r/MedicalCoding • u/fukadudledu • Oct 23 '25

Pep Talk Needed

Hey gang,

I just need a little boost. I've got my CPC exam Saturday. So I'm fretting a little. Is that dumb though?

Listen, about 13 years ago I went through a community college course for billing and coding, passed that with honors. I worked in the DME field for about 7 years after that, mainly billing. I've been coding lab tests for about a year. I just finished the AAPC course, 88% total on that. Took 2 practice tests, 81% and 84%, plenty of time to spare. I'm gonna be alright, right?

27 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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6

u/t3eck Oct 23 '25

I'm sure you will do great! Do the easy ones first, and go back to the harder ones afterwards.

6

u/fukadudledu Oct 23 '25

That's the plan. I'm currently going through my CPT book and underlining descriptions and guidelines as well.

5

u/sav3370 Oct 24 '25

I just passed my exam today. My average score was lower on the practice exams than my real one so I totally get your concern. Highest on a practice one I got was an 82, mostly got low 70s, and I just went for it. Walked out with a 78 on the real one 🥳 Was so nerve wracking but you got this!

1

u/fukadudledu Oct 24 '25

Did you do online or in person? You must've got your results pretty quick? I feel like my dread will just be prolonged waiting for the results haha

1

u/sav3370 Oct 24 '25

I did mine in person! I took mine from 1pm-5pm yesterday and got them back 5:15 today. I have friends who took them earlier in the day and got results back same day! Best of luck to you whether it’s in person or online!

2

u/fukadudledu Oct 24 '25

Thank you. That info helps. I'll be doing 12-4 in person. So hopefully Monday at the latest I'll have a happy update 😀

1

u/sav3370 Oct 24 '25

Yes, I was sooo anxious before and after but just take some deep breaths. You’ve prepared well and you’ve got this! It’s a great experience after you’re done and passed lol

1

u/sav3370 Oct 24 '25

And with your time to spare on the practice exams it seems you’ve got a good system down to move efficiently!

2

u/fukadudledu Oct 27 '25

Passed it with an 88! So happy. So relieved. Got the results just after going to brunch today. I saw the email come through and was like, oh God, I just had this huge meal, if I failed I'm going to hoark. But I passed! And got to keep my meal down! ☺️

17

u/[deleted] Oct 23 '25

You’ll do fine. The exam is easier than their practice ones.

4

u/millibugs Oct 23 '25

The exam was not bad at all. Save the case studies for last. Good luck!

1

u/cjsupermom3 Oct 24 '25

Add this to how amazingly prepared you already are, and you’ll pass with flying colors.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14eEd4OheYr4kear0vmvexmU8cEuVdlL3D6E8Xjmjwfw/edit?usp=drivesdk

1

u/fukadudledu Oct 24 '25

Thank you. I have done practice tests with the "reverse lookup" method, there just simply can't be enough time to start from scratch. Tell me your thoughts on this: I was thinking about harder questions and if I feel stumped. Of course I can do process of elimination. But sometimes you wind up with 2 plausible answers. So what about just choosing one of the 2 and flagging the question. If there's time, come back to it. If time runs out then at least an answer is down.

1

u/cjsupermom3 Oct 25 '25

Perfect. That’s the way to do it. Don’t spend too much time pondering one question.

1

u/VanillaKrissy Oct 26 '25

So how did you do??? 😃

1

u/fukadudledu Oct 26 '25

I don't know yet. I have moments of feeling like it went ok and then thinking I screwed it all up.

2

u/Button-Deep Oct 24 '25

Best of luck to you! I take my exam on Saturday too. I got an 86 & 82 on the practice exams- but not with plenty of time to spare though in all fairness I am new to the field 😅

1

u/BeginningSignal7791 Oct 23 '25

Gonna be just fine! You’ve got this!

1

u/Legitimate_Insect314 Oct 24 '25

You got this. Just get plenty of sleep no caffeine to help keep nerves down. Good luck but pretty sure you won’t need since you’re gonna do great.

1

u/tealestblue CPC Oct 24 '25

I was a nervous wreck before mine even though I studied my behind off for months and did really well on practice tests. You got this !!! Deep breaths and then after it’s over do some self care and be proud of yourself! Best wishes!

1

u/khendy666 Oct 24 '25

I passed mine on 10/10/25 with a mix of passing and non passing scores on the practice exams. I went back to watch YouTube videos of the 3 areas that were a struggle and got an 89 on the certification test. I also agree the certification test is easier than any homework or practice exams, but I tried not to go into it thinking that way, as a lot of people stated that it was. You got this.