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Which prefix means 'below' or 'under'?

Supra-

Peri-

Sub-

Hyper-

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ACMSO ACMS Advanced Clinical Medical Scribe

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MSCE Exam

100

Exam Questions

AHDPG MSCE

80%

Passing Score

AHDPG

1h 15m

Time Limit

AHDPG

$185

Exam Fee

AHDPG 2026

2 years

Credential Validity

Renewal cycle

Content Domains

AHDPG blueprint

The MSCE has 100 questions (multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank) completed in 1 hour 15 minutes with an 80% passing threshold. The $185 exam awards the AMSP credential upon passing; CMSP requires 200+ documented scribe hours. Credentials are valid for 2 years. Content spans 14 domains with emphasis on medical terminology, HIPAA, EHR documentation, and clinical workflow.

Sample MSCE Practice Questions

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

1Which word root means 'heart'?

A.Hepat/o

B.Cardi/o

C.Nephro

D.Pulmon/o

Explanation: Cardi/o is the word root for heart, used in terms such as cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle) and tachycardia (fast heart rate).

2The suffix '-itis' indicates:

A.Surgical removal

B.Inflammation

C.Abnormal condition

D.Incision into

Explanation: '-itis' denotes inflammation, as in appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) or dermatitis (inflammation of the skin).

3A physician documents 'dyspnea on exertion.' Which term means difficulty breathing?

A.Dysphagia

B.Dysuria

C.Dyspnea

D.Dysarthria

Explanation: Dyspnea means difficulty or labored breathing. The prefix 'dys-' means difficult/painful, and 'pnea' relates to breathing.

4The abbreviation 'SOB' in a clinical note stands for:

A.Shortness of breath

B.Signs of bleeding

C.Severity of bruising

D.Systolic over baseline

Explanation: SOB is a standard clinical abbreviation for 'shortness of breath,' commonly documented in the HPI and assessment sections of a patient note.

5Which prefix means 'below' or 'under'?

A.Hyper-

B.Supra-

C.Sub-

D.Peri-

Explanation: 'Sub-' means below or under, as in subcutaneous (below the skin) or sublingual (under the tongue).

6The term 'tachycardia' refers to a heart rate that is:

A.Below 60 beats per minute

B.Irregular

C.Above 100 beats per minute

D.Absent

Explanation: Tachycardia (tachy- = fast, cardia = heart) describes a heart rate above 100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is the opposite, describing a rate below 60 bpm.

7In the SOAP note format, subjective data is BEST described as:

A.Vital signs and laboratory values

B.Information the patient reports about their own symptoms

C.The provider's clinical impression

D.The plan for further tests or treatment

Explanation: The Subjective section captures the patient's self-reported symptoms, chief complaint, and history of present illness — information provided by the patient rather than measured by the provider.

8Which section of a SOAP note would include the physician's differential diagnosis?

A.Subjective

B.Objective

C.Assessment

D.Plan

Explanation: The Assessment section contains the provider's clinical reasoning, diagnoses, and differential diagnoses based on the subjective and objective data gathered during the visit.

9Under HIPAA, PHI (Protected Health Information) is defined as individually identifiable health information held or transmitted by a covered entity. Which of the following is considered PHI?

A.A de-identified aggregate dataset with no patient names

B.A patient's name combined with their diagnosis

C.General wellness tips posted on a hospital website

D.Published research with all identifiers removed

Explanation: PHI includes any information that can identify an individual combined with health information, such as a patient's name paired with their diagnosis, treatment, or insurance details.

10The HIPAA Privacy Rule gives patients the right to:

A.Request that their records be permanently destroyed

B.Access, inspect, and obtain a copy of their own health records

C.Prevent all disclosures to treating providers

D.Prohibit use of their records for payment purposes

Explanation: The HIPAA Privacy Rule grants patients the right to access and obtain copies of their health records (with limited exceptions), correct inaccuracies, and receive an accounting of disclosures.

About the MSCE Exam

The Medical Scribe Certification Exam (MSCE™) validates knowledge and skills required for professional medical scribing. Passing the exam earns the AMSP™ (Apprentice Medical Scribe Professional) credential; candidates who also document 200+ hours of front-line scribe experience earn the CMSP™ (Certified Medical Scribe Professional). The 100-question exam covers 14 domains including medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, EHR navigation, HIPAA privacy/security, clinical documentation, disease processes, pharmacology, medical coding basics, CMS Meaningful Use, lab interpretation, outcomes reporting, primary care workflow, internet security, and medico-legal risk mitigation.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

1 hour 15 minutes

Passing Score

80% (80/100 questions correct)

Exam Fee

$185 (AHDPG (American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group) / MSCE Credentialing Commission)

MSCE Exam Content Outline

Core

Medical Terminology

Word roots (cardio, nephro, hepato), prefixes (hyper-, hypo-, sub-), suffixes (-itis, -ectomy, -osis), and common clinical abbreviations (SOB, NAD, WNL, BID, PRN, NPO)

Core

Anatomy & Physiology

Body systems, abdominal quadrants, cardiac conduction (SA node), respiratory gas exchange, endocrine function (insulin, TSH), and renal anatomy (nephron)

Core

Electronic Health Records

EHR vs. EMR, problem list management, allergy and medication entry, template documentation integrity, drug-drug interaction alerts, and medication reconciliation

Core

HIPAA Privacy & Security

PHI definition, patient rights (access, amendment), minimum necessary standard, Security Rule (ePHI, technical/physical/administrative safeguards), and breach notification (60-day rule)

Core

Clinical Documentation / Scribe Role

SOAP note structure (S/O/A/P), HPI eight elements, ROS, physical exam recording (A&O x3, NAD, WNL, HEENT), verbal order documentation, note authentication, and scope of practice

Core

Disease Processes

Diabetes (hyperglycemia), hypertension, COPD, CHF, GERD, pneumonia, UTI, dyslipidemia, and common acute/chronic condition terminology

Core

Pharmacology

Drug classes (sulfonylureas, metformin, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, statins), medication abbreviations (BID, QD, QID, PO, IV, IM), allergy cross-reactivity, and medication error prevention

Core

Medical Coding Basics

ICD-10-CM (diagnoses), CPT (procedures/services), 2021 AMA E/M guidelines (MDM or time), upcoding/fraud, and medical necessity documentation

Core

CMS Meaningful Use

Promoting Interoperability objectives, Stage 1 core measures (demographics, vitals, active medication list), and quality improvement goals

Core

Labs

CBC, BMP, lipid panel, HbA1c, troponin, INR/warfarin therapeutic range, creatinine/GFR, TSH interpretation, and accurate lab documentation

Core

Outcomes Reporting

Quality measures (A1c control, BP control, preventive screenings), value-based care concepts, and EHR quality dashboards

Core

Primary Care Workflow

Office visit structure, chief complaint, HPI, social history, family history, review of systems, preventive medicine coding, and follow-up documentation

Core

Internet Security

Phishing identification and reporting, password security, unique credential requirements, access control, and cybersecurity best practices for EHR users

Core

Medico-legal Risk Mitigation

Informed consent documentation, advance directives/POLST, statute of limitations, documentation fraud/falsification, and scribe authentication responsibilities

How to Pass the MSCE Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 80% (80/100 questions correct)
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 1 hour 15 minutes
Exam fee: $185

Keys to Passing

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

MSCE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the SOAP note format — understand the purpose of each section (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) and what belongs in each

2Memorize common medical abbreviations such as SOB, NAD, WNL, BID, QD, QID, PRN, NPO, PO, A&O x3, NKDA, and Hx

3Know HIPAA fundamentals: PHI definition, patient rights, minimum necessary standard, Security Rule safeguards, and the 60-day breach notification rule

4Understand ICD-10-CM vs. CPT coding roles and the 2021 AMA E/M guidelines (MDM vs. total time)

5Study common drug classes and their mechanisms: metformin, sulfonylureas, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, statins, and anticoagulants

6Review common lab panels (CBC, BMP, lipid panel, HbA1c, troponin) and their clinical significance

7Know the scribe's scope of practice — document under provider direction, never independently sign or authenticate notes or orders

8Understand the CMSP vs. AMSP distinction and the 200-hour experience threshold

9Practice EHR documentation scenarios including allergy entry, medication reconciliation, and template integrity requirements

10Review CMS Meaningful Use objectives and why EHR adoption and clinical quality reporting matter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MSCE exam?

The Medical Scribe Certification Exam (MSCE™) is a certification exam administered by the American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group (AHDPG). Passing it earns the AMSP™ (Apprentice Medical Scribe Professional) credential, which upgrades to CMSP™ (Certified Medical Scribe Professional) once 200+ hours of verified front-line scribe experience are documented.

How many questions are on the MSCE exam?

The MSCE consists of 100 questions in multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank formats. Candidates have 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the exam online.

What is the passing score for the MSCE?

The passing score for the MSCE is 80%, meaning candidates must correctly answer at least 80 of the 100 questions to earn the credential.

How much does the MSCE exam cost?

Individual candidates pay $185 to register for the MSCE exam. Organizations purchasing 5 or more exam vouchers receive bulk pricing of $155–$175 per exam.

What is the difference between CMSP and AMSP?

Both credentials are earned by passing the MSCE exam. The AMSP (Apprentice Medical Scribe Professional) is awarded to those who pass with fewer than 200 documented on-the-job scribe hours. The CMSP (Certified Medical Scribe Professional) is awarded — or upgraded from AMSP — once 200+ verified front-line hours are submitted via the AHDPG Credential Update Request Form.

How often must the MSCE credential be renewed?

Both the CMSP and AMSP credentials are valid for two years. Renewal requires retaking the current version of the MSCE exam and paying the current exam fee.

Who is eligible to take the MSCE exam?

The MSCE is open to practicing medical scribes, graduates of medical scribe training programs, pre-med and pre-PA students, and allied health professionals taking on scribing duties. There is no minimum experience requirement to sit for the exam itself.

What topics are covered on the MSCE exam?

The MSCE covers 14 content domains: medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, EHR navigation, HIPAA privacy/security, clinical documentation and scribe role, disease processes, pharmacology, medical coding basics, CMS Meaningful Use, laboratory values, outcomes reporting, primary care workflow, internet security, and medico-legal risk mitigation.