100+ Free CMA (AAMA) Practice Questions

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Question 1

Score: 0/0

A patient with a penicillin allergy is prescribed amoxicillin by mistake. The medical assistant notices this before dispensing. The FIRST action should be to:

Notify the prescribing physician immediately

Dispense the medication and document the allergy in the chart

Substitute a similar antibiotic from the medication cabinet

Ask the patient if they want to try the medication anyway

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CMA (AAMA) Exam

200

Total Questions

180 scored + 20 pretest (AAMA)

160 min

Exam Time

4 × 40-min segments (AAMA/PSI)

405/800

Passing Score

AAMA scaled score

69%

First-Time Pass Rate

AAMA Jul 2024–Apr 2025

$125/$250

Exam Fee

Member / nonmember (AAMA 2026)

68,495

Active CMAs

AAMA registry (Jan 5, 2026)

59%

Clinical Domain Weight

AAMA content outline

60 CEUs

Recertification Requirement

Every 5 years (AAMA)

The CMA (AAMA) exam is a 200-question computer-based test (180 scored + 20 pretest) delivered in 160 minutes through PSI. The content outline is weighted Clinical 59%, Administrative 23%, General 18%. The minimum passing score is 405 on a 200-800 scale. First-time pass rate is 69% (July 2024–April 2025). Fees are $125 for AAMA members and $250 for nonmembers. As of January 5, 2026, there are 68,495 active CMA (AAMA) certificants.

Sample CMA (AAMA) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CMA (AAMA) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A patient's blood pressure reading is 142/88 mmHg. According to current guidelines, this reading is classified as:

A.Normal blood pressure

B.Elevated blood pressure

C.Stage 1 hypertension

D.Stage 2 hypertension

Explanation: A systolic reading of 130-139 mmHg or diastolic of 80-89 mmHg is classified as Stage 1 hypertension per ACC/AHA guidelines. This patient's 142/88 falls in that range and warrants lifestyle modification discussion and possible pharmacologic treatment.

2When performing a venipuncture using the order of draw, which tube should be collected FIRST?

A.EDTA (lavender top) tube

B.SST (gold/tiger top) serum separator tube

C.Sodium citrate (light blue top) tube

D.Blood culture bottles

Explanation: According to CLSI standards, blood culture bottles are collected first to minimize contamination risk. The correct order of draw after blood cultures is: light blue (sodium citrate), red/gold (SST), green (heparin), lavender (EDTA), then gray (fluoride/oxalate).

3A medical assistant is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult patient. Which site is preferred for volumes up to 3 mL in a well-developed adult?

A.Deltoid muscle

B.Dorsogluteal site

C.Ventrogluteal site

D.Vastus lateralis muscle

Explanation: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred IM injection site for adults because it is free of major nerves and blood vessels, has a large muscle mass, and is clearly identifiable. It can safely accommodate volumes up to 3 mL.

4Under HIPAA, which of the following constitutes a permissible disclosure of protected health information (PHI) WITHOUT patient authorization?

A.Sharing records with the patient's employer for scheduling purposes

B.Disclosing information to a patient's spouse who calls asking about results

C.Reporting a gunshot wound to law enforcement as required by state law

D.Providing records to a patient's attorney for a personal injury lawsuit

Explanation: HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI without authorization for public health activities and when required by law, including mandatory reporting of certain injuries such as gunshot wounds. These are recognized exceptions under the Privacy Rule.

5When measuring an oral temperature using a digital thermometer, the medical assistant should wait how long after the patient has had a hot beverage before taking the reading?

A.5 minutes

B.10 minutes

C.15 minutes

D.20 minutes

Explanation: Standard practice is to wait 15 minutes after a patient has consumed hot or cold food or beverages before taking an oral temperature to ensure accuracy. Eating or drinking can significantly alter oral cavity temperature readings.

6Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment (PPE) before entering an isolation room?

A.Mask, gown, gloves, goggles

B.Gown, mask/respirator, goggles, gloves

C.Gloves, gown, mask, face shield

D.Goggles, gloves, gown, mask

Explanation: CDC guidelines specify the donning order as: gown first, then mask or respirator, then goggles or face shield, then gloves. This sequence ensures each layer is properly secured before adding the next and prevents self-contamination.

7A patient is scheduled for a fasting blood glucose test. The medical assistant should instruct the patient to fast for at least:

A.4 hours

B.6 hours

C.8 hours

D.12 hours

Explanation: Standard fasting blood glucose tests require a minimum 8-hour fast. During this period, only water is permitted. Fasting for less than 8 hours can produce falsely elevated results that misrepresent glycemic status.

8When coding a diagnosis using ICD-10-CM, a medical assistant notes the code has a 7th character requirement. What does failure to include the required 7th character result in?

A.The claim is automatically downgraded to a lower level of service

B.The claim will be rejected or denied for invalid code

C.The payer accepts the code but flags it for future auditing

D.The physician is notified and can submit an amended claim within 90 days

Explanation: ICD-10-CM codes that require a 7th character extension must include it for the code to be valid. Submitting a claim with an incomplete code (missing required 7th character) results in claim rejection or denial by the payer due to invalid coding.

9Which type of precautions should a medical assistant use when caring for a patient diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)?

A.Contact precautions

B.Droplet precautions

C.Airborne precautions

D.Standard precautions only

Explanation: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted by airborne particles (droplet nuclei) that remain suspended in air. Airborne precautions require a negative-pressure isolation room and an N95 or higher respirator for healthcare workers entering the room.

10A patient asks the medical assistant what CPT code 99213 represents. The best response is:

A.A diagnostic laboratory test for metabolic panel

B.An established patient office visit of low medical decision complexity

C.A new patient preventive medicine visit for an adult

D.A telehealth consultation with a specialist

Explanation: CPT 99213 is an Evaluation and Management (E/M) code for an established patient office visit involving low medical decision making or 20-29 minutes of total time. It is one of the most commonly billed outpatient E/M codes.

About the CMA (AAMA) Exam

The CMA (AAMA) is the dominant US medical assistant credential, with 68,495 active certificants as of January 2026. Administered by the AAMA Certifying Board through PSI, the 200-item computer-based exam (180 scored + 20 pretest) covers three domains: Clinical (59%), Administrative (23%), and General (18%). Eligibility requires graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program. The minimum passing score is 405 on a 200-800 scale. Certification is valid for 5 years; recertification requires 60 CEUs or retaking the exam.

Questions

200 scored questions

Time Limit

160 minutes (4 × 40-minute segments)

Passing Score

405 scaled score (scale 200-800)

Exam Fee

$125 AAMA member / $250 nonmember (AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) / PSI)

CMA (AAMA) Exam Content Outline

59%

Clinical

Vital signs, patient intake and positioning, infection control (standard and transmission-based precautions, PPE, OSHA bloodborne pathogen standard, SDS), clinical procedures (wound care, injections, sterile technique, bandaging), diagnostic testing (ECG lead placement, peak flow, vision/hearing), phlebotomy (order of draw, venipuncture, fingerstick), specimen collection and handling (urinalysis, throat culture, labeling), pharmacology (medication routes, dosage calculations, seven rights, controlled substance regulations), and emergency response (CPR, anaphylaxis, hypoglycemia, stroke, choking)

23%

Administrative

Appointment scheduling (wave, open-access, cluster, double-booking), patient registration and intake forms, health information management and filing (alphabetic indexing, ARMA rules), medical records management (documentation, corrections, release of information), insurance types and coordination of benefits (HMO, PPO, birthday rule, deductible, coinsurance, copayment, premium), medical coding (CPT E/M codes, modifiers, ICD-10-CM categories), claim forms (CMS-1500), superbill and charge capture, and insurance eligibility verification

18%

General

Verbal and nonverbal communication, therapeutic communication techniques, telephone triage and message routing, legal concepts (res ipsa loquitur, statute of limitations, informed consent, advance directives, living wills, AMA documentation), ethical principles, HIPAA Privacy Rule (PHI, permissible disclosures, mandatory reporting exceptions), mandatory reporting (abuse, communicable diseases, gunshot wounds), ADA requirements, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and patient education

How to Pass the CMA (AAMA) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 405 scaled score (scale 200-800)
Exam length: 200 questions
Time limit: 160 minutes (4 × 40-minute segments)
Exam fee: $125 AAMA member / $250 nonmember

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CMA (AAMA) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Allocate 60% of study time to clinical content — it is 59% of the exam and covers the widest range of topics

2Memorize the phlebotomy order of draw: blood cultures, light blue, red/gold SST, green, lavender, gray

3Know all ECG precordial lead placements (V1-V6) and be able to identify normal sinus rhythm criteria

4Practice dosage and IV drip rate calculations until they are automatic — expect 3-5 math questions

5Master HIPAA permissible disclosures and mandatory reporting exceptions by category

6Know the difference between standard, contact, droplet, and airborne precautions with disease examples

7Study CPT E/M code levels (99202-99215) and common modifiers (-25, -50, -53)

8Review the seven rights of medication administration and the Z-track technique

9Know the donning and doffing sequences for PPE — CDC sequence is commonly tested

10Practice full-length 200-question exams in four 40-minute blocks to simulate real exam pacing

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the CMA (AAMA) exam?

The CMA (AAMA) exam contains 200 multiple-choice questions: 180 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest items. Candidates do not know which questions are pretest during the exam. The exam is delivered in four 40-minute segments with optional breaks between segments.

What is the passing score for the CMA (AAMA) exam?

The minimum passing score (MPS) for the CMA (AAMA) exam is 405 on a scaled score range of 200-800. The first-time pass rate was 69% for administrations from July 2024 through April 2025, per AAMA data.

What are the CMA (AAMA) exam content domains?

The AAMA content outline has three domains: Clinical (59% — the largest, covering vital signs, infection control, phlebotomy, procedures, pharmacology, and emergencies), Administrative (23% — covering coding, billing, scheduling, and records), and General (18% — covering communication, legal/ethics, HIPAA, and anatomy).

How much does the CMA (AAMA) exam cost in 2026?

As of 2026, the CMA (AAMA) exam fee is $125 for AAMA members and $250 for nonmembers. Fees apply per exam attempt and each new attempt requires a new application.

Who is eligible to take the CMA (AAMA) exam?

To be eligible, candidates must be graduates or completing students of a program accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) or ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools). A medical assisting educator pathway and an alternative pathway are also available for qualifying candidates.

Where is the CMA (AAMA) exam administered?

The CMA (AAMA) exam is administered by PSI (not Prometric). Candidates schedule through AAMA's eligibility process and can test at PSI test centers or through remote proctoring. AAMA's website at aama-ntl.org/certification/testing-options provides current options.

How do I recertify my CMA (AAMA) credential?

CMA (AAMA) certification is valid for 60 months (5 years). To recertify, you need 60 continuing education units: at least 30 from AAMA-approved sources, with a minimum of 10 CEUs each in administrative, clinical, and general categories. Alternatively, you may retake the exam. Recertification must occur before the credential expires; expiration beyond 3 months requires retaking the exam.

How long should I study for the CMA (AAMA) exam?

Most candidates study 6-10 weeks after program graduation, spending 2-3 hours per day. Allocate study time proportionally: roughly 60% of your time on clinical content (the largest domain at 59%), 23% on administrative topics, and 18% on general content. Complete at least two full-length timed practice exams before test day.