CCDS Exam-Day Checklist
Final preparation and score-report guide
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
CCDS vs CDIP: Comparing Clinical Documentation Credentials →CCDS Study Plan: 10-Week Schedule →How Hard Is the CCDS Exam? →CCDS Complete Exam Guide →CCDS Exam Content Outline →Free CCDS Practice Questions →Glossary of Terms →