CMA Medical Assistant Exam Flashcards

Q: How many questions are on the CMA (AAMA) exam in 2026?

The exam has 200 total multiple-choice questions: 180 scored items and 20 unscored pretest items.

Q: What score do I need to pass the CMA (AAMA) exam?

The minimum passing score is 405 on AAMA's 200-800 scaled score system.

Q: How long is the CMA (AAMA) exam?

You get 160 minutes of testing time. The testing appointment is scheduled for up to 180 minutes, not counting optional tutorial or post-exam survey time.

Q: How much does the CMA (AAMA) exam cost?

AAMA fee schedules vary by eligibility category and membership status. Common listed fee points include $125 and $250, and each new attempt requires a new application fee.

Q: Can I take the CMA (AAMA) exam online from home?

Yes. AAMA allows testing either at a PSI test center or via PSI Live Remote Proctoring when technical and environment requirements are met.

Q: What is the CMA (AAMA) retake policy?

AAMA allows up to six attempts per year. Each attempt requires a new application and fee.

Question 1

CMA (AAMA) Exam Length

Accepted Answer

The CMA (AAMA) exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions total: 180 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest questions.

Question 2

CMA (AAMA) Scored vs. Pretest Items

Accepted Answer

Pretest items are unscored questions used to evaluate future exam content. They are mixed in with scored items, so treat every question as counted.

Question 3

CMA (AAMA) Testing Time

Accepted Answer

You get 160 minutes of testing time to answer all exam questions, organized into four 40-minute segments.

Question 4

CMA (AAMA) Appointment Time

Accepted Answer

The exam appointment is up to 180 minutes, excluding the optional tutorial and post-exam survey, with optional breaks between segments.

Question 5

CMA (AAMA) Scoring Scale

Accepted Answer

AAMA reports scaled scores on a 200 to 800 scale.

Question 6

CMA (AAMA) Passing Score

Accepted Answer

The current minimum passing score is 405 on the 200-800 scale.

Question 7

CMA (AAMA) Exam Domain Weights

Accepted Answer

The scored blueprint is weighted as Clinical Competency 59%, General 21%, and Administrative 20%.

Question 8

CMA (AAMA) Delivery Options

Accepted Answer

Candidates can test at a PSI test center or through PSI Live Remote Proctoring if technical and environment requirements are met.

Question 9

CMA (AAMA) Attempt Limit

Accepted Answer

AAMA policy allows up to six attempts per year. Each attempt requires a new application and exam fee.

Question 10

CMA (AAMA) Recertification Cycle

Accepted Answer

The CMA (AAMA) credential must be recertified every 60 months by continuing education or by passing the exam again.

Question 11

Clinical Competency Focus

Accepted Answer

Clinical Competency content (59%) emphasizes workflow, safety/infection control, procedures, and pharmacology-related application.

Question 12

Clinical Workflow Basics

Accepted Answer

Workflow questions commonly test intake, rooming, pre-visit preparation, and discharge follow-up steps in the correct sequence.

Question 13

Standard Precautions

Accepted Answer

Standard precautions apply to all patients and include hand hygiene, appropriate PPE, and safe sharps handling to reduce transmission risk.

Question 14

Medical Asepsis

Accepted Answer

Medical asepsis focuses on reducing microorganisms through cleaning, disinfection, hand hygiene, and contamination control.

Question 15

Medication Safety Rights

Accepted Answer

A core medication safety framework verifies right patient, medication, dose, route, time, and documentation before administration.

Question 16

Vital Sign Interpretation

Accepted Answer

Exam questions emphasize accurate technique, normal-vs-abnormal recognition, and prompt escalation when findings suggest instability.

Question 17

Medical Terminology Structure

Accepted Answer

Medical terms are often built from prefix + root + suffix; understanding word parts improves speed and accuracy on clinical vocabulary items.

Question 18

Laboratory Specimen Integrity

Accepted Answer

Correct labeling, handling, and transport are essential to avoid rejected specimens and prevent diagnostic errors.

Question 19

Point-of-Care Testing Role

Accepted Answer

CMAs commonly perform CLIA-waived tests and must follow kit instructions, quality control procedures, and result documentation standards.

Question 20

Emergency Preparedness in Clinic

Accepted Answer

CMAs should know emergency response flow, where crash or emergency supplies are located, and when to activate higher-level medical response.

Question 21

General and Administrative Focus

Accepted Answer

General content (21%) covers legal/ethical issues and communication, while Administrative content (20%) covers billing, coding, scheduling, and health information management.

Question 22

HIPAA Privacy Rule Purpose

Accepted Answer

HIPAA Privacy Rule standards govern when protected health information may be used or disclosed and what patient rights apply.

Question 23

HIPAA Security Rule Scope

Accepted Answer

The Security Rule addresses safeguards for electronic protected health information, including administrative, physical, and technical controls.

Question 24

Informed Consent Essentials

Accepted Answer

Informed consent includes explanation of procedure purpose, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the opportunity for patient questions before care.

Question 25

CPT vs ICD-10-CM

Accepted Answer

CPT codes describe services and procedures performed; ICD-10-CM codes describe diagnoses and clinical reasons for those services.

Question 26

Claim Workflow Basics

Accepted Answer

Typical workflow is charge capture, coding review, claim submission, payer adjudication, posting, and follow-up on denials or balances.

Question 27

Prior Authorization

Accepted Answer

Prior authorization is payer pre-approval required for selected services or medications before reimbursement eligibility is confirmed.

Question 28

Scheduling Prioritization

Accepted Answer

Scheduling decisions should balance clinical urgency, provider availability, procedure timing needs, and patient safety red flags.

Question 29

Legal Medical Record Standard

Accepted Answer

Medical records must be timely, factual, and complete, using objective language and approved correction methods when errors occur.

Question 30

Professional Communication

Accepted Answer

High-quality communication uses clear language, confirmation of understanding, and culturally respectful interactions with patients and teams.

Question 31

Clinical Competency Skill Integration

Accepted Answer

Clinical competency questions emphasize safe procedure flow, specimen quality, medication safety, and patient instruction in real-world workflows.

Question 32

Patient Identification Standard

Accepted Answer

Before procedures or specimen collection, verify at least two patient identifiers to prevent wrong-patient errors.

Question 33

Venipuncture Safety Principle

Accepted Answer

Proper site selection, correct tube handling, and immediate sharps disposal reduce specimen errors and occupational exposure risk.

Question 34

Sterilization vs Disinfection

Accepted Answer

Sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores; disinfection reduces microbial load on surfaces and equipment but may not remove spores.

Question 35

Medication Route Awareness

Accepted Answer

Route-specific technique, timing, and documentation are core safety expectations for oral, topical, inhaled, and injectable administration workflows.

Question 36

Vaccine Handling Basics

Accepted Answer

Vaccines require cold-chain integrity, lot/expiration verification, and complete administration documentation to ensure safety and traceability.

Question 37

Minor Procedure Assistance

Accepted Answer

CMAs support setup, sterile field maintenance, instrument workflow, and post-procedure documentation under provider direction.

Question 38

Diagnostic Testing Preparation

Accepted Answer

Preparation steps include confirming patient instructions, equipment readiness, and documentation fields before testing begins.

Question 39

Post-Procedure Instructions

Accepted Answer

Effective discharge instructions include warning signs, medication guidance, follow-up timing, and clear escalation directions.

Question 40

Teach-Back Method

Accepted Answer

Teach-back verifies patient understanding by asking patients to explain instructions in their own words, improving adherence and safety.

Question 41

CMA Scope of Practice

Accepted Answer

CMAs perform delegated administrative and clinical tasks under provider supervision according to law, policy, and competency.

Question 42

Ethical Decision Priority

Accepted Answer

When clinical and administrative pressures conflict, patient safety, legal requirements, and documented standards take priority.

Question 43

Boundary Management

Accepted Answer

Professional boundaries protect patient trust and care quality; avoid dual relationships or interactions that impair objectivity.

Question 44

Mandatory Reporting Concept

Accepted Answer

CMAs may have mandatory reporting duties for abuse or threats, based on state law and employer policy.

Question 45

Incident Report Purpose

Accepted Answer

Incident reports support internal risk review and quality improvement and are not a substitute for complete clinical chart documentation.

Question 46

Sharps Exposure Response

Accepted Answer

After sharps injury, follow immediate first aid, report promptly, and initiate employer post-exposure protocol without delay.

Question 47

Delegation Safety Check

Accepted Answer

Accept delegated tasks only when trained and authorized; seek clarification when instructions conflict with policy or patient condition.

Question 48

Bias-Reduced Communication

Accepted Answer

Use respectful, person-centered language and avoid assumptions to improve trust, adherence, and equitable care delivery.

Question 49

Exam-Day Time Management

Accepted Answer

Use steady pacing across segments, avoid overinvesting in one question, and reserve final minutes for flagged-item review when possible.

Question 50

CMA Study Planning Benchmark

Accepted Answer

A strong plan uses domain-weighted study time, repeated mixed-question practice, and targeted review of weak areas before exam day.

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