199+ Free CCS Practice Questions
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According to ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, which code is sequenced first when a patient is admitted for management of anemia due to malignancy?
Key Facts: CCS Exam
107
Exam Questions
AHIMA format guidance
4h
Exam Time
AHIMA format guidance
300
Passing Score (scaled)
AHIMA format guidance
$399/$599
Member/Non-Member Fee
AHIMA pricing page
200
Practice Questions Here
OpenExamPrep CCS bank
2025/2026
Code Book Year
Current CCS exam cycle
AHIMA's CCS exam is a 107-question, 4-hour exam with a scaled passing score of 300. It covers 5 domains: Coding Knowledge (39-41%), Coding Documentation (18-22%), Provider Queries (9-11%), Regulatory Compliance (18-22%), and Information Technologies (9-11%). CCS is designed for experienced inpatient coders seeking hospital-based coding certification.
Sample CCS Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your CCS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 199+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1According to ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, which code is sequenced first when a patient is admitted for management of anemia due to malignancy?
2A patient is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy. What is the correct ICD-10-CM coding sequence?
3In ICD-10-CM, what does the seventh character "A" indicate in injury codes?
4A patient is admitted with pneumonia due to MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). The correct ICD-10-CM coding includes:
5According to ICD-10-CM guidelines, when should a code from category Z38 (Liveborn infants according to place of birth and type of delivery) be assigned?
6A patient undergoes a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. What is the correct ICD-10-PCS root operation for this procedure?
7In ICD-10-PCS, what is the correct approach value for a procedure performed through a natural or artificial opening with percutaneous endoscopic assistance?
8A patient undergoes a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) using the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). What is the correct ICD-10-PCS coding?
9A 45-year-old patient presents for a Level 3 established patient office visit. The physician performs a detailed history, detailed examination, and medical decision making of low complexity. What is the appropriate CPT code range?
10Which CPT modifier indicates that a surgical procedure was performed on the left side of the body?
About the CCS Exam
The CCS is AHIMA's advanced inpatient hospital coding credential validating expertise in ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT/HCPCS, coding guidelines, documentation requirements, and regulatory compliance for acute care settings.
Questions
107 scored questions
Time Limit
4 hours
Passing Score
300 (scaled)
Exam Fee
$599 non-member / $399 member (AHIMA (Pearson VUE))
CCS Exam Content Outline
Coding Knowledge and Skills
ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding, ICD-10-PCS procedure coding, CPT/HCPCS coding, code assignment, sequencing, modifiers, POA indicators, and MCC/CC identification
Coding Documentation
Documentation quality assessment, conflicting information resolution, validation of clinical indicators, and collaboration with clinical documentation improvement (CDI) teams
Provider Queries
Ethical query elements, compliant query practices, AHIMA query standards, and effective physician communication for documentation clarification
Regulatory Compliance
HIPAA privacy and security, AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding, UHDDS definitions, PSIs, HACs, Medicare reimbursement rules (MS-DRG), and payer guidelines
Information Technologies
EHR systems, encoder software, computer-assisted coding (CAC), grouper logic, and HITECH Act provisions
How to Pass the CCS Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 300 (scaled)
- Exam length: 107 questions
- Time limit: 4 hours
- Exam fee: $599 non-member / $399 member
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CCS Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take the CCS exam?
CCS is designed for experienced inpatient hospital coders who assign ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes for acute care settings. Candidates typically have 2+ years of inpatient coding experience and are seeking AHIMA credentialing for hospital coding positions.
What is the CCS exam format?
AHIMA's CCS exam is 107 questions (97 scored + 10 pretest) administered over 4 hours. The exam is delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers. It includes both multiple-choice and multiple-select questions covering medical coding scenarios.
How is CCS different from CPC or COC?
CPC focuses on physician/outpatient coding (CPT/ICD-10-CM), COC focuses on hospital outpatient coding (APC/OPPS), while CCS focuses on inpatient hospital coding with emphasis on ICD-10-PCS procedures and MS-DRG assignment. CCS is the most advanced of the three for facility inpatient coding.
What are the eligibility requirements for CCS?
AHIMA offers multiple pathways: (1) Complete AHIMA-approved coding program, (2) Hold CCA plus 1 year experience, (3) Hold CPC/COC plus 2 years inpatient experience, (4) 3+ years inpatient coding experience, or (5) CCS-P credential. All pathways require verification of coding experience.
How hard is the CCS exam?
CCS is considered challenging, particularly the ICD-10-PCS procedural coding section which is unique to this exam. Pass rates are estimated at 55-65%. Success requires strong knowledge of inpatient coding guidelines, anatomy, pathophysiology, and medical terminology. The exam requires 2025/2026 code books.
What books do I need for the CCS exam?
CCS is an open-book exam. You need: (1) ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (current year), (2) ICD-10-PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (current year), and (3) CPT Professional Edition (current year). Code books must be clean with no handwritten notes.
What is a passing score on the CCS exam?
CCS uses scaled scoring with a passing score of 300. The exam has 97 scored questions and 10 unscored pretest questions. Results are provided immediately upon completion at Pearson VUE testing centers.