Everything you need to prepare for and pass the AAPC CPC exam, in one place. I have been coding since 2005 and teach CPC prep as a CPC-I. Start at the top, work your way down, and come back to this page as you study.
The CPC Exam at a Glance
- 100 multiple choice questions
- 4 hours, in one sitting
- 70% required to pass
- Open book: AMA CPT Professional Edition, plus your choice of ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II
- In person or online with a live remote proctor
What the CPC Exam Tests
The exam measures whether you can read documentation and assign accurate codes under time pressure. Expect questions across:
- CPT procedure coding by section: evaluation and management, anesthesia, surgery by body system, radiology, pathology and laboratory, and medicine.
- ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding, including the official guidelines.
- HCPCS Level II codes and modifiers.
- Coding concepts: medical terminology, anatomy, compliance, and payer rules.
For the full question by question breakdown, read what is on the CPC exam.
A 16 Week CPC Study Schedule
This schedule follows the same order as our 16 week CPC training course, one or two chapters per week, so every week builds on the last.
| Week | What you study |
|---|---|
| 1 | The business of medicine |
| 2 | Anatomy and medical terminology |
| 3 | Overview of ICD-10-CM |
| 4 | ICD-10-CM guidelines and accurate diagnosis coding |
| 5 | CPT, HCPCS Level II, and modifiers |
| 6 | Integumentary system |
| 7 | Musculoskeletal system |
| 8 | Respiratory and cardiovascular systems |
| 9 | Hemic and lymphatic systems, mediastinum, and diaphragm |
| 10 | Digestive system |
| 11 | Urinary and male genital systems |
| 12 | Female reproductive system, maternity care and delivery, endocrine and nervous systems |
| 13 | Anesthesia |
| 14 | Radiology |
| 15 | Pathology and laboratory |
| 16 | Evaluation and management, medicine, and the course final exam |
Plan on 12 to 15 study hours per week. Work every practice question with your books open, the same way you will on the exam. After week 16, take full timed practice exams, finish tabbing your books, and schedule your exam when your practice scores are consistently above passing.
How Hard Is the CPC Exam?
The honest answer: it is challenging, but very passable with structured preparation. AAPC does not publish a current official pass rate, so treat any percentage you see online as an estimate. What we can tell you is why people fail and what prepared candidates do differently.
Why People Fail
- Time pressure. 100 questions in 4 hours is about 2 minutes and 24 seconds each. Running out of time is the most common problem.
- Weak book navigation. Candidates who cannot find guidelines and codes quickly lose minutes on every question.
- Memorizing instead of applying guidelines. The exam tests how you apply rules to scenarios.
- No timed practice. Untimed study does not prepare you for exam pacing.
The Hardest Sections
Many candidates find the surgery section by body system, E/M leveling, and modifier questions the most demanding, because they require reading long scenarios and applying several rules at once.
What Changes Your Odds
- A structured schedule like the 16 week plan above
- Well tabbed, annotated code books
- At least two full timed practice exams
- Instructor feedback on the questions you miss
Learn how to use practice tests in our CPC practice exam guide.
Tab and Prepare Your Code Books
Your books are your most important tool on exam day. Tab each CPT section and the ICD-10-CM chapters you use most, highlight key guidelines, and write short notes where you tend to make mistakes. Brief handwritten notes are allowed; inserted pages are not. Always use the current year books AAPC allows for your exam date.
Time Management on Exam Day
You have 4 hours for 100 questions, which is about 2 minutes and 24 seconds per question. Answer the questions you know first, mark the long ones, and come back. Use the answer choices to narrow your search in the books instead of coding every question from scratch. Never leave a question blank.
What to Bring on CPC Exam Day
- Government issued photo ID
- Your approved AMA CPT Professional Edition, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II books
- For the online exam: a computer that meets AAPC requirements, a reliable internet connection, and an external webcam
Rules can change, so review AAPC exam day instructions in your account before you test.
What If You Do Not Pass the CPC Exam?
It happens, and it is not the end of your path. Your score report shows how you did in each section, so you know exactly what to study. If you bought the two attempt voucher, your retake is already covered. Review your weakest sections, take another timed practice exam, and schedule your retake when your practice scores are consistently above passing.
Go deeper with the full CPC study library below. Every guide is grouped by where you are in the process.
Start Here
- CPC Certification: What It Is and How to Earn It. What the credential is and every step to earn it
- What Is on the AAPC CPC Exam in 2026? Complete 100-Question Exam Breakdown. Question by question breakdown of the exam
- AAPC CPC Exam FAQs. Format, scoring, code book rules, scheduling and test day questions
- Ultimate AAPC CPC Certification Guide
Online or In Person?
- CPC Exam Online vs In Person. Choosing a format, proctored exam setup and test day rules
- Where to take CPC exam in San Diego
Build Your Study Plan
- 16 Week CPC Study Plan: Week by Week Guide
- How to Study for the AAPC CPC Exam
- How to Pass the AAPC CPC Exam: Comprehensive Guide
- AAPC CPC Practice Exams in 2026: How to Use Practice Tests to Pass the CPC Exam
Test Day Strategy
- Time Management for the AAPC CPC Exam
- Process of Elimination for the AAPC CPC Exam
- How to Approach Long Medical Coding Exam Scenarios
Prepare Your Code Books
- How to Prepare Your Coding Manuals for the CPC Exam. What you can write, how to tab and why fewer notes work better
- Why Current Year Coding Manuals Matter
- Manuals vs Ebooks for AAPC CPC exam
After You Pass
- What Is CPC-A Certification
- AAPC Practicode in 2026: How to Pass Cases, Improve Your Coding Skills, and Complete Practicode Faster
- Maintaining your CPC credential with CEU
- What AAPC Certification After the CPC Is Most Beneficial?
- Should I Complete AAPC Practicode? How It Helps Remove the CPC-A
Prepare With an Instructor
Coding Clarified is an AAPC-licensed school. Our instructor-led CPC course includes printed code books, real practice cases, and support from a CPC-I. We are approved for WIOA funding in 30+ states. See our CPC training program or check funding options in your state.
CPC Exam Prep FAQs
How long should I study for the CPC exam?
Our course runs 16 weeks at 12 to 15 study hours per week, followed by timed practice exams before you schedule your test.
How much time do I get per question?
About 2 minutes and 24 seconds. The exam is 100 questions in 4 hours.
What should I bring to the CPC exam?
A government issued photo ID and your approved CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II books. Online testers also need a compatible computer and an external webcam.
What happens if I fail the CPC exam?
Use your score report to find your weakest sections, study those, and retake the exam. The two attempt voucher includes a retake.
Can I write notes in my code books?
Yes. Brief handwritten notes are allowed. Inserted or taped in pages are not.