CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam study plan

Sequence the complete medical asepsis and hand-hygiene workflow, then recite each step aloud without notes

Differentiate Standard Precautions from transmission-based precautions by matching 10 given scenarios to the correct precaution type

Demonstrate (or narrate step-by-step) correct donning and doffing order for gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection

List the elements of vital signs measurement and state the normal adult ranges for temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, height/weight, and oxygen saturation

Identify the proper disposal stream for 12 waste items (sharps, biohazard, chemical, regular) using OSHA and CDC guidance

Apply the 'rights' of medication administration to 10 written order scenarios and flag the ones that must be clarified with the provider

Calculate 15 dosage problems (weight-based, unit conversion, IV flow rate, pediatric) with 100% accuracy and show the setup for each

Map the injection sites (deltoid, ventrogluteal, dorsogluteal, vastus lateralis, subcutaneous, intradermal) by gauge, needle length, angle, and maximum volume

Outline the pre-, intra-, and post-procedure steps for venipuncture, capillary puncture, urinalysis, and a 12-lead ECG

Match CLIA-waived tests to their specimen type, expected normal result, and one common interference or error source

Define the medical assistant's scope of practice and classify 12 described tasks as permitted, prohibited, or delegated-with-supervision

Distinguish licensure, certification, registration, and accreditation, and state which applies to the CMA (AAMA) credential and its recertification cycle

Apply informed consent, implied consent, and the exceptions (emergency, minors, court order) to 8 case vignettes

Identify the four elements of negligence and the four Ds of malpractice in written definitions and apply them to a short scenario

State HIPAA privacy and security rules for releasing records, including the minimum-necessary rule, permitted disclosures, and breach notification basics

Demonstrate therapeutic communication techniques and identify 8 blocking behaviors (false reassurance, judging, giving advice) in written dialogue samples

Adapt a single patient-education message for a child, an older adult with hearing loss, a non-English speaker, and an anxious patient

Identify barriers to communication and the appropriate response for each, including vision, hearing, speech, cognitive, and cultural barriers

Build a personal glossary of 100 high-yield medical word parts (prefixes, suffixes, roots) and decode 20 unfamiliar terms from it

Describe the professional components of practice: patient advocacy, cultural competence, teamwork, time management, and continuing education

Compare scheduling methods (stream, wave, cluster, modified wave, open hours, advance booking) and select the best fit for 6 stated practice scenarios

Sequence the steps to open and close a medical office, including equipment checks, cash drawer, and daily reconciliation

Classify the components of a patient medical record and apply retention, release, correction, and destruction rules to 10 written requests

Draft three professional business letters (appointment reminder, collection notice, referral) using correct format and tone

Inventory office supplies and equipment maintenance needs by building a reorder threshold and maintenance log template

Differentiate HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and workers' compensation by coverage rules, referrals, and payment structure

Trace the full revenue cycle from patient registration through claim submission, remittance, and collection of patient balance

Apply CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS level conventions to 15 coding scenarios, selecting the correct code type for each

Complete a sample CMS-1500 (paper or equivalent fields) accurately from a given patient and encounter data set

Interpret an EOB/ERA to determine paid, adjusted, and patient-responsibility amounts on three sample claims

Review the error log from weeks 1-6 and re-teach the five weakest subdomains using a new study source

Complete three 50-question mixed-topic sets under timed conditions and record the score and domain breakdown for each

Convert every missed question from weeks 1-7 into a flashcard and run spaced review on all cards to 90% recall

Practice 20 scenario questions that combine domains (e.g., a billing dispute that raises a HIPAA question) to build cross-domain reasoning

Take two full-length timed practice exams under test-day conditions and score at or above the target passing percentage on each

Re-drill every remaining flashcard marked 'again' until recall reaches 95%

Rehearse logistics: verify exam appointment, ID requirements, testing-site or remote-proctoring rules, and permitted materials

Write a final one-page summary sheet of the 25 highest-yield facts across all three domains and read it the morning of the exam