Certifiable
Over the last 6 months my behavior can best be described as certifiable. This is an old school term that means that I have been totally off my rocker. I have not been the most pleasant person to live with these few months. My husband was just about ready to sign me into a treatment facility. Lucky for me, I took the certified professional coder (CPC) exam on April 18
th and passed. I would like to share my testing experience with you.
I left home a half hour early so that I would not be late for the exam. As I was headed down the interstate, my mind was just racing with so many thoughts. I drove myself crazy with the worst case scenarios. What if I couldn't find the testing center? What if my paperwork wasn't in order to take the test? As I was contemplating the next "what if," three deer appeared from out of nowhere. Lucky for me they had made it across the interstate just at the right moment. Was this a bad sign of things to come?
I found the testing center without any problems. I checked in with the proctors and everything was in order for me to take the test. I had 30 minutes before the test began so I used this time to set up my coding books, pencils and erasers. All of a sudden, I started to experience major gastrointestinal issues. I raced to the restroom and prayed that this would be over soon. I cannot believe that I have come this close and I am about to blow my test before I even get started. Finally, my GI issues subsided and I raced in to the testing center.
It was now time for the big moment. As the proctor went over the instructions, I could not hear what she was saying. My physical body was there but I was mentally checked out. It was time to begin the test. I took a deep breath and tried to get my nerves under check. After the first hour, I had answered only 25 questions. I panicked and thought I am not going to make it through the exam.
I needed to calm down my nerves and move through the questions quickly. So, I answered the questions that I knew and skipped others that I was unsure of. When I reached the fourth hour, I still had fifty questions left. I became increasingly anxious and felt that I could not finish the test. I pushed myself to complete the test. When the proctor announced the 15 minute warning, I was going back through the test to be sure that I had answered all questions. There were a few that I had not answered so I answered them as quickly as I could.
I left the testing center mentally and physically exhausted. I was completed drained and felt like I had failed the exam. I don't recall being so unhinged during the RHIA exam I took many years ago.
After months of studying for the exam, it is finally over. I have been very difficult to live with over these few months. I think my husband was more excited than I was that I had passed the exam. I am now a sane person again!