Practice vs. Certification Exam: What’s the Difference?

There’s a big misconception when it comes to medical coding and exams.

Well, several misconceptions, really,

For starters, not all medical coding exams will get you a certification. A practice exam isn’t necessarily a certification exam.

Let’s clear up this misconception by going over a few reasons why.

Medical Coding Practice Exams

A medical coding practice exam is any type of practice test, quiz or exam that tests your medical coding knowledge. It can be informal or formal, digital or in person and the standards are generally dependent on the educational facility. Frequency, cost, length and other factors mean these practice exams aren’t standardized, however. So while a practice exam may test your ability to pass a certification exam, it doesn’t technically count as one. The good news is that most of what you’re paying for when it comes to a medical coding education is the training. The exam itself is a short process like any other test.

Medical Coding Certification Exams

To be accepted as certified in the medical coding industry, you need to pass a standardized test. Specifically, you need to pass one approved by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). According to the organization’s location finder page, “exams are proctored by AAPC staff, approved AAPC instructors, and local chapter officers. Registration for all exams is due three (3) weeks prior to the exam date. Please arrive at your exam with the required and recommended materials as defined for each certification, and review our exam preparation pages.”

So, at the end of the day, a certification exam is a type of practice exam, but only the former will get you certified. Fortunately, we have the courses and practice exams you need to pass the certification exam the first time!