If you are a professional
working toward a degree in the areas of Holter monitoring, stress testing, or
ECG, you may be required to take the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)
examination.
How is the exam formatted?
The CCT exam is a computer-based exam and consists of 130 multiple-choice questions. 110 of these questions are scored while 20 of them are not scored.
How long will I have to take the exam?
You will be given 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete the exam.
How much do I have to pay to take the exam?
The fee for the exam is $175 USD. There is also a $100 non-refundable examination filing fee.
What are the exam requirements?
In order to qualify, a candidate must:
- Have their high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) at the time of application.
- The candidate must fulfill at least one of the qualifications of the exam they are applying for
- The candidate must also provide typed documentation to support the qualification under which they are applying.
What qualifications do I need to fulfill?
The qualification prerequisites are as follows:
- CCT1: If you are currently enrolled as a student, or if you are a graduate of a cardiovascular or allied health training program, you will need to submit either a completion certificate, a student verification letter, or educational transcripts.
- CCT2: If you are currently employed or if you were previously employed in the field of Cardiovascular Technology, or if you were in an allied health training field recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), you will need to submit an employment verification letter.
- CCT3: If you have completed requirements for a graduate or undergraduate degree from an institution in a field related to science or physical health and it is recognized by the AMA, you will need to submit either a completion certificate, a student verification letter, or educational transcripts.
- CCT4: If you volunteer service in the Cardiovascular Technology field for a minimum of two years and if you have documentation that supports full-time technical activities for a two-year period, you will need to submit an employment verification letter.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the exam online. Once you are approved, you will be sent an Authorization to Test (ATT) notification. This notification will include a 90-day eligibility period in which you can take the exam.
When can I take the exam?
The exam is given year-round at Prometric testing centers. These centers are located in the U.S. and internationally.
What will I be tested on?
The CCT Exam tests candidates in the following areas: Conducting Pre-Procedural Activities (10%); performing resting ECG (40%); performing stress tests (20%); performing ambulatory monitoring, this includes Holter monitors, event monitors, pacemakers, etc. (5%); and performing rhythm analysis (25%).
What if I need to reschedule?
If you need to reschedule your exam date, you will need to contact the Pearson Vue testing center at minimum 2 business days before your scheduled exam. You may contact them either by phone or online. Failure to do this will result in you not being able to reschedule.
What will test day be like?
On the day of your exam, be sure to arrive early. You will need to have two valid forms of photo identification with you. Everything else you’ll need will be provided to you.
What score do I need to get in order to pass?
The CCT exam is scored on a scale of 0 to 900. In order to pass the exam, you will need to score at least a 650.
When will I receive my test results?
You will receive an unofficial score report immediately upon completion of the exam.
How often do I need to renew my credentials?
Your credential is good for about 9 to 12 months after passing your exam. There are two types of renewals. The first renewal is a $165 fee and is due before the first day of the same quarter, which is when you earned the credential. The second renewal is also a $165 fee and is due three years after the first renewal. The second renewal is required to maintain your “active status.”
How Can I Prepare for the CCT Test?
That’s a great question. We’ve broken down the answer into three parts.
- Do yourself a favor and study. Do not walk in unprepared. We have recommended prep materials below, but that only helps if you actually try. Plus, studying is actually proven to be the best antidote to test anxiety.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure you’re eating well, exercising, and sleeping. All of these things are scientifically linked to brain performance. If you take care of your body, you’ll be helping your grades.
- Get a study guide or set of flashcards. Some people study better a certain way. Find your study strengths and make the most of them. We’ve tried to make it easy for you by tracking down the best study guide and flashcard set for your exam. Below you’ll see links to both!