Certified Medical Assistant Exam Prep: What You Need to Know
Contents
- Introduction
- What is the Certified Medical Assistant Exam?
- Who is Eligible to Take the Exam?
- What is the Exam Format?
- What Topics are Tested on the Exam?
- How can I Prepare for the Exam?
- What are the Benefits of Certification?
- How often is the Exam offered?
- Where can I take the Exam?
- When can I retake the Exam if I don’t pass?
If you’re planning on taking the Certified medical assistant Exam, you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared. In this blog post, we’ll give you a rundown of what you can expect on the exam and how to best prepare for it.
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Introduction
The medical assistant profession has been on the rise in recent years, and with good reason. Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team, providing essential support to doctors and other medical staff. If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant, you’ll need to pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.
In this guide, we’ll give you an overview of what to expect on the CMA exam, including the format, content, and necessary study materials. We’ll also provide some tips on how to best prepare for the exam so that you can achieve a passing score.
What is the Certified Medical Assistant Exam?
The Certified Medical Assistant Exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam that is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The exam is used to credential medical assistants who have successfully completed an accredited medical assisting program. The AAMA offers two types of credentialing exams: the Certified Medical Assistant Exam and the Registered Medical Assistant Exam. Candidates who pass either exam will earn the credential “CMA” (Certified Medical Assistant) or “RMA” (Registered Medical Assistant), respectively.
The Certified Medical Assistant Exam is a broad-based examination that tests a medical assistant’s knowledge in various areas of medical assisting. The examination is divided into five sections: Administrative Procedures, Clinical Procedures, General Knowledge, Infection Control, and Patient Education. Each section contains a set of multiple-choice questions that are designed to test a candidate’s knowledge in that particular area.
The AAMA offers a study guide and practice test to help candidates prepare for the Certified Medical Assistant Exam. The study guide includes an overview of the topics covered on the exam, as well as sample questions and suggestions for further study. The practice test provides candidates with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the format and content of the actual examination.
Candidates who pass the Certified Medical Assistant Exam will receive a certificate of completion from the AAMA. This certificate can be used to apply for state licensure, if required.
Who is Eligible to Take the Exam?
In order to be eligible to take the certified medical assistant exam, you must have completed an accredited medical assisting program and have at least five years of full-time work experience as a medical assistant. You must also submit a copy of your medical assistant diploma or certificate and an official transcript from your medical assistant program.
What is the Exam Format?
The CMA (AAMA) Exam is a computer-based test consisting of three sections: General, Administrative, and Clinical. You will have 2½ hours to complete the exam.
The General section tests your knowledge of Medical Terminology anatomy, physiology, and basic patient procedures. This section contains 60 multiple-choice questions and counts for 30% of your total score.
The Administrative section covers topics such as medical office management, billing and coding, appointment scheduling, and customer service. This section contains 60 multiple-choice questions and counts for 30% of your total score.
The Clinical section tests your knowledge of patient assessment, vital signs, phlebotomy, EKGs, and medication administration. This section contains 90 multiple-choice questions and counts for 40% of your total score.
What Topics are Tested on the Exam?
There are many different topics that could be covered on the Certified Medical Assistant Exam. The exact topics that will be covered on your exam will depend on the version of the exam that you take. There are two different versions of the exam, and each version covers a different set of topics.
The first version of the exam covers mainly Administrative topics. This portion of the exam covers things such as medical office procedures, appointment scheduling, insurance and billing, and patient records. The second version of the exam covers Clinical topics. This portion of the exam covers things such as pharmacology, medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.
You will need to know about all of the topics covered in both versions of the exam in order to pass. However, the focus of your studying should be on the version of the exam that you are taking. Make sure that you understand what topics will be covered on your particular version of the exam before you start studying.
How can I Prepare for the Exam?
There are a few things you can do to prepare for the Certified Medical Assistant Exam. The first is to make sure you understand the format of the exam. The exam is divided into two sections, a written section and a clinical skills section. The written section will test your knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. The clinical skills section will test your ability to perform basic medical procedures, such as taking vital signs and administering injections.
You should also familiarize yourself with the content of the exam by reviewing study guides and practice questions. A good study guide will cover all of the topics on the exam and provide tips for solving different types of questions. Practice questions will give you an opportunity to see what types of questions are typically asked on the exam.
In addition to studying for the exam, you should also take steps to ensure that you are physically and mentally prepared on test day. Make sure to get plenty of rest the night before the exam so that you are well-rested and alert on test day. And, be sure to eat a healthy breakfast so that you have enough energy to focus on the exam.
What are the Benefits of Certification?
There are many benefits of certification for medical assistants. Certification shows that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform your job well. It can also lead to higher pay and promotions. Additionally, certified medical assistants may be able to find jobs more easily than those without certification. Finally, certification can give you a sense of pride and satisfaction in your career.
How often is the Exam offered?
The Certified Medical Assistant Exam is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). It is a computer-based exam that is offered year-round at testing centers around the United States The AAMA offers three windows each year during which the exam is offered:
-January 1 – March 31
-April 1 – June 30
-July 1 – September 30
Where can I take the Exam?
The CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam is offered by appointment year-round at computer testing centers around the world. To schedule an appointment, contact Pearson VUE at www.PearsonVUE.com/AAMA or by phone at 800-852-2255. You must schedule your exam appointment at least five business days in advance, and you will need to provide pearson vue with your AAMA certification ID number when you call to schedule. The AAMA certification ID number can be found on your eligibility notification letter or certificate of membership.
When can I retake the Exam if I don’t pass?
If you don’t pass the Exam the first time, you can retake it as many times as you need to. However, you’ll have to wait at least 45 days before taking it again.