By Qamar S, 15 years in US medical billing · Last reviewed October 18, 2026
This free pathway helps you prepare for the CPC® exam in about 8 weeks: a week-by-week study plan, three topic quizzes and a 50-question timed practice test, each with explanations written from the billing side. It’s a study tool, not a certification. You earn the CPC credential only by passing AAPC’s exam.
Independent and unofficial: MedBillGuide is not affiliated with or endorsed by AAPC, AHIMA or NHA. CPC® is a registered trademark of AAPC. Every question here is original and written for practice; none are taken from any real exam.
How the CPC exam works
| Exam detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 multiple choice |
| Time | 4 hours (about 2.4 minutes per question) |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Books | Open book: AAPC-approved CPT, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II code books |
| Fee | $425 for one attempt or $499 for two, plus AAPC membership |
| Without experience | You pass as CPC-A (apprentice) until you meet the experience requirement |
Fees change, so confirm current details on AAPC’s website before you register. For a side-by-side look at other credentials, see CPC vs CBCS vs CCA.
Your 8-week study plan
| Week | Focus | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical terminology and anatomy by body system | Terminology and anatomy quiz |
| 2 | ICD-10-CM conventions and official guidelines | ICD-10-CM guidelines quiz |
| 3 | E/M rules: medical decision making, time, new vs established patients | Read your CPT book’s E/M guidelines twice |
| 4 | Surgery sections: integumentary, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, digestive | Code 10 operative notes from practice books |
| 5 | Modifiers, HCPCS Level II and global surgery | Modifiers, HCPCS and compliance quiz |
| 6 | Anesthesia, radiology, pathology and lab, medicine sections | Review section guidelines and parenthetical notes |
| 7 | Compliance, HIPAA, NCCI edits and reimbursement | Retake all three quizzes until you score 80%+ |
| 8 | Full timed practice and review | 50-question CPC practice test |
How to study (from the billing side)
- Tab and highlight your code books. The exam is open book, so speed in finding guidelines matters more than memorizing codes.
- Read the section guidelines first. Many exam questions test the notes at the start of each CPT section and the ICD-10-CM conventions.
- Answer from the documentation, not from memory. Eliminate answers with the wrong number of codes or a missing modifier first.
- Practice under time. Take the practice test with the timer on. If you’re slower than 2.4 minutes per question, practice skipping and coming back.
- Track weak topics. Each quiz shows your score by topic. Spend the next week’s extra time on your lowest score.
From 15 years in billing: the most expensive coding errors I’ve seen on real claims weren’t obscure codes. They were missing or wrong modifiers and diagnosis codes that didn’t support the service. Those same two areas show up across the exam, so master them early.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official CPC course?
No. It’s an independent, free study pathway. Only AAPC offers the CPC exam and credential. Use this alongside your code books and any course you’re taking.
Are these real CPC exam questions?
No. All questions are original practice questions written to cover the same topics. Real exam questions are confidential.
How long does it take to prepare for the CPC exam?
Most people need 2 to 6 months of study after a training course. This 8-week plan works best if you already know medical terminology basics.
What score do I need to pass the CPC exam?
70%. Aim for 80% or higher on practice tests to give yourself a margin on exam day.
Bonus quiz: try 10 real-world billing and coding scenarios (modifiers, denials, coordination of benefits and payment math). Getting job-ready? See our resume template and interview questions.
Independent study material. MedBillGuide is not affiliated with or endorsed by AAPC, AHIMA or NHA. CPC® is a registered trademark of AAPC. Practice questions are original and are not taken from any certification exam. Always study with current official code books. See our Disclaimer.