CRC Risk Adjustment Coding exam-day guide
CRC Risk Adjustment Coding · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact name on your registration confirmation. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required; if unsure, carry two forms.
Exam appointment confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email with your test date, time, and testing location or remote-proctoring link. Confirm with the provider whether printed confirmation is required.
Approved code set references
CRC exams generally test ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II knowledge. Confirm with the provider whether you may bring your own code books, whether they must be unannotated, and whether an electronic or e-book version is permitted.
Permitted annotation check
If open-book code manuals are allowed, confirm with the provider what highlighting and handwritten notes are acceptable. Some programs prohibit loose papers, tabs, or notes beyond simple underlining.
Calculator policy
Confirm with the provider whether a basic calculator is allowed, provided on-screen, or prohibited. Do not assume phone calculators are permitted.
Scratch paper and writing tool
Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper and pencils are supplied at the test center or must be requested from the proctor. Remote testers should confirm whether blank paper is allowed.
Testing accommodations
If you need extra time or a separate room, confirm with the provider that your accommodation request was approved and appears on your authorization. Bring the approval documentation if instructed.
Remote-proctoring setup
If testing remotely, confirm with the provider the system requirements, camera and microphone checks, room-scan procedure, and prohibited items on the desk. Run the equipment check at least 24 hours ahead.
Arrival time and location logistics
Confirm with the provider how early to arrive and the exact address or check-in link. Plan for traffic, parking, and security screening; late arrivals may be turned away.
Personal items plan
Confirm with the provider where phones, watches, bags, and outerwear must be stored. Most testing environments prohibit personal items at the workstation.
Rest and hydration plan
Sleep, eat a normal meal, and bring water only if the provider permits it in the testing room. Avoid new caffeine levels on exam day.
Score-report and retake policy review
Confirm with the provider how and when results are delivered, the passing standard, and any retake waiting period before exam day so expectations are set.
Plan the day
Re-read the official candidate handbook for conduct, ID, reference-material, and scoring rules. Confirm with the provider any point that is ambiguous rather than guessing. Verify your appointment time, location or remote link, and accommodation status.
Do a final content pass focused on high-yield areas: ICD-10-CM chapter-specific guidelines, sequencing and first-listed diagnosis rules, CPT evaluation and management and surgical section structure, HCPCS Level II modifiers, and risk-adjustment concepts such as hierarchical condition categories and documentation capture. Practice applying guidelines to short scenarios rather than memorizing codes.
Take one timed practice set under exam-like conditions, then review every missed item to identify the guideline you misapplied. Stop adding new material after this point and consolidate what you already know.
Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted references. Confirm with the provider the arrival time and check-in process. Do a short review of sequencing rules and common modifier pitfalls, then stop studying early enough to sleep well.
For remote testing, complete the equipment and room check, clear your desk of prohibited items, and confirm your internet connection and backup plan. Note the proctor contact number in case of technical failure.
Eat a normal meal, arrive or log in early per the provider's instructions, and leave prohibited items stored away. Bring only what the provider permits into the testing area. Take a few minutes to settle your breathing before starting.
Read each question fully and identify what is being asked: correct code assignment, guideline interpretation, documentation query, or risk-adjustment concept. Use the code manuals methodically, verify tabular list instructions and modifiers, and flag uncertain items to revisit if the platform allows.
Pace yourself against the total item count and remaining time. Do not spend excessive time on one item; make your best supported choice and move on. Reserve the final minutes to review flagged questions and confirm no item is left blank if the format penalizes omissions.
Follow the provider's instructions for score release and keep your confirmation and result documentation. If you did not pass, confirm the retake window and use your score report to target weak domains before rescheduling.
Rules to check
Bring valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted and what to do if your name differs from your registration.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted reference materials. Do not bring annotated manuals, loose notes, or electronic aids unless the provider explicitly allows them; unauthorized materials can void your result.
Arrive or check in at the time the provider specifies. Candidates who arrive late may be denied entry or have time deducted; confirm the policy in advance rather than assuming a grace period.
Keep phones, smartwatches, and other personal devices stored and silenced as directed. Do not access them during the test, including during unscheduled breaks.
Follow proctor instructions exactly. Raise your hand or use the designated chat for breaks, technical problems, or questions; leaving the camera view during remote testing may be treated as a violation.
Confirm with the provider the break policy and whether the clock stops during breaks. If breaks are not permitted, plan hydration and restroom use before the test begins.
Understand the scoring standard before exam day: confirm with the provider the passing score, whether items are weighted, and whether wrong answers are penalized, so you can decide whether to guess on unknown items.
Do not attempt to record, copy, or share exam content. Discussing specific exam items after the test may violate the candidate agreement and can result in score invalidation.