Case Management Exam 2017 Tips

I just passed the Case Management Examination (CCM) this morning 4/15/17 and immediately wanted to pass along some encouragement and study tips for the exam (obviously, there is no guarantee you will pass, but this study style worked for me and I didn't spend a crazy amount of money or endless hours studying and I don't consider myself a great test-taker). Specialties Case Management Article

Case Management Exam 2017 Tips

EXAM: There were 180 exam questions and you are allowed 3 hours. The questions and answers were very straight forward. There were no "select all that apply", "all of the above" or "none of the above" answers to choose from (basically, none of the trickery-style questions we had on NCLEX). haha.

There were no long-convoluted questions. There were no maternity, surgical, medication, nutrition, or disease specific questions.

EXAM CONTENT: Most, if not all of the questions were related to the definition and scope of case management.

*remember: a patient needs to be able to participate in 3 hours (not 2 1/2) of rehab five - seven days a week to be eligible for admission to an acute rehab facility.

TERMS: Definitely be familiar with all of the terms and content above. a glossary of these terms are available free on the CCMC website. (you don't need to memorize them, just have a general knowledge and familiarize yourself with the differences and what they are specific to).

If I wasn't sure of an answer, I chose the 'simplest' answer, even if the answer did not sound like a professional one.

STUDY: I studied off and on for about 3 weeks, I found that practice questions worked for me the best. I purchased retired questions from the CCMC website and found them to be a big waste of money, they were so easy, it was a joke. I learned a lot from free online practice questions.

The website I studied most helpful was casemanagerexam.com

On the casemanagerexam.com website, there is a free practice exam and you can also purchase additional test bank questions, I purchased the test bank for 7 days and did the practice questions on my iPad every night while in bed (it was hard to take these exams seriously at first because with every correct answer, there was an automated "awesome", "you rock", "Yahoo" pop-up response. But it was an excellent prep for the exam.

I also purchased the book CCM Certification Exam Made Easy: Your guide to passing the Certified Case Management Exam (2nd edition) by Deanna Cooper Gillingham. I bought this from Amazon because it was only $60 and received excellent reviews. If you choose to purchase this book, make sure you get the 2nd edition because its updated to reflect the changes to the exam. ISBN-13: 978-1943889020 - this was extremely easy read with all of the concepts broken down with glossary of terms at the end of the book (but don't forget, the glossary if free on the CCMC website). I didn't read the book entirely, but skimmed and reviewed the content and glossary on my lunch hour every now and then.

I wish you the best of luck on the exam! I am sorry my post was so long-winded, I didn't want to leave anything out. I really hope this helps!

Michelle

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Boston RN

About Boston RN

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Specializes in Certified Case Manager, Community Health.

Thank you for your thoughtful review and generous tips. ;)

2 Votes
Specializes in ICU RN.

Thanks so much for your helpful tips, very grateful

2 Votes
Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

Love it! Thanks!

1 Votes
Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

I know you said you skimmed it, but was the CCM Certification Exam Made Easy: Your guide to passing the Certified Case Management Exam (2nd edition) by Deanna Cooper Gillingham helpful?

2 Votes

The book is excellent. I learned the terms/concepts first from buying the online practice questions (for 7 days), it was about $60, so when I reviewed the book, I was already familiar with the terms. T

he book is 100% helpful! I believe it's all you will need (and it's very easy to read). All the terms in the book are on the exam. I actually gave away too much info above under 'exam content', it had to be edited :sneaky:, there are also many free websites online as well that offer practice questions that were very beneficial. I would hate to see people spend hundreds of dollars ( in addition to the already very expensive exam), when they don't need to. Good Luck

1 Votes

Hi Boston RN what topics should I focus on? I have the book and I take the exam on Saturday.

1 Votes

Hello - check your PM

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Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.

Hello all..

I don't know if this will be the best place to ask my question but I'll ask anyway. I presently work Medsurg , and I have been cross training to case management, they don't have an open spot at my work place, so I just get to orient on the days I get cancelled to work Medsurg. Hopefully I get a spot or I take a job in CM in another hospital. So my question is , can my hours of orientation be counted eligible for taking the CCM exam? I don't think it's up to 2000 , I am sure of that. What do you all think? Is the eligibility strictly by the hours of experience in CM?

Thank you ☺️

1 Votes
Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
NGYSUN said:
Hello all..

I don't know if this will be the best place to ask my question but I'll ask anyway. I presently work Medsurg , and I have been cross training to case management, they don't have an open spot at my work place, so I just get to orient on the days I get cancelled to work Medsurg. Hopefully I get a spot or I take a job in CM in another hospital. So my question is , can my hours of orientation be counted eligible for taking the CCM exam? I don't think it's up to 2000 , I am sure of that. What do you all think? Is the eligibility strictly by the hours of experience in CM?

I read the eligibility requirement for CCM to mean actual time being employed. So, being oriented/shadowing but not having an actual job as a Case Manager (even part-time) I would think does not equate to employment in this field. However, the best people to ask is the commission/board that governs the certification that you are seeking.

By the way, eligibility in hours for the CCM is 1 year full-time work supervised by someone with a CCM OR 2 years full-time work OR 1 year full-time work supervising those who work as Case Managers. In general, part-time hours is 2 years (at 20 hours per week) to meet a 1 year requirement. Good luck! ?

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Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.

I appreciate your reply. Thank you

1 Votes

Hello Everyone,

I am not a nurse, but an Occupational Therapist with over 20 plus years expierence. Currently, I am working in a role where I am a senior housing and care consultant. So, while I am not working under my OT license, I still use my OT skills daily. Anyhow, my question is this. I am looking into case management. I have looked at both the National Academy of Certified Care Manager (CMC exam) and the CCM exam. I think I may be short of hours to take the CCM test this August as I have worked per diem since my kids were born...(15 years ago). But, I will have enough hours for the CMC exam. Should I just wait another 7 months when I have enough hours to qualify for the CCM exam or should I take the CMC exam? I am having a hard time knowing what the real difference is besides the requirements of taking the test. Neither organization could give me a clear answer. Thanks so much for your help!

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