Free CMA Medical Assistant Exam Flashcards

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

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

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

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

AAMA reports scaled scores on a 200 to 800 scale.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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