The structure of the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination is focused on a single, comprehensive computer-based assessment rather than a series of individual "papers." Based on current guidelines from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the exam is a single-day test that assesses a candidate across multiple domains of knowledge.
The following details outline the structure and composition of the exam:
- Total Questions: The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. Out of these, 180 are scored, and 20 are "pre-test" questions used for internal statistical purposes that do not affect your final score.
- Time Allocation: Candidates are given a total of 160 minutes of testing time. The exam is typically administered in four 40-minute segments.
- Breaks and Tutorial: There is a 15-minute tutorial before the start of the exam and a total of 20 minutes allowed for optional breaks between segments.
- Content Categories: While not separate papers, the questions are divided into three primary categories:
- Clinical Competency (59%): Includes clinical workflow, pharmacology, and infection control.
- General Knowledge (21%): Covers legal issues, ethics, and communication.
- Administrative (20%): Focuses on billing, coding, and health information management.
To successfully pass the CMA exam, candidates must achieve a minimum scaled score of 430 on a scale ranging from 200 to 800. Because it is a unified computerized test, there is no option to sit for segments on different dates; the entire CMA exam must be completed in one session.