How to Prepare for the Medical Assistant Certification Test

The medical assistant Certification Test is an important step in your career. Here’s how to make sure you’re prepared.

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Introduction

Dedicating the time and effort to become a certified medical assistant is a significant undertaking. Aspiring Medical assistants must complete an accredited training program and successfully pass the medical assistant certification exam.

The certification process begins with finding the right training program. A growing number of schools offer medical assistant training, so it’s important to do your research to find a program that is accredited and meets your needs. Once you’ve enrolled in a program, you can begin preparing for the certification exam.

The Medical Assistant Certification Test is administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA). The test is divided into two sections: a written examination and a skills examination. To help you prepare for both sections of the test, the NHA offers study materials, practice tests, and online resources.

In addition to studying on your own, you can also prepare for the Medical Assistant Certification Test by taking a review course. Review courses are offered by many different organizations, including community colleges, private companies, and online providers. These courses provide an overview of the material covered on the certification exam and may include practice exams, study tips, and mock interviews.

Taking a review course is not required, but it can be helpful in ensuring that you are fully prepared for the Medical Assistant Certification Test. Whether you decide to take a review course or not, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to study for the exam. With dedication and hard work, you can earn your medical assistant certification and begin your rewarding new career!

Why Get Certified

There are many reasons to get certified as a medical assistant. Here are four key benefits of certification:

1. Enhanced employability – In today’s job market, certification can give you a significant advantage over non-certified candidates when competing for medical assistant positions. Many employers prefer or require certification, and some may even offer higher salaries to certified Medical Assistants

2. Increased job satisfaction – Certification can lead to increased confidence and pride in your work as a medical assistant. It also provides a sense of accomplishment and can be a motivating factor in career advancement.

3. Greater opportunity for career advancement – With certification, you may have access to opportunities for advanced training and increased responsibility on the job. As you advance in your career, certification can also lead to improved job security.

4. Opportunity to give back to the profession – As a certified medical assistant, you can help shape the future of the profession by serving as a mentor or role model for other medical assistants or those considering a career inmedical assisting.

Who is Eligible

In order to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
You must have graduated from an accredited medical assisting program within the past five years, or
You must have graduated more than five years ago, but within that time period, you must have worked full-time for five years as a medical assistant.
You will need to provide transcripts or other documentation verifying your graduation from a medical assisting program when you register for the exam.

The Exam Process

There are a few steps you’ll need to complete before you can take the Medical Assistant Certification Test.

First, you’ll need to submit an application to the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The AAMA will review your application to make sure you meet the requirements for taking the exam.

Next, you’ll need to register for the exam with the National Healthcare Association (NHA). The NHA administers the certification exam for medical assistants.

Once you’ve registered for the exam, you’ll receive a confirmation email from the NHA with instructions on how to schedule your exam date and time. You’ll need to schedule your exam within 6 months of registering.

The Exam Process page on the AAMA website provides more information on each of these steps.

What is on the Exam

The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential is granted by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To earn the CMA, candidates must successfully complete a medical assistant certification exam that covers five major content areas:

• General medical knowledge
• Body structures and functions
• Clinical procedures
• Administrative procedures
• Medical ethics and legal issues

How to Prepare

The Medical Assistant Certification Test, also known as the CMA (AAMA) exam, is a computer-based exam administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The CMA (AAMA) credential is the only medical assisting credential recognized by the AAMA—and therefore the only one that can use the CMA (AAMA) credential.

Earning your CMA (AAMA) credential requires passing a computer-based test consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers four content areas: general knowledge, administrative procedures, clinical procedures, and infection control. To pass the exam, you must correctly answer at least 170 of the 200 questions.

You can prepare for the Medical Assistant Certification Test in several ways. The AAMA offers a study guide and an online practice test to help you prepare for the exam. In addition, many colleges and universities that offer medical assistant programs include preparation for the CMA (AAMA) exam as part of their curriculum.

Once you have earned your CMA (AAMA) credential, you will need to renew it every 60 months by either retaking the certification exam or completing 60 continuing education credits.

Study Tips

Getting ready to take the medical assistant certification test? Use these study tips to help you prepare.

The medical assistant certification test is a whopper, covering a wide variety of topics related to the medical assisting field. In order to pass the exam, you’ll need to do more than just show up on test day – you’ll need to be prepared.

Here are a few tips to help you get ready for the big day:

1. Get organized
Create a study schedule and stick to it. Find a quiet place to study where you won’t be interrupted, and set aside time each day or each week to review material. If possible, find a study buddy who can help keep you on track.

2. Understand the format of the exam
Familiarize yourself with the format of the exam so there are no surprises on test day. The certification exam is typically divided into three sections: general knowledge, administrative skills, and clinical skills. Make sure you understand what will be covered in each section so you can focus your studying accordingly.

3. Take practice exams
A great way to gauge your understanding of the material and identify any weak spots is to take practice exams. There are many free online resources that offer practice questions, or you can purchase a study guide that includes sample tests. Taking practice exams under timed conditions will also help you get used to working quickly, which will be important on test day.

4. Get plenty of rest and eat healthy foods
It might sound clichéd, but getting enough sleep and eating healthy foods will help improve your focus and concentration while you’re studying – both of which are essential for remembering information come test time. So make sure you’re taking care of yourself during the weeks leading up to the exam!

Practice Tests

One of the best ways to prepare for the medical assistant certification test is to take practice tests. There are many different types of practice tests available, so it is important to find the one that best suits your needs. Some practice tests are available online, while others must be purchased.

Practice tests can help you become familiar with the format of the test and the types of questions that will be asked. They can also help you identify any areas in which you need to brush up on your knowledge.

When taking a practice test, it is important to simulate the conditions of the actual test as much as possible. This means finding a quiet place to work and setting a timer for each section. You should also use scratch paper and a pencil, just as you would on the real test.

The Day of the Exam

On the day of the exam, you will want to arrive early. This will allow you to get settled in and relaxed before the test begins. Make sure you have everything you need, including your ID and any materials approved by the testing center.

During the exam, be sure to read each question carefully. If you are unsure of an answer, take your time and think through each possible option before selecting one. There is no penalty for guessing on the Medical Assistant Certification Test, so you should always choose an answer even if you are not completely confident in it.

When you are finished with the exam, double check that you have answered all questions before turning it in. Once it is turned in, you will not be able to change any of your answers.

What Happens After the Exam

After you have taken the Medical Assistant Certification Test, you will receive a score report that indicates your performance on the exam. If you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate of completion. Once you have passed the exam, you will be eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam.