MEDICAL ASSISTANT (MA) CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026-2027
COMPLETE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
Section Administrative Procedures 25 Page 2
1
Section Clinical Procedures & Patient 35 Page 6
2 Care
Section Anatomy, Physiology, & 30 Page 11
3 Medical Terminology
Section Diagnostic Testing & ECG 25 Page 15
4
Section Pharmacology & Medication 25 Page 19
5 Administration
Section Safety, Infection Control, & 30 Page 22
6 Regulatory
Section Legal & Ethical Issues 30 Page 27
7
Section 1: Administrative Procedures (Questions 1-25)
Domain: Billing, Coding, Scheduling, and Records.
,1. Which accounting method records income when it is earned rather
than when the money is received?
A. Cash basis
B. Accrual basis
C. Hybrid basis
D. Deferred basis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accrual basis accounting recognizes revenue when it is
earned, regardless of when payment is physically received.
2. A patient requests a document listing specific services rendered and
the fees charged. What should the medical assistant provide?
A. Superbill
B. Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
C. Itemized statement
D. Ledger card
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An itemized statement provides a detailed breakdown of
services and costs for the patient.
3. Which of the following is a direct violation of HIPAA privacy rules?
A. Discussing a patient's lab results with the attending physician
B. Leaving a patient's chart open on a computer screen in a public area
C. Faxing a referral to another provider with a cover sheet
D. Calling a patient to confirm an appointment time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leaving protected health information visible on an
unattended screen is a breach of privacy.
,4. What is the primary purpose of a superbill?
A. To provide a detailed summary of charges for the patient
B. To serve as a routing document for insurance claims and coding
C. To act as a legal contract between the patient and the provider
D. To track the practice's daily expenses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A superbill is an itemized form used to document services
and procedures for billing and insurance claim submission.
5. Which scheduling method books patients at specific times but
allows for two patients to be scheduled at the same time to account
for no-shows?
A. Wave scheduling
B. Stream scheduling
C. Cluster scheduling
D. Double-booking
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Wave scheduling groups patients at the start of an hour to
buffer against no-shows.
6. What is the purpose of a "tickler" file?
A. To track patient payments
B. To remind staff of upcoming appointments or tasks
C. To store expired medications
D. To organize patient charts alphabetically
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A tickler file is a reminder system used to track tasks, follow-
ups, and recurring events.
, 7. When a patient fails to show up for a scheduled appointment
without calling, this is documented as a:
A. No-show
B. Cancellation
C. Reschedule
D. Walk-in
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A no-show occurs when a patient does not arrive for their
appointment and does not provide prior notice.
8. Which of the following is considered a demographic data element in
a patient's record?
A. Blood pressure
B. Date of birth
C. Chief complaint
D. Medication list
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Demographic data includes identifying information such as
name, address, phone number, and date of birth.
9. What does the abbreviation "CMS" stand for in healthcare
administration?
A. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
B. Clinical Management System
C. Certified Medical Scribe
D. Central Medical Staffing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CMS is the federal agency that administers Medicare,
Medicaid, and other health programs.
COMPLETE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
Section Administrative Procedures 25 Page 2
1
Section Clinical Procedures & Patient 35 Page 6
2 Care
Section Anatomy, Physiology, & 30 Page 11
3 Medical Terminology
Section Diagnostic Testing & ECG 25 Page 15
4
Section Pharmacology & Medication 25 Page 19
5 Administration
Section Safety, Infection Control, & 30 Page 22
6 Regulatory
Section Legal & Ethical Issues 30 Page 27
7
Section 1: Administrative Procedures (Questions 1-25)
Domain: Billing, Coding, Scheduling, and Records.
,1. Which accounting method records income when it is earned rather
than when the money is received?
A. Cash basis
B. Accrual basis
C. Hybrid basis
D. Deferred basis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accrual basis accounting recognizes revenue when it is
earned, regardless of when payment is physically received.
2. A patient requests a document listing specific services rendered and
the fees charged. What should the medical assistant provide?
A. Superbill
B. Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
C. Itemized statement
D. Ledger card
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An itemized statement provides a detailed breakdown of
services and costs for the patient.
3. Which of the following is a direct violation of HIPAA privacy rules?
A. Discussing a patient's lab results with the attending physician
B. Leaving a patient's chart open on a computer screen in a public area
C. Faxing a referral to another provider with a cover sheet
D. Calling a patient to confirm an appointment time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leaving protected health information visible on an
unattended screen is a breach of privacy.
,4. What is the primary purpose of a superbill?
A. To provide a detailed summary of charges for the patient
B. To serve as a routing document for insurance claims and coding
C. To act as a legal contract between the patient and the provider
D. To track the practice's daily expenses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A superbill is an itemized form used to document services
and procedures for billing and insurance claim submission.
5. Which scheduling method books patients at specific times but
allows for two patients to be scheduled at the same time to account
for no-shows?
A. Wave scheduling
B. Stream scheduling
C. Cluster scheduling
D. Double-booking
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Wave scheduling groups patients at the start of an hour to
buffer against no-shows.
6. What is the purpose of a "tickler" file?
A. To track patient payments
B. To remind staff of upcoming appointments or tasks
C. To store expired medications
D. To organize patient charts alphabetically
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A tickler file is a reminder system used to track tasks, follow-
ups, and recurring events.
, 7. When a patient fails to show up for a scheduled appointment
without calling, this is documented as a:
A. No-show
B. Cancellation
C. Reschedule
D. Walk-in
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A no-show occurs when a patient does not arrive for their
appointment and does not provide prior notice.
8. Which of the following is considered a demographic data element in
a patient's record?
A. Blood pressure
B. Date of birth
C. Chief complaint
D. Medication list
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Demographic data includes identifying information such as
name, address, phone number, and date of birth.
9. What does the abbreviation "CMS" stand for in healthcare
administration?
A. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
B. Clinical Management System
C. Certified Medical Scribe
D. Central Medical Staffing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CMS is the federal agency that administers Medicare,
Medicaid, and other health programs.
