In most cases, you will be testing with a group. The written exam is usually given before the skills test, and everyone will take the test at the same time. You will have to answer approximately 100 multiple-choice questions, and are usually given up to two hours to complete them. The written test covers patient care and protocols, patient monitoring and record-keeping, laboratory and testing procedures.

Everything on the written portion will have been covered in your CNA training classes. It is a good idea to review your class materials, handouts, and charts before the certification test, particularly if you won’t be taking it right after completing the course. You can find some sample testing questions for the CNA exam online.

Following the written portion, the instructor takes the finished tests, and then individuals will be called on to perform their skills test one at a time. You may be asked to bring a “model” or helper with you to facilitate the skills testing. This person would act as your patient for you to demonstrate your skills on. The particulars of the skills test will vary, and may not be the same from person to person. You won’t know which skills you will be asked to perform until the actual testing.

You can expect the practical exam to cover the most common skills you will encounter. This might include performing measurements of vital signs – blood pressure, pulse, and respiration; demonstrating the proper way make a bed, both with and without a patient in it; ambulating or moving your patient – helping them dress, moving them in to and out of a wheel chair, etc.; and responding to emergencies such as choking.

You won’t know the outcome of your CNA certification test right then and there; results will be mailed to you. However if you’ve been attentive in class and understand what you’ve been taught, and taken the time to study and review your materials prior to taking the test, you should have no problem passing. Once you have earned your certification, you are then free to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Nurse’s Aide, or other similar position at any hospital, nursing home, or other facility in your state.

Whether your first considering becoming a certified nursing assistant, or have taken CNA training classes and are wondering whether you are ready to take the exam, sample test questions can help you prepare.

The CNA certification test consists of both a practical exam, and a written exam. The practical exam is a “hands-on” skills assesment where the proctor will test you on your step by step knowledge and ability for a given task. They will also be gauging how confident and attentive to detail you are in each situation.

Sample tests and sample testing questions can make all the difference in how you perform on the CNA exam. The best way to pass a practical exam is to know what you are doing and more importantly, to know why it is that you are doing it. The better prepared you are, the more confident you will be in your knowledge and understanding of the practices. Knowing the written material down pat will help you pass the hands on/skills section. Utilizing sample testing questions for CNA certification exams are one of the best ways to improve your chances and will help set you up for success with your test.

The first part of the certification test is the written examination which is comprised of seventy (70) multiple-choice questions. Ten (10) of these questions
are pre-test (non-scored) questions on which statistical information will be collected.

This is followed by the oral examination – sixty (60) multiple-choice questions and ten (10) word recognition (or reading comprehension) questions.

The second test is called the Skill Evaluation. Here, candidates are asked to perform 5 randomly selected nurse’s aid skills, rated by a nurse evaluator. The candidates must successfully perform all five skills in order to achieve NNAAP certification.

Sample Testing Questions for CNA:

When a client has left-sided weakness, what part of a sweater is put on first?
(A) Both sleeves
(B) Left sleeve
(C) Client’s choice
(D) Right sleeve

Answer:  (B) Left sleeve

Exercises that move each muscle and joint are called:
(A) adduction
(B) range of motion
(C) abduction
(D) rotation

Answer:  (B) range of motion

The Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrust) is used for a client who has:
(A) a blocked airway
(B) a bloody nose
(C) fallen out of bed
(D) impaired eyesight

Answer:  (A) a blocked airway

Which of the following is a correct measurement of urinary output?
(A) 40 oz
(B) 2 cups
(C) 300 cc
(D) 1 quart

Answer:  (C) 300 cc

BEFORE taking the oral temperature of a client who has just finished a cold drink, the nurse aide should wait:
(A) 10 to 20 minutes
(B) 25 to 35 minutes
(C) 45 to 55 minutes
(D) at least 1 hour

Answer:  (A) 10 to 20 minutes

These are just some sample testing questions for the CNA exam. We will be offering full sample CNA exams shortly that you will be able to download and study at your leisure.