Free Practice Questions for CDR RD

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Exam Review

Key Facts: CDR RD Exam

83.93%

Passed Within One Year of First Attempt

CDR 2025

125-145

Questions

Variable length

$76,400

Median Salary

BLS May 2025

5,700

Annual Job Openings

BLS

45%

Nutrition Care Domain

CDR blueprint

3 hrs

Time Limit

CDR

The CDR RD exam has 125-145 questions (100-120 scored plus 25 pretest) and a 3-hour limit. Domain II (Nutrition Care) accounts for 45% of the exam. In the year ending 2025, 83.93% of examinees passed within one year of their first attempt. Registered dietitians earn a median salary of $76,400 (BLS, May 2025), with about 5,700 annual job openings. A graduate degree has been required since January 1, 2024.

Sample CDR RD Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CDR RD exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which B vitamin is required as a cofactor for the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA?

A.Riboflavin

B.Thiamin

C.Niacin

D.Pantothenic acid

Explanation: Thiamin (Vitamin B1) is essential as a cofactor for pyruvate dehydrogenase, the enzyme that converts pyruvate to acetyl-CoA for entry into the Krebs cycle. Thiamin deficiency results in impaired glucose metabolism and accumulation of pyruvate and lactate. Riboflavin is a cofactor for oxidation-reduction reactions, niacin is required for NAD/NADP formation, and pantothenic acid is a component of CoA but not the rate-limiting cofactor for this specific conversion.

2According to the Transtheoretical Model of Change, which stage is characterized by the intention to begin a new behavior within the next month?

A.Precontemplation

B.Contemplation

C.Preparation

D.Action

Explanation: The Preparation stage involves individuals who intend to take action within the next month and may have already taken small steps toward behavior change. Precontemplation is when individuals are not considering change, contemplation involves thinking about change within 6 months, and action is when individuals have actively modified their behavior for less than 6 months. Understanding these stages helps dietitians tailor counseling approaches appropriately.

3What is the primary function of cholecystokinin (CCK) in digestion?

A.Stimulates gastric acid secretion

B.Stimulates gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme release

C.Inhibits gastric emptying

D.Increases intestinal motility

Explanation: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is released by I cells in the duodenum and jejunum in response to fats and proteins. Its primary functions include stimulating gallbladder contraction to release bile, stimulating the pancreas to release digestive enzymes, and promoting satiety. Gastrin stimulates gastric acid secretion, and CCK actually slows gastric emptying to allow adequate digestion time, but its defining role is gallbladder contraction and pancreatic stimulation.

4Which statistical measure indicates how spread out the values in a data set are around the mean?

A.Mean

B.Median

C.Standard deviation

D.Mode

Explanation: Standard deviation measures the dispersion or spread of data points around the mean. A small standard deviation indicates data points are clustered close to the mean, while a large standard deviation indicates wider spread. The mean is the average, the median is the middle value, and the mode is the most frequent value - none of these measure spread. Understanding standard deviation is essential for interpreting nutrition research and assessing individual measurements against population norms.

5During the third trimester of pregnancy, what is the recommended additional daily caloric intake?

A.0 kcal

B.150 kcal

C.300 kcal

D.450 kcal

Explanation: During the third trimester, the recommended additional caloric intake is 450 kcal/day to support fetal growth and development. The first trimester requires no additional calories, the second trimester requires approximately 340 additional kcal/day, and the third trimester requires approximately 450 additional kcal/day. These additional calories should come from nutrient-dense foods to meet increased needs for protein, iron, calcium, and other micronutrients.

6Which of the following is the most appropriate counseling approach when working with a client from a culture that values collective decision-making?

A.Focus exclusively on the individual client

B.Involve family members in the counseling session

C.Use written materials only

D.Avoid discussing cultural food practices

Explanation: When working with clients from collectivist cultures where family and community play central roles in decision-making, involving family members in counseling sessions demonstrates cultural competency and increases the likelihood of successful behavior change. Individual-focused approaches may be ineffective in these contexts. Understanding and respecting cultural food practices is also essential for providing culturally appropriate care.

7What is the primary storage form of iron in the body?

A.Hemoglobin

B.Myoglobin

C.Ferritin

D.Transferrin

Explanation: Ferritin is the primary storage form of iron in the body, storing iron in a soluble, non-toxic form within cells. Hemoglobin contains about 70% of functional iron for oxygen transport, myoglobin stores oxygen in muscle tissue, and transferrin is the transport protein that carries iron in the bloodstream. Serum ferritin levels are commonly used to assess iron stores, with low levels indicating iron deficiency.

8In the Nutrition Care Process, which step involves identifying the specific nutrition problem that a dietitian will address?

A.Assessment

B.Diagnosis

C.Intervention

D.Monitoring and Evaluation

Explanation: Nutrition Diagnosis is the step where the dietitian identifies and labels specific nutrition problems that can be addressed through nutrition intervention. This involves using the PES statement (Problem, Etiology, Signs/Symptoms) format. Assessment involves gathering data, Intervention involves planning and implementing care, and Monitoring and Evaluation involves tracking progress and outcomes.

9Which of the following is a type I error in research?

A.Failing to reject a false null hypothesis

B.Rejecting a true null hypothesis

C.Using a sample size that is too small

D.Selecting a non-random sample

Explanation: A type I error (alpha error) occurs when a researcher rejects a true null hypothesis, concluding that an effect exists when it actually does not. This is also called a "false positive." A type II error (beta error) occurs when a researcher fails to reject a false null hypothesis. Sample size and randomization are study design issues, not types of statistical errors.

10The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for fat for adults is what percentage of total daily calories?

A.10-20%

B.20-35%

C.25-40%

D.45-65%

Explanation: The AMDR for fat is 20-35% of total daily calories for adults. This range is associated with reduced risk of chronic disease while providing adequate essential fatty acids. The AMDR for carbohydrate is 45-65% and for protein is 10-35%. Intakes outside these ranges may increase risk of chronic disease or result in inadequate nutrient intake.

About the CDR RD Exam

The CDR RD exam is the credentialing examination for registered dietitian nutritionists. It covers four domains: Principles of Dietetics (21%), Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups (45%), Management of Food and Nutrition Programs (21%), and Foodservice Systems (13%). The exam is computer-based and administered at Pearson VUE testing centers.

Exam sponsor: CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Variable-length assessment

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Scaled score of 25 (scale 1-50)

Exam / Certification Fees

$250

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 83.93% within one year of first attempt (2025). All pathways; CDR also publishes first-time rates by pathway This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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.

21%

Principles of Dietetics

Food science, nutrition science, research, education and communication theories, cultural competency, lifespan nutrition

45%

Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups

Assessment, diagnosis, MNT, intervention, monitoring/evaluation, disease states, enteral/parenteral nutrition, counseling

21%

Management of Food and Nutrition Programs

Human resources, marketing, financial management, quality improvement, public health nutrition, food safety regulations

13%

Foodservice Systems

Menu planning, procurement, food safety, sanitation, equipment, production and distribution systems

Preparing for the CDR RD Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled score of 25 (scale 1-50)
Assessment: Variable-length assessment
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam / certification fees: $250 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 200 available questions
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Track weak areas and revisit them
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CDR RD: Suggested Study Strategy

1Focus heavily on Domain II (Nutrition Care) - it accounts for 45% of the exam

2Master MNT for diabetes, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, and GI disorders

3Know your enteral and parenteral nutrition calculations and monitoring

4Understand foodservice math: recipe conversion, yield tests, and cost calculations

5Study food safety temperatures, HACCP principles, and FDA Food Code regulations

6Review nutrition assessment tools: SGA, MNA, and NCP (Nutrition Care Process)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RD exam pass rate?

CDR reports that 83.93% of examinees passed within one year of their first attempt in the year ending 2025. Results vary by pathway: 83.23% for dietetic internships and 85.66% for coordinated programs.

How many questions are on the RD exam?

The CDR RD exam contains 125-145 questions: 100-120 scored plus 25 unscored pretest questions. The exam uses variable length testing, so the number of questions varies based on your performance.

What is the RD exam format?

The exam is computer-based with multiple-choice questions. You have 3 hours to complete it. Questions cover 4 domains: Principles of Dietetics (21%), Nutrition Care (45%), Management (21%), and Foodservice Systems (13%).

How do I become a registered dietitian?

Earn a graduate degree, complete ACEND-accredited nutrition coursework and ACEND-accredited supervised practice, pass the CDR RD exam, and maintain continuing education requirements.

What is the difference between RD and RDN?

RD (Registered Dietitian) and RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) are interchangeable credentials. CDR introduced RDN in 2013 to emphasize the nutrition expertise of the profession.