Many ask, “should I take a prep course before I set for a case management certification exam? The answer is ‘it depends’. This article provides ten reasons why people take a prep course to help them prepare for their certification exam or any national examination that requires recall from various domains or practice. If these points resonate with you, check out the resources from the Case Management Institute to help you prepare as you step up to case management certification.
- Certification Examinations are scary. Most people who sit for a certification exam have not taken a formal test for many years, so taking a certification prep course can help decrease anxiety and help you feel confident.
- A prep course will cover a wide variety of topics that will help you know the essential areas/ the domains of practice on which the exam is based.
- A prep course will explain concepts and theory and how it relates to actual practice. A prep course will help you think critically and associate theory with actual practice as you answer questions.
- A prep course will help you think outside of the box. Most certification examinations are broad, so you must look at what the question is asking vs. what you do in your job.
- A prep course will remind you that you are taking an examination that tests the fundamentals of the practice.
- A prep course will help you organize your thoughts and help you focus on what you don’t know. A prep course s will help you maximize your time, so you focus on things you need to understand better.
- A prep course will allow you to interact with others taking the certification exam. The interaction will help you think critically.
- A prep course will help you understand how to break down questions so you can zero in on what is being asked and help you not overthink a question.
- A prep course will help you understand how to eliminate answers that don’t fit the question. Narrowing down answers is an important skill, especially when you don’t know the right answer.
- A prep course will set you on a path of study that is organized and focused on what you need to know for the exam you are taking.
The Case Management Institute has several resources to help you prepare for two of the National Case Management Certification examinations, the Commission for Case Management CCM Exam and American Nurses Credentialing Center Nursing Case Management Exam. As an instructor for both courses, I have seen firsthand how taking a prep course can turn anxious test takers into confident test takes. If you have questions, please feel free to email me at allewellyn48@gmail.com ,
If you have taken a prep course before a national examination let me know your thought!
Things have changed so much from the time when I took my certification examination–paper and pencil–sitting all day in a classroom. At that time there were few if any prep courses and fewer resource books.
Prep courses help concretize the standards of practice and also help point out areas of emphasis for continued study!
These courses are worth the effort !
What great preparation resources available today. There were none in my day of taking certification exams!
I know Barbara, things have changed a lot over 30 years. Today there are a number of review programs. What is sad is that there is not a clear training program for someone to be a CM…not a hospital, a managed care case manger or a CM in independent practice. CM is so divers. The Certification Exams focus on the fundamentals of the practice so regardless of what type of CM is doing there are fundamental principles. That is what is hard for people to do is to put themselves in various situations and answer questions based on those situations. Thanks for commenting!
Me again!
Prep courses offer great opportunities for networking AND if you and your colleagues sign up as a group-discounts too!
Consider it a day out of the office for a great cause- YOU!
Thanks Dana….times have changed…..the exams are mostly done at home to boot!
Dear Anne CMI is the site I asked you for. I’m glad you bring it in.