CCDS Exam-Day Checklist

Use this checklist to reduce preventable exam-day problems. Your appointment confirmation and the current Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists (ACDIS) candidate instructions take precedence over any general checklist.

One Week Before

• Confirm the appointment time, time zone, and testing location or remote-testing rules
• Match your identification to the name on the registration
• Review allowed and prohibited items
• Plan travel, parking, check-in, and accommodations
• Complete a final mixed-domain practice session and prioritize sleep

The Day Before

• Set out required identification and approved materials
• Recheck official check-in instructions
• Avoid an exhausting final cram session
• Prepare food, medication, transportation, and backup plans as applicable

During the Exam

• Read the full stem before evaluating options
• Use a consistent approach to uncertain questions
• Monitor time without rushing every item
• Follow all testing-center and confidentiality rules

Score Reports and Next Steps

Read the official score-report instructions before interpreting a preliminary or final result. If a retake is needed, use the official waiting-period and application rules, then convert the score report into a focused remediation plan.

CCDS-Specific Preparation

• Confirm the appointment is for CCDS rather than CCDS-O
• The linked handbook names DRG Expert and specified drug references as optional resources; confirm the current rules for your test modality
• Do not assume a Capra Academy study guide, added loose sheets, or an unlisted reference is permitted
• Rehearse locating information without letting lookups consume the full three-hour time budget
• The linked handbook describes a break during which the timer continues; follow current proctor instructions

Check the official handbook and appointment confirmation for controlling instructions.

Official Sources

• ACDIS: CCDS certification overview
• ACDIS: CCDS education and experience requirements
• ACDIS: current linked CCDS and CCDS-O Candidate Handbook
• AHIMA: Certified Documentation Integrity Practitioner (CDIP)
• CMS: ICD-10 coding resources and official guidelines

Related Resources