The following table represents an approximation of the breakdown of questions on the PA Entry to practice certification examination. This is intended as a guide only and the actual PA Cert Exam may vary slightly from this ideal.
PACCC PA Cert Exam Blueprint (last updated 2022)
General Examination Format
| Number of questions | 250 questions |
| Question Format | Multiple-choice, four-option only |
| Question Presentation | Standalone questions only |
| Cognitive Levels | Knowledge, Application, and Critical Thinking |
Systems based Weighting
| System | Weighting |
| Cardiovascular | 10.00% |
| Dermatology | 6.00% |
| Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat | 6.00% |
| Endocrine & Metabolic | 9.00% |
| Gastrointestinal | 10.00% |
| Genitourinary | 7.00% |
| Immune & Hematology | 4.00% |
| Infectious Disease | 4.00% |
| Mental Health | 9.00% |
| Musculoskeletal | 10.00% |
| Neurological | 8.00% |
| Obstetrics/Gynecology | 7.00% |
| Respiratory | 10.00% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
NOTE: The percentages in this table refer to the portion of the total number of questions pertaining to fundamental medical knowledge allotted to each specific system, not to the total number of questions on the entire examination.
Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) Weighting
| EPA | Weighting |
| EPA1: Practice patient-focused, safe, ethical, professional, and culturally competent medical care across the healthcare continuum. | 7.00% |
| EPA2: Obtain histories and perform physical examinations, demonstrating clinical judgement appropriate to the clinical situation. | 12.00% |
| EPA3: Formulate clinical questions and gather required clinical evidence to advance patient care; and communicate those results to the patient and medical team. | 12.00% |
| EPA4: Formulate and prioritize comprehensive differential diagnoses. | 12.00% |
| EPA5: Develop and implement patient-centered, evidence-based treatment plans within the formalized physician, clinical team, and caregiver relationships. | 12.00% |
| EPA6: Accurately document the clinical encounter, incorporating the patient's goals, caregiver goals, decision-making, and reports into the clinical record. | 5.00% |
| EPA7: Collaborate as a member of an inter-professional team in all aspects of patient care, including transition of care responsibility. | 5.00% |
| EPA8: Recognize a patient requiring immediate care, providing the appropriate management and seeking help as needed. | 10.00% |
| EPA9: Plan and perform procedures and therapies for the assessment and the medical management appropriate for general practice. | 8.00% |
| EPA10: Engage and educate patients on procedures, disease management, health promotion, wellness, and preventive medicine. | 7.00% |
| EPA11: Recognize and advocate for patients concerning cultural, community, and social needs in support of positive mental and physical wellness. | 5.00% |
| EPA12: Integrate continuing professional and patient quality improvement, life-long learning, and scholarship. | 5.00% |
| TOTAL | 100.% |