Scale scores are used to place all scores on a unified scale regardless of the difficulty of any specific test form, so examinees with the same level of ability will achieve the exact same score on PANCE regardless of the test form taken. Performance on PANCE is reported on a scale-score metric. Using the past two years ensures that sample sizes will be large enough to provide a wide breadth of test takers at all ability levels.

The reference group for PANCE comprises first-time takers: all examinees over the past two years who have taken PANCE for the first time ever. Reference groups are provided to give examinees a sense of how they compare to their peers. This final recommendation goes to the NCCPA Board of Directors for consideration and approval. The final recommendation is taken from the decisions by the panelists. The question-level ratings provided by the content experts are aggregated to define a recommended cut score. These content experts engage in a standard setting process known as the Angoff method, which requires panelists to review individual test questions and decide whether someone who is “just qualified” would be able to answer the question correctly. The panelists are chosen to be representative of the entire PA profession on a set of criteria including practice setting, practice focus, experience in the field, and other demographic variables. To pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), an examinee must reach or exceed the passing score of 350, which is determined via a process called standard setting. Standard setting requires a panel of Physician Assistant content experts with experience about the knowledge, skills, and abilities an entry-level PA should possess for safe and effective practice.

Pance blueprint