NP Practice Test

NP Exam at a Glance

What changed for NP in 2026

• Oct 26, 2026: Delivery (ANCC FNP-BC) changed to Computer-based, scheduled through Prometric (previously Computer-based via Prometric).^[1]
• Oct 26, 2026: Eligibility (ANCC FNP-BC) changed to Active RN license + FNP master's/PGC/DNP from a CCNE/ACEN/CNEA-accredited program with 500+ faculty-supervised clinical hours (previously FNP degree from CCNE/ACEN/CNEA-accredited program with 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours).^[1]
• Oct 26, 2026: Eligibility (NPCB FNP (FNP-C)) changed to Accredited graduate FNP program with 500+ supervised clinical hours; active US RN license (previously Graduate FNP program, 500 supervised clinical hours, active US RN license).^[2]
• Oct 26, 2026: Score release (NPCB FNP (FNP-C)) changed to Preliminary pass/fail immediately; official results after NPCB review (previously Preliminary pass/fail immediately after the exam; official results released by NPCB after review).^[2]
• Oct 26, 2026: Testing window (NPCB FNP (FNP-C)) changed to 120-day testing window (previously 120-day window after Authorization to Test).^[2]

What the NP is and how it works

According to American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — FNP-BC; AANP Certification Board (NPCB) — FNP certification, “The exam allows 3.5 hours to answer 175 questions (150 scored plus 25 pretest questions that are not scored).”^[1]

The ANCC FNP-BC and NPCB FNP certification exams are certification routes for family nurse practitioner candidates. Both are computer-based and scheduled through Prometric; NPCB specifies Prometric test centers. ANCC accepts applications year-round. Both provide a 120-day testing window.

ANCC has 175 questions: 150 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions, with 3.5 hours allowed. NPCB has 150 multiple-choice questions: 135 scored and 15 unscored pretest questions, with 3 hours allowed. ANCC reports pass or fail and provides diagnostic content-area information after a failed attempt. NPCB uses a standard-setting cut score, not a percentage, and provides preliminary pass/fail results immediately, with official results following review.

Eligibility differs by board. ANCC requires an active RN license and an FNP master's, postgraduate certificate, or DNP from a CCNE-, ACEN-, or CNEA-accredited program with at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours. NPCB requires an active US RN license and an accredited graduate FNP program with at least 500 supervised clinical hours.

Retake rules also differ: ANCC requires a 60-day wait and permits up to 3 attempts in 12 months; NPCB permits up to 3 attempts per calendar year. Consult ANCC's official FNP-BC page and retest policy, or NPCB's official FNP Candidate Handbook, for your chosen route. Both credentials are valid for 5 years.

Worked examples: how to reason through NP questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: A 4-year-old presents with a barky cough, inspiratory stridor, and low-grade fever. The most likely diagnosis is:

1. Epiglottitis
2. Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)
3. Bacterial tracheitis
4. Foreign body aspiration

Answer: B. Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)

Explanation:

Croup is the best answer because the barky cough, inspiratory stridor, and low-grade fever form the characteristic pattern described in this question. The existing explanation identifies parainfluenza virus as a typical cause. Epiglottitis is not the best match for the characteristic barky cough. Bacterial tracheitis is less consistent with the presentation as written; the stem does not supply additional findings to support that alternative. Foreign body aspiration is also less supported because no sudden choking event is described. Remember: choose the diagnosis that best explains the combined findings, while recognizing that a short practice vignette cannot exclude every alternative in clinical care.

Example 2

Question: Which of the following situations is most likely to present a challenge for a child seeking medical attention?

1. Lacking an extended family
2. Having a single parent
3. Living in a rural area
4. Being homeless

Answer: D. Being homeless

Explanation:

Being homeless is the intended answer because housing instability can combine barriers to seeking and continuing care: transportation difficulties, lack of a stable address, medication-storage problems, and competing needs for shelter and food. Lacking an extended family does not establish that a child lacks a caregiver or access to care. Having a single parent likewise does not establish an access problem. Living in a rural area can create access difficulties, but the question points toward the overlapping barriers associated with homelessness. Remember: assess the child's actual circumstances. This answer should not become a rule that ranks every child's needs by family structure or housing status alone.

Example 3

Question: How should an NP professional approach a novel situation not covered by standard procedures?

1. Refuse to proceed
2. Apply foundational principles, assess risks, consult resources, and document the rationale for decisions
3. Follow the closest standard procedure exactly
4. Improvise without documentation

Answer: B. Apply foundational principles, assess risks, consult resources, and document the rationale for decisions

Explanation:

Applying foundational principles, assessing risks, consulting resources, and documenting the rationale is the best answer. It describes a deliberate response when a standard procedure does not address the situation. Refusing to proceed does not itself assess whether a safe next step is available, although pausing may be appropriate when uncertainty remains. Following the closest procedure exactly overlooks differences that may make it unsuitable. Improvising without documentation omits both a defensible decision process and a record of the reasoning. Remember: a gap in procedures calls for careful assessment and appropriate consultation; it does not, by itself, justify either automatic refusal or unsupported action.

How to use these practice tests

Start by identifying your certification board and reading its official eligibility guidance, candidate handbook, and exam outline. Use that outline to decide what needs attention. The practice-set titles below are site categories, not a verified mapping to official exam domains.

For FNP preparation, begin with NP Family Nurse Practitioner. After answering, explain why your choice fits the stem and why the alternatives fit less well. Keep a record of uncertain answers as well as errors, then check unresolved clinical points against your course materials and current clinical references.

Choose follow-up practice based on the reasoning that caused difficulty. Use Diagnosis & Clinical Decision-Making for diagnostic choices, Pharmacology & Prescribing for medication topics, and Case Studies & Practical Application to connect decisions within a scenario.

Return to difficult material after reviewing the underlying concept. Before test day, confirm your testing window and scheduling instructions with your board and Prometric. Use practice results to select review topics; they do not establish whether you will meet the certification exam's passing standard.

Sources & last verified

1. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — FNP-BC; AANP Certification Board (NPCB) — FNP certification — number of questions, validity, delivery, eligibility (official source). “The exam allows 3.5 hours to answer 175 questions (150 scored plus 25 pretest questions that are not scored).” Verified Oct 26, 2026 · source checked Oct 26, 2026.
2. aanpcert.org — number of questions, time limit, passing score, retake policy (official source). “The certification examination is computer-based and consists of 150 multiple choice questions. Of the 150 questions, 135 are scored and 15 are pretest questions that…” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
3. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — FNP-BC; AANP Certification Board (NPCB) — FNP certification — passing score, retake policy (official source). “Examination results are pass or fail. If you fail, your score report will include diagnostic information for each content area of the test.” Verified Oct 26, 2026 · source checked Oct 26, 2026.
4. aanpcert.org — retake fee (official source). “Retake Examination Member $240 Non-Member $315” Verified Oct 26, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
5. aanpcert.org — delivery (official source). “Certification examinations are administered in a computer-based format at Prometric testing centers globally.” Verified Oct 26, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.