im graduating in may in Medical Coding. i need to take a national certification exam in order to become official. it's 150 questions and you have 5 hours 40 minutes to complete it. this is an average 2.5 min on each question. it's by far the biggest test i've ever taken.

this is my outline for prepping for and taking the exam:

Start or edit my journal entry
Outline of my plan in a chronological order

1. Register for the Exam

I. Go to AAPC.com and find the location.
(Exam Date / Time : 06/10/2017 8:00 AM
Index: 82817-E171525
Proctor Name: Angela Buchanan Phillips, CPC-A
Address:
AB Tech-Asheville Campus Balsam Bldg. Room 216
340 Victoria Rd.
Asheville, NC 28801 USA)
II. Join AAPC, and pay fees.

III. Submit scholarship application and process.

IV. Purchase study guide, practice exams and up-to-date CPT manual.


2. Exam Prep

I. Figure out strengths/weaknesses
a. Strengths: Terminology
Anatomy
Navigating the manuals
Learning and retaining information
CPT

b. Weaknesses: Modifiers
Medical decision making
Selecting correct codes with the right details of Dx/procedure
Intermittent unmotivated tendencies, procrastination
ICD-10-CM
Reimbursement

II. Focus on increasing knowledge/skill over weaknesses. Devote time each day for review and fine tuning. Create a study outline and follow it.

III. Review strengths before exam.

IV. Prep manuals for the exam with notes taken from this course's assignments

V. Get enough sleep the night before. Remain relaxed and positive. Eat a good breakfast.

3. Taking the exam
I. Review each page by skimming questions. Pick questions I know the answer to off of the top of my head. Keep doing this until completing the whole test.

II. Go back to beginning and work on the harder questions. Be mindful of my time. If it is taking too long, move on to the next. Do not spend too much time getting hung up over one question. Go back after completing the exam, and select the best answer

III. Try to not get distracted. Try to be mindful during the test to eliminate distractions of anxiety, pressure, and others in the room. If I find myself drifting into my head/not focusing on the exam, I will remind myself to breathe, and focus on that, so I can get back to work

4. After the exam
I. Celebrate my accomplishments of achieving my goals thus far and completing the exam process!

does anyone have any other tips for taking huge exams?, and feeling under pressure???