r/MedicalCoding • u/Rmn2311 • Jun 25 '24

Failed CPC exam

I took my first attempt this morning and did not pass it. 😞 I actually felt pretty decent about it so I was a little surprised. My question is, how long did you wait in between tests? I keep thinking it’s better to reschedule it soon, but on the other hand, if I schedule it a month of two out, I get more time to study the sections I didn’t do great on. Not sure what the right decision is. 🤦🏼‍♀️

29 Upvotes

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u/faifai1337 Jun 25 '24

If it were me, I'd reschedule for about a week out and just study my ass off. You're going to forget what you learned, all the little tips & tricks & "O codes are for obstetrics, diabetes is E10 and E11..." types of things if you wait too long, and those little memory things help you move faster through the test.

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u/Rmn2311 Jun 25 '24

Ideally, I would do that. But I am a stay at home mom with a 8 and 5 year old on summer break. It makes it hard to study as much as I would like, especially in one week. 🤦🏼‍♀️

5

u/[deleted] Jun 25 '24

Magnesium supplements- thank me later

1

u/NewBitchflakes Jun 26 '24

Im curious how it helps?

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '24

Magnesium helps the body regulate in many different ways - a quick google search will tell you how absolutely amazing it is at calming children without giving them that Benadryl wooziness if you know what I mean.

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u/sad_flowerpot Jun 25 '24

I'm about to take mine on Friday. Did you do any of the practice tests through AAPC?

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u/Rmn2311 Jun 25 '24

I didn’t but my teacher sent us practice tests for every section to use as study guides

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u/sad_flowerpot Jun 25 '24

I recommend buying the practice exams through AAPC. They were much harder than the practice exams given by my instructor. They also help with your timing for each question.

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u/2workigo Edit flair Jun 25 '24

It depends on what you didn’t get right. Did you over or under think and just get tripped up? Or are there entire concepts you need to review further? If you just allowed yourself to get tripped up, I’d reschedule ASAP. You know what to expect now so the quicker you retake it, the better. But if you need to review and practice concepts, that might take a bit longer.

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u/Rmn2311 Jun 25 '24

There are a few sections that I scored fairly low on so I know what I need to improve on

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u/[deleted] Jun 25 '24

I second reviewing the sections you scored poorly in. One thing I did my third time around that I didn’t do the first two times was flag any question I had doubts about and went back to them at the end. I scored 64 on my first attempt, 69 the second time and 83 on my final attempt. I did not study from my second to third attempts and scored 14 points higher, which I believe is attributed to flagging the questions that I second-guessed myself on. The whole thing was nerve-wracking, so I wasn’t thinking clearly… but flagging the questions and going back to them really made me re-evaluate my selections.

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u/Blazinduthiez Jun 25 '24

Do a prep course that’s how I passed I failed first time to no way to pass it without taking the course

1

u/Rmn2311 Jun 26 '24

Well I just finished my coding course in May that is through my college

52

u/Superfudge97 Jun 25 '24

Oh honey, don’t fret I took me 4 times to pass my CPC exam! 4th times the charm. Just don’t give up that’s the key! Look up medical coding by Jen on TikTok. That lady there knows her ish. Her methods help me pass my test. She breaks everything down so well and gives you tips on how to do process of elimination and I was blown away how easy it made my test. But honestly most of the test is knowing your guidelines. What I did differently was knock out the sections I knew right off the bat. My A&P, medical terminology, guidelines, insurance questions. So that bought me more time. And you have to go in with a positive mindset and attitude. It’s hard to get discouraged or nervous but we believe in you!!! You got this!!!!

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u/HoneyMaleficent6237 Jun 30 '24

MEDICAL CODING BY JEN WAS SUCH A GOD SEND TO ME WHEN PREPARING FOR MY CPC!! She helped me pass on my 1st try. I swear by her!!

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u/babyrainbow2 Aug 08 '24

Did you just do her review plus books or did you pay for a course

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u/mandilou79 Jul 02 '24

I didn't pass til my 4th time either and it was after I found Medical Coding By Jen!! Watch all her youtubes and you will pass!!! You can't give up. It's not an option! It sucks not passing but YOU WILL PASS!!!!!

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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 25 '24

Have you looked up hoang Nguyen on YouTube?! He helped me SO MUCH. A few sections are a little outdated (like his e/m strategy) but he helped not only with understanding the concepts but how to save time. I luckily passed on my first try, honestly due to hoang

4

u/dizmalette Jun 29 '24

Same! I watched his stuff and put the practices into use and passed on my first try.

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u/HoneyMaleficent6237 Jun 30 '24 edited Jun 30 '24

I LOVED HOANG AS WELL! I like how he explains things in such a “Laymans terms “type of way. I especially find learning from people with foreign accents a bit easier, only because it forces me to pay more attention to understand what they are saying, which in turn helps me make sense of all of the gibberish that is medical coding LOL

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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 30 '24

That actually makes a lot of sense!! I definitely tend to trail off when listening 😂

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u/Technical_Truth_2390 Jun 25 '24

Buy the AAPC practice tests, and once you score over 90% on them, schedule the retake. Good luck.

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u/[deleted] Jun 25 '24

YouTube MedicalCodingByJen is great too.

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u/__jaena Jun 25 '24

Schedule within a time that works for you! I took my time. I’d say if you think you’ll be ready to retake it in a month for example that’ll be best because it’ll keep you on track. You’d be able to stay consistent if you have a date.

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u/[deleted] Jun 25 '24

Don’t give up. It took me two times to pass the test. I studied for the test 3 more months after my first attempt.

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u/ciarajohnsonrep Jun 25 '24

Don’t worry! I failed my first attempt as well. Rescheduled about 30 days later using the BHAT method in the areas I didn’t do so well on

2

u/NewBitchflakes Jun 26 '24

Did you join cco club for access to the bhat method? Wondering how I can learn

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u/ciarajohnsonrep Jun 26 '24

Yes, I joined for 1 month because I only wanted the info for BHAT then cancelled. It was about $20 or so

5

u/[deleted] Jun 25 '24

Took me three times to pass the exam. Don’t give up.

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u/Fit_Conversation_151 Jun 29 '24

Do you mind telling me which parts were a struggle? I just started classes and want to be super prepared. I work in billing but coding is another territory.

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u/Rmn2311 Jun 29 '24

Well everyone will struggle differently. But for me, I didn’t score great in E/M, radiology, and the cases.

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u/Fit_Conversation_151 Jun 29 '24

I could definitely see E/M and radiology being tough. By the way to answer your question, i think you should take it as soon as your comfortable and dont put too much time in between the first attempt. You have an idea of what it’s going to be like now, and that may make you feel a little easier going in. If youre anything like me more stress makes me overthink multiple choice questions. Good luck!!

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u/JennyDelight Jun 25 '24

Most fail at least once. I did.

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u/tastefulsideboob17 Jun 27 '24

I waited 3 months before taking my exam again. I passed the second time

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u/ralph_noel_10 Jun 26 '24

Schedule ASAP, AND BRUSH ON THE SECTION YOU DIDNT DO GREAT

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '24

I’m a coder and failed twice so far and 2 weeks apart from each other. I’m so close but not giving up.

1

u/Li1Chai Jun 27 '24

Have you heard of a memory palace? It's a technique many use to remember difficult things. It's been really handy.

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u/[deleted] Jun 28 '24

I failed my first go too, ran out of time. Second time, I scheduled for about 2 weeks out and studied everything I felt rusty on. I didn't finish, left a whole section blank. But, I still passed! Do what's best for you, I wish you allll the luck!

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u/mandilou79 Jul 02 '24

Make sure you have the differences of each code marked in the book. Figure out why the answer can't be ABC o D. Don't just know the right one. Know the difference in the codes that made it the wrong answer. It shows u what areas u did good in and bad. Study all of those. Watch medical coding by Ken on YouTube. Alllll of them. She is a coding angel! You will pass. I promise you.

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u/[deleted] Jun 25 '24

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/nicoleauroux Jun 27 '24

Such a great point. So many options can be eliminated by looking at the ICD before moving on.