What makes the CPC hard
- Time. 240 minutes for 100 questions leaves 2.4 minutes each, including the time to find codes and check guidelines.
- Open book is slower than it sounds. You can use the AMA CPT Professional Edition, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II, but every lookup costs time. Tabs and handwritten notes related to daily coding are allowed; notes from study guides and practice exams aren't.
- The code set changes every January. AAPC exams use the current calendar year's codes, so your books and your practice must match the year you test. See CPC exam books.
- No paper on the remote exam. AAPC doesn't allow a scratch pad during the live remote proctored exam; you get an electronic notepad instead.
What about the pass rate?
AAPC doesn't publish an official CPC pass rate, so treat any number you see online with caution. What you can measure is your own timed practice against the 70 correct you need.
A pace plan for exam day
| Checkpoint | Questions done | Time used |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 60 minutes |
| 2 | 50 | 2 hours |
| 3 | 75 | 3 hours |
| 4 | 100 | 3 h 45 min, leaving 15 minutes to review flagged questions |
If a question needs a long lookup, flag it and move on. A missed easy question at the end costs exactly as much as a hard one.
Know you're ready for the CPC before you book your date
PassPulse trains you for the CPC under real exam time pressure. Exam style questions on every section, every answer explained, and a readiness score that tells you when you're ready.
Start preparing for the CPCIf you don't pass
Results arrive in MyAAPC within 7 to 10 business days. With a two-attempt voucher, your second attempt unlocks when the first results are released. If that second attempt falls in the next calendar year, you take the new year's exam, on the new code set.
CPC FAQ
Is the CPC exam open book?
Yes. You use the AMA CPT Professional Edition, an ICD-10-CM and a HCPCS Level II manual, following AAPC's rules on notes and tabs.
How many questions can you miss on the CPC?
30. You need at least 70 of 100 correct.
How many people pass the CPC exam on the first try?
AAPC doesn't publish an official pass rate.
What's the hardest part of the CPC exam?
For most candidates it's time: 2.4 minutes per question, including code lookups.
How long does it take to get CPC results?
AAPC releases results in MyAAPC within 7 to 10 business days.
More CPC guides
- AAPC: What score do I need to pass the CPC exam?
- AAPC: How long is the exam?
- AAPC: What code books do I need for my certification exam?
- AAPC: What is allowed in our books?
- AAPC: Which year's books should I use?
- AAPC: Taking an AAPC exam in 2024, a change is coming
- AAPC: How are results released?
- AAPC: Using two exam vouchers