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Thank you Linda.  I just would like to share some of my experience with the test for those of you getting ready for it.  I signed up for the CPC exam more than 2 months ahead of time because in the city where I live, they only offer the test once a month, and at that time, there were only 5 open slots out of 30, so I figured I better sign up.  I am almost finished with the course, but took the week before the test to go back and review the CPT codes. 

As for the test itself, I felt it was a test of my endurance.  I finished 10 minutes before the end time, and I followed the tips on the AAPC website to look at all the questions when you start and do the easy ones first.  Well, the easier (non-coding) questions were at the end, and if I hadn't done those first, I might not have finished in time.  I definitely was surprised at how fast I had to go.  The questions themselves were all multiple choice and not all that difficult, looking up the codes.  Some were easy, some tricky, some harder and a few I just had to guess, but I guess I guessed okay because I got a score of 90.  At about the 4-hour mark, I started to "hit the wall" so to speak.  I got nervous, unsure of myself, not able to find the codes in the book.  I just had to stop, close my eyes, take a couple of deep breaths, and force myself to focus.  It took a few minutes, but I did okay after that. 

Advice I would give is to try to get a good night's sleep, eat a light breakfast, keep up that blood sugar (I took a protein bar and ate it during the test), and code quickly.  I had to keep reminding myself to choose the best answer and move on.  I myself am kinda slow, wanting to be sure to choose the best answer I could, so I felt kind of pressured to go faster.  But that's probably a good thing to learn to code correctly under pressure. 

I know how nervous you must feel, I was sooo nervous the night before, not knowing what to expect, but for me, like I said, it was more about endurance, sitting in that chair for more than 6 hours, coding as fast as I could, knowing I didn't want to go through that again.  There were about 25 people taking the test and 4 or 5 finished before me, and as I was leaving, there was a lot of furious page turning going on, so I don't know how many actually finished. 

I am just so relieved it is over, one more step to the CCS and a coding job.  I believe my education with Andrews helped me prep for the exam and helped me succeed in this test.  I am happy I went with the best.  Thank you again Linda for the great course and great instructors (Hi Debby!).

Congratulations Gloria, and thank you for sharing your CPC Exam experience. 90% is pretty darn good ! Just reading what you wrote about it sent my blood pressure up and my heart beat racing. I had no idea the test took so long, and that it was speed orientated. Luckily it's multiple choice. I was looking for reassurance, but now I'm feeling even more doubtful about my own prospects. Would you mind telling me how you did on the Module III CCW exams, ie: the grades you got. I thought I was doing fine until they came along. It's the first time I have received C grades, with only one B, for barely. Seriously, wondering now if I'm cut out to be a coder, and after reading your story I am seriously scared to take the CPC exam.

Michele, seriously, I did the same as you.  During modules I and II, I got almost all 100%, I thought wow, this is a piece of cake.  When I got to module III, that all changed.  I was getting Cs and only a few Bs, not the As I was used to, so that was a hit to me.  I was having serious doubts too.  CPTs were not easy for me and I was glad to be done with that module.  I definitely feel more comfortable with the dx codes and I really like the inpatient procedure codes.  I learned so much doing Faye Brown that actually helped me with the procedures, inpatient or out.  I was seriously nervous to take the test.  As I was taking the test, I was hoping for a B or C even, just to pass the test.  I never expected a 90 score.  Maybe it's just normal for us to be so scared.  I read somewhere the only way to get the experience is to take it.  I am usually a fast test taker and so I was surprised I was going so slow, that's why I hit the wall when I did.  I was on track to finish, but I couldn't slow down.  Maybe that's just me.  A few people finished before me and I remember reading Debra Ku's post about the test, that she finished with an hour to go.  So maybe you will be faster than me or it will be easier for you.  Like I said, the CPT codes were not easy for me and I was happy to be done with them.  Take heart and have hope, you will pass.  If I can do it, so can you!

Congrats Gloria Da!!!  I really appreciate your taking the time to tell us in such great detail about your experience.  Your description sounds very unnerving indeed!  But you made it!  Knowing some of the specifics of the how the exam goes certainly helps put me more at ease.  I am nearing Module III and know that I should schedule the CPC exam ASAP, but after doing the CCW Chapter exam my confidence level is not as high as it was in the earlier modules.  I take SOOO long on the cases, going over them 2 to 3 times before I submit the chapter test in fear of missing a code.  I agree, the Dx codes come easier than the CPT codes... and those E/M codes are hard to pin down for me too. But, I still enjoy the process. 

Please, keep us posted on how your job search goes!

Thanks again for sharing your experiences Gloria. So, there's still hope for the rest of us, after all. Take heart, fellow students :) Looking at the Faye Brown book, I'm inclined to think it would have served me better in Module I, II and III, and perhaps the CCW should have been reserved for Module IV, with more attention/time alloted towards the instruction/learning of it. Yet, who knows..., probably, left as it is and placed in Module IV, we would all slit our own throats ! ;) Somewhere there's a place for the CCW Exams, and that thankfully is now a part of the past.

Congratulations, Gloria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I knew you would do great! Now you can concentrate on Module IV and then take the CCS exam. :)

I have a question.  Gloria mentioned that the Faye Bown helped her so much to sit for her CPC.  But, isn't Faye Brown not done until Module IV?  I ask, because I am still in Module III and would like to schedule my CPC for next month. 12/08 has 4 seats open so I would like to schedule ASAP.  Do you think I am ready?  (I still have 2 CCW exams to do, and before doing the Faye Brown?)

Thank you Debby!  I could not have done it without you.  I'm just relieved its over with and I can move forward to the next steps, and onto a new job. 

Hi Donna, I think that Faye Brown helped me understand some of the complexities of the procedures that Kuehn didn't, but that may be just me.  As an MT, I haven't done op's, so they are more challenging for me to understand, but that book's way of explaining them helped me a lot. 

Gloria, I just want to join everyone else in thanking you for providing the in-depth details about your test experience! I promise to do the same when I take it because I can see how helpful it is...also comparing your experience in the course to ours is very helpful to guage our own progress relative to the test.

I have a question: I just started Module 3, should I schedule the CPC exam now? And the CCS in a few months, to take while I'm in Module 4? I want to make sure I don't have a long wait between finishing the course and taking the exams, while at the same time having enough time to nail down material and review it. Thanks!

Hi Carmen,

Thanks, I hope my testing experience gives you some idea of what to expect.  I think scheduling the test depends a lot on where you live and how far you are willing to travel.  I had wanted to take the test in October, but missed the deadline to apply.  So I made sure to focus on the November test and not miss that one since it was 5 minutes from my house.  That's why I applied 2-1/2 months early.  I really was expecting to be finished with the course by then, still not finished yet, almost :)   I also did not realize how intense module IV was (for me, anyway), going through Faye Brown and how long it took.  It really helped me and I'm glad I did it before the CPC test.  So I guess it just depends, like I said, where and when the test is being given, and also give yourself enough time and most importantly, take a deep breath now and again.  I read some advice recently about test taking, to treat the test as a practice test, since you get a free retake (or not with the CCS), but I am going to follow that advice and not worry too much.  Best of luck to you!

I apologize Carmel for calling you Carmen, my bad.  I didn't look carefully enough, so sorry. 

Coming in late, but wanted to say "Congratulations Gloria!"  Thank you so much for sharing your experience.  It really does help to read what others are doing and did. 

Congratulations, Gloria!  I'm only in Module I, but thank you for the advice on preparing, taking the exam, etc.  Good luck to you in finding that coding job!

Gloria -- Not a problem, my name and my nickname are both unusual, so I'm used to being called all kinds of things lol!! 

I know this might be a silly question, but do they give bathroom breaks? ? 

Hi Michele, not a silly question at all.  When I took the test, we could get up and stretch our legs, but only 1 person at a time could leave the room.  There was absolute quiet, so you did not disturb those around you.  I only got up once for a bathroom break, and did take a couple of bites of a protein bar and a couple of sips of water, but the clock didn't stop, so its part of the test time.

Gloria, I am taking the test on the 29th of December and am SOOOO looking forward to putting it behind me.  However,  I am guilty of going through the Health Insurance book chapters quickly.  Can you tell me, are there any questions pertaining to history of health insurance, health insurance claim forms, policies and the like from the Green book? Nothing is stated on the AAPC site about multiple choice questions pertaining to that, I am gather the test comprised of coding cases. Thanks!

Hi Donna,

I have to admit I am guilty of the same thing and am now going over the Green book in more detail.  I was actually surprised at how few non-coding questions there were.  There were some on anatomy that I just looked up in the coding book.  I don't remember how many pertained to billing, maybe not so much since I can't remember them.  The non-coding questions were at the end of the exam and I think were maybe 20 to 30 of the 150 total questions, maybe 10 or 15 for anatomy and 10 for what the AAPC website says is "practice management."  I only remember a page or so of these questions, only 1 on HIPAA I think.  The main focus is the coding.  Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll do great!  You will feel such a sense of relief and accomplishment once it's over, one step closer. 

Thank you Gloria, your info is much helpful!  And I appreciate your words of encouragement... I will enjoy this week-end with holiday festivities, and as soon as Christmas is over, I will focus on studying.

I'm right there with you.  Trying to get in as much studying as I can over the holidays.  I have the CCS scheduled on Jan 3, so excited to get going in the new year, hopefully celebrate with a new job in the not-too-distant future.