Congratulations, Michelle!!! I knew you could do it!!!
Thank you! It was hard, but I felt well prepared.
Way to go, Michelle!! Congratulations on your achievement!! How did the CCS compare to the CPC?
I, personally, felt that it was more difficult in total. However, that's because of it being taken on the computer. I'd rather have hard copies of the case studies. You pick a principal diagnosis and then all additional diagnosis and procedures. Trying to do that on a computer based test isn't the easiest. You get a dry erase notepad to use, but I really prefer to mark up the case study - underline diagnoses and procedures, then make a list of them, then look up the codes, etc. I think if you use the dry erase notepad and write out everything like we learned to do, then it will go smoothly. I was trying to just go by the info on the screen and then look at the codes and then back. There is an online practice test that you can purchase from AHIMA that gives you examples of how the case studies will be presented during the exam. I found that to be very valuable. As for the mulitple choice, they were easier than the CPC because the answer choices don't have so many codes in them. There are a lot more straightforward MC questions that you can answer quickly without looking up a slew of codes. Things like selecting the principal diagnosis, selecting the procedure where each answer choice has only one procedure listed, querying physicians, compliance, privacy...those sorts of things that either you know or you don't. I'd also like to point out there is a good amount of CPT coding on the test. So, it would be wise to brush up on that.
Congratulations, Michelle!
And thank you very much for the information about the testing and studying process :)
Thank you so much for your insights, Michelle. I'm sure many of us will find them very valuable in our quests for the "gold."
Congratulations Michelle! What a Great accomplishment completing the Andrews Program AND passing the CCS exam!!!! It must absolutely feel exhilarating to know you set your sights on a program to better yourself. Went thru the trials that at times felt like fire! And now.....Success!! Thank you for giving those of us who will follow in those foot steps to accomplish our dreams, pointers and successful perspective within the exam. Celebrating your Success!
Congratulations, Michelle. You have given us so many good pointers and insights during the time you've been in the program and I have learned a lot from reading your posts. So happy for you that you have accomplished so much. Good luck in the future!