PASS AANAC RAC-CT MDS COORDINATOR
CERTIFICATION EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 – COMPLETE 200-QUESTION
SAMPLE WITH ANSWERS AND DETAILED
RATIONALES FOR HIGH-YIELD DOMAINS
INCLUDING OBRA, PPS, CAAS, FIVE-STAR,
ICD-10, DISCHARGE, AND ASSESSMENT
COMPLETION STANDARDS
CORE DOMAINS
MDS 3.0 Foundations and Coding Principles
OBRA Assessment Scheduling and Timing
PPS Assessment Scheduling and Reimbursement
Care Area Assessments (CAAs) and Care Planning
ICD-10-CM Coding for Long-Term Care
Five-Star Quality Rating System and Quality Measures
Discharge Assessment and Tracking Records
RAI Process Integrity and Regulatory Compliance
Medicare Part A Coverage and Skilled Nursing Facility PPS
Survey Readiness and Documentation Standards
INTRODUCTION
The AANAC RAC-CT MDS Coordinator Certification examination
assesses the knowledge and skills required to accurately
complete the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process in
skilled nursing facilities. It covers MDS 3.0 coding, OBRA and PPS
assessment scheduling, Care Area Assessments, Medicare
reimbursement, ICD-10-CM coding, the Five-Star Quality Rating
System, and discharge planning. The exam uses multiple-choice
and scenario-based questions to evaluate real-world decision-
making. Emphasis is placed on regulatory compliance, clinical
,accuracy, and the application of CMS guidelines to resident
assessment and care planning. This comprehensive assessment
ensures MDS coordinators are prepared to deliver accurate,
compliant, and resident-centered assessments.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-200
1. According to the RAI User's Manual, what is the first step an
MDS coordinator should take when encountering a coding
question?
A. Ask a colleague for their opinion
B. Check the most recent version of the RAI User's Manual
C. Code based on previous experience
D. Submit a request to CMS
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: The RAI User's Manual is the authoritative source
for MDS coding guidance. The current version contains over 1,000
pages, with Chapter 3 alone accounting for more than 535 pages
of item-by-item guidance. Consulting the manual should always
be the first step when making coding decisions.
2. How often does CMS typically update the RAI User's Manual?
A. Monthly
B. Annually each October 1, with additional off-schedule updates
as needed
C. Every five years
D. Only when major regulatory changes occur
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: CMS makes revisions to the RAI User's Manual
that go into effect each October 1 in conjunction with the new
fiscal year. Off-schedule updates may also occur as needed.
,Information learned from prior editions may no longer be
accurate.
3. What is the minimum passing score required for each RAC-
CT certification exam?
A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 85%
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Candidates must achieve a score of 80% or
higher on each of the ten RAC-CT certification exams to earn the
credential.
4. How many exam attempts are allowed per RAC-CT course?
A. One attempt only
B. Two attempts
C. Three attempts
D. Unlimited attempts
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Candidates have three exam attempts per course
to achieve the required 80% passing score.
5. What is the primary purpose of the RAI process in long-term
care facilities?
A. To develop a comprehensive, standardized assessment that
drives individualized care planning and ensures appropriate
resource allocation and regulatory compliance
B. To generate billing codes for Medicare reimbursement without
regard to the clinical accuracy of the documented findings
C. To satisfy the minimum data set requirements established by
the state survey agency for annual recertification inspections only
, D. To provide a communication tool between nursing staff and
physicians that replaces the need for progress notes in the
medical record
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: The RAI process is a comprehensive,
standardized approach that combines assessment, problem
identification, and care planning to ensure residents receive
individualized care. It goes beyond billing to encompass clinical
quality and regulatory compliance.
6. What is the standard assessment reference date for an
admission assessment under MDS 3.0?
A. The ARD must be set no later than day 14 of the facility stay,
counting the day of admission as day 1
B. The ARD must be set exactly on day 7 of the facility stay, with
no flexibility to adjust the date
C. The ARD must be set on the day the resident is admitted to
the facility, which is always day 0
D. The ARD must be set no later than day 30 of the facility stay,
allowing extended observation time
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: The ARD for an admission assessment must be
set no later than day 14, allowing the coordinator sufficient time
to observe the resident while ensuring timely completion. This
timeframe balances clinical observation needs with regulatory
requirements.
7. What are the three components of the RAI process?
A. MDS assessment, CAAs, and care plan
B. MDS assessment, billing, and survey readiness
C. Admission assessment, quarterly assessment, and annual
CERTIFICATION EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 – COMPLETE 200-QUESTION
SAMPLE WITH ANSWERS AND DETAILED
RATIONALES FOR HIGH-YIELD DOMAINS
INCLUDING OBRA, PPS, CAAS, FIVE-STAR,
ICD-10, DISCHARGE, AND ASSESSMENT
COMPLETION STANDARDS
CORE DOMAINS
MDS 3.0 Foundations and Coding Principles
OBRA Assessment Scheduling and Timing
PPS Assessment Scheduling and Reimbursement
Care Area Assessments (CAAs) and Care Planning
ICD-10-CM Coding for Long-Term Care
Five-Star Quality Rating System and Quality Measures
Discharge Assessment and Tracking Records
RAI Process Integrity and Regulatory Compliance
Medicare Part A Coverage and Skilled Nursing Facility PPS
Survey Readiness and Documentation Standards
INTRODUCTION
The AANAC RAC-CT MDS Coordinator Certification examination
assesses the knowledge and skills required to accurately
complete the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process in
skilled nursing facilities. It covers MDS 3.0 coding, OBRA and PPS
assessment scheduling, Care Area Assessments, Medicare
reimbursement, ICD-10-CM coding, the Five-Star Quality Rating
System, and discharge planning. The exam uses multiple-choice
and scenario-based questions to evaluate real-world decision-
making. Emphasis is placed on regulatory compliance, clinical
,accuracy, and the application of CMS guidelines to resident
assessment and care planning. This comprehensive assessment
ensures MDS coordinators are prepared to deliver accurate,
compliant, and resident-centered assessments.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-200
1. According to the RAI User's Manual, what is the first step an
MDS coordinator should take when encountering a coding
question?
A. Ask a colleague for their opinion
B. Check the most recent version of the RAI User's Manual
C. Code based on previous experience
D. Submit a request to CMS
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: The RAI User's Manual is the authoritative source
for MDS coding guidance. The current version contains over 1,000
pages, with Chapter 3 alone accounting for more than 535 pages
of item-by-item guidance. Consulting the manual should always
be the first step when making coding decisions.
2. How often does CMS typically update the RAI User's Manual?
A. Monthly
B. Annually each October 1, with additional off-schedule updates
as needed
C. Every five years
D. Only when major regulatory changes occur
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: CMS makes revisions to the RAI User's Manual
that go into effect each October 1 in conjunction with the new
fiscal year. Off-schedule updates may also occur as needed.
,Information learned from prior editions may no longer be
accurate.
3. What is the minimum passing score required for each RAC-
CT certification exam?
A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 85%
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Candidates must achieve a score of 80% or
higher on each of the ten RAC-CT certification exams to earn the
credential.
4. How many exam attempts are allowed per RAC-CT course?
A. One attempt only
B. Two attempts
C. Three attempts
D. Unlimited attempts
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Candidates have three exam attempts per course
to achieve the required 80% passing score.
5. What is the primary purpose of the RAI process in long-term
care facilities?
A. To develop a comprehensive, standardized assessment that
drives individualized care planning and ensures appropriate
resource allocation and regulatory compliance
B. To generate billing codes for Medicare reimbursement without
regard to the clinical accuracy of the documented findings
C. To satisfy the minimum data set requirements established by
the state survey agency for annual recertification inspections only
, D. To provide a communication tool between nursing staff and
physicians that replaces the need for progress notes in the
medical record
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: The RAI process is a comprehensive,
standardized approach that combines assessment, problem
identification, and care planning to ensure residents receive
individualized care. It goes beyond billing to encompass clinical
quality and regulatory compliance.
6. What is the standard assessment reference date for an
admission assessment under MDS 3.0?
A. The ARD must be set no later than day 14 of the facility stay,
counting the day of admission as day 1
B. The ARD must be set exactly on day 7 of the facility stay, with
no flexibility to adjust the date
C. The ARD must be set on the day the resident is admitted to
the facility, which is always day 0
D. The ARD must be set no later than day 30 of the facility stay,
allowing extended observation time
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: The ARD for an admission assessment must be
set no later than day 14, allowing the coordinator sufficient time
to observe the resident while ensuring timely completion. This
timeframe balances clinical observation needs with regulatory
requirements.
7. What are the three components of the RAI process?
A. MDS assessment, CAAs, and care plan
B. MDS assessment, billing, and survey readiness
C. Admission assessment, quarterly assessment, and annual
