The 2025 PANCE blueprint explained: every system and task weight
Last checked October 16, 2026 · Sources: NCCPA PANCE content blueprint page and blueprint PDF (effective January 2025); comparisons with the 2019 blueprint as summarized by Hippo Education
Since January 2025, every PANCE follows NCCPA’s updated content blueprint. Medical content makes up 94% of the exam and professional practice 6%. Each medical question is also coded to a task, such as formulating a diagnosis (18%) or choosing a clinical intervention (16%). Cardiovascular remains the biggest system at 11%, down from 13% on the old blueprint.
Medical content categories (2025 PANCE blueprint)
| Category | Share | About this many questions |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular System | 11% | 33 |
| Pulmonary System | 9% | 27 |
| Gastrointestinal System / Nutrition | 8% | 24 |
| Musculoskeletal System | 8% | 24 |
| Infectious Diseases | 7% | 21 |
| Neurologic System | 7% | 21 |
| Psychiatry / Behavioral Science | 7% | 21 |
| Reproductive System (Male and Female) | 7% | 21 |
| Endocrine System | 6% | 18 |
| Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat | 6% | 18 |
| Hematologic System | 5% | 15 |
| Renal System | 5% | 15 |
| Dermatologic System | 4% | 12 |
| Genitourinary System (Male and Female) | 4% | 12 |
| Professional Practice | 6% | 18 |
Source: NCCPA PANCE content blueprint, effective January 2025. Approximate question counts are our calculation on 300 questions.
Task categories
| Task | Share |
|---|---|
| Formulating Most Likely Diagnosis | 18% |
| History Taking and Performing Physical Examination | 16% |
| Managing Patients: Clinical Intervention | 16% |
| Managing Patients: Pharmaceutical Therapeutics | 15% |
| Managing Patients: Health Maintenance, Patient Education and Preventive Measures | 11% |
| Using Diagnostic and Laboratory Studies | 10% |
| Applying Basic Scientific Concepts | 8% |
Source: NCCPA PANCE content blueprint, effective January 2025. Task categories apply to the 94% of medical content questions.
How the blueprint works
- Two dimensions: NCCPA says every medical content question is also coded to a task area; only professional practice questions are not.
- Examples, not a syllabus: the blueprint lists example diseases and topics, but NCCPA says some questions may cover content that isn’t listed.
- Built from practice: NCCPA bases the blueprint on profession-wide practice analysis by certified PAs.
- New passing standard too: NCCPA’s reports note that a new blueprint and passing standard took effect on January 1, 2025.
What changed from the 2019 blueprint
According to Hippo Education’s comparison with the 2019 blueprint, which applied through 2024, medical content dropped from 95% to 94% while professional practice rose from 5% to 6%. Cardiovascular fell from 13% to 11% and pulmonary from 10% to 9%, and surgical topics now make up 8-10% of the exam rather than up to 20%. On the task side, history taking and physical exam fell from 17% to 16%.
Using the blueprint to study
Cardiovascular, pulmonary, GI and musculoskeletal together are 36% of the exam; master them first.
For each disease, practice the task angle: diagnosis, workup, management and pharmacology, since tasks determine how questions are asked.
Professional practice is 6%, about 18 questions; review ethics, law and patient safety.
Use NCCPA's sample items and practice exams to see how blueprint content turns into questions.
Common questions about the PANCE blueprint
What is the biggest PANCE category?
Cardiovascular, at 11% of the exam on the 2025 blueprint.
When did the new PANCE blueprint start?
Since January 2025, for all PANCE administrations, according to NCCPA.
How much of the PANCE is professional practice?
6%, according to NCCPA’s 2025 blueprint.
How much surgery is on the PANCE?
8-10% of the exam on the 2025 blueprint, down from up to 20%, according to Hippo Education’s summary.
See also our PA exam guide. We first checked these sources on October 12, 2026 and rechecked them on October 16, 2026. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with NCCPA.