The intent of this exam is not to show if you know how to code....it's to determine if you know how to validate the correct answer, which is right in front of you. You have to think strategically.
For example:
If you have a question related to an anatomic term, there's a glossary in the back of the HCPCS II book, or look up the term in the CPT Index, go to the code section and figure out what body area.
If the four answers have a consistent list of
diagnosis codes with one or two differences, look only at the codes that are the exceptions, using the process of elimination.
Don't answer any questions with the mindset of payer requirements. This is only about correct coding.
Don't read the questions first. Go right to the answers. Then go to the appropriate section of whichever book is going to be referenced, and determine the correct answer based on the code descriptions.....you don't have to read an entire op note to figure out what they're asking. Cut right to the chase--what do they want to know? Reading every word will slow you down. I find tabs, sticky notes, etc. to be cumbersome and distracting. Essentially, know the overall rules, but don't sweat the minutiae. In any question, the language provided is going to approximate, if not exactly match, the language in CPT or ICD-10-CM.
Remember to read the exceptions, bundling notes and code also notes.
Know (and accept) that there are going to be questions you can't answer. Skip over those, forget about them, and go back if you have time.
It goes without saying that you must have the current year books, and the most useful editions. Get AMA's CPT professional version and nothing (I mean nothing) else.
And if you need to guess, go with your gut and don't change your answer. Your gut is correct most of the time!
The other point of this exam is to see if you can work quickly by making quick and correct decisions, because in the workplace, you may have to code based on productivity.
Good luck.
