200+ Free Medical Terminology Practice Questions
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The prefix "brady-" means:
Key Facts: Medical Terminology Exam
100
Typical Questions
NHA, AMCA exam blueprints
90 min
Exam Time
Standard MT certification format
70–75%
Passing Score
Varies by certifying body
~80%
Pass Rate
Students completing full prep
$50–$120
Exam Fee
NHA, AMCA, program fees
200+
Practice Questions Here
OpenExamPrep question bank
Medical terminology exams typically include 100 multiple-choice questions in a 90-minute window. Content is organized around the body systems approach: foundational word-building rules (prefixes, suffixes, combining forms) plus system-specific vocabulary for musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Pharmacology, oncology, and medical abbreviations round out the content. Passing scores vary by program but typically require 70–75% correct.
Sample Medical Terminology Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Medical Terminology exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1The prefix "brady-" means:
2The suffix "-itis" indicates:
3Which suffix means "surgical removal" or "excision"?
4The root word "cardi/o" refers to which organ?
5A patient chart uses the term "cephalic presentation." The prefix "cephal/o" means:
6The medical term for surgical repair of a structure is indicated by the suffix:
7Which prefix means "against" or "opposite"?
8When building a medical term, a combining vowel is used primarily to:
9The suffix "-ology" means:
10The prefix "poly-" means:
About the Medical Terminology Exam
Medical terminology exams assess mastery of the language of medicine — word building rules, prefixes, suffixes, combining forms, and body-system vocabulary. Required knowledge for CMA, CNA, CCMA, HIM, and virtually every allied health credential.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
70% or higher (varies by program)
Exam Fee
$50–$120 (varies by certifying body) (NHA, AMCA, AHIMA, or Allied Health Programs)
Medical Terminology Exam Content Outline
Word Building Foundations
Prefixes, suffixes, combining forms, plural rules, pronunciation rules, and word analysis strategies
Musculoskeletal & Integumentary Systems
Bone, muscle, joint, skin, and wound terminology including surgical and diagnostic suffixes
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems
Heart, blood vessel, lung, and airway terms including -stenosis, -plasty, -ectomy, and directional roots
Nervous System & Special Senses
Brain, spinal cord, nerve, eye, and ear terminology including neuro-, ophthalm/o-, and ot/o- combining forms
Digestive & Urinary Systems
GI tract, accessory organs, kidney, and bladder terms including -ostomy, -otomy, and nephr/o- roots
Endocrine, Reproductive & Specialty Topics
Hormone glands, male/female reproductive terms, oncology suffixes (-oma, -carcinoma), pharmacology roots, and common abbreviations
How to Pass the Medical Terminology Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70% or higher (varies by program)
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 90 minutes
- Exam fee: $50–$120 (varies by certifying body)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Medical Terminology Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on the medical terminology exam?
Medical terminology exams test your ability to break down, build, and understand medical words. Content covers prefixes (before the root), suffixes (after the root), combining forms (root + vowel), and body-system vocabulary organized by organ system: musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems.
How many questions are on a medical terminology exam?
Most medical terminology certification exams include 80–100 multiple-choice questions. Standalone MT exams (like the NHA CMAA) include about 100 questions. Embedded sections within broader allied health exams (CMA, CNA, CCMA) typically include 15–25 medical terminology questions out of the full exam.
What score do I need to pass a medical terminology exam?
Passing scores typically range from 70–75%, depending on the certifying body. NHA exams use a scaled scoring system with a passing standard around 390/500. Always confirm the passing requirement with your specific program or certifying organization.
What is the difference between a prefix, suffix, and combining form?
A prefix comes before the root word and modifies its meaning (e.g., brady- = slow, hyper- = above). A suffix comes after the root and usually indicates a condition, procedure, or process (e.g., -itis = inflammation, -ectomy = surgical removal). A combining form is a root word plus a vowel (usually 'o') that links to a suffix (e.g., cardi/o = heart, gastr/o = stomach).
What are the most important suffixes to memorize?
High-yield suffixes include: -itis (inflammation), -ectomy (surgical removal), -otomy (incision into), -ostomy (creating a new opening), -plasty (surgical repair), -scopy (visual examination), -graphy (process of recording), -ology (study of), -algia (pain), -pathy (disease), -megaly (enlargement), and -stenosis (narrowing). Master these and you can decode thousands of medical terms.
How long should I study for a medical terminology exam?
Most students need 2–4 weeks of focused study to pass a standalone medical terminology exam. Focus first on foundational prefixes and suffixes (they apply across all body systems), then learn system-specific combining forms one body system at a time. Flashcards are highly effective for vocabulary retention.