Chapter 3:
This chapter will provide you with strategies for taking the CMA and RMA credentialing exams. First, you will receive general advice to improve your test performance. Then you will learn about test-specific strategies based on guidelines the AAMA and the AMT offer to test takers. Finally, this chapter will present advice for the day of the test. Remember, by reviewing the information in this book and taking the practice exam, you are preparing to do your best on the medical assisting exam.
Many medical assistant students find test taking to be stressful. This section will provide the tools to support your success on the exam. Most important, know the content the test covers. Be prepared before the test by keeping up with your work and devising a study schedule. You have completed a full program of study and it is unlikely that last-minute cramming will be effective in preparing for the exam.
You may want to begin your review by taking the diagnostic test in this book or using practice test questions prepared by the AAMA or AMT. This will help you benchmark your knowledge and identify content areas for focused review. This book includes content-specific review chapters that cover all areas tested on all exams, but with a focus on the CMA and RMA exams. Each chapter ends in review questions to help clarify your knowledge of that content area. In addition, this book includes a full-length practice test. Take this comprehensive test using the time frame that you will be given for the actual exam. Note that the answers and explanations following the end-of-chapter review questions, diagnostic test questions, and the full-length practice test questions contain not only the correct answer, but also a content summary that identifies the best answer and rationale for selection of this answer. Be sure to read these explanations, even for questions you answered correctly. If your study time is limited, this method will ensure that you cover relevant content without having to refer back to your class notes or textbooks.
The certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants provides detailed information about the CMA exam in A Candidate’s Guide to the AAMA CMA Certification/Recertification Examination. This publication is available for download from the AAMA website or by contacting the organization (see Chapter 1 for contact information). The AAMA recommends that the best way to prepare for the exam is a general yet thorough review of the subject matter. AAMA chapters in certain areas sponsor exam study groups. Check the AAMA website or contact the organization by phone to learn more.
The AMT publishes a Candidate Handbook containing detailed information about exam policies along with a set of practice test items. This handbook is available through the AMT.