Time Management Is The Key Factor When Taking The CPC Exam

At first, five hours and forty minutes seems like a long time to complete the CPC exam. But those taking the 150-question marathon, especially for the first time, share the same frustration, "I wish I would have had more time." Along with that, I often hear, "Given enough time, I could have answered all the questions correctly" or "I got so frustrated trying to rush through." So why is there so little time for so many complex questions?

The number one thing employers are looking for from coders is proficiency. That means that you need to code correctly and quickly - that's how you become a true asset to your employer and carve out a rewarding career as a coder. Proficiency is just as important when taking the CPC exam. Coding quickly and accurately is the key to gaining certification. But to add that "CPC" to your signature, you need to improve your proficiency and that means a time management plan when taking the exam.

There are a number of time-saving strategies to choose from. A lot of coders answer the easiest questions on the first "pass" through the booklet, then move on to the more difficult questions on the second and third pass. Others choose to answer 30 questions each hour then use the final 40 minutes to fill in the missing answers. The key is to identify the questions that will be time-consuming and difficult for you and answer them last.

Don't forget that you can write in your test booklet. Many coders forget this and don't use it to their advantage. Rather than opening the exam booklet and immediately start flipping through your manuals (what most coders do) take a deep breath, sit back and examine the questions. Is there a terminology or anatomy question that you'll have to use your manuals to answer? Mark it. Are there a lot of questions that have multiple codes in each of the four choices? Make a note (in the test booklet) to remind yourself to use the process of elimination (it will likely be much faster than looking up each code or reading the scenario five times). Are there CPT modifiers you'll have to look up? Make a note to visit the inside cover or Appendix A of the CPT manual for more detail.

Here are some other suggestions. Identify, then mark the toughest questions with a star or check mark or circle the question number. Again, focus on answering those closer to the end of the exam. Don't be shy about using highlighters if it helps. The exam booklets are sealed at the end of the exam so you can be as messy as you want.

When you pass the CPC exam (and you will), you will become a more sought after, valuable coder. If you need more real world coding experience along with your new credential, a program such as Practicode is a great way to gain the proficiency and experience you need to land that first job.

There a number of time management strategies, including taking the first 10 minutes to get familiar with the 150 questions in the CPC exam booklet, that are key to certification. It's just a matter of finding the one that works best for you.