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100+ Free AHA BLS Provider Practice Questions

Pass your AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: AHA BLS Provider Exam

84%

Passing Score

AHA

100-120/min

Adult Compression Rate

2025 AHA Guidelines

2-2.4 in

Adult Compression Depth (5-6 cm)

2025 AHA Guidelines

30:2

Single-Rescuer Adult Ratio

2025 AHA Guidelines

15:2

Two-Rescuer Child/Infant Ratio

2025 AHA Guidelines

~25

Official Written Exam Questions

AHA

100

Free Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

The AHA BLS Provider knowledge exam is an open-resource written/online multiple-choice test of roughly 25-35 questions requiring 84% to pass, completed alongside a separate hands-on skills test administered by an AHA Training Center. BLS is a professional employment requirement for nurses, EMS, physicians, and allied health staff. This practice bank contains 100 research-based questions aligned to the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC (published October 22, 2025), covering adult, child, and infant high-quality CPR, AED use, airway and ventilation, choking relief, chain of survival, team dynamics, and special scenarios. All key facts, including the 2025 pediatric ventilation rate change, reflect current AHA science.

Sample AHA BLS Provider Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your AHA BLS Provider exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the recommended chest compression rate for high-quality CPR in an adult?
A.100 to 120 per minute
B.60 to 80 per minute
C.80 to 100 per minute
D.120 to 140 per minute
Explanation: AHA guidelines specify a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute for adults. Rates slower than 100 reduce blood flow, while rates faster than 120 reduce compression depth and coronary perfusion.
2What is the recommended chest compression depth for an average adult?
A.At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B.At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm)
C.At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
D.Exactly 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Explanation: For adults, compress at least 2 inches (5 cm) but avoid exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm). Excessive depth can cause injury, while inadequate depth fails to circulate blood effectively.
3What compression-to-ventilation ratio should a single rescuer use for an adult in cardiac arrest?
A.15:2
B.5:1
C.30:2
D.10:2
Explanation: A single rescuer (and two rescuers) use a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for adults. This maximizes compression time while still providing ventilation.
4Why is allowing full chest recoil between compressions important?
A.It reduces rescuer fatigue only
B.It is only important for infants
C.It prevents rib fractures
D.It allows the heart to refill with blood, improving the next compression's output
Explanation: Full chest recoil lets the heart refill with venous blood between compressions, which increases cardiac output and coronary perfusion. Leaning on the chest impedes venous return and reduces effectiveness.
5What is the maximum recommended time to pause compressions for interventions such as rhythm analysis or ventilation?
A.Less than 10 seconds
B.Up to 30 seconds
C.Up to 1 minute
D.Pauses do not matter
Explanation: Interruptions in chest compressions should be limited to less than 10 seconds whenever possible. Prolonged pauses sharply reduce coronary perfusion pressure and lower survival.
6What chest compression fraction (CCF) should rescue teams target during resuscitation?
A.At least 20%
B.At least 60%, ideally 80% or higher
C.At least 40%
D.Exactly 50%
Explanation: Chest compression fraction is the proportion of resuscitation time spent doing compressions. Teams should aim for a CCF of at least 60%, with 80% or higher being ideal for the best outcomes.
7Where should you place your hands to perform chest compressions on an adult?
A.On the upper sternum near the clavicles
B.Over the xiphoid process
C.On the lower half of the sternum, in the center of the chest
D.On the left side of the chest over the heart
Explanation: Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum in the center of the chest, with the second hand on top. This position delivers force directly over the heart while avoiding the xiphoid and ribs.
8How often should rescuers switch the compressor role to maintain high-quality compressions?
A.Every 30 seconds
B.Only when the compressor is exhausted
C.Every 10 minutes
D.About every 2 minutes (or every 5 cycles of 30:2)
Explanation: Compressors should switch roughly every 2 minutes (about every 5 cycles of 30:2) to prevent fatigue-related decline in compression quality. The switch should take less than 10 seconds.
9What is the first action a lone rescuer should take upon finding an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally in an out-of-hospital setting?
A.Activate emergency response and get an AED, then start CPR
B.Begin rescue breaths immediately
C.Check the pulse for 60 seconds
D.Perform abdominal thrusts
Explanation: For a witnessed adult collapse, the lone rescuer should activate the emergency response system and retrieve an AED (or send someone), then return to begin CPR. Early defibrillation is critical for adult cardiac arrest.
10How long should a healthcare provider take to check for a pulse and breathing simultaneously in an adult?
A.30 seconds
B.No more than 10 seconds
C.60 seconds
D.Until a pulse is clearly felt
Explanation: A healthcare provider should check for breathing and a carotid pulse simultaneously for no more than 10 seconds. If no definite pulse is felt within 10 seconds, begin CPR.

About the AHA BLS Provider Exam

The AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider course is the American Heart Association's healthcare-provider CPR credential. It includes an open-resource written/online multiple-choice knowledge exam (about 25-35 questions, 84% to pass) plus a separate hands-on skills test. This free practice bank provides 100 selected-response knowledge questions aligned to the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC.

Assessment

Written/online multiple-choice knowledge exam (~25-35 Q, 84% to pass, open-resource) plus a separate hands-on skills test (official AHA); this practice bank is 100 selected-response knowledge items aligned to the 2025 AHA Guidelines

Time Limit

Course-dependent

Passing Score

84%

Exam Fee

Varies by AHA Training Center (American Heart Association (AHA))

AHA BLS Provider Exam Content Outline

25%

Adult High-Quality CPR

Compression rate 100-120/min, depth 2-2.4 in, 30:2 ratio, full recoil, minimal interruptions, and chest compression fraction

20%

Child & Infant CPR

One- vs two-rescuer ratios, one-third-depth compressions, two-thumb vs two-finger infant technique, and pediatric bradycardia

15%

AED Use

Pad placement, shockable vs non-shockable rhythms, and special cases (pregnancy, ICD, wet/hairy chest, pediatric attenuator)

12%

Airway & Ventilation

Head-tilt/chin-lift, jaw-thrust, bag-mask, rescue breaths, ventilation rates, and opioid emergency with naloxone

10%

Choking Relief

Adult/child abdominal thrusts and 2025 back-blow update, infant back slaps and chest thrusts, and pregnancy/obesity modifications

10%

Chain of Survival & Team Dynamics

In-hospital vs out-of-hospital chains, closed-loop communication, role rotation, leadership, and debriefing

8%

Special Scenarios

Single rescuer, drowning, recovery position, scene safety, agonal gasps, ROSC, and when to stop CPR

How to Pass the AHA BLS Provider Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 84%
  • Assessment: Written/online multiple-choice knowledge exam (~25-35 Q, 84% to pass, open-resource) plus a separate hands-on skills test (official AHA); this practice bank is 100 selected-response knowledge items aligned to the 2025 AHA Guidelines
  • Time limit: Course-dependent
  • Exam fee: Varies by AHA Training Center

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AHA BLS Provider Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the core numbers cold: adult compression rate 100-120/min, depth 2-2.4 in (5-6 cm), 30:2 single-rescuer ratio, chest compression fraction 60%+ (ideally 80%)
2Learn the pediatric differences as a set: 15:2 two-rescuer ratio, depth about one-third AP diameter (~2 in child, ~1.5 in infant), two-thumb encircling vs two-finger infant technique, and start CPR if HR under 60/min with poor perfusion
3Know the 2025 Guidelines updates: pediatric ventilation 1 breath every 2-3 seconds with an advanced airway, and back blows now supported alongside abdominal thrusts for choking adults and children
4Master AED special cases: remove medication patches, place pads about 1 inch from ICD/pacemaker, dry a wet chest, manage a hairy chest, use the pediatric attenuator for children under 8 (or ~25 kg), and still use the AED in pregnancy
5Practice all 100 questions and review every miss with the AI tutor, then confirm you can consistently score above 84% before taking the official AHA exam

Frequently Asked Questions

What score do I need to pass the AHA BLS written exam?

You need 84% on the AHA BLS Provider written/online multiple-choice knowledge exam, which is typically about 25-35 questions. The exam is open-resource, and you must also pass a separate hands-on skills test administered by an AHA instructor at an AHA Training Center.

How many questions are on the official AHA BLS exam?

The official AHA BLS Provider knowledge exam usually has about 25 questions (up to roughly 35 depending on the version). Our free practice bank includes 100 selected-response questions aligned to the 2025 AHA Guidelines so you get far more practice than the official exam itself.

Is the AHA BLS knowledge exam open book?

Yes. The AHA BLS Provider written/online knowledge exam is open-resource, meaning you may reference course materials. However, you still need to know rates, ratios, and depths well to also pass the timed hands-on skills test, which is closed-resource.

Are these practice questions aligned to the 2025 AHA Guidelines?

Yes. All 100 practice questions are written against the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC (published October 22, 2025), including updates such as the pediatric rescue-breathing rate of 1 breath every 2-3 seconds with an advanced airway and the expanded role of back blows in choking relief.

Who needs AHA BLS certification?

AHA BLS is a professional employment requirement for healthcare providers including nurses, EMS personnel, physicians, respiratory therapists, dental staff, and many allied health roles. It is a credential you must hold to work in most clinical settings, which is why it qualifies as a professional certification.

Is this free AHA BLS prep as good as a paid course?

Our 100 practice questions cover the same 2025 AHA BLS science as paid prep, with a detailed teaching explanation for every answer plus free AI tutor interactions daily. The practice bank does not replace the required AHA hands-on skills course, but it is an excellent free way to master the knowledge content.