Ask Anne:
Recently, I was emailed a question from a case manager who was preparing to sit for the CCMC Exam for the 2nd time. I decided to write this article as it is a common question. from case managers. She is searching for the ONE tool that will help her pass. In my answer, I try to tell her that there is no magic tool. She has purchased a number of tools. Now she has to do the work to understand the material so that she can answer the questions on the exam by critically thinking.
Here is the question and my recommendations I hope she will consider.
Question: What are your thoughts on the various test question resources that are out there to study for the CCM Certification Exam? I took the CCM in April and had a horrible experience with the remote proctor. The proctor was constantly interrupting me during the test and the screen would shut off. It was weird and the test questions did not feel like they applied to case management at all.
As you can imagine, I am terrified of failing again and my job will be on the line. I have bought a number of resources that are out there to help people study and get familiar with test questions, but not sure if they will be helpful or if it will confuse me more. I appreciate your advice.
My Answer: Alex, sorry for the challenges that you had on your first sitting for the CCM Exam. Hopefully, your next experience will be better.
I want to remind you that anyone who writes test questions for any certification exam is making them up from the material that is available in the public domains that the certifying body makes available. CCMC like other national certification examinations employs a very intricate process to develop test questions for their examinations.
Every few years, they put out a call to Certified Case Managers and bring them together to participate in a test question writing workshop. New questions are written from the current domains of practice.
These questions then go through a number of edits and are then tested in one of the three testing cycles to see how they are fair. If they do well – then they are added to the test and older questions are taken out. No one has the privilege to the questions on the exam except the test takers who sit for the examination in April, August, and December.
When you take the test again – you will have an advantage over others who never sat for the exam, as you have seen firsthand what the questions look like as you have taken the exam already. Even though you did not pass, you have unique knowledge that you need to use to your advantage.
My advice would be to read the CCM Made Easy Book so that you are very familiar with each of the Domains of Practice. Also, study the Glossary of Terms so you are familiar with the terminology related to case management and the healthcare industry as a whole. When you know the terminology – you will be able to answer the questions.
I think you know how to answer questions……you need to do now is make sure you know the material – so no I would not recommend purchasing any more materials, but to study what you have.
Concentrate on being confident in what you know and do additional research if there are areas that you are not as familiar with.
I am open to helping you sort through information that you don’t know and help you find resources that will clarify them for you. Feel free to email me at allewellyn48@gmail.com
YOU GOT THIS!!
Bio: Anne Llewellyn, MS, BHSA, RN, CCM, CRRN, CMGT-BC, FCM
Anne is a registered rehabilitation nurse with over forty-three years of experience in critical care, risk management, catastrophic case management, patient advocacy, and healthcare education including training and development. Anne speaks and writes frequently on topics for consumers, caregivers, and all members of the healthcare team so that together we can improve each person’s healthcare experience. Follow her on her weekly Blog, Nurses Advocate where she shares stories and events that will help people be better prepared when they enter the healthcare system. https://nursesadvocates.com