In episode 167 of the Physician Assistant Exam Review Podcast, we dive into early pregnancy complications – a tough but essential topic for PA school, EORs, and the PANCE.

We cover:

• Ectopic pregnancy: risk factors, classic presentation, key diagnostics (beta‑HCG + transvaginal ultrasound), and when to choose methotrexate versus surgery.
• Abortion classifications: threatened, inevitable, incomplete, complete, missed, septic, and recurrent abortion, with a focus on what's happening at the cervical os and how that drives the diagnosis.
• Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD): "snowstorm" ultrasound appearance, beta‑HCG out of proportion to dates, and key red flags like preeclampsia before 20 weeks.

Then we pull it all together with one simple mental model to sort most question stems:

• Low beta‑HCG → think ectopic
• Falling beta‑HCG → think abortion
• Very high beta‑HCG → think molar pregnancy (GTD)

This episode isn't about memorizing random lists. It's about learning how to organize the information so you can make better clinical decisions and pick the right answer under pressure.

Full episode notes:
physicianassistantexamreview.com/167

Free masterclass (6 skill areas PA students need to win):
physicianassistantexamreview.com/masterclass

Join the early wait list for the next 33 Days to Pass the PANCE cohort:
physicianassistantexamreview.com/masterclass/33

Last night's workshop was so poweful I wanted to share it with you.

We cover the 6 aras where you can either lose or pick up points on your exam you can watch the replay here if you'd like that better.

<< Click here for the replay >>​

Isabella failed her first PANCE attempt by 9 points after cruising through PA school, doing well on her EOC, and grinding through PANCE Prep Pearls and question banks.

On her second attempt, she walked into the Pearson center calm, focused, and prepared with a game plan. She didn't just pass. She jumped from a 341 to a 474.

In this conversation we walk through:

• Failing an EOR and then the PANCE, and what that does to your identity
• Why more content and more question banks weren't moving Isabella's score
• How she used the 33 Days to Pass the PANCE content calendar, dailies, and community
• Building a test‑day "game plan" (visualizations, breaks, confidence cues) so you don't spiral
• How the habits she built now carry into her first ortho PA job

If you're struggling with EORs, sitting on a borderline PANCE score, or trying to come back from a fail, this episode is for you.

Registration for the June 33 Days to Pass the PANCE cohort opens tomorrow. Get the details here: https://www.physicianassistantexamreview.com/33

You can also join me for the upcoming live workshop on test‑taking and performance under pressure: https://www.physicianassistantexamreview.com/workshop