Failed my CCA exam twice — what am I missing in my prep? — Forums

Megan P.OP

May 27, 2026

I'm honestly embarrassed to be posting this but I've failed the CCA exam twice now and I'm running out of steam. First attempt I got a 68%, second time a 71% — so I'm getting closer but that 75% passing score feels like a wall I can't get over. I've been using a CCA study guide I found online and reading through the AHIMA materials, but something isn't clicking, especially on the ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and the reimbursement sections.

My background is about 2 years in HIM at a small rural hospital, so I have hands-on experience, but the exam questions feel way more nuanced than what I deal with day-to-day. I've been studying about an hour a night for 6 weeks. Is that enough? I'm thinking of pushing my third attempt to August to give myself a full 10-week runway this time.

Has anyone here actually passed after multiple attempts? What finally made it click? I'm considering doing more CCA practice test questions to drill the weak spots instead of just re-reading content.

Brian Y.

May 27, 2026

I was in almost the exact same spot — passed on my third try with a 78%. What changed for me was switching from reading-heavy prep to doing 50+ practice questions every single day for the last month. The AHIMA practice exam is decent but get additional question banks if you can. Your weak areas will show up fast when you're actually coding under time pressure. The reimbursement stuff especially needs repetition, not just reading.

Jordan L.

May 28, 2026

Honestly the ICD-10 guidelines section wrecked me too. What helped was printing out the Official Guidelines and actually tabbing the sections they test most — sequencing rules, the "code also" and "code first" hierarchies, and the chapters on neoplasms and injuries. I'd read a guideline, then immediately do 10 questions on just that topic. Also — are you timing yourself? The CCA is 60 questions in 2 hours, which sounds fine until you're actually in it.

rachel_s

May 28, 2026

Don't count out the CPT side either. A lot of people hyperfocus on ICD-10 and then get surprised by outpatient procedure coding. Make sure your exam tips strategy covers E/M leveling — that's usually 8-10 questions right there. You're so close, 71% to 75% is genuinely a small gap. You've got this.

Failed my CCA exam twice — what am I missing in my prep?

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