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I'm taking the CPC exam this weekend - Coding student

Posted: Mar 21, 2013

I have been studying so hard and I think I'm ready, but I'm really starting to get nervous. I think my biggest fear now is freezing up on exam day and not being able to remember how to code. Any advice on how to control my nerves? Thanks!

Good Luck - Breathe

[ In Reply To ..]
Dig in, don't get frozen, keep going. Tell your nerves to GET OUT that you do not have time for them, and tell yourself you are going to do give it your all. Once you get into it, you'll be fine. Good luck, let us know what you thought of the test! Welcome to coding!

It is just a practice run - How I do it

[ In Reply To ..]
No one is ever ready. Being ready is not necessary. You only have to be willing to try.

Fear and nerves are your worst enemy here. They are also completely unnecessary . . . really. That is true of any exam.

What is the one thing you would like most? A chance to see what is on the exam. A practice run. Right?

Well, you have that. You get a free retake on AAPC exams. Just relax and take it to get a feel for it. You can always take it again later.

You will do better than you think if you are relaxed.

Watch the time. You must finish.
Watch what answers you bubble. Do not get off kilter on the answer sheet. Be sure the answer space matches the question number.
Do not try to code everything and then lok for the matching answer. It may be faster to check the codes in the answers, eliminating obvious wrongs, and choosing the best one.

Practice run? - Another Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
"What is the one thing you would like most? A chance to see what is on the exam. A practice run. Right?"

I know this question was not directed at me, but for me the think I wanted the most was to pass the exam, I did not look upon it as a "practice run" after all that preparation. People want to get their certification, look for a coding job and get on with their lives. I don't think anyone sits for an exam like that with the attitude that they are there for the practice. And yes, it is necessary to be ready.

Yeah, that will get her to relax - Sheesh

[ In Reply To ..]
I think you misunderstood. I never said not to make an effort or not to take it seriously ... I just suggested a way of thinking about it that can really help eliminate the stress that causes failures.

Not everybody thrives on stress and pressure. And in this case, neither are necessary.

This method does work, as it happens.

To begin with - Whatever

[ In Reply To ..]
First, you told the OP to relax, then you went on to tell her all the things she must do, "you must finish," etc. That sounds like pressure to me.

"Keep going" - and

[ In Reply To ..]
"You must finish" are encouragement. Because we have taken the exam and we know that nerves can lock you up and that the most important thing is to overcome, keep going, and finish because that is how you pass. This test taker may well experience the freeze because she is worried about her nerves. Hopefully, she will remember keep going and you must finish. The advice comes from people who have taken the test and is good advice. The fact that you will get another free try is also a great stress reliever.

Just took one myself - That advice works

[ In Reply To ..]
I just took an AHIMA exam that I wanted to give up on 15 minutes into it. I kept on going, thinking that I just needed to finish...that was all. If I could do that, then I would know what to review for next time. As soon as I stopped worrying about passing, my brain started working again.

Even on AHIMA exams, it is less costly to try the exam and figure out what to study than it is to take review courses that can run into the thousands. If you do pass, you are credentialed! If you don't, your test fee served a good purpose. You no longer need a review course to show you what is on the exam. Maybe you can just get a book. Or make better use of a review course since you will know why you should know the material.

I survived the CPC exam! - Coding student/OP

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for all of your suggestions and comments. It turns out I wasn't the least bit nervous and I finished! I found the test extremely difficult and I am proud of myself for getting through all 150 questions. I honestly have no idea if I passed or not and now it's a waiting game for my results. I am so relieved that it's over!

Good for you!! Way to go! - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Yay! Congratulations! - Good for you!

[ In Reply To ..]
I was wondering how you fared with it. Glad to hear you finished and that you weren't nervous.

Yeah, they are always difficult. I can't recall anyone -- even experienced coders -- ever saying they found a certification exam "easy." They are certification exams, after all. LOL!

So glad - You

[ In Reply To ..]
made it through! Hope you don't have to wait too long for the results, but meanwhile you should be proud that you have come this far in the process of your new career!

Update - Coding student/OP/CPC-A

[ In Reply To ..]
I passed! Thank you all again for your kind words. I really appreciate it!

YAY!!! Tha's wonderful!!! - You must be so happy!

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Holy! - That is so great

[ In Reply To ..]
Congratulations, celebrate! Would you be comfortable sharing where you got your education in coding?

Education - Coding student/OP

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you! Regarding my education in coding, I am proud to call myself an Andrews student! :)

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