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CCS CERTIFICATION EXAM - Futurecoder I hope

Posted: May 05, 2015

Can someone tell me how many questions there are that pertain to medical terminology, A and P, etc as opposed to actual coding questions on the CCS coding certification test?

I am an MT, have basic knowledge of terminology, but there are so many new terms that I must learn, not to mention the A and P section. I do the lessions, do the chapter review tests, take the weekly exams and do well, but I do not think I am retaining too much after I test.

The coding tests, however, I do very well on, and love the coding part.

Thank you in advance.

Suggestion #1 -- CCS Prep - CCS

[ In Reply To ..]
Below is a link to an article on preparing for the CCS. These suggestions are very good. If you are lucky, you chose a school that teaches with the ICD-9 Coding Handbook, aka Faye Brown.

That website has loads of test prep articles.

Just don't go overboard in a panic, though. Those suggestions will sound scary now.

Suggestion #2 -- Learning How to Learn - CCS

[ In Reply To ..]
I am not sure what you mean by not retaining much after the test. How would you know that, anyway, unless you took another test? Do you mean you seem to not think about it much? It is not fresh in your mind? Or do you mean you have absolutely no recollection of having ever seen it before?

The goal is to learn material for use on the job, so you want to be able to remember it. However, that does not mean you hold it in your mind. You just need to get it back out again when you need it.

Your study method makes a difference here. Some work, others do not. It is possible that you are not studying effectively for LONG-TERM retention. You may be using techniques you were actually taught years ago, but those techniques may not be very good.

Do you study all in one or two big sessions, then test? Or take the test with the book open? Or even study with the book open all the time? Read and underline? Work online screens, take a test, and little else? If so, you might not be retaining it because you did not move that material into long-term memory.

Regardless, your question indicates that you, like everybody here, could benefit from a course in how to learn. The online course linked below is excellent, free, at your own pace, and not that long. Even the first section should change the way you think about studying.

For instance, did you know that you need to study, then SLEEP to learn?

Please do yourself a huge favor and start that course! Then come back and let us know what you think.

Suggestion #3 -- Exam content - CCS + CPC

[ In Reply To ..]
What's on the exam is always a big question. Fortunately, the AAPC and AHIMA tell you. You might want to print it out and put it in an exam prep folder so you can refer to it when you want, since it might not mean much to you now.
I linked to AHIMA, but you can Google the AAPC info.

Note that the questions are multiple choice, which makes it easier. However, you have to code cases on the CCS. To do that, you need to be able to use the knowledge, not just recognize terms.

It is not just med terms or A&P, either. There is also pathophysiology, pharmacology, etc. The questions are taken from the whole body of material, too, not just what might be "coding relevant."

You will get a better grip on this, though, so don't be overly concerned right now. Ask on the school board how other students deal with this.

CCS exam - Karen C

[ In Reply To ..]
Just took the CCS exam a week ago. The most difficult test I have ever taken. A mastery level test and I just finished school so not anywhere mastery level. Failed by 9 points. You can take a medical dictionary for the test so you can look things up. Not really much A&P that I recall, but not "just" coding either where you pick a code for a diagnosis. Good luck

Fellow coder from Andrews just passed the CCS - Encouraged and Happy

[ In Reply To ..]
It's always encouraging to see people who are studying the same way you are get their credentials. Several I know at Andrews had switched from another course where they realized they weren't learning anything. If you are in a good coding program you'll know it. You'll see graduates passing their CCS and you'll know that you can do it too. The reverse is true as well. I'm happy to say that I'm seeing Andrews graduates pass. That is a sign that I'm on the right track, and a huge confidence builder. Not to the point of over-confidence, because it's still very scary to think about that mastery-level test, but if other Andrews grads can do it after finishing our mastery-level course, we can too. At the very beginning of the course, everything is very simple, at the beginning level. Then it gets harder in the next module, more like the intermediate level, and then the last module is tough, but by then the confidence is there. There were some tough parts earlier and we got through them, so we know we can do it. Good luck with getting ready for your CCS. Come back and tell us how you did.

So glad to hear you passed the CCS. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I am an Andrews student on module IV and I feel like it has really knocked me on my butt, lol. I'm already stressing about taking the CCS and wonder if I am in over my head. Thanks for posting. I feel a little more encouraged to push through. :)

Take the CPC first for practice. - No exam jitters

[ In Reply To ..]
I suggest taking the CPC first to help get over the jitters. It comes with with one free retake, so you can relax.

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