Prepare for the NP/PA-CCKE Exam

Resources to prepare you to pass the NP/PA-CCKE.

What Topics are Included on This Exam?

The CCKE consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering the field of cardiovascular disease.

Medical Content Category % of Exam
Acute Coronary Syndromes 13%
Adult Congenital Heart Disease 5%
Ambulatory and Consultative Cardiology Care 9%
Cardiac Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology 11%
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention 9%
Critical Care Cardiology 2%
Heart Failure 14%
Pericardial Disease 5%
Stable Ischemic Heart Disease 8%
Valvular Heart Disease 9%
Vascular Medicine 6%
Core Competencies 9%
TOTAL 100%

To prepare for the CCKE, review the CCKE Blueprint for additional details about each medical content category.

This exam covers the field of cardiovascular medicine. The exam will cover some of the clinical competencies outlined in the 2020 ACC NP/PA Competency Document.

What Resources Does ACC Provide to Help Me Prepare For the CCKE?

CCKE Resources

  • The CCKE Blueprint provides details about the specific medical content categories and their relative weight on the exam.
  • CCKE Sample Questions - Exam questions are designed to require you to draw from a variety of sources to reach the correct conclusion, including training, education, practical experience in the health care environment, as well as textbooks and scholarly journal articles.
  • These resources must be completed in the Exam Hub to take the exam:
    • CCKE Tutorial provides basics about exam timing, preparation, and support.
    • CCKE Checklist make sure your technology is ready for the exam.

A Clinical Review and Resource Guide is freely available online.

Webinars: ACC's Cardiovascular Team Section offers topic-specific webinars to help prepare for the CCKE.

ACCSAP: ACC's Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (ACCSAP) provides a comprehensive overview of the field of cardiovascular medicine and includes 700+ self-assessment questions. ACCSAP is normally a five-year subscription and is now available as a one-year subscription to NP/PAs looking for a CCKE study tool at a reduced rate of $300 (member)/$380 (non-member).

  • To purchase at this rate, please call Member Care at 800-253-4636, x5603.
  • Note: ACCSAP offers enough credits and MOC points in Medical Knowledge for all your licensing and certification requirements (CME/MOC/AAPA/CNE credit).