If you're nervous about what is going to happen when you're taking the AAPC CPC exam for the first time then you must continue reading. The panic or stress you feel when taking a medical coding certification exam mostly comes from uncertainty. You feel this way because you are not sure what questions to expect and how you'll do during the exam. An excellent way to alleviate that is to know exactly what to expect in the exam hall so you go in mentally and physically prepared. The following is how a typical CPC exam is conducted.

1. A walkthrough of
what to expect in the
AAPC CPC exam
when you're taking it
for the first time
Written by Jim H May
(http://howtostudyforcpcexam.com/)

2. If you're nervous about what is going to happen when you're taking the AAPC CPC
exam for the first time then you must continue reading. The panic or stress you feel
when taking a medical coding certification exam mostly comes from uncertainty. You
feel this way because you are not sure what questions to expect and how you'll do
during the exam. An excellent way to alleviate that is to know exactly what to expect in
the exam hall so you go in mentally and physically prepared. The following is how a
typical CPC exam is conducted.
When you're in the AAPC CPC exam hall
The AAPC CPC exam hall will have proctors to assist you, they will introduce
themselves and begin giving you instructions verbally. Listen carefully and make sure to
ask if you have any questions.
First you'll be given a Proctor-To-Coder Instructions along with an exam packet. The
exam packet contains a test grid, marking instructions for the grid, gold seals, and exam
booklet. You'll be told to fill in the grid marking instruction form using a #2 pencil before
it is collected. If you are still unsure this is time to ask now.
Then you'll be told how to fill in the answer grid for sections A, B, C, and D. For section
D you'll refer to the back of the exam booklet for the exam type, version, exam number
and sign your first and last name on it. You can refer to the white adhesive label on your
exam packet to find your member ID#.
The proctor will then tell you the rules of the exam. You're given 5 hours and 40 minutes
to complete the exam. Snacks and hydration is allowed during the exam but you need
to be careful to keep your answer grids dry and clean. You're also allowed to take
breaks and go out but only one person at a time. The time will continue ticking if you
take a break and you're not allowed to bring exam materials out with you.
One useful thing to know is that if at any time you feel the exam environment is
distracting or have other reasons, you may elect to not take the exam. You have the
responsibility to follow up and contact the AAPC to reschedule. If you stop the test in the
middle of the exam then you have to contact them to review your decision and the
AAPC may or may not choose to grade the exam.

3. When you have completed answering, locate your gold seals that was part of the exam
packet and put them on the top, right side, and bottom of your exam booklet. Do not
attempt to seal it though. Fill out sections F and G and return everything to the proctor
before leaving the room quietly.
After the CPC exam
Once that is done the AAPC CPC exam results are usually released within 5 to 7
business days after they receive the exam package from the proctor. Results won't be
revealed through the telephone so you can check your results from official website in
the member area. The official result documents typically takes 2 weeks to be mailed to
you.
Now that you have a walkthrough of what to expect in the AAPC CPC exam when
you're taking it for the first time, you can then stride into the exam hall with confidence
and give it your best!
Click here now to learn how to pass the CPC exam on your first or next try!
Jim regularly updates his website HowToStudyForCPCExam, about how to prepare and
study for medical coding certification, medical coding in general, the certification exam,
and related news about the industry. You'll find great tips and useful resources to help
you get certified. He also has a review of medical coding certification blitz videos you
can check out.
Click on this link to visit Jimʼs website now!