FAILED MY CCI ECHO EXAM PLEASE HELP

Hi i failed my cci echo exam my score was 601 i have the practice exam cd from gulfcoast ultrasound i was doing good on that but when i took the cci exam how they ask u questions was totally different i was lost i need all the help i can get to what materials i should get to study for this exam thanks

Seems like CCI (although thought of as easier by some...) focuses on clinical medicine, therapy, patient management, medications...etc and some of that is not covered by Gulfcoast who prepares students for the ARDMS exams. I'm taking the Adult Echo ARDMS test in Nov and have only studied from the older GS review guide with narration by Corky. I'm feeling pretty good about it but the other day I took the 25 question sample test on CCI's site and failed. So, I wish I could suggest a study guide but I don't know of a CCI specific one. At least having already taken it you have a good idea of what to expect next time.Good Luck!

sonny deol in Chicago, Illinois said: Hi i failed my cci echo exam my score was 601 i have the practice exam cd from gulfcoast ultrasound i was doing good on that but when i took the cci exam how they ask u questions was totally different i was lost i need all the help i can get to what materials i should get to study for this exam thanks

I am switching to ARDMS as I have taken the CCI test 5 times and have failed the echo, yep and each and everytime it has been different. This last time the other modatility section was on PET scans, CAT scans, Different pressures in the LA when the blood pressure in the right side of heart be...duh, I brought my physics section up to passing of 77% where it was failed before, now I failed the "other modalitites" section which was 85% before. So to be so darn frustrated, I spent my time on the physicis section and didn't even thing about the other modiaites having to do with intracardiac pressures of the heart. I even spoke to the President of CCI and well he is an RN and he is a Cathlab tech...he told me that I should no those pressures, ok well when in the heck do I need that!!! I have been in noninvasive cardiology for 27 years and that was the first time. The other modalities sections before were like Nuclear scan, MRI of the heart..I did ok. But asking me to pick out on a PETscan where the desending aorta was at. So for those who say CCI is easier it is wrong, so now I will have to go and start all over again , not really...but you know what I mean.

Has anyone purchased the CCI non-invasive Echo reg. self assessment exam ? I am trying to gather study material for the RCS exam and not sure what to study. I hear the self assessment exams come without answers and that's not a problem but I am wondering if any of these questions appear on the actual exam ??

i am applying for Ault echo exam from CCI next month
Can anyone give me advice what material is best to study?

Noninvasive/Echocardiography Registry Review Book - This study guide offers a comprehensive outline of what to expect on the Nonivasive/Echo Exam.
www.acp-online.org/

try this one

I was told by 10 techs to study this book it help th emost with the exam for CCI echo

I just took the echo part and failed also, got a 600 and needed 650 to pass. the test was ridiculous,so many questions that made no sense, alot about xray and nuclear..

so i am ordering some other books and planning to take it again next month.... so pissed

Yes, it is ridiculous. I even talked to the president of CCI. It didn't get me anywhere, but I did talk to him about the questions. It is about money with them. I passed all the sections before and not the physics section. This time I passed the physics section and failed one of the other sections which was other modalities...ie Petscans, CAT scans, Nuclear. The Petscan stuff is what I failed on. I was told I needed to spend more time studying...duh on Petscans..... I might try the book that someone else has mentioned. It is so frustrating, they want us to pass the tests, then make the tests fair. I am not an academic person, but a REAL Technician/ Technologist which ever you want to say in cardiology. Lost my job now as I am not registered, yes pushed out. But so now they have the registerd one that can't do all non invasive testing that I can, but hey they got a REGISTERD person, like they wanted. I don't begruge my former employer. It is tough, but hey I tried to pass that test 6 times now. I will say they never give you the same test again. I have adult attention deficit disorder, which makes multiple choice testing difficult. No CCI dose not give you an accomidation either..only will allow me to take the test longer..duh that isn't my issue...oh, ok. I am moving on after 28 years in non invasive Cardiolog I am now working a low paying job, and I am starting my Masters Degree in IT, electronic medical records.. I am not dumb, but don't ever give me a multiple choice test.

Good luck to those taking the CCI, I have thought of taking the ARDMS..but getting tired of studying and not passing tests. Yes, I have gone to two companies that help you pass the tests..they were good..but there is an issue with an ADD person takes a mulitple choice test.

THe thing that is a concern to me, is that starting in January 2010, Echo payout from the insurance companies will be cut by 36%...yikes there goes the high paid sonographers.

I just have a question, you ave taken the test a few times, is there every any similarity on the exam meaning with the questions, from test to test ?

thanks,

also you can email me if it better rosalie.degrezia@gmail.com
thanks

giovanni rucher in New York, New York said: I just have a question, you ave taken the test a few times, is there every any similarity on the exam meaning with the questions, from test to test ?

thanks,

also you can email me if it better rosalie.degrezia@gmail.com
thanks

No there isn't really, one time I had TEE questions, TEE anatomy, another time it was more physics, The non modalites were always my high pass rates, then this last time they gave me PETscans, CT scan, which I totally didn't have any idea. There was another type of modality, but I don't remember which one. I have always had the Nuclear modality..and I was ok with that.

Good luck,

Barbara

Has anyone passed the CCI non-invasive Echo reg. and if so, what did you use to study ?

Hello all,
I passed CCI easily on the first try. My program was extremely vigorous and I felt well-prepared. My director writes some of the CCI questions, but did not teach the test to us, he taught us to think about what we were seeing and how to process the information. I can't stress enough about attending an accredited school! As for studying, I highly recommend Terry Reynolds Echo Pocket Guide. At the end of each section there are bullet points, review those bullet points! And DON'T bother buying the questions from CCI, you won't see questions like those on the exam. And DO know hemodynamics, extremely important. Other books that are helpful, but are more for reference are Feigenbaum and Otto. I never used J Oh's books, but I hear those are good, as well.

Hi Lynette,

First of all congratulation
Thanks for all information you provided
i would like to buy that book from you if its ok with you
that Terry reynold's pocket guide
you can email me about it at aifos1979@hotmail.com
thanks

Lynette in Spokane, Washington said: Hello all,
I passed CCI easily on the first try. My program was extremely vigorous and I felt well-prepared. My director writes some of the CCI questions, but did not teach the test to us, he taught us to think about what we were seeing and how to process the information. I can't stress enough about attending an accredited school! As for studying, I highly recommend Terry Reynolds Echo Pocket Guide. At the end of each section there are bullet points, review those bullet points! And DON'T bother buying the questions from CCI, you won't see questions like those on the exam. And DO know hemodynamics, extremely important. Other books that are helpful, but are more for reference are Feigenbaum and Otto. I never used J Oh's books, but I hear those are good, as well.

oh what program did u go to?

Hi Salma,
I'm not interested in selling my Reynolds book, but you can get it from amazon.

I went to Spokane Community College. Our graduates are really sought after because the program is pretty difficult. We'd have several students wash out (fail) each quarter and be unable to continue. I think all of us have jobs, or are close to having jobs at this point. A requirement for us to graduate was to take the CCI exam in our last quarter of clinicals, so I was registered right before I graduated. In the 30 years the program has been in existence, only 3 people have ever failed the exam.

sonny deol in Chicago, Illinois said: Hi i failed my cci echo exam my score was 601 i have the practice exam cd from gulfcoast ultrasound i was doing good on that but when i took the cci exam how they ask u questions was totally different i was lost i need all the help i can get to what materials i should get to study for this exam thanks

hello to all of my fello sonographers/techs. i am a cardiac sonographer or echo tech if u will @ the v.a. hospital in indianapolis. in november i passed cci's cardiovascular science with a score of 730 using eldeman's ultrasound physics book & todd's cardiovascular review book vo1.1 4th edition. next week i take cci's adult echo. for this portion of the test i am using todd's review book edleman's adult echo book, terry reynolds, "the echo 500", Q&A notecard set and the echocardiography board review book by ramdas g. pai and padmini varadarajan. i know this is alot of material but hey, better safe than sorry. i will keep everyone posted after i have taken the exam because us sonographers have to stick together. also, if anyone has any advise about cci's adult exam please do not hesitate to email me @ lawardan@hotmail.com

just about anything from terry reynolds you can get your hands on, i recommend...especially pocket reference guide & the echo 500 Q&A note cards

Is there anybody selling ECHO 500 Study Card Set by Terry Reynold?

SALMA K in Houston, Texas said: Is there anybody selling ECHO 500 Study Card Set by Terry Reynold?

yes....google pegasus ultrasound website, go to adult echo products and you can get it from there.

thanks

Are they useful for Adult echo CCI exam?

SALMA K in Houston, Texas said: thanks

Are they useful for Adult echo CCI exam?

yup.thats what i am using them for.

Well! Congrats

Robyn, congrats on the RCS (non-invasive) I assume. All of us having to take this are all sweating on what to study. The range of questions seem wide and somewhat different from the RDCS version. Can I ask you what questions stood out to you as well as what other modalities (cath, nuc etc.) were on your exam. And above all else, why take the RCS if you have the RDCS registry ? In any case, for taking & passing both, you are my hero ! :)

Buy the "Echocardiography Pocketcard Set", a laminated set of 2 cards, about 7 bucks from Amazon. I keep one in my desk and refer to it often.To help you memorize the values, think about what the numbers mean, how they are arrived at and try writing them BIG on a poster board.

I have some test taking skills sources.
Email me in the subject area of the email say test taking skills sources.

SALMA K in Houston, Texas said: Aliya

i have work book from 2007 echo and Physics
i can sell it to you if you are interested

I am looking for the echo workbook. Do you still have it?

yes I have Physics work book from 2009 and Echo work book from 2007
that is same as 2009 work book
you can email me at aifos1979@hotmail.com

I failed again....got a 622...I was so sure i passed this time, i knew most of the test. I feel that they didnt grade it right. Is there anything to do , or do i just have to take the echo part again. Also does anyone know is there a limit to how many times we can take it wthin the 3 years

You can call CCI Department. They have a Website where you can find all information and they can help you the best.
www.cci-online.org/

As far as i know you can take this exam as many time as you want, but you have to wait 45 days to retake it.
In order to have Echo cardiography Certified, you have to take basic science exam also, if you are not Radiologist,ot RN or MD.

i reviewed that a little, but the main prob with this test is how they word the questions and answers, its like they want you to fail.

Stephanie said: I am looking for the echo workbook. Do you still have it?

what site can i buy the workbook?

SALMA K in Houston, Texas said: yes I have Physics work book from 2009 and Echo work book from 2007
that is same as 2009 work book
you can email me at aifos1979@hotmail.com

what site did u get your workbooks from?

i am not sellig any book

you can visit their website
www.esp-inc.com/Products.aspx#Adult-Echocardiography
and call them for the book ok

giovanni rucher in New York, New York said: I just have a question, you ave taken the test a few times, is there every any similarity on the exam meaning with the questions, from test to test ?

thanks,

also you can email me if it better rosalie.degrezia@gmail.com
thanks

Yes there are similarities! I was amazed how many questions came directly from Wes Todds CCI Science Review Book! In fact the questions were word for word. It took me a few times to pass, but I studied General concepts deeply and remembered what Antiaarrythmic meds my Pts. takes along with Beta Blocker and Calcium Blockers. You need to know your Pt. process and Quality assurance as well. Know your Cardiac Veins and arteries and remember your Pressures and normal values! Seriously though Wes Todds book is like taking the test at home. The CCI exam takes about 65% of the questions from this study guide!

Also if you know an electrophysiologist or cardiologist...pick their brain...their knowledge will help you pass..especialy an elctrophysiologists brain!

I also want to put this out there...If you live in the NYC/Jersey City area, I will tutor you and help you pass the CCI science Exam! I charge $25 an Hour. I exclusively use Wes Todds CV review Book. If you are interested, please feel free to email me!

Thanks for the info on Todds book. Did you use this to pass the cardiovascular science part or the non-invasive echo. I have not taken either one yet and not sure which part you are referring to with the above info.

mtdt in Jackson, Tennessee said: Thanks for the info on Todds book. Did you use this to pass the cardiovascular science part or the non-invasive echo. I have not taken either one yet and not sure which part you are referring to with the above info.

you didn't ask me, but I know the answer to your question. Todds book is for the cardiovascular science exam. I do have a Todd CD that I would be willing to sell.

Thank you for the answer Lynette. I'm pretty sure my RVT will get me out of the cardiovascular science exam but I do need study info for the echo portion.

Annover in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Seems like CCI (although thought of as easier by some...) focuses on clinical medicine, therapy, patient management, medications...etc and some of that is not covered by Gulfcoast who prepares students for the ARDMS exams. I'm taking the Adult Echo ARDMS test in Nov and have only studied from the older GS review guide with narration by Corky. I'm feeling pretty good about it but the other day I took the 25 question sample test on CCI's site and failed. So, I wish I could suggest a study guide but I don't know of a CCI specific one. At least having already taken it you have a good idea of what to expect next time.Good Luck!

look up a book i used by J wesley todd, called , cardiovascular prin

Yes Todds book is for the science exam but it also is a great resource for the noninvasive echo registry as well.

giovanni rucher in New York, New York said: i reviewed that a little, but the main prob with this test is how they word the questions and answers, its like they want you to fail.

Hi Giovanni I totally agree with you you study so much of everything as I did and you sit down to take the exam and its like you know nothing. The way they word stuff and the questions they ask. I have taken the cci echo part and some of the stuff they ask shouldnt be for techs. They do it so we fail and they get the money.

I know , its getting epensive also taking this test .. The echo part really needs to be re written by echo techs. There was this one image on the test that they wanted you to diagnose. But the patient had two of the dx that were in the answers.. Stuff like that drives me nuts on this exam. but i will be tryig every 45 days till i pass...i want to also order these cds that help you dx diseases maybe that will help also

I am a vascular tech, i took the cci vascular and cardiovascular science exams and passed with scores of 760ish on vascular and 809 on cardiovascular science. The main book i used was wes todds cardiovascular science review book and its definately all i needed. i have the eddlemans cardiovascular science book, which surprisingly didnt help much at all, his books were great for vascular though. The ocean ultrasound review cards were helpful for studying on the run. I want to get my RCS next, i am going to shadow the echo techs at work but i am looking for a book that teaches all. do any of you reccomend a specific book that i should purchase that explains all aspects of echo? not so much a review book, but an actual learning book. please email me at spallay@yahoo.com

Renee Didier in Alexandria, Louisiana said: I did the practice exam online for 15 days. That is the longest session that you can choose. I hope that it helps you! :)

Thanks so much...I m going for try 3 lets hope third times a charm so i can finally be registered.

I need to buy WES Todds CV Review ASAP !
Taken CCI 3 times and failed.

Please contact me @ markberges@hotmail.com if you have it.

Good luck Rosalie! I'll say some prayers for you; I hope that this time you take it you pass with flying colors! Just think positive! :)

I know you can do it!