CCM EXam, Questions and Tips

Specialties Case Management

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:confused: I'm going to be taking the CCM Exam for the first time this Fall, and would like to hear from those who have taken it; i.e. what study materials (if any), did you find useful, and which areas of the test were the hardest? Thanks!:wink2:

congrats to all that passed and all good luck for the test and retest....

took the exam this morning and PASSED :yeah::nurse: want that cert formally now :coollook:

i used Dr linton...praise that sight it helped so much......the ccm website.....some material shared from other case managers at work.....

most imortant...belief inmy higher power that all things are possible with prayer....

Bless all

I just took the 2010 Computerized Case Manager Certification exam....and PASSED! I had a lot of questions on Quality Assurance, Utilization review, some disability and return to work and voc rehab questions. Not a lot of detailed questions on Medicare/Medicaid. One question was "what are most US Healthcare dollars spent on?" Hospitalization, Physicians, Private insurance or public health systems. I guessed Public health?? Not sure about that one. There were a couple of questions about HIPPA and COBRA. Know the different payer types. I had several HMO questions. Lots of CM communication skills questions, CM process. Several questions on healthcare savings and pt advocacy. There was an OASIS question. A couple on DRGs.

There were 175 questions and I was given 3 hours to take the test. I took a little less than 2 hours. You can't take in any personal items (including wristwatches and cell phones) They even asked if I "needed" the reading glasses that were perched on top of my head! I got a blank sheet of scratch paper, two pencils, the key to the locker where my purse was locked up and a huge set of earphones to block out noise. You have to leave the room if you need to take medication or to remove a jacket or sweater. These proctors are SERIOUS! The place was comfortable and easy to find though. The website gives great directions.

To study I used the CCM website info, definitions, etc and I had the old second edition Fattoruso Case Managers Study Guide with CD. I couldn't really afford to spend another dime on this test so I didn't get the new edition. If you can afford it (or can share with someone) I would get it. I spent my money on the Dr Linton Casemanagerexam site and I'm sorry I did. I did the free trial test questions until they ran out. I wasn't doing very well on those mini tests so I spent 65.00 on one week of the full website. I was really getting panicky earlier this week because I was doing so poorly. I had done pretty well, an average of 80% or so on the Fattoruso CD questions. So I asked one of our top MSW CMs and my CM director to answer some of the questions on Linton, just to see how bad I really was! They both agreed the questions were worded poorly with double negatives and many literally didn't make sense. Some were very old with answers using dates from 2002. The information was way too complex and detailed. My director said many of the questions were directed toward the administration level. They both got many answers wrong and advised me not to look at that site again! So the last two days before the test I spent studying my other materials. I felt much better and more confident going in.

Just wanted to share my experience in case it might help another nervous RN Case manager out there! Good luck..the nursing info is a breeze. The rest of it's not exactly easy, but it's doable...SO JUST DO IT! :redbeathe

congrats victoria......i too passed this am.....my exam mirrored yours......I am a RN since 1973 and have held many titles in my years of experience. One being a Director of UM and QA for a major managed health care organization. I took a early retirement and that was a mistake...too young at heart and to valuable to the nursing profession. I returned to nursing (the love of my life besides my faithful pets and family) ....I started out 30+ yrs ago in what you would call today case management so I decided to come out of reitrement and fall right back into were I started.....geez i tell you felt good......

The reason why I thought Dr. Lnton site was good because it combined all perks to assist you in your efforts to pass. I really enjoyed the daily motivational flicks and stories. Also another reason was the structure behind the sentencing formation and answers. I was probably more apt to favor this site because of my project management background and certification.

The key is what works best for you and stick with it. Alot of prayer went out on this end .....it worked....

I also found that if you have been keeping abreast of current events in the newspaper and media that helped too. I had numerous questions related to healthcare and future projections.

Good luck to all those who will take the exam. stay focused relax be confident. I may :heartbeatbe from the old school but you will get out of it what you put into it....;)

:yelclap:To Gmatrish:

Congratulations. I stopped by this site esp for your praise report. so happy for you! glad to hear you were able to relax, rely on your years of exp and FAITH!

congrats again to ALL!:yeah:

:clpty::clpty::clpty:mountaintop7.....thank you so much.....goes to show I still had it in me and lots of faith!!!!!!!

All you RNs it can be done...focus and faith maybe not in that order but it can happen!!!! good luck

I agree. At first, i thought i was going to bomb. I prayed right before and ask for clarity and favor and guess what- It worked. I am still so happy, i don't know what to do.:nurse::nurse::anpom::anpom::hpygrp::hpygrp:

Specializes in NICU.

Well I took it a earlier today and PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:and just about had a panic attack during the exam. It wasnt specific. Maybe 20 or 30 I knew right off and the rest was a quess which I hate doing. My test was just like Victorias' Very little on federal laws and hardly anything on Medicare and Medicaid which I knew frontwards and backwards. I felt like I over studied but dont know any other way to insure passing. I used everything.....Spent way to much money on materials. I used the Case Managers Handbook, CMSA's Core Curriculum, Certistep CD,Flash cards by Mometrix and went to CCM review course. The review course was by far the most beneficial. I will be selling the certistep CD,flashcards and Fattorusso if any body is interested. I also did Dr. Linton and scored in the 70-80's everyday and was discouraged but it was good practice. I really dont know how I passed but praised God that I did b/c the thought of retaking it just wasnt an option. Good Luck and Congrats to all of you guys..This site really helped me. Thanks for all the posts. Now I can enjoy the holidays!!!!:redpinkhe:clown::clown::clown::clown::clown::clown::p:p:p:p:p

to talia1169 and demi yipee you passed alot of faith right?????:yeah:

this site is so great!!!!!!!

good luck to future takers..it is all worth it.....

now lets go out and case manage yeah :idea:

have blessed holidays to all and family

Specializes in L&D; Case Management; Nursing Education.

Hi everyone!

I just found this site today after I got home from taking the CCM exam for the first time - and passing it!! I'm so happy and relieved. Finally I can get on with life and the holidays. :D

I had the same experience (and test questions) as VictoriaRNCCM. I found it difficult to study for this test because CCMC makes it so vague. I took another nursing specialty certification exam back in 1994 that was much, much more difficult than the CCM exam was, but at least they told you exactly what and how to study for it.

For this exam, I bought 2 very expensive books that someone told me to use, but I sort of skimmed over them because they were incredibly boring. And in the end, very little in them was on the exam. What I studied the most (and was absolutely the most helpful) was on the CCMC website. I used the Glossary of Terms and the Six Domains and Sub-domains. I did a word search on the Internet for each sub-domain (much good info was on Wikipedia) and learned all about what each area was about. The glossary of terms also helped me learn about areas I'm not familiar with. I didn't know much about insurance and Medicare/Medicaid because I do mainly health coaching.

Best wishes to all of you who will take the exam this week. I'm so happy that they now tell you immediately if you pass or not. When I saw the PASS on the computer screen I got tears in my eyes and I cried tears of joy off and on all the way home and whenever I told a friend or family member. I guess I was stressed out way more than I realized. :nurse:

Just found and read all these fine posts. So I will be taking this on 12/17. Any hints on what to focus attention to? Are questions straight forward? How long did test take? How many questions? Does machine shut off if passed enough correctly? Does it tell you immediately that you passed? Can you use CCM immediately if that is the case? So many questions, so much anxiety....THANKS

Specializes in NICU.

to Squeakywheel,

Just look at the last several posts and all your questions should be answered. Good Luck!!!!!:jester::jester::jester:

to squeakwheel....hi...stay focused and have faith. the questions are very direct and in simple language same as the answer selections. keep in mind to stay member and family centered. that will help you. let your common sense lead you because i found the questions to be very direct and simple with answer using common sense deduction.

I am sure you will do fine... good luck and thoughts and prayers with you !!!

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