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200+ Free CPC Medical Coding Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CPC Medical Coding Exam

200+

Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep CPC bank

70%

Common Passing Target

AAPC-aligned prep norm

4h

Typical Exam Window

CPC format guidance

Open-book

Testing Style

CPT/ICD-10/HCPCS use

CPT+ICD+HCPCS

Core Code Sets

CPC domain coverage

2026

Content Refresh

Current code-year prep

AAPC describes CPC as an open-codebook exam centered on CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS coding competency. For 2026 prep cycles, candidates should pair core codebook navigation with updated CPT and ICD-10 guidance, strong modifier logic, and chart-based case practice.

Sample CPC Medical Coding Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CPC Medical Coding exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A physician performs surgical debridement of a sacral wound down to and including muscle, measuring 18 sq cm. Which CPT code is reported?
A.11042
B.11043
C.11044
D.97597
Explanation: Debridement is coded to the deepest tissue removed. Muscle/fascia debridement, first 20 sq cm or less, is 11043. 11042 is subcutaneous tissue and 11044 is bone.
2Simple repair of a 3.0 cm superficial laceration of the trunk involving epidermis and dermis only is reported with which code range?
A.12001-12007
B.12031-12037
C.13100-13102
D.11400-11406
Explanation: Simple repair of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk, and/or extremities (12001-12007) is selected by site group and length. 12031-12037 is intermediate repair.
3Excision of a 1.5 cm benign lesion of the face, with margins, is documented. Which factor primarily determines the correct CPT code from the 11400-11646 series?
A.The excised diameter (lesion plus narrowest margins) and whether the lesion is benign or malignant
B.Only the lesion diameter without margins
C.The closure type only
D.The patient's age
Explanation: Excision codes are chosen by behavior (benign 11400-11471 vs malignant 11600-11646), anatomic site, and the excised diameter = lesion size plus the narrowest margins.
4A 2.0 cm malignant melanoma of the back is excised with 1.0 cm margins on each side, and the wound requires layered (intermediate) closure. How are these reported?
A.Malignant excision code by excised diameter (4.0 cm) plus a separate intermediate repair code
B.Malignant excision code only; closure is always included
C.Benign excision code plus complex repair
D.Only the intermediate repair code
Explanation: For malignant lesion excision, the excised diameter is the lesion plus the narrowest margins (2.0 + 1.0 + 1.0 = 4.0 cm). Intermediate or complex repair is separately reportable; only simple repair is bundled.
5A provider performs incision and drainage of a single simple cutaneous abscess. Which code is reported?
A.10060
B.10061
C.10080
D.10160
Explanation: 10060 is incision and drainage of an abscess, simple or single. 10061 is complicated or multiple. 10080 is pilonidal cyst I&D; 10160 is puncture aspiration.
6Which CPT code reports destruction of a single premalignant lesion (e.g., actinic keratosis)?
A.17000
B.17110
C.17260
D.11200
Explanation: 17000 is destruction of the first premalignant lesion; 17003 is each additional (2-14). 17110 is destruction of benign lesions; 17260 series is malignant.
7Excision of a breast lesion identified preoperatively by radiologic marker (needle localization not performed by surgeon) is best reported with which open code?
A.19120
B.19125
C.19101
D.19081
Explanation: 19125 is excision of a breast lesion identified by a preoperative placement of a radiological marker, open. 19120 is excision of a lesion without a marker; 19101 is open incisional biopsy.
8Adjacent tissue transfer (e.g., a rotation flap) to repair a defect is coded based on which measurement?
A.The size of the primary defect plus the secondary defect in square centimeters, by anatomic site
B.The donor site only
C.The lesion diameter only
D.The suture length
Explanation: Adjacent tissue transfer/rearrangement (14000-14302) is selected by anatomic site and the total square-cm area of the primary plus secondary defects. The lesion excision is included.
9Avulsion of a single fingernail plate is reported with which CPT code?
A.11730
B.11719
C.11750
D.11765
Explanation: 11730 is avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, single. 11719 is trimming of nondystrophic nails; 11750 is permanent removal of nail/matrix; 11765 is wedge excision of skin of nail fold.
10A patient undergoes arthroscopic medial meniscectomy of the knee. Which CPT code is reported?
A.29880
B.29881
C.29870
D.27447
Explanation: 29881 is knee arthroscopy with meniscectomy (medial OR lateral, including any meniscal shaving). 29880 is meniscectomy medial AND lateral. 29870 is diagnostic knee arthroscopy; 27447 is open total knee arthroplasty.

About the CPC Medical Coding Exam

The CPC credential is a leading outpatient medical coding certification focused on CPT, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, modifiers, and coding compliance for physician services.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

4 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

Varies by exam package/membership (AAPC)

CPC Medical Coding Exam Content Outline

High

CPT Surgery & Procedural Coding

Code selection by anatomy, approach, and definitive documented work

High

E/M and Modifier Logic

MDM/time-based E/M rules plus distinct-service and repeat-service modifiers

Medium

ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II

Diagnosis sequencing, specificity, supply/drug coding, and unit logic

Medium

Radiology, Path/Lab, and Medicine

Component coding, panel rules, infusion/vaccine reporting, and payer edits

Foundation

Medical Terminology, Anatomy, Compliance

Documentation interpretation, coding ethics, and audit-ready reporting

How to Pass the CPC Medical Coding Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 4 hours
  • Exam fee: Varies by exam package/membership

Keys to Passing

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

CPC Medical Coding Study Tips from Top Performers

1Anchor every answer in the documented service, then verify descriptor-level fit in the codebook
2Practice modifier decisions only after you confirm the base code and edit context
3Run timed case blocks to improve CPT + ICD + HCPCS cross-check speed
4Track recurring misses by topic and retrain on those rules within 48 hours
5Use final-pass QA: diagnosis linkage, units, modifiers, and edit compliance on every case

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CPC exam format?

AAPC presents CPC as an open-codebook certification exam focused on outpatient coding. Candidates are expected to navigate CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS resources efficiently while applying official coding rules.

What score do I need to pass CPC?

A common published target is 70% to pass. Always confirm the current score policy and candidate handbook details in your AAPC account before scheduling.

How should I study for CPC in 2026?

Use a codebook-first workflow: 1) practice CPT/ICD/HCPCS lookups daily, 2) drill modifier and NCCI logic with chart scenarios, 3) do timed mixed sets weekly, and 4) review rationale patterns from misses.

What topics are most heavily tested for CPC prep?

Most candidates spend the most time on CPT procedural coding, E/M selection, ICD-10-CM sequencing, HCPCS unit reporting, and modifier usage tied to payer edit behavior.

Is CPC suitable for outpatient physician coding careers?

Yes. CPC is widely used as an outpatient/physician coding benchmark and is commonly requested in professional coding, compliance, and revenue cycle roles.

Why does codebook navigation speed matter for CPC?

Because coding scenarios often require multiple verification steps in limited time. Fast, accurate index-to-tabular navigation improves both score consistency and real-world coding productivity.