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Has anyone taken the CMT exam recently? - missykb

Posted: Sep 20, 2010

Has anyone taken the CMT exam recently? I'm taking a prep course through AHDI and wonder how similar it is to the actual exam. I'm planning to take it in October & a little nervous after going through the prep. I have 6 years acute care exp. & am disappointed in myself at my progress so far on the prep course. Getting kind of nervous. Don't want to throw $400 out the window on this! Any advice, warnings, etc.?

CMT test - jc

[ In Reply To ..]
I took it a year ago. I took a class through my work with the review book, and that helped a lot. Take your time, recheck your answers. The second part of the test was actual transcription but 1 mistake could cause you to miss the entire question. So I really focused on that and paid a lot of attention to ensure no typos, etc. Also, you had to use keys to control the audio, no foot pedal. Plenty of time is allowed, so be patient with yourself, don't get scared and thus cause yourself to miss things! I was very nervous, but they score on the spot when you are done and I passed by a good margin! I did spend 3 days before reviewing all my handouts, the review book, etc. Try to have a positive attitude and that helps! Best wishes to you!

When it's time to actually sit for the exam... - anotherCMT

[ In Reply To ..]
...know that you have ample time for the test. Don't rush because you're nervous. After I completed the first section I went back through and rechecked all of my answers before I moved on to the 2nd.

Good luck. I consider my CMT a nice accomplishment. I sat for it 3 years ago and always plan on renewing.

As I recall, the second part of the test required one - Poppy

[ In Reply To ..]
to choose the correct version of a complex sentence. Plan to come in knowing WHY punctuation is right in one place and wrong in another. Like a no-no single comma dividing the subject at the beginning in the sentence from the verb finally showing up a line and a half farther along--which you might get if, say, one of a pair of commas setting off an adverb phrase went missing. Read very carefully for meaning. The grammatical error might potentially change the meaning from what the sentence is supposed to mean.

Or something. I just remember I had to reread carefully, giving it real attention. Reading's my go-to pleasure, but the differences in the choices on my test were sometimes very subtle. I know two veteran MTs who did poorly on that part.

I remember getting confused between I think four? five? versions of a sentence and had back up and start by eliminating the first wrong one I identified, then another, finally scanning the last two to find the difference I was missing between them. If necessary, use the scratch paper to remove all the dependent and independent phrases, clauses, etc., to get down to the basic sentence, then add back in.

CMT - Non-AHDIfan

[ In Reply To ..]
My advice is simply DO NOT feed the pigs, meaning AHDI, of course. You people do realize when you cough up your 400 contribution for this meaningless piece of paper, you are contributing further to the demise of this so-called profession? Please do some research. They are ALL FOR offshoring our jobs to India. BTW, the Indians get a break on the cost of their worthless piece of paper with a few initials on it. They could care less about you or me. The only thing they are interested in is your $$$$.

Feed the pig - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
That expression is being taken out of context. Feed the pig actually means putting your spare change in a piggy bank instead of spending it. I'm an old MT and did the CMT thing. I actually am glad to see the newer MTs taking pride in what they do, enough that they are willing to go the extra mile to become certified. Employers are starting to prefer/require this again, and believe it or not some do pay an incentive if you have credentials. I don't understand your reasoning about the Indians getting a break on the cost, but I'm sure you've done your research and know more about it than I.

Feeding the pigs - Non-AHDIfan

[ In Reply To ..]
I guess my sarcasm was lost. I am well aware of what the expression means. I, however, meant it very literally, that AHDI is a greedy pig; therefore, if you give them your hard-earned money, you are indeed feeding the pig, at least in my opinion. My reasoning is it is fact that the Indians do not pay as much as Americans to take this worthless test. And I think the only employers that want this (think Webmedx, Medquist) are right there in bed with AHDI, thus, the reason they push for it. I do not need worthless initials after my name to prove my worth or skills as an MT, nor does it mean I do not take pride in what I do, because I refuse to put more money in AHDI's pocket so they can continue to champion the cause for sending our work offshore.

Missykb has already decided to sit for the exam. - see message

[ In Reply To ..]
She was not asking for your feelings about AHDI.

I am a CMT, am proud of my accomplishment and I do not consider my credentialing worthless.

"Sitting" for exam - NONAHDIfan

[ In Reply To ..]
Too bad, she got my feelings about them anyhow. When AHDI does even further damage to what is left of this so-called "profession," come back and tell us how proud you are then. That is exactly what the AHDI is counting on, you people who need your egos stroked with a piece of paper saying WHOPPEE, I'M A CMT! Our wages are progressively declining thanks to the AHDI, but please give them your hard-earned money. They are laughing all the way to the bank.

Someone sounds a little bitter - missykb

[ In Reply To ..]
Not only will my ego be stroked with my "piece of paper" but my bank account will as well. I am not one to cut off my nose to spite my face. I am doing this for ME. This "piece of paper" will secure an immediate pay raise for me equivalent to approx $2400-2600 a year. For that, I will be the one laughing all the way to the bank. P.S. The $275 testing fee is paid to Prometrics. The AHDI doesn't get a dime of it. I assume you are no longer in the MT profession judging by your clear disdain of it all? I wish the best for your in your future endeavors.

Bitter? - youbetcha

[ In Reply To ..]
Unfortunately, still in the business, too old to go back to school, have done this for 30 years and watched what was once a profession to be proud of, that paid well, go straight to he!!. Please, do you honestly believe that none of your money is going to AHDI? They are the ones giving out the piece of paper. Pay raise or not, it simply wouldn't be worth it to me to support this organization. I highly suggest you do some research on the AHDI and their stance on several issues, one of which they are pushing hard to the MTSO's is to take away our pay for spaces.

Bitter - missykb

[ In Reply To ..]
I am sorry for your troubles. I do understand the frustration. I have only been in this field for 6 years and in that short time, I have watched my pay go from $54 to $27 per year while at the same time working as hard or harder than I used to (my former primary account was sent overseas likely to MTs who were trained by AHDI). Like it or not though, AHDI is and will always be involved in the profession, and I agree with your assessement of their organization; however, trying out for the CMT is a personal accomplishment I want to achieve and most importantly a way for me to make more money until I figure out what my next step will be, because unfortunately it is looking like transcription is not the lucrative industry it once was. Again, best wishes to you.

I'm a CMT and very proud of it! It's part of the solution, not the problem - Not a cheerleader for AHDI though

[ In Reply To ..]
AHDI isn't the most important thing in my life, but I'm very proud of my CMT. It's also okay with me if others don't choose to sit for that exam. I wouldn't lose sleep of AHDI dropped off the face of the earth, but I would still enjoy knowing that I was able to pass a tough test that not everyone can pass. It was an achievement and I'm proud of it.

CMT Exam - missykb

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks everyone for the comments & encouragement. I really appreciate it. I agree that $400 is a lot of money, however I consider it an investment in my future and my career. Upon receiving CMT credentials, I will get a raise at work equivalent to about $2400-2600 per year, so I will recoup that initial $400 pretty quickly.

cmt exam - wmxcmt

[ In Reply To ..]
I understand about AHDI and I certainly wish that outsourcing our private medical records could be stopped! I am also very unhappy about AHDI's stance on this. However, I did feel it was an accomplishment and I am proud to have the CMT. Bottom line for me, I did it because of the pay increase I received. My cost was only $150, the rest was reimbursed by my company, and then when I passed $75 was refunded back to me, so bottom line the cost was $75, making it a win/win for me.

I had forgotten, but remembered now that Poppy mentioned it, there were multiple choice questions and those were tough, determining which was correct. Don't panic, use standard test taking techniques. I was able in most cases to immediately eliminate at least 2 of the choices, then do step by step as she said to determine which of the remaining is correct. Know the difference between volvulus and intussusception. (tests vary, this was one I had trouble remembering, it may not be on yours). Best wishes.

Same reason for getting as you, MissyKB and WmxCMT. - Poppy

[ In Reply To ..]
Also, at a time when what companies want in us seems to be changing and many of them are asking for it, I wanted CMT on my resume.

Wondering if anyone knows what minimum passing score is? - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I am going to be taking the exam in December (thought I'd get it done before any changes next year). This was kind of a last minute decision, and now I'm making myself nervous!

I haven't been able to find info on the AHDI site about what the minimum passing score is. I found something in an Advance article from over a year ago that noted 62/102 questions in the first section and 30/60 questions in the second section, but I would like to verify this.

Good luck to anyone else prepping right now!

I just feel more calm if I know all I can about what to expect. :)

Minimum Score on CMT - missykb1

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been looking for the same info and cannot find it anywhere. I read on a blog somewhere without a date (can't even remember where now) that it was 85! That makes me very nervous! I may call my contact person at AHDI tomorrow and ask that question. If I find out, I will post it. Curious sm, are you taking the AHDI prep course and if so, what do you think about it? That is the one I am using and while it is helpful,it has scared me lol. Its been a long time since I diagrammed a sentence, I don't routinely do radio or path or dentistry, so I'm not scoring too well on those questions.

Thanks for the info! - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm not taking an official prep course. My company offers one, but I kind of made up my mind to test at the last minute, and it is difficult to schedule anything. I am going to go through the CMT review guide, and I have most of the texts they refer to already. I am also going to go through my company's material posted online. It's going to be kind of sporadic going for me, so I'm hoping to do a decent job without a prep course.

Hopefully my strong areas will help make up for the weak ones.

Good luck.

Diagramming sentences? LOL! That goes to what I was talking - Poppy

[ In Reply To ..]
about above, though. You know, I had an English teacher in middle school who, according to the next year's teacher, wasted our time on sentence diagramming, diagramming, and more diagramming. This guy was a diagramming nut. Our homework assignments were intricate puzzles, with a single diagram often slanting down more than half a page. The girls used rulers and turned in exquisite geometric designs, most of the boys...

Funny, though, although I can't remember what iambic pentameter is and probably more time should have been spent on that, among lots of other things, all that emphasis on sentence structure did play a part decades later in helping me pass the grammar part. It may also have contributed to my propensity to looong sentences. :)

Got the answer to minimum passing scores - missykb1

[ In Reply To ..]
I just called someone at AHDI in the credentialing dept. She said on part 1 of the test, there are 102 multiple choice questions. You have to get 62 out of the 102 correct to pass. Part 2 is the transcription snippets. There are 60 voice snippets and you have to get 30 right to pass the test. Good luck to all who are going to be testing!

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