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Key Facts: CNA Exam

State-specific

Reported Pass Rates

Applicable official state or program cohort report

Vendor-specific

Knowledge Cut Score

Applicable current candidate handbook

Task rubric

Skills Scoring

Applicable current candidate handbook

$42,260

Median Nursing Assistant Wage (BLS, May 2025)

BLS OOH

203,300

Annual Openings, 2025-35 (Nursing Assistants and Orderlies)

BLS

4-12 wks

Training Duration

By state

Nurse aide competency testing includes a knowledge component and a clinical skills evaluation. The state and its approved vendor determine the current format, cut scores, skills rubric and eligibility routes. Use the applicable handbook and a clearly identified official cohort report rather than a national pass-rate estimate.

Sample CNA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CNA exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 298+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1When assisting a resident with a bed bath, the CNA should wash the resident's body in which order?
A.Arms, face, legs, back, perineal area
B.Face, arms, chest, abdomen, legs, back, perineal area
C.Perineal area, legs, arms, face, back
D.Back, legs, arms, chest, face, perineal area
Explanation: The correct order for a bed bath is from cleanest to dirtiest areas: face first (cleanest), then arms, chest, abdomen, legs, back, and finally the perineal area (dirtiest). This sequence prevents cross-contamination and maintains proper hygiene standards.
2A resident with left-sided weakness needs assistance getting dressed. Which arm should the CNA dress first?
A.The right arm (stronger side)
B.The left arm (weaker side)
C.Either arm, it doesn't matter
D.Ask the resident which arm they prefer
Explanation: When dressing a resident with weakness on one side, always dress the weaker or affected side first. This reduces strain and discomfort for the resident. Remember: 'Dress the weak side first, undress the strong side first.'
3When providing perineal care to a female resident, the CNA should wipe:
A.From back to front using firm pressure
B.From front to back using gentle strokes
C.In a circular motion around the perineal area
D.Side to side across the perineal area
Explanation: When providing perineal care to a female resident, always wipe from front to back (from the urinary meatus toward the anus). This prevents bacteria from the anal area from entering the urethra, which could cause urinary tract infections.
4A resident refuses to take a shower and says they took one yesterday. The CNA should:
A.Insist the resident take a shower as scheduled
B.Report the resident's behavior as non-compliant
C.Respect the resident's right to refuse and document the refusal
D.Call the family to convince the resident to shower
Explanation: Residents have the right to refuse care, including bathing. The CNA should respect this right, offer alternatives like a sponge bath, document the refusal, and report it to the nurse. Never force care on a resident, as this violates their rights.
5When assisting a resident with oral care, the CNA notices the resident's gums are bleeding. The CNA should:
A.Continue brushing more gently
B.Stop and report the observation to the nurse immediately
C.Apply pressure to stop the bleeding and continue
D.Give the resident mouthwash to reduce bacteria
Explanation: Bleeding gums can indicate various health issues such as gum disease, vitamin deficiency, blood disorders, or medication side effects. The CNA should stop the procedure, report the observation to the nurse immediately, and document the finding.
6A resident with diabetes needs toenail care. The CNA should:
A.Cut the toenails straight across with nail clippers
B.File the toenails gently and report any abnormalities to the nurse
C.Soak the feet first, then cut the nails short
D.Have the resident cut their own toenails
Explanation: CNAs should NOT cut the toenails of diabetic residents due to the risk of injury and poor healing. The CNA should only file the nails gently and report any abnormalities (such as discoloration, thickening, or sores) to the nurse. A podiatrist typically provides foot care for diabetic patients.
7When assisting a resident to use a bedpan, the CNA should position the bedpan:
A.With the wider, rounded end toward the head of the bed
B.With the narrow end toward the head of the bed
C.Flat against the mattress with no angle
D.Any position comfortable for the CNA
Explanation: The bedpan should be positioned with the wider, rounded end toward the head of the bed (under the resident's buttocks). This ensures proper alignment with the resident's anatomy and helps prevent spillage and discomfort.
8A resident is incontinent of urine during the night. The best approach for the CNA is to:
A.Limit the resident's fluids after dinner
B.Wake the resident every hour to use the bathroom
C.Provide regular toileting schedules and change wet linens promptly
D.Apply restraints so the resident cannot get out of bed
Explanation: The best approach for managing incontinence is to establish regular toileting schedules, respond promptly to requests, change wet linens immediately to protect skin integrity, and maintain dignity. Limiting fluids can cause dehydration, and restraints are never appropriate for incontinence management.
9When shaving a male resident's face with a safety razor, the CNA should:
A.Shave against the grain of hair growth for a closer shave
B.Shave in the direction of hair growth
C.Use quick, long strokes to finish faster
D.Apply aftershave before shaving to soften the beard
Explanation: When shaving with a safety razor, always shave in the direction of hair growth to reduce skin irritation, cuts, and ingrown hairs. Use short, gentle strokes, and hold the skin taut. Apply warm water or shaving cream before shaving, not aftershave.
10A resident asks the CNA to style their hair in a specific way that looks different from the care plan. The CNA should:
A.Follow the care plan exactly as written
B.Accommodate the resident's preference and document it
C.Tell the resident they cannot change their hairstyle
D.Ask the family for permission first
Explanation: Residents have the right to make personal choices about their appearance, including hairstyle. The CNA should accommodate reasonable requests that don't affect health or safety, as this supports the resident's dignity and autonomy. Document the preference for continuity of care.

About the CNA Exam

Nurse aide competency testing includes a written or oral knowledge component and a clinical skills evaluation. Question counts, task selection, timing and scoring depend on the state and approved testing vendor; use the current applicable candidate handbook.

Exam sponsor: State Nurse Aide Registries (Credentia/NNAAP, Prometric, or D&S Diversified). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

NNAAP: 2 hours written + 5 skills in 30 minutes

Passing Score

Meet the applicable knowledge cut score and skills rubric; requirements vary by state and vendor.

Exam / Certification Fees

$100-150

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: State-specific. Compare the same year, program, component and attempt population in official reports; no national percentage is asserted here. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

18%

Personal Care Skills

Bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, perineal care

18%

Basic Nursing Skills

Vital signs, positioning, transfers, nutrition, mobility

12%

Infection Control

Hand hygiene, PPE, standard precautions, isolation

12%

Safety & Emergency

Fall prevention, fire safety, body mechanics, emergency response

12%

Communication

Verbal/nonverbal, reporting, documentation, therapeutic communication

12%

Role & Responsibilities

Scope of practice, delegation, healthcare team, professionalism

8%

Mental Health & Social

Dementia care, Alzheimer's, depression, behavioral interventions

8%

Legal & Ethical

Residents' rights, HIPAA, advance directives, abuse reporting

Preparing for the CNA Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Meet the applicable knowledge cut score and skills rubric; requirements vary by state and vendor.
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: NNAAP: 2 hours written + 5 skills in 30 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $100-150 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 298 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CNA: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master all 23 NNAAP skills - practice each one multiple times until automatic
2Know vital signs normal ranges: temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure
3Understand infection control and when to use different types of PPE
4Learn proper body mechanics to prevent injury during transfers
5Study residents' rights - these are frequently tested

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CNA exam pass rate?

Use your state or program's official report. Identify the year, knowledge or skills component, first-time or repeat attempts, and denominator before comparing rates. A component rate is not the percentage passing the entire certification process.

How hard is the CNA exam?

Difficulty depends on the candidate and testing program. Practise knowledge questions and the exact current skills checklist separately. Question counts, timing and task selection vary by vendor; a practice score cannot guarantee the official result.

What skills are tested on the CNA exam?

Use your testing vendor's current skill list and scoring rubric. Some programs require all designated critical steps plus a minimum score on other steps; task selection and scoring are not uniform across all states.

How long does CNA training take?

CNA training programs range from 4-12 weeks (75-175 hours depending on state requirements). Programs include classroom instruction and clinical practice. After training, you must pass the state competency exam within a specified timeframe.

Can I take the CNA test without training?

Most states require completion of a state-approved CNA training program before testing. Some states allow nursing students with clinical hours or those with military medical training to test without additional training. Check your state's requirements.

What is the CNA job outlook and salary?

The BLS projects 3% growth for nursing assistants and orderlies from 2025 to 2035, with about 203,300 openings a year. The median nursing assistant wage was $42,260 in May 2025, and the highest state mean wages were in Washington, Oregon, and California. The largest employers are nursing care facilities (36%), hospitals (32%), continuing care and assisted living facilities (11%), and home healthcare services (5%).