CCO Admin asked:
I took my first CPC exam this past Saturday and although I have completed the CPT and ICD Blitz; Tabbed and BHAT"d my books; watch the videos on Time Management and The Art of Skipping; and took numerous practice exams I still ran out of time and did not get all the questions answered on the exam. I know I have failed. My only option is to purchase 2018 books; start the tabbing and BHAT"n of my new books and try to find a way to manage my time better on the next exam I take.
My question to everyone is; should I stick with the same publisher books I have; (2017 ICD-10-CM Physician Professional Edition by Carol J. Buck) and (HCPCS 2017 Level II; Professional Edition (AMA VERSION) or does anyone prefer other versions/publisher books?
Also can anyone give me any other advice on how to get through my next exam?
Answer:
It sounds like you have everything in place. I do not think I would switch manuals unless you feel you need to. Having the same ones as before may give you a little edge next time as you are familiar with them.
What I would suggest for time though is to do the exam backwards. In the CPC exam all the easy stuff is at the end of the exam. For example the A&P is there which you either know or you do not. This will go quickly as you do not need to look anything up in your manuals. You will know it or not and it is best to guess on these questions then on the cases. Give yourself more time for those questions with codes which are at the beginning of the exam.
I had to take the exam a second time and when I did it backwards I had 15 minutes to spare. Just make a point to confirm you are on the right questions in the test booklet and the answer grid.
do not fret; you have another change and now you know what to expect. You will do great!
I took my first CPC exam this past Saturday and although I have completed the CPT and ICD Blitz; Tabbed and BHAT"d my books; watch the videos on Time Management and The Art of Skipping; and took numerous practice exams I still ran out of time and did not get all the questions answered on the exam. I know I have failed. My only option is to purchase 2018 books; start the tabbing and BHAT"n of my new books and try to find a way to manage my time better on the next exam I take.
My question to everyone is; should I stick with the same publisher books I have; (2017 ICD-10-CM Physician Professional Edition by Carol J. Buck) and (HCPCS 2017 Level II; Professional Edition (AMA VERSION) or does anyone prefer other versions/publisher books?
Also can anyone give me any other advice on how to get through my next exam?
Answer:
It sounds like you have everything in place. I do not think I would switch manuals unless you feel you need to. Having the same ones as before may give you a little edge next time as you are familiar with them.
What I would suggest for time though is to do the exam backwards. In the CPC exam all the easy stuff is at the end of the exam. For example the A&P is there which you either know or you do not. This will go quickly as you do not need to look anything up in your manuals. You will know it or not and it is best to guess on these questions then on the cases. Give yourself more time for those questions with codes which are at the beginning of the exam.
I had to take the exam a second time and when I did it backwards I had 15 minutes to spare. Just make a point to confirm you are on the right questions in the test booklet and the answer grid.
do not fret; you have another change and now you know what to expect. You will do great!
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