What YOU need to know about the CPC exam - Online and In-Person Medical Coding Certification Insight

[@ContempoCoding]

Get 10% OFF a medical coding certification program through OnlineDegree .com! 👇 go.onlinedegree.com/contempo OnlineDegree .com helps students find the best price for online certifications. Through my exclusive link you can get an additional 10% off a program and other free perks. *Disclaimer: If utilizing the link above, Contempo Coding will earn an affiliate commission. These affiliate commissions add no extra cost to the purchase price and helps support me so I can continue to provide my viewers great content about medical billing and coding.

[@TVstardom]

I appreciate hearing about the benefits of online and in person exams. I prefer online. My concern is getting my laptop setup with no notifications or popups. Also I use my smart phone for hotspot and tethering for Internet access on my laptop. I have no separate modem for laptop. Hope that's not a problem. I want to make sure I have enough space on my desk for laptop and the three code books for 2023. ICD-10-CM Expert, CPT 2023, HCPCS Level II. A lot to juggle, but I have done it. Plant to take the Practice exams. Plan to take CPC EXAM by April 2023. Thank you for your help and the ladies input. Congratulations to them on attaining their CPC.

[@gretchenwetzel7313]

Coming back here to say I just passed the exam online :) but originally I wasn't going to watch this video because it was long and I doubted I'd learn much from it - but I was wrong! It turned out to be really good to have this forewarning about the strict requirements for webcam angle, background noises etc. (I did send my dogs to stay at my friends' for the duration!) so thank you for this!

[@JCplays143]

I passed the CPC exam. Your videos help me a lot! Thanks!

[@sculder85]

By the way I just got my results today and I passed!! 😁

[@ContempoCoding]

OMG that's awesome!!!!!

[@sculder85]

@@ContempoCoding Thank you! I'm so happy!! 😁

[@heatherchapman2773]

Congratulations! 🎊

[@sculder85]

@@heatherchapman2773 Thank you!

[@vana.96]

Congratulations 🎉 Good Luck on your Journey.😊

[@sculder85]

When I showed the proctor my white board, he said he saw something written on the back....it was the date stamp/upc code of the cardboard. I had to get it closer to the camera so he can see it. I was like, really! LOL. And I don't have a tripod so I had to use my tall step ladder and stack some small boxes and small pencil box size containers we had in the basement to get the height they wanted for the camera to see me and my desk.That was a pain. Once, my camera fell off(the first time I had it taped and the tape got loose) and so I had to show the room 360 degrees again while the clock was ticking and then secure it better and continue with the exam. If it wasn't for Covid-19 I'd rather sit through the 5 hrs and 40 min exam. And I prefer the process of elimination on actual paper, not frantically writing out A, B, C ,D on a whiteboard without the ability to highlight the code groups. I was thinking maybe if the online exam would evolve, there would be a way you could use a stylus to cross out codes on your screen to better help with process of elimination.

[@rahabk10]

🌷⚘🌷⚘ Wanted to thank you for all of your videos. I passed my CPC. You helped me more than you will ever know. Thank you again!!

[@ContempoCoding]

OH MY YESSSSS!!! That is so awesome, CONGRATS on being a certified coder!!! WOO HOOO!!!!!!! 🎈🎆🎇🧨✨✨🎉🎊🎉🎈🎆🧨🎇

[@lauraerives2910]

Thank you for all the videos on the cpc exams. I took the cpc exam online and finally passed.

[@rlamar9149]

When I scheduled my online test a couple of weeks ago they had times as late as 11pm central standard time. I was extremely surprised they had times that late. I'm scheduled for 8/20 and I've been watching your videos to supplement my studying! Great info!

[@islandgirlforever2868]

this was so helpful. thank you so much. I'm currently studying for my AAPC CPC.

[@robinmeiser]

This is so helpful! And after watching this I’ve changed my mind. I will definitely be taking the exam in person!

[@mamataraj8487]

Thank you Victoria, your videos gave many tips which helped me pass the CPC exam after a 4 month self study prep!!

[@ContempoCoding]

I'm so glad!

[@mahjabeen5806]

self study how did u do it?

[@jem2429]

I just wanted to come on here and thank you. I just took my cpc exam yesterday and I saw SO many things on there from your videos. I was able to eliminate so many answers so quickly. Thank you so much for what you do. I couldn’t have gotten through that test without what I learned from you!

[@jayhutch794]

How did you do I take mines soon, nervous

[@michelebohannon2167]

This was another great video !! I’m preparing for my exam that is scheduled for my on-line exam in December!!

[@sannyc2325]

Congratulations ladies on passing your test. I don’t own a webcam or a whiteboard, I really don’t want to spend money and purchase those items to take my test online, so I’ll stick to in person

[@bernfran1313]

Great to hear each perspective. I see myself taking my exam in person. Thanks

[@missminx6984]

Wow congratulations for a 93%! This is invaluable information.

[@ContempoCoding]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gembustamante08]

Great video with the two perspectives! It helped. If you take the CPC exam online and would like to know which areas you did well or not, you can call AAPC and they can help you out on that. I received an email detailing which areas I would need to focus and which I did well on. You can see if this applies for in person exam too.

[@Seno278]

Thank you so much for this video Victoria. Really appreciate both of them you interviewed. You asked the right questions( Almost everything I had in mind :-) ) and they answered them so well !!

[@lomurray4069]

I got my results today. I made a 91. The test was big , but the biggest issue were the proctors. The day before the test. I had to change my strategy. That increased my time. I used the small plastic tabs to separate my answers instead of writing them on the board. I may have used the board maybe 10 times.

[@ContempoCoding]

That's awesome!

[@jessicacolon1376]

Sorry, I d understand your strategy, why you have to tabs your answers?

[@lomurray4069]

@@jessicacolon1376 to get to the right answer , once you find all the specific codes and tab them, you can then read the question and start eliminating the incorrect answers and remove the incorrect tabs ( answers) as you go. Also visibility! If you have codes on different pages you trying to figure out, when you flip to another page, you may lose the codes you were looking at. The tabs will make sure you continue to see that specific code. I had a question that had me looking at 2 different sections. To make sure, I got back to the page, I put a tab at the bottom.

[@jessicacolon1376]

@@lomurray4069 got it! Thank you!

[@heatherchapman2773]

This was a great video! It really helped me to better understand my choice to take the CPC online. I had no idea that I would need a whiteboard. I actually was able to go and find the one I have in the house. Hopefully it’ll work OK. I was just given a job offer yesterday for a coding position. I’m very excited, but the job offer hinges on my passing my CPC. I was very happy to hear that the online option offers you your results faster than the in person option. That way, I will know if I have to take it again and will have the opportunity hopefully to do so before I am to start my job next month. I purchased the practice exams from the AAPC and will be really working on those and trying to master my skills as best I can before I take the exam. Thank you again for another great episode. Thank you also to Theresa and Marissa for the input. I found this to be very helpful.

[@ContempoCoding]

Good luck on your exam!!

[@maramsahagun]

Thank you for the videos! They’re very helpful and a good way to psych myself as i prepared for the exam. Your intro music was playing in my head prior to the test. lol! When i took the online exam, i checked in 15 mins before my test thru examity, but their verification process was frozen for quite sometime. I used their help line / chat on the bottom right of the screen to let them know that the screen has been frozen. They were able to assist me fast, but the proctor checking procedure pushed the beginning of my exam to 15mins past the original start time. The proctor was very thorough - she asked me to raise my arms to check that i have no digital watches, she also asked me to show the 360 view of the room, my clear desk with only allowed items, she even asked to view the bottom of the desk.

[@ContempoCoding]

Sounds like they don't miss a thing! Might be a pain, but good to know they're protecting the integrity of the credential. It wouldn't be worth much if people could cheat their way through it! That's too funny about the intro music! Lol!!

[@paulaneary7877]

Thank you for this video. It was particularly helpful to me because I finished my course in October and will be taking my exam in person in February. I am older so I am used to taking exams in person and have always done well in school. I live in California, so hopefully Covid-19 will settle down and they won't have to cancel my in person exam. I am not particularly good with computers either. Anyways, thank you for the very helpful tips.

[@rushidhruva]

A new subscriber here studying to take my CPC exam in April and I am a bundle of nerves right now!! But this video is great and would be very helpful towards making my decision between online/in person exam choices that I have make in a week or so!

[@ContempoCoding]

I'm so glad this helped you out, Roopa!

[@rushidhruva]

@@ContempoCoding I love how you have thoughtfully made so many great videos for newcomers like myself that are able to watch and learn so many great insights from them, much grateful to you for that !!

[@lillianmgreene3557]

Thank you, so much for this Victoria. feeling great about my online choice. Physically its a great thing for me

[@ContempoCoding]

Glad to hear, Lillian!!

[@urdiving]

Very informative on which one to take

[@ContempoCoding]

Glad it was helpful!

[@scarpe322]

Marissa, you’re a star! I’m in the midst of training now, still some time to go before even scheduling the exam. But...I started this video thinking “only online for me,” but I think I’ve changed my mind. I like writing things down, crossing things off, and lists too. I think the in person format may be a little more structured and better fitting for me.

[@vilmadigilio7626]

Awesome video, very instructional. I am taking my exam this Sunday 11/15/2020 and I am starting taking my practice exams. I am studying 10 to 12 hrs a day. So hopefully, I'll be well prepared. Wish me luck!

[@keyshianorman6]

Wow your information is deep about online, talking out loud 🤦🏾‍♀️I have too I'll work on not too lol 😬Taking my CPC Online next week.. 5 am eastern time, while my client is sleeping sleeping😴 .. 🙆🏾‍♀️I'm doing live in CNA nursing aide for work.. Stressless. Friday and Sunday👀

[@ContempoCoding]

It's not as easy as it sounds for sure. I'm told it's a lot easier to understand the expectations if you REALLY REALLY read through the email instructions that the AAPC gives you for the online exam.

[@JoyfulJenn]

I took the NCLEX in 2005 and passed the first time and then enjoyed my nursing career. I am currently in an auditing position and I love it so now I’m just thinking of taking this CPC test as well. I have medical knowledge and I believe I could be an excellent coder! I also would like to work remotely in the future! Thanks for all the helpful videos!

[@hannahlewis9791]

Can I ask a question to anyone who’s taken the online test? I have mine scheduled and I also read the part about how a whiteboard was allowed. And I heard how she said you have to show your whiteboard blank at the beginning and then show it blank at the end. What did you end up using it for? I have tabs in my books - not loose papers, but just tabs on the pages. Did you just use the whiteboard to write down page numbers or something? I’m just confused. Thank you! ***Edit: Never mind, I am just now watching your video “How to Pass the CPC Exam in 2021” and around 15 minutes in you explained this in great depth!! Thank you so very much.

[@mamataraj8487]

The in person exam in my area keeps getting cancelled and I have no option but to take the online exam. Thank you so much for making this video, gave a lot of important information. I had a question about the format of the online exam. It is my understanding that it is in 2 sections, we have to complete the first section of 74 questions in 2 hrs 45 mins and submit before starting the second section (at a different time/day). Within each section are the initial questions long and the shorter questions in the end? It would be hard to manage time if all the long questions are in the first section and the shorter ones are towards the end of the second section. Basically are there medical term and anatomy questions in both sections towards the end?

[@annparsons9375]

FANTASTIC THANKS FOR SHARING. GOD BLESS

[@TreeGallaher]

Thank you, Victoria

[@ContempoCoding]

Thank you, Teresa! So many great comments already on how helpful this was!!

[@chasitygillenwater3918]

So earlier you said that if you’re not sure about answers to go ahead and do the ones you do know first then go back to them. Would you be able to do that if you test online?

[@carey2030]

Yeah I would like to know what I would have gotten. Wrong or the areas.

[@Similie03]

This was such an informative video!

[@ContempoCoding]

I'm so glad you think so!

[@keynan394418]

OMG!! YOU CAN'T MUMMBLE TO YOURSELF. I THINK OUT LOUD TO MY SELF WHEN I AM STUDYING.

[@lizthecontentcreator]

Sameee.

[@onewomansjourney760]

I do the same. I talk out things when answering questions.

[@adeenaamatullah9909]

Wow I like to know what I got wrong, so in person probably best for me. I will be taking ear plugs great tips👍. Plus with children at home that online exam sound nerve wrecking.

[@ContempoCoding]

Glad to help

[@heatherchapman2773]

Thank you so much Victoria for all of these highly informative and very helpful videos. They really helped me to achieve my goal. I just found out today that I passed my CPC online exam with an 83%! Your videos had a lot to do with that. Thank you so much for all of your hard work. I for one greatly appreciate it!

[@ContempoCoding]

Awesome, Heather!! Woo hoo!!!

[@heatherchapman2773]

@@ContempoCoding Thank you Victoria! I am so excited! I start my new job tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it! 😁

[@kristiyannaaursby1035]

How long did it take for you to get your results?

[@heatherchapman2773]

@@kristiyannaaursby1035 Not long at all. It was either the next day or the day after. And actually the way I found out was that my credentials showed up under my name on the AAPC app. ✨😊✨

[@kristiyannaaursby1035]

@@heatherchapman2773 wow great. I took my first part yesterday and my second part today. I felt like it was really easy but still nervous about my results

[@Jojononsense]

Do I have to buy a membership for AAPC in order to get an exam?

[@mistyblue3238]

Victoria the interview with the first lady did not mention the guidelines of 1995 and 1997 doing the test online. Curious could you have the guidelines for the online test?

[@ContempoCoding]

For the CPC exam online or in person you are not allowed to have the E/M guidelines. You won't actually need them -- there's no leveling of services on the exam. They will give you the level of history, exam, and medical decision making. You can find the list of approved references on the AAPC exam FAQs online. Under "What items will I need to bring to the exam?" there is a link to the approved references. www.aapc.com/certification/faq.aspx

[@irmafalcon2330]

My worst nightmare came true 😭. 10 questions to go with 25 minutes left on the clock for 2nd half of the exam and my internet shut down. The exam auto submitted and I am now waiting for AAPC to provide me an update.

[@ContempoCoding]

Noooooooooooo. I'm so sorry, I hope it turns out okay. 😭

[@ContempoCoding]

Irma i need an update!!

[@irmafalcon2330]

@@ContempoCoding oh dear extremely frustrated :( I have been calling weekly and still no update. I love all your videos they are so helpful and informative! Ill keep you posted.

[@weichuanchen1845]

Thank you for this useful information Victoria. Really appreciate both of girls share their experience, are we able to go back to correct the previous answers during the exam, I didn't catch that.

[@ContempoCoding]

Yes you can! While in section one you can go back and correct answers. However when you are done with section 1 you cannot go back to section 1. So when you're in section 2, you can only go back to things in section 2, and not section 1.

[@glitteringcorner9681]

Thanks for this information, so de we need to have an external camera or else a bulilt in webcam of the laptop is fine?

[@ContempoCoding]

It must be external. Laptop camera is not acceptable.

[@stephanieshort7891]

Thank you so much ☺️! This was truly helpful ❤

[@ladiwolf2011]

Congratulations

[@maggiebenitez5744]

Grateful for your content ♥️

[@been1734]

where can I find the stand you are using for your coding books?

[@marcymaher7691]

I found mine on Amazon.

[@kitty9392]

Can you take a magnifying glass? I have trouble with the small ICD 10 print.

[@ContempoCoding]

Yes, you can take a magnifying glass or magnifying ruler if needed.

[@kitty9392]

@@ContempoCoding Thank you for responding and for doing these videos. I've been struggling with an online course and these really help.

[@shyannemcmullen7288]

With online exam do you have the ability to skip around the sections?

[@braziliansky7892]

Hi,when you say online exam ,do I really need to use my physical books ?

[@ContempoCoding]

Yes. The online exam still requires paper books.

[@ovsannagezalyan1035]

Thank you very much ladies very helpful tips!

[@ContempoCoding]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annparsons9375]

Thank you soooooooooooooo muh. God bless

[@QueenD08]

Great video !! This really helped my decision for me taking my exam in Dec. Quick question though, how long does it usually take to get your results for the in person exam?

[@ContempoCoding]

Typically like 5-10 days.

[@QueenD08]

Thank you so much for replying 😊

[@mamataraj8487]

I took the exam online on Friday and Saturday morning, the result was posted on the AAPC website by Saturday evening

[@Tonigirl]

Do we know if the questions, online, were by body system or were the questions scattered?

[@Tonigirl]

I am taking my exam this Saturday online....

[@honeyyork1337]

Toni girl Good luck!

[@Tonigirl]

@@honeyyork1337 thank you so much

[@honeyyork1337]

Toni girl I’m about to start with a mentor in my program. I’m so stuck with what to know...I want to know it all. 😁

[@Tonigirl]

@@honeyyork1337 I found a few KZbin channels very helpfu; Hoang Nguyen and Absolutely Medical Coding, LLC andd CCO Club they all have very detailed practice questions and rationale.

[@dominiccoppola2305]

How much time would you recommend to study beforehand? A month? Also on the online exam, if it is one question at a time, can you skip and go back to questions if you don't know the answer right away?

[@kathy972]

I am interested in what facebook group you are referring to?

[@urdiving]

Following

[@tracyhaga19]

What practice exams did the in-person person use

[@ericar184]

I have a fish tank in my office. Would that back ground noise be a problem?

[@philipluisbenoza4784]

Hi, Any tips for international examinee? Im still undecided whether to take online or onsite exam.

[@ContempoCoding]

I don't have any experience or insight on how countries other than my own are handling, sorry.

[@ghazlo7523]

Same question... do you have ability to skip the sections?

[@erinlovescoffee]

I will be testing online so good to know I need to put my dog in daycare that day 😂

[@ContempoCoding]

Yeah better not risk it! 😅

[@juandiego9509]

This video was very useful thank you very much for making this video

[@Lorax.]

How is restroom use handled for in-person testing?

[@ContempoCoding]

Typically they only let one person go at a time. If it's a larger group they may allow two.

[@nattachajimenezesteves2880]

Did you have to wear a mask to the in person exam?

[@ContempoCoding]

The wearing of masks is up to the proctor depending on their local guidance. I'm fairly sure most are requiring masks at least until their seating and the testing has started and while entering/exiting.

[@bjawcandy9802]

If I decide to take the exam online, I only have a Apple iMac computer.......will that be an issue? Also, how does the zoom work in one browser and being on a blackboard? This is so confusing. Thank you.

[@ContempoCoding]

You might find some answers in this video the AAPC just put out: aapcmarketing.s3.amazonaws.com/Exams/Online-Exam-Requirements-and-Instructions/story.html?hss_channel=fbp-157062124329364

[@bjawcandy9802]

@@ContempoCoding Thank you! I will check it out tomorrow.

[@ever-vm4me]

Hi what is the difference with CPC and CCS?

[@ContempoCoding]

CPC is administered by the AAPC and is for professional coding (services provided by physicians and other clinicians). It tests you on ICD-10-CM, HCPCs, and CPT. The CCS is administered by AHIMA and is for facility services (use of the hospital, meds, equipment, staff, etc). It focuses more on ICD-10-CM/PCS and some CPT and there are elgibility requirements to sit for the exam as well. CPC Exam: www.aapc.com/certification/cpc/ CCS Exam: www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certification-exams/ccs/

[@zezooam]

Can I use pdf book

[@TreeGallaher]

For the online test, it has to be paper books. You cannot use anything on your computer except the internet browser your test is on (and the webcam). They will have you show your task manager on your computer to verify you have nothing else running.

[@christinahall2841]

Can you highlight words on the online version?

[@samanthad2u]

3 hours? How many questions is it?

[@JenniLu87]

How much was it for unlimited attempts?

[@ContempoCoding]

The unlimited attempts are usually bundled into a whole education package that's several thousand dollars.

[@JenniLu87]

@@ContempoCoding Thanks so much!!

[@prashantsahu3611]

👍👍👌👌👌

[@NeoSoulCrew]

The online test sounds like a nightmare.

[@navink5264]

I plan to take my exam online, I want to know that during the exam can we go back to a question or it does not give an option? and it is only "next?"