Free CMA Certification Test 2024

What Is the CMA Certification Test?

The AAMA CMA exam is a multiple-choice 200-question test with four segments of 40 minutes each that requires in-depth knowledge of healthcare services. It is administered through PSI Services LLC (PSI) and applicants are only allowed to take it if they meet AAMA requirements.

The following Professionals are required to take the exam by the certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA):

  • Family Medicine Medical Assistant.
  • Cardiology Medical Assistant.
  • Geriatrics Medical Assistant.
  • Ophthalmologic Medical Assistant.
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology Medical Assistant.
  • Endocrinology Medical Assistant.
  • Chiropractic Medical Assistant.

Differences Between the CMA AAMA Exam and CCMA NHA Exam

The AAMA Medical Assistant (CMA) test examines the candidate's clinical and administrative skills, while the NHA CCMA test only focuses on the clinical skills necessary to function as a competent medical assistant.

Clinical skills and patient care are usually the main responsibilities of CCMAs, but in smaller healthcare facilities, they may also perform minor administrative duties.

Free CMA Medical Assistant Practice Questions

The following medical assistant certification practice test questions are similar to the ones you’ll encounter in the actual exam.

Question 1 - General

What do you call that stage of the disease when the host is infected by the agent, yet there have been no signs and symptoms of the disease so far?

A. Prodromal stage.
B. Chronic stage.
C. Convalescent stage.
D. Incubation stage.
E. Acute stage.

Answer

The correct answer is (D).

Incubation stage: The stage of disease when the host is infected by the agent, but the first signs and symptoms of the disease have not yet occurred.

Prodromal stage: The initial stage of a disease characterized by malaise and/or fever.

Chronic stage: When the disease has been there for a long time.

Convalescent stage: Recovery stage of the disease.

Acute stage: When the disease is at its peak stage.

Question 2 - General

Which of the following is NOT a part of CHEDDAR charting?

A. Details of a complaint.
B. Drug dosages.
C. Response of the patient to care given.
D. Details of problems.
E. Drug frequency.

Answer

Explanation
The correct answer is (C).

CHEDDAR is a format used for charting patients' medical records. It stands for:

C - Chief complaint

H - History

E - Examination

D - Details of problem and complaint

D - Drug and dosage information

A - Assessment

R - Return visit

Question 3 - Administrative

Which of the following is NOT a part of medical record keeping?

A. Personal and insurance data on the patient.
B. Patient history.
C. Calls made by the patient to the clinic.
D. The time at which the patient arrives for the appointment.
E. Calls made by the patient to his health insurance company.

Answer

The correct answer is (E).

All other options are an integral part of medical record keeping. Calls made anywhere except to the medical facility are of no concern to medical record keeping.

Question 4 - Administrative

There is an unexpected delay in patient appointments and they will need to wait for a while before they are seen. What would you do?

A. Ignore the delay and pretend there is no change.
B. Talk to the patients but avoid telling them about the delay.
C. Tell the patients there will be a delay and they will have to wait.
D. Talk to the patients about the delay and try to make them comfortable while they wait.
E. Get patients some coffee but don’t tell them about the delay.

Answer

The correct answer is (D).

Delays are sometimes unavoidable, so it is the medical attendant's responsibility to inform the patients of the delay and offer options to make sure they are comfortable while they wait.

Question 5 - Clinical

A medical assistant asks a patient, “What is your pain like?” This is an example of which type of question?

A. Exploratory.
B. Open-ended.
C. Partial-open.
D. Close-ended.
E. Double-barreled.

Answer

Explanation
The correct answer is (B).

Open-ended questions are those that encourage the patient to talk and give his own answers, rather than choose from a given set of responses. The given question is an example of an open-ended question as the medical assistant has given the patient an open choice to answer in whatever way he wants to.

Partial-open questions have limited response options and if the respondent selects a specific option, he will have to answer another set of questions, as well. For example, “Do you have pain in your left arm?” If so, how long have you been experiencing the pain, and how would you describe this pain: dull or sharp?

Exploratory questions are intended to find a cause-and-effect relationship. For example, what do you think is the reason behind your depression?

Close-ended questions have limited response options, such as yes or no. For example, if a physician asks a patient, “Do you have pain in the right arm?” the patient would respond yes or no.

Double-barreled questions ask more than one question at a time. For example, “Do you have pain in your arm and leg?” This question asks about pain in the arm and leg in one question. Now, the patient may have pain only in his arm, but if he says yes, the answer would be taken as: Yes, the patient has pain in his arm and leg. These types of questions are not encouraged in a medical setting.

Question 6 - Clinical

Which of the following members of the healthcare team assist patients in developing, recovering, and maintaining daily living following a disease or an injury?

A. Sports medicine specialist.
B. Occupation therapist.
C. Phlebotomist.
D. Physical therapist.
E. Chiropractor.

Answer

The correct answer is (B).

Occupation therapist: Assists patients in developing, recovering, and maintaining daily living following a disease or an injury.

Sports medicine specialist: Diagnoses and treats sports-related injuries.

Phlebotomist: Obtains blood samples.

Physical therapist: Evaluates, diagnoses, and treats musculoskeletal injuries.

Chiropractor: Provides manipulative treatment of disorders resulting from spinal vertebrae misalignment.

 

Certified Medical Assistant Test Requirements

If you want to take the CMA medical assistant exam, you must fall into one of three brackets:

1. Finish a Medical Assistant Program

You already finished or be within 30 days of finishing a valid medical assistance program. Recognized courses are approved by either the:

  • The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
  • The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education.
  • College-level medical assistance programs (Not CAAHEP- or ABHES).

2. Submit an Authorized Transcript

If you’re a non-recent (greater than 12 months since graduation) graduate to apply for the exam you must submit an official transcript from the accredited medical assisting institution that you have graduated from.

3. You Want to Renew Your Certificate

If you wish to renew your CMA credentials and retake the test you must provide your CMA (AAMA) certificate number accompanied by the date you were last certified or recertified.

What Is the Cost of The Exam?

Exam fees are as follows:

  • For graduates who have just completed their training program, the cost is $125.
  • Graduates of 12 months and more pay $125 for AAMA members and $250 for nonmembers.
  • If you want to renew your certificate, the cost is $125 for AAMA members and $250 for nonmembers.

Exam Topics Outline

As mentioned previously the CMA Medical Assistant exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, of which 20 do not count. There are four 40-minute segments in the exam, with the opportunity for breaks in between.

There are three categories to the exam:

Category 1: Clinical Competency

The Clinical Competency category is the largest on the Registered Medical Assistant exam and includes a total of 106 questions.

Here are the topics you might encounter.

Clinical Processes

Questions related to everyday clinical workflow include:

  • Identifying vital signs.
  • Knowledge of current medical terminology.
  • Knowledge of patient interviewing techniques.
  • Documentation of care procedures.
  • Screenings and wellness assessments for patients.
  • Knowledge of Processing Provider Requirements.
Controlling the spread of infection and overall safety
  • Knowledge of Infectious Virus Agents.
  • Infection Cycle.
  • Aspects of Infectious Dissemination.
  • Standard Safety Procedures and Exposure Management.
  • Medical Asepsis.
  • Biohazard Disposal and the Regulation of Disposables.
  • Safety Resources.
  • Knowledge Safety and Emergency Protocols.
  • Emergency Management, Detection, and Reaction.
  • The Basics of First Aid.
  • Knowledge of Body Mechanics/Ergonomics.
  • Understanding of Risk Management and Quality Assurance.
Examinations Procedures
  • Getting patients ready for checkups, medical procedures, and Treatment.
  • Supplies and Equipment.
  • Techniques of Patient Instruction.
  • Assistance in surgery.
  • Care for Wounds.
  • Use of Instruments.
  • Physiology and Anatomy.
  • Specimen Collection Methods include the Preparation, Processing, and Examination of Specimens.
  • Control of Laboratory Quality and Quality Monitoring.
  • Knowledge of CLIA Requirements.
  • Selected Laboratory Panels and Tests.
Pharmacology
  • Knowledge of Medications.
  • The preparation and delivery of Oral and Parenteral Drugs.
  • Immunization Resources.

Category 2: General

There are a total of 38 questions in the general section about the following topics:

Legal and Ethical Issues
  • HIPAA.
  • Protected Health Information (PHI).
  • Patient Consent.
  • Federal and State Laws and Regulations.
  • Pharmaceutical Laws and requirements.
  • Reporting Requirements and Statutes Related to Public Health.
  • Ethical guidelines.
  • Medical instructions.
Communication
  • Skills in Interpersonal Relationships.
  • Service to customers.
  • Therapeutic and Adaptive Responses.
  • Styles of learning.
  • Health Care Team Responsibilities.
  • Professional Telephone Manners and Practices.

Category 3: Administrative

There are 36 questions in the administrative category. The following topics will be covered:

Coding, billing, and Insurance
  • Coding Applications Program.
  • Insurance Fraud and Abuse Issues.
  • Coverage for Patient Treatments and Exemptions.
  • Different Types of Insurance.
  • Resources and authorizations.
  • Financial jargon.
  • Management of Financial Patient Accounts.
  • Finance-related calculations.
  • Billing and Debt Collection.
Scheduling and Health Information Flow
  • The scheduling of appointments.
  • Medical Reception of a patient.
  • The registration of a Patient.
  • Electronic Health Record System.

How to Register for The Exam?

To register for the test you need to get an exam scheduling permit. In order to obtain your permit, you must submit the necessary paperwork and pay the candidate fee.

You will receive an email within five to ten days of submitting your application. Following the submission, your 90-day testing window will begin in which you can schedule your exam.

Schedule your exam directly through the online registration system or via the telephone number listed on your scheduling permit.

The number of slots for each area and test time are limited so try to register for the exam as early as you can in order to get the time and location you prefer.

Where can I take the medical assistant exam?

You’ll need to choose one of the PSI testing centers closer to your home.

What Is the Passing Score of The Test?

Your score is calculated by the number of correct responses, ranging from 200 to 800. Passing the CMA exam requires a minimum score of 405. You will receive an official notification that will inform you if you passed or failed the test.

Your official examination score and report will be mailed within three weeks. In it, you will find your percentile rank in each of the three test categories.

Day of The Test

Make sure you arrive on time to the test center. It will give you enough time to settle in and solve any unexpected issues that may come up. Make sure you have on you the required identification.

Once you arrive, you will be escorted to your appointed station and instructed on the use of computer equipment.

Upon entering the testing center and taking your seat, there will be no talking allowed, and breaks will only be allowed during the designated break times.
A violation of the test center's rules could result in cancellation and loss of your candidate fee.

Tips for Passing the CMA Medical Assistant Exam

If you put in enough time in preparation and practice the right way, you too can be successful on the CMA test.

During your preparation, it's critical to use practice tests to assess how well you know the different test sections. The use of practice tests can help you understand your strengths and spot weaknesses you need to work on.

When reviewing your answers and finding mistakes ask yourself the following questions:

  • Did I make a mistake because I misunderstood the subject matter?
  • Did I understand the question and all the words used in its phrasing?
  • Did I solve the question quickly enough within the time limit of the test?

Identify the main problems and write them down for later review.

When reading the explanations to the question, make sure you understand every concept related to it. This will ensure you have a thorough understanding of all the key terms in both the question and the answer.

Steps You Should Take When Practicing

  1. Start without a time limit - take as long as you need and work with an open book to search out the answers if needed.
  2. Use a time limit - Use a time limit in the second practice test, but still use an open book to search for answers if time permits.
  3. Use a time limit and work without an open book - When you are confident enough, simulate the practice conditions of the real test so you can really feel the time pressure and manage to be successful without external help.

What is the CMA(AAMA) Pass Rate?

There was a 62% pass rate among 8,870 certification exams administered.

A total of 76,989 CMAs were in operation as of March 7, 2022 (AAMA).

Links that May Be Helpful

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