Question 1
At the standard paper speed of 25 mm per second, how many large boxes pass in 1 second?
Which medical assistant exam should you take?
Start with eligibility. The CMA (AAMA) exam is for students and graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited programs and a few other routes. The CCMA exam is open to anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent plus a training program or supervised work experience.
| Questions | CMA (AAMA): 200. CCMA: 180. |
|---|---|
| Time | CMA (AAMA): 160 minutes. CCMA: 3 hours. |
| Passing score | CMA (AAMA): 405 of 800. CCMA: 390 of 500. |
| Retakes | CMA (AAMA): six in 12 months, no wait. CCMA: three, 30 days apart. |
Check your eligibility
Who can sit each
- CMA (AAMA): a student or graduate of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program; a previously certified CMA (AAMA); a medical assisting educator with at least 1,000 hours in an accredited postsecondary program; or the AAMA's Alternative Pathway.
- CCMA: a high school diploma or equivalent (or one due within 18 months), plus either a medical assistant training or education program within the last 5 years, or supervised medical assisting work: 1 year within the last 3 years, or 2 years within the last 5.
How the content differs
Both test clinical work, communication, law and the front office. The CMA (AAMA) exam gives more weight to the office side: 20% Administrative and 21% General. The CCMA exam puts 84 of its 150 scored items in Clinical Patient Care, including 12 on phlebotomy and 6 on EKG.
Practicing for either
This course has one bank written to both outlines. Pick your exam on the course home page, and your full practice exam, timed sets and study plan follow it.
Try 3 questions
Question 2
A provider refers a patient to a cardiologist, and the medical assistant sends the patient's recent office notes to the cardiologist's office. Is a signed authorization needed?
Question 3
A patient with diabetes who took insulin and skipped lunch becomes shaky, sweaty and confused, but is awake and can swallow. While the provider is alerted, what is the best action?
Next step
Questions people ask
Is the CMA (AAMA) or the CCMA exam harder?
Neither owner publishes a comparison. The CMA (AAMA) exam is longer (200 questions) and weights the office side more; the CCMA exam weights clinical care more.
Can I take the CCMA without going to school?
Yes, with a high school diploma or equivalent and supervised medical assisting work: 1 year within the last 3 years, or 2 years within the last 5.
Can I take the CMA (AAMA) exam before I graduate?
Yes. Students in an accredited program can apply once all classroom coursework is done, not counting the practicum or externship.