Do NOT try to memorize the guidelines
mich02816
Do NOT try to "remember" the guidelines ... No, not even a "quick" reference "reduced to simple terms"
Do tab your CPT and ICD9 books so you can quickly find the sections you need.
Do the questions that are easy for you first (that will vary by person ... anatomy may be your strong suit ... for me it was E/M). Then tackle the ones where you can quickly eliminate two of the choices given. Finally address those that are most puzzling to you.
As for notes in your CPT/ICD9 books. Keep them simple and straightforward. One that helped me was in the E/M section. For every E/M code that required 3 out of 3 elements to code, I wrote in red ink 3 of 3. If the code didn't have that notation on it, I knew it didn't apply. For the codes that rely on time (for example, critical care 99291 or 99292) I highlighted the time elements.
You already know what to expect because you've taken the test before. Try to relax.
Hope that helps.
F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC