | 6 | 18 |
| Genitourinary (GU) | 6 | 18 |
| Psychology/Behavioral | 6 | 18 |
| Neurology | 6 | 18 |
| Dermatology | 5 | 15 |
| Hematology | 3 | 9 |
| Infectious diseases (ID) | 3 | 9 |
| *Reproductive encompasses all women’s health issues. |
Here is a summary of the percentage of questions within each body organ system asked about each task area.
| Task Area | Percentage of Questions |
|---|---|
| Formulating the most likely diagnosis | 18 |
| Pharmaceutical treatments | 18 |
| Health history and performing physical examinations | 16 |
| Clinical intervention | 14 |
| Employing laboratory and diagnostic information | 14 |
| Health maintenance | 10 |
| Applying basic science concepts | 10 |