Educational exam prep, not medical advice. This page teaches what certification exams test. Follow your facility’s policies, your supervising clinician and the manufacturer’s instructions in practice. If you are a patient with a health question, talk to your clinician or see MedlinePlus.
How the CNA written exam is scored
Most CNA written exams are pass/fail. NNAAP has 70 questions with 10 unscored pretest items; Prometric has 60 questions; Headmaster states use 60-75. You do not need a perfect score, but safety questions are where most points are lost. When two answers look right, pick the one that keeps the resident safest or respects their rights.
High-yield facts by content area
| Area | Know this cold | Common trap |
|---|---|---|
| Infection control | Hand hygiene before and after every resident contact and after removing gloves; soap and water (not sanitizer) when hands are visibly soiled | Thinking gloves replace hand hygiene |
| Safety | Call light within reach, bed in lowest position, wheels locked before transfers, gait belt for ambulation | Leaving side rails up without a care-plan order (can be a restraint) |
| Vital signs | Report readings outside the normal range to the nurse; you do not interpret or treat | Rechecking silently instead of reporting a concerning value |
| Measurements | 1 ounce = 30 mL for intake and output | Recording "half a cup" instead of mL |
| Skin care | Reposition dependent residents at least every 2 hours; report redness that does not fade | Massaging a reddened bony area |
| Residents' rights | Residents can refuse care; privacy, dignity and choice come first | Forcing care "for their own good" |
| Abuse and neglect | Report suspected abuse to the nurse immediately - it is mandatory | Confronting the suspected abuser yourself |
| Dementia care | Calm voice, simple one-step instructions, redirect rather than argue | Correcting a confused resident repeatedly |
| Communication | Face a resident with hearing loss and speak clearly; do not shout | Talking to the family instead of the resident |
| Role of the aide | Work within your scope; ask the nurse when unsure | Giving medications or changing care plans |
Study schedule by weeks to test
- 2 weeks out
Take the free practice test, then spend 70% of time on your two weakest areas. Practice every skill on your state list twice.
- 4 weeks out
Week 1 safety and infection control; week 2 ADLs and restorative care; week 3 rights, communication, mental health; week 4 timed practice and skills run-throughs.
- 6 weeks out
Add a weekly timed test and a skills day with a partner who reads your state checklist and marks every missed step.
Printable checklist
- [ ] Know your state vendor and test format (state guides)
- [ ] Scored 80%+ on two practice tests
- [ ] Can perform every skill on your state list, saying each step out loud
- [ ] Know which skills are always tested (handwashing in Prometric states)
- [ ] ID documents ready and names match your application exactly
CNA practice test (written exam)
CNA practice test (written exam)
Drill every CNA topic with the full bank
All-access is $29/month (cancel anytime) or $59 for 90 days with no auto-renew. Full original question banks, timed practice exams and score reports by domain.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the CNA test?
The written test is entry level, but it rewards safety-first judgment. The skills test is where most candidates fail - usually by skipping a critical step.
How do I pass the CNA exam the first time?
Study the heaviest content areas first, score 80%+ on practice tests, and rehearse every skill on your state list out loud.
What is the most important CNA skill?
Hand hygiene. Prometric states test handwashing on every skills exam, and hand hygiene is a step inside most other skills.
How long should I study for the CNA exam?
Most candidates who just finished training need 2-4 weeks of focused review.
Sources
- Credentia/NCSBN - 2024 NNAAP Written (Oral) Examination Content Outline (accessed 2026-09-23)
- CDC - Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Prometric - Florida CNA Candidate Information Bulletin (Rev. 11/01/2025) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- eCFR - 42 CFR 483.152 nurse aide training and competency evaluation (accessed 2026-09-23)