What is the purple book for the PMHNP exam?
The "Purple Book" for the PMHNP exam is the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Review and Resource Manual, a widely used study guide for nurses preparing for the ANCC PMHNP certification exam, which has a 91% pass rate. Many test-takers use this book to familiarize themselves with the exam format and question style.
However, while the Purple Book is a useful resource, it shouldn’t be your only study material.
Many test-takers report that:
- It helps you understand how exam questions are structured, but some content is outdated or contains errors.
- Some questions from the book’s quizzes appear on the actual exam, making it worth reviewing.
- It’s best used alongside other resources, such as the ANCC 200-question practice exam, which many found more difficult than the real test.
- Key topics like psychological theories and psychotherapy modalities from the book often appear on the exam.
If you want a well-rounded study approach for the PMHNP exam, consider combining the Purple Book, ANCC practice tests, and our PMHNP Exam Prep.
Also, check out our detailed article on the PMHNP Scope of Practice to complement your study materials
