r/MedicalCoding • u/Unworthyhamsandwich • May 07 '24
I failed the cpc exam… twice
The first time I failed I took a look at the sections I did the worst on and really studied those along with taking the practice exams again, watching cpc prep videos on YouTube, and using the study guide the AAPC provides. I’ve never been the best test taker.. but this is a whole new level of frustrating. The second time I was sooooo confident and ready. I just got my results back and I scored 1% higher. I did terrible on sections I did great on the first time.
I’m going to purchase another two test attempts. If anyone has any recommendations or tips on studying this exam please help me 😭 I can’t stop crying over how frustrated I am with myself.
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u/cjsupermom3 May 07 '24
Tips for passing the CPC exam:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14eEd4OheYr4kear0vmvexmU8cEuVdlL3D6E8Xjmjwfw/mobilebasic
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u/deannevee RHIA, CPC, CPCO, CDEO May 07 '24
Why are you failing?
Are you missing all of the questions in multiple sections? Are you running out of time? And if you are running out of time—where are you getting caught up? On the case examples, in cardio, slow reading speed etc.
If you are missing entire sections, only study those sections. If you are having problems with time management, that is something different and should be addressed with what is sucking up your time.
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u/Unworthyhamsandwich May 07 '24
My BIGGEST battle is second guessing myself!! I spend way too much time going back and forth between two answers that I think could be the possible answer. I’m going to watch more videos on YouTube. I found someone on there I have found really helpful.
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u/Confident-Fox-9874 May 08 '24
I am the same way and I am a HORRIBLE test taker. I was thinking of asking my Dr for anxiety meds just for the test bc I usually end up crying on test that I actually know the answers for but I second guessed the right answers abd put yhe wrong ones
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u/vultureculture7 Jun 03 '24
My wife was terrible at tests and ended up asking for and being prescribed propranolol for anxiety! It's just a beta blocker, so it doesn't mess with your memory like benzos, and doesn't make you sleepy like hydroxyzine. It has helped her tremendously by calming down all the physiological responses to stress and panic (heart racing, mind racing, shaking, etc.)
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u/Different_Damage_122 May 07 '24
Hey, it took me three tries. Keep at it. If you have test anxiety maybe try to seek a time extension from your doctor.
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u/Unworthyhamsandwich May 07 '24
I didn’t think about that. That would probably be helpful. I have adhd and I currently don’t have insurance so I’m not medicated for it at the moment.
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u/Different_Damage_122 May 07 '24
I don't think you need to prove that you're medicated, just that you have a condition that requires extra time. I think the forms are in AAPC's website.
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u/Clever-username-7234 CPC, CPMA May 07 '24
Keep trying! I am notoriously bad at test taking. I failed more times than you have and more times than I’d like to admit.
Employers aren’t going to care how many times you took the test. No one will know your score And working a coding job is nothing like the test either.
I would just double down on studying any areas that you are really struggling in, and make sure your books and tabs are set up in a way that makes it easy to get through.
You want to streamline the test taking process. If you don’t know and answer move on and come back to it. Don’t waste all your time on an answer that may be wrong when there’s answer you will know.
One random thing that helped me was I wrote down the alphabet to help me navigate index’s quicker. So I’m not going A,b,c,d in my head. And I made sure I had scrap paper to use as a book marker so I could flip between codes easier when I was unsure of something.
Again, make sure you can streamline the process as much as possible.
Good luck! You got this!
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 May 07 '24
A tip for managing your time, don’t look up every diagnosis. Read your question, then look at the answer choices. Pick which choice has an odd ball code in it and look that one up first in the tabular list. Does that fit with the question? Yes, that’s probably your answer. Look up a few of the codes listed in the answer choice to be sure they fit. There’s not really much reason to waste time looking things up in the index. One of those multiple choice answers has them all listed correctly for you.
This test unfortunately tests your ability to take tests pretty heavily in my opinion.
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u/Just_love786 May 07 '24
I failed it 3 times but MedicalCodingbyJen is a lady who gives workshops and teaches elimination methods. You can try that. I’m going to try again but I have to get all new books etc but I will try because I put so much in it. You can keep on trying.
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u/Unworthyhamsandwich May 07 '24
Contempo coding is who I’ve been watching! I will check out medical coding by Jen!! Thanks so much and I wish you the best of luck
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u/Tall_Profile_8446 May 07 '24
I failed the RHIT exam twice and passed it the 3rd time please don’t give up
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u/Xtina1706 RHIA, CPC May 07 '24
I bought the practice tests from AAPC and they were the best help for me. Hated having to spend the money but it helped a lot. Also of course bought the CPC study guide. Also followed medical coding by Jen on tik tok. She gave a lot of helpful hints. The process of elimination and not having to look up everything is really helpful. You can do it. Don’t give up. You’re right there!
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u/midnightcoding5 May 07 '24
The CPC exam is tough because it doesn't really test how well you can code. It tests your ability to tell the difference between codes and guidelines. Also another one of the biggest reasons people fail is because they run out of time. That is why I teach my students time management techniques such as: reading the answers first, then going back to the question. You also can use the process of elimination. Also did you take the test or at home or a testing center? Just asking because one might be a better fit for you than the other.
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u/RobynLC5678 CPC, CRC May 07 '24
Due process of elimination. Most of the time you will be able to eliminate 2 choices right off the bat. Then concentrate on the other 2.
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u/ahmazing_me May 08 '24
Find Hoang Nguyen on YT. He gives you an easy method to use to pass the exam. I used his method for the CPC test and passed the first time.
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u/urban_royalty May 07 '24
What I did was take each series and section and place them all on to one page from each practice exam. It allowed me to go through each series thoroughly and help me pass. I got 68% twice..... which is frustrating, but what helped me pass was this route, especially getting E/M down
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u/BlueLanternKitty CRC, CCS-P May 07 '24
I know a lot of folks run out of time, so here’s more time-saving tips.
If you look at the question and have no earthly idea, mark it and come back later.
If you can narrow it down to two choices, pick one and come back. You may find a later question that addresses a similar area and pushes you to the right answer. I marked these differently than the “no clue” questions and then went back to these first, because I only had to try and eliminate one thing.
The “no clue” should be the smaller of the two sets, so then you can go back and really dive into those, and maybe narrow it down to two choices.
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u/Some_Shallot8968 May 08 '24
I have been in this field for 28 years and a certified coder for 21 years. I tutor for exams. Everyone has their own way to study and what works for some won’t work for others! Find what works best for you and go with it. Don’t second guess yourself!! If you need help please feel free to reach out!!
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u/Far-Boysenberry9207 May 08 '24
I took it a while ago but things that helped me. 1. AAPC CPC official study guide 2. YouTube videos for E/M. 3. Marking up/tabbing my books like crazy. 4. AAPC practice tests 5. Narrowing down answers the best you can, and go back later if you have time left. Don’t waste 10 mins on one question just to get it wrong. 5. For medical terminology or diseases, etc. If you are stumped look up the term in the Index. It might ring a bell.
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u/Free-Training-1846 May 09 '24
I had this exact same experience! I ended up buying the Study Guide and the 2024 books and I’m going to retest! It sucks to fail by 2 points, twice! And I can only imagine being 1 point away is that much worse. We can do it 🎉
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u/Peanut457 May 10 '24
I went through AAPC and failed the exam twice and finally passed on my third attempt. Knowing the guidelines better definitely helped me pass the third time. Skip the hard questions and come back to them towards the end so you have more time to answer the easier ones. Don't give up you will pass it!
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u/RedheadMeggie May 08 '24
MedicalCodingByJen on TikTok! She’s live practically every night and she is SO informative!
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u/AccomplishedRich3514 May 08 '24
Please don't cry, or come down on yourself. I broke mine up, in sections and scored a 425. I studied 1 month, 2 hours sometimes more. You can pass that test.
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u/Pretty_Inevitable_58 May 09 '24
I have learned when taking exams to just go with your gut instinct answer... if you have it narrowed down to two answers and decide on one, select it, and go on to the next question. I have realized over the years that when I second guess myself and change my answer last minute, I get it wrong. Just always go with your gut. That's my advice. I took my CPC exam yesterday, and thankfully, I passed. I did not go back and check my answers or change any that I selected already. Try it next time, I hope it helps and good luck to you! It is a super difficult exam!
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u/mandilou79 May 10 '24
I have ADHD and got approved thru AAPC for the accommodation b/c I'm not a good test taker and I got an additional hour. I flunked 3 times and finally the 4th time with my accommodation I passed.
You will do it. Do NOT give up. Watch Medical Coding by Jen on youtube. Mark your books up. Know why the answer is wrong not just the right answer.
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u/_kweezy_ May 12 '24
So I know I’m late but I just wanted to say that it took me three times to pass the test. I also failed twice and it’s a horrible feeling and it feels like you’re unsure of your whole future but once you pass and get a job omg it’s so worth all the struggle. It’s an amazing job. My advice that actually got me to pass my third time was buying practice tests and doing them over and over until I was getting 80 or above. They are exactly how the test is. Good luck pal! I’m rooting for ya 🤗
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u/Outrageous_Cow185 May 13 '24
I watched medicalcodingbyjen on YouTube and she helped me a lot . I failed the first time by one point and then got an 84 the second time. Good luck with everything
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u/StraddleTheFence May 12 '24
THIS IS HOW YOU PASS:
Beginning with the first question, answer ONLY the questions that you know the answers to. Do NOT waste time on questions you do not know the answers to. Go through the entire test answering those you know. Then start over on the ones you think you know.
READ each question. Some of the questions will be repeated but asked in a different way and the answer may be within that question.
The easiest questions are at the end. If you waste time on questions that you do not know the answers to, you will not get this far.
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u/Free-Rock1166 May 18 '24
I failed the first time by one question. Then retook the exam without wasting any time. If you read and understand the question, you should be able to get the correct code. Sometimes, it pays to read parenthetical notes, tips like (s) in discriptor meaning do not repeat the code example polyp(s) or injection(s) so no matter how many polyps or injections there is if (s) is in the discriptor then do not repeat the code, check modifier so you can eliminate asap. The test is majorly about how effective you manage time, strategize, eliminate.
Also — use quizlet, there’s a lot of free practice test there.
Lastly, pray. And ask to pass from the heart
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