CMT exam

I took the CMT exam years ago and passed.  I kept it up for a long time but then decided it just wasn't worth it.  About a year ago, because of illness, I left my job of 23 years with the "big national service".  I am interested possibly going back into MT part-time but would like to be tested for CMT again.  I don't think it gets you anywhere but it seems people are impressed by the designation.

Years ago when I took my CMT, they did it by proctor who called when the test was started and called when it was done.  I noticed it was done on line now.  When I took mine you were allowed to use reference materials, now you are not.

Anyone have any advice about taking this examination?  Sometimes you just have to "play the game" to get the job. I don't  see any use in the CMT exam.  Experience and work history are enough as far as I am concerned.    Doesn't take long to figure out if an MT knows what they are doing.  After 28 years doing MT it seems people are hung up on the CMT exam so I think I will go ahead and take it.

Any advice?  I am 53 years old and have come to the conclusion, sometimes you just have to "play the game."  I have seen CMTs whose MT skills were horrid and most of the MTs I know with years of experience are not certified and are very good MTs.  When I was in supervision, I had a lot of CMTs who were "grandfathered" in when AAMT first started and they got their CMT designation and their skills were horrid.

All opinions are welcome.  What are all of your experiences?

• CMT exam - MT since 1979
  • CMT since 1980 sm - wordpro
    • sounds like we think alike in (sm) - MT since 1979
  • CMT - just me
  • My CMT lapsed years ago because of lack of interest. sm - Old and Wise
    • Thanks for the complement sm - MT since 1979
  • It is not done on line - jan
  • CMT......why bother at 28 years? - MTinNC
    • I agree with both of the posters sm - MT since 1979
      • Pharm techs - sm
      • Asheville! - jan
        • Jan-winters where? sm - MT since 1979
          • I agree. I just e-mailed her - MTinNC
      • Coding the future - ghost
        • Pharmacy tech in my area (sm) - MT since 1979
    • Getting CMT is a personal choice. Obviously...sm - It's a personal choice!
      • A Matter of Pride - Dee
        • I respect YOUR opinion. Please respect mine! - CMT a personal choice
          • Shades of Bill & Monica - Dee
            • Dee, you got me there sm - MT since 1979
              • p.s. to "no, it wasn't aimed... - Dee
              • No, it wasn't aimed at you - sm
                • no offense taken now that sm - MT since 1979
        • Dee: I agree with you also. sm - MT since 1979
          • Actually it doesn't - AHDI stands for
            • don't laugh: it WILL be called that eventually s/m - normajean

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First off - what is the difference between the CMT and the RMT exam listed on the AAMT site?

Second - I had passed my CMT exam about 7 years ago, but let it lapse.  I hear the test is harder now- do I need to study more?  I have continued in the field and have decided to retake the exam.

TX

I was chosen to sit for the beta.  Of course, it looks like the first day it's available to take is the day before I am due to have this baby.  What do ya'll think of this credential?  I've worked part time as a MT for a year in March doing the big 4 with a small national.  I am a nurse-turned-MT.  In fact, I took my nursing boards the day I was due with my first girl.  Weird.

I wish I could just go sit for the regular ol' CMT exam, but this will pacify me in the meantime.

Hello all!  I was thinking of taking my CMT exam finally. Someone told me it is no longer given in 2 parts? ANd does not cost as much as it used to.  Is this true?

Also - have the contents of the test changed, i.e., is passing the test more difficult now, or less difficult, with the new format. 

How many of you are CMT?  How did you study for it?  I have 15 years of acute care MT experience.  What should I do first?

Thanks in advance - and Happy Mother's Day!

Joanne

Hi guys!  After 10 years of acute care MT, I'm thinking about taking my CMT exam, as my employer supports this. 

Is there a study guide I can buy? HOw do I go about preparing myself for the exam?  What's first ?

THanks to all !

JMK

I scheduled the exam date first and then started studying.  I allowed six weeks for this and felt comfortable with it since I was an experienced MT.  I normally would have studied first and then scheduled the exam but I wanted to make sure I followed through with it.  I was going along pretty well with my studying schedule although life was really getting in the way and it was hard to stay on track.  Then my husband's brother and his wife called to ask if they could come visit for the weekend.  (They never do this!) I was proud of hubby who said, uh, ok, but my wife has a big exam coming up and is studying.  At this point, this left me one more crucial weekend to study.  I did not need company!  They came anyway and stayed the entire weekend.  The stress put me over the edge and I ended up with back spasms for which I had to take some really strong muscle relaxants for.  Now I'm stressed, doped up and panicked.  They left the day before the exam.  I was coming off the medication and praying hard.  I took the test and felt okay about it.  They give you the results almost immediately following the exam.  The lady said she was sorry but I failed the exam by one point.  I thought she was kidding - she wasn't.  I find it hard to believe that if I had that last weekend to study that I would not have passed.  I can't get it out of my mind.  At this point, I don't plan on re-taking the exam.  I feel like that ship has sailed.

Do you think hubby's relatives were rude? I do!  I know I struggle with boundaries and this is a very good example.  I thought I would share this in case someone else could learn from it too.

Thanks for listening!

I am pleased.

I am scheduled to take my CMT on December 11th ... I could use any and all advice!!! 

Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the responses I received last week and your good luck wishes.  It helped!!  I passed the test!

There are 2 sections - the first is 106 questions in which you have 2 hours to complete.  The second portion is 62 questions and you have 4 hours to complete that section.

Section 1 is multiple choice and is about terminology, disease process, grammar, and some anatomy.  You have the ability to "mark" an answer and then see a list at the end so you can go back to that particular question.  You really have ample time.

Section 2 consists of the actual dictations.  You never have an entire report to transcribe though.  Some questions vary from proofreading to picking the correctly punctated sentences, etc.  You have no foot pedal on the test and use your mouse to play, pause, rewind, etc.  In some questions, you type the entire audio.  On other questions, there is a paragraph already there, you listen to the audio for the paragraph, and then type the ommited text only.  It's very important to follow the directions and do only what you are asked.  Again, you can go back and review your answers before you submit your test.

When you feel you are cmoplete, you click one final button to submit the test and within about 5 seconds of processing, a screen will pop up with your results.  I saw the words PASS and I was so relieved!!!

After leaving the test site, I stopped by the hospital and signed my documents to receive an 8% raise on my base pay and an extra 2 cents per line on my incentive pay.  I definitely think the $150 for the test was a good investment!!!

Again, thanks for your support!!!!