If you’re planning to take the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certification exam, be aware that the exam is being updated, with changes effective March 17, 2025. These updates align with evolving healthcare standards to ensure nurse practitioners are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills for acute care practice.
What’s Changing?
The Test Content Outline and Reference List have been revised to reflect the latest advancements in practice, technologies, and clinical guidelines.
Question Distribution: There have been small shifts in category weight from the most recent exam to give slightly more emphasis to Core Competencies (+1%) and Professional Role (+1%) and less emphasis to Clinical Practice (-2%).
- Updated Terminology: The exam now focuses on evidence-based principles and health care policy and advocacy. There is a stronger emphasis on patient-specific education and health literacy promotion.
- Expanded Focus Areas: Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are now explicitly included under psychosocial factors. The assessment tools section has been refined to emphasize advanced standardized tools for better clinical evaluation.
- Practical Application: A stronger focus on applying research and evidence-based principles prepares the test taker for real world decision-making required in acute care settings.
Exam Schedule
To implement these changes, testing will be suspended from March 10–16, 2025:
- The AGACNP Exam will resume under the updated format: March 17, 2025
Minimal Impact for Barkley & Associates Users
Barkley & Associates continually updates its review materials to reflect changes with national guidelines and standards of care. As a result, these exam modifications have minimal implications if you’re relying on our certification review resources. Our materials are designed to keep you fully prepared for the latest exam structure and content, ensuring that you study with confidence.
What Should You Do Next?
- Check the updated Test Content Outline & Reference List to align your study plan.
- Plan your test date:
- Testing after March 16? Study with the updated materials.
By staying informed and adjusting your preparation, you’ll ensure a smooth certification process and continue delivering exceptional patient care with confidence — all part of our commitment to preparing you for Boards and beyond!