Test-Center Day, Functionality, and Pacing
Key Takeaways
- RHIA is delivered as a computer-based exam scheduled at a Pearson VUE testing center.
- The exam has 150 total items, with 130 scored items and 20 pretest items.
- Candidates may move back and forth between items after selecting an answer, flag items for review, and return before submitting if time remains.
- No books or other resources are required for RHIA test day.
Test-Day Execution
RHIA is a computer-based exam scheduled at a Pearson VUE testing center. That matters because the final plan should be built around a testing-center appointment, not an at-home routine. Confirm the appointment, travel time, identification requirements, and check-in expectations before exam day so your attention is available for the test itself.
The current RHIA format is 150 total items. Of those, 130 are scored and 20 are pretest items. Pretest questions are randomly distributed and do not count toward the score, but candidates cannot identify them during the exam. The safest approach is to answer every question carefully and avoid guessing which items matter.
The appointment is 3 hours 30 minutes total. AHIMA FAQ information breaks that into 5 minutes of agreement time and 3 hours 25 minutes of exam time. That means pacing should be based on the exam-time portion, not on an unlimited review session. Build a target pace, but leave room for longer case-style items and a final review pass.
Candidates may move back and forth between items after an answer has been selected. They may also flag items for review and return before submitting if time remains. This functionality supports a disciplined process. Select an answer, flag only when you have a real reason, and keep moving. Do not let one uncertain item consume time needed for easier questions later.
| Test-day fact | Practical strategy |
|---|---|
| 150 total items | Keep moving and answer every item |
| 130 scored items | Treat each question as important because scored items are not marked |
| 20 pretest items | Do not try to identify them during the exam |
| 3 hours 30 minutes appointment | Account for agreement time and sustained exam pacing |
| Flag and review available | Mark uncertain items, then return if time remains |
| No books required | Rely on preparation and decision rules, not outside materials |
No books or other resources are required for RHIA test day. This is different from some coding-focused testing experiences that use code books. For RHIA, final preparation should focus on judgment, domain tasks, and scenario analysis rather than carrying references.
A simple pacing method is two-pass testing. On the first pass, answer all items you can decide with reasonable confidence. For difficult items, choose the best answer available, flag the item, and continue. On the second pass, review flagged items with the remaining time. This prevents blank answers and reduces the risk of losing easy points.
Read each stem for the role you are playing. Are you the HIM director, privacy lead, data analyst, revenue cycle partner, project facilitator, or department manager? The correct answer often depends on authority, timing, and risk. The exam is not asking what anyone could do eventually. It is asking for the best next action in context.
Finish by submitting only after you have answered all items and used any remaining review time. Since there is no way to identify pretest items, steady completion is the safest test-day behavior.
How many total items are on the current RHIA exam?
What is the best way to use flag and review functionality?
Which test-day statement is accurate for RHIA?