The CCM® Exam – Where Does It Come From?

Nearly 50,000 case managers have earned the CCM credential since the Commission’s in 1992. The CCM exam is administered three times a year: April, August and December and consists of a series of 180 multiple choice questions - comprised of six major domains and fifty-nine sub-domains. The CCM exam is administered at testing centers around the globe and preliminary results are available at the completion of the exam.

Each CCM has sat through the rigorous exam and achieved a passing score and much time was spent preparing and studying. However, have you ever wondered how the exam was developed and how it is administered at the test center?

The exam development process is first and foremost based on an evidenced-based research study known as a job task analysis or role and function study. This research study takes a comprehensive look at the case management profession in order to develop the blue print for the exam. Once the blue print is set, questions (items) must be developed related to the blue print to makeup the exam.

Our CCMs often are amazed when they learn that the work that goes into exam development is quite extensive. In fact, it would be impossible to estimate the amount of time that goes into each and every item – writing, review, pre-testing, additional review – before ever becoming a scored question.

The item development process begins with an Item Writing Workshop, which is comprised of a group of 25 - 30 subject matter experts (SMEs) representing the case management profession from across all practice settings and includes development test experts known as psychometricians.

And that is just the beginning. Ensuring relevancy of each exam question is an on-going, annual process that includes convening regular review of each and every exam question by SMEs. A new question is tested multiple times and is statistically validated before it is considered a scorable item. Of the 180 questions on the exam, 150 are operational items and 30 are pre-test items.

Once an item is considered a scorable item, the Commission continues to evaluate it based on its statistical performance. Items are regularly updated and retired so that the exam remains current and representative of the case management profession.

CCM exam development is a rigorous, on-going, and fascinating process. The dedication of the SMEs, by volunteering their time and knowledge, is an integral part of making the CCM the gold standard credential for the case management profession.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week - we thank all of our volunteers for their continued dedication to the CCM credential and the Commission.
________________________________________
The Commission offers multiple opportunities to get involved throughout the year including workshops and taskforces directly tied to exam development. If you are interested in volunteering for the Commission, please contact ccmchq@ccmcertification.org.