You can read every coding guideline cover to cover. But until you sit down and answer real CPC-style questions under pressure, you won't know if you're actually ready for exam day.
These 7 practice questions are pulled from CodeCram's 288-question bank. They cover the categories that dominate the CPC exam: E/M Coding, ICD-10-CM, CPT Surgery, HCPCS Level II, Anesthesia, Compliance, and Radiology. Each answer includes a detailed explanation — not just what's correct, but why the other choices are wrong.
Try answering each one before revealing the answer. Time yourself. On the real CPC exam, you get roughly 2.4 minutes per question.
Question 1: E/M Coding
Under the 2021 E/M guidelines for office visits (99202–99215), what is the primary determining factor for code selection?
Correct Answer: B — Medical decision making (MDM) or total time
The 2021 E/M guidelines for office visits base code selection on either the level of medical decision making (MDM) or total time spent on the encounter date. This was a major shift from the prior system that required all three key components (history, exam, MDM) for new patients. Under the current framework, history and exam are still performed — they just don't drive the code level anymore. Choice A describes the old system. Choices C and D were never primary determining factors.
Question 2: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding
A patient presents with Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease, stage 3. Which ICD-10-CM code(s) should be assigned?
Correct Answer: A — E11.22 and N18.3
E11.22 is Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease. Per ICD-10-CM coding guidelines, a secondary code from N18.- is required to identify the stage of CKD — here, N18.3 for Stage 3. Choice B (E11.65) codes for hyperglycemia, not CKD. Choice C uses unspecified codes (E11.9 and N18.9) when specific codes exist. Choice D uses E13.22, which is for "other specified diabetes," not Type 2. The CPC exam frequently tests combination coding for diabetes with manifestations.
Question 3: CPT Surgery
A patient undergoes removal of a 4 cm malignant melanoma from the forearm with 2 cm margins. What is the excised diameter for code selection?
Correct Answer: C — 8.0 cm
The excised diameter equals the lesion size plus the narrowest margins on both sides: 4 cm lesion + 2 cm margin on each side = 8.0 cm total excised diameter. This is one of the most commonly tested surgery concepts on the CPC exam. Choice A only counts the lesion. Choice B adds the margin once instead of twice. Choice D is just the margin. When you see a lesion excision question, always calculate: lesion + (margin x 2).
Like these questions? CodeCram has 288 CPC practice questions across all exam categories, with a timed exam simulator.
Try 10 Free Questions →Question 4: HCPCS Level II
The anesthesia payment formula is:
Correct Answer: B — (Base units + Modifying units + Time units) x Conversion factor
Anesthesia reimbursement follows a three-part formula: (Base units + Modifying units + Time units) x Conversion factor. Base units are assigned per CPT anesthesia code. Modifying units come from physical status modifiers (P1–P6) and qualifying circumstances (99100, 99116, 99135, 99140). Time units are calculated from actual anesthesia time (typically in 15-minute increments). Choice A is close but misses modifying units — a common trap. The CPC exam often asks you to calculate the total using this formula.
Question 5: Anesthesia
A patient with severe systemic disease (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes) undergoing anesthesia would receive which physical status modifier?
Correct Answer: C — P3
P3 indicates a patient with severe systemic disease. The physical status modifiers run from P1 to P6: P1 = normal healthy patient, P2 = mild systemic disease (well-controlled hypertension), P3 = severe systemic disease (poorly controlled diabetes, morbid obesity), P4 = severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life, P5 = moribund patient not expected to survive, P6 = declared brain-dead organ donor. The key distinction tested on the CPC exam is between P2 (mild) and P3 (severe). Poorly controlled = severe.
Question 6: Radiology
A radiologist provides a written interpretation (professional component) of a chest X-ray taken at a hospital. Which modifier indicates the professional component only?
Correct Answer: B — Modifier 26
Modifier 26 indicates the professional component — the physician's interpretation and written report. Modifier TC (Technical Component) covers the equipment, technologist, and supplies. Without any modifier, the code represents the global service (both components). Modifier 59 is for distinct procedural services at different sites. Modifier 52 indicates a reduced service. This is a foundational radiology concept — the CPC exam expects you to know the professional/technical split cold.
Question 7: Compliance & Regulatory
According to ICD-10-CM guidelines, what is the correct sequencing when a patient is admitted for chemotherapy and also has lung cancer?
Correct Answer: B — Z51.11 first, then the cancer code
When a patient is admitted solely for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy, the appropriate Z code (Z51.11 for chemotherapy) is sequenced first, followed by the code for the neoplasm. This is a specific ICD-10-CM sequencing guideline (Section I.C.2.e.2). The reason for the encounter drives the first-listed diagnosis. If the patient were admitted for complications of the cancer with incidental chemotherapy, the cancer would be first. The CPC exam tests sequencing rules heavily — memorize the Z-code-first rule for therapy encounters.
How Did You Do?
Score Yourself
Count your correct answers out of 7. Here's what your score means for exam readiness:
If you scored 0–3: Don't panic. These are real CPC-level questions, and you're exactly the kind of student who benefits most from structured practice. Focus on the explanations — each one teaches a coding principle that applies to dozens of exam questions.
If you scored 4–5: You're close. The concepts are there, but the details need tightening. Pay attention to sequencing rules, modifier distinctions, and calculation formulas. More practice builds the speed and accuracy you need.
If you scored 6–7: You're in good shape. Keep drilling to build stamina for the full 100-question, 4-hour exam. Timed practice is your next priority.
Why Answer Explanations Matter More Than Scores
Getting a question right means nothing if you guessed. Getting it wrong means everything if you read the explanation.
Every CPC question tests a specific coding guideline. When you understand why an answer is correct, you can apply that same guideline to 10 different question variations. That's the difference between memorizing answers and learning to code.
The 7 questions above cover principles that repeat across the entire CPC exam:
- 2021 E/M guidelines — MDM or time drives code selection (tested 10–15 times on the exam)
- Combination codes — Diabetes + manifestation requires two codes (ICD-10-CM Chapter 4)
- Excised diameter math — Lesion + (margin x 2) for every skin excision question
- Anesthesia formula — (B + M + T) x CF appears on every CPC exam
- Physical status modifiers — P1–P6 distinctions (P2 vs P3 is the trap)
- Professional vs Technical — Modifier 26 vs TC (tested in radiology and pathology sections)
- Z-code sequencing — Therapy encounter = Z code first
What to Study Next
These 7 questions are a starting point. The full CPC exam is 100 questions over 4 hours. To pass, you need:
- Volume — Enough practice questions to see every question pattern
- Timed conditions — 2.4 minutes per question builds the pacing instinct
- Category tracking — Know which categories you're weak in and drill them
- A study plan — Random studying wastes time. Weighted studying passes exams.
If you need a structured approach, read our 14-Day CPC Study Plan — it maps exactly what to study each day based on exam category weights.
For time management strategy on exam day, check out CPC Exam Time Management: The Multi-Pass Strategy.
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Related: How to Study for the CPC Exam in 2 Weeks • CPC Exam Time Management: The Multi-Pass Strategy