From the Research
National trends on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) show generally high pass rates with some fluctuations over time, with a mean PANCE score of 463 and a pass rate of 93% over a six-year study period 1.
Overview of PANCE Performance
- First-time test takers typically achieve pass rates between 93-97%, though this can vary year to year.
- Recent trends indicate a slight decline in first-time pass rates over the past few years, with some programs reporting rates in the high 80s to low 90s percentile range.
- Performance varies across different content areas, with students typically scoring stronger in areas like cardiology and pulmonology while finding more challenges in psychiatric/behavioral medicine and reproductive medicine.
Factors Influencing PANCE Success
- Program factors that correlate with higher PANCE success include accreditation status, program length, faculty credentials, and clinical rotation quality.
- Individual student factors such as undergraduate GPA, science background, and performance on program assessments also strongly predict PANCE outcomes.
- The Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating and Assessment Tool (PACKRAT) is a known predictor of performance on the PANCE, with the composite score having the strongest association with PANCE scores 2.
- The PAEA End of Rotation examinations also have a statistically significant correlation with subsequent PANCE performance 3.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted PANCE scores and pass rates, with examinees scoring significantly higher in 2020 and lower in 2022 compared to the pre-pandemic period 1.
- The pandemic has highlighted the need for programs to adapt and implement targeted remediation strategies to improve pass rates and ensure that physician assistants provide safe and high-quality patient care.