It is imperative when preparing for a case management test to thoroughly understand both the content and structure of the exam. It also is important to set and stick to a study schedule. Signing up for a course designed to help review what is covered on the case management test is one way to establish a schedule. What constitutes the best course will differ from person to person but will generally offer the test taker a chance to learn more about subjects with which he is unfamiliar and help him review those with which he is familiar.
The case management test covers six core knowledge areas: psychosocial aspects, healthcare reimbursement, rehabilitation, healthcare management and delivery, principles of practice, and case management concepts. Each of the six domains has a number of sub-domains that should be carefully reviewed. The exam features 180 multiple choice questions and lasts three hours. The case management test is designed to measure whether a test taker meets the minimum competency requirements to earn case management certification.
Test registration is completed well in advance of the testing date, allowing plenty of time to study for the case management test. Studying a practice exam from the test maker will allow a test taker to familiarize himself with both the content and structure of the exam. A test taker should also plan to dedicate from one to two hours each day to studying for the case management test and should start by creating an outline detailing what he plans to cover in each study session.
There is no official preparation course for the case management test, and a test taker should be wary of any program that claims to be such a course. That being said, unofficial preparation programs can be useful if they cover test subjects with which the test taker has had little or no experience. Prep courses also force the test taker to stick to a study schedule, a feature that may benefit a test taker who lacks the discipline to regularly study on his own.
Studying unfamiliar subjects featured on the case management test can be a daunting task. It can be helpful for a test taker to meet with case managers who work in fields different from his own to become acquainted with unfamiliar subjects. For this reason, studying in groups can benefit all test takers. By creating a study schedule, familiarizing oneself with all of the content covered on the exam, and drawing on the knowledge of other case managers, a test taker should be able to fully prepare for the exam.