1.2 The NJ CNA Exam Format
Key Takeaways
- The New Jersey competency evaluation has two parts: a Skills Evaluation and a Written (or Oral) Knowledge Test, both based on the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) blueprint.
- The Skills Evaluation requires handwashing plus 4 randomly selected nurse-aide skills; every critical (key) step must be performed correctly — missing a key step fails that skill.
- The written knowledge test is multiple-choice (roughly 60 scored questions; some forms include unscored pretest items) with about 90 minutes allowed; New Jersey's published written passing standard is approximately 75%.
- An Oral Knowledge Test is available in English and Spanish for candidates with reading difficulty; questions are read aloud through headphones and repeated twice.
- The skills passing standard is roughly 80% overall with no missed key step; both the skills and knowledge parts must be passed to be certified, and New Jersey's vendor sequences candidates through both.
The Two-Part NNAAP Competency Evaluation
New Jersey's certification exam follows the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), the most widely used CNA testing blueprint in the United States. It has two parts you must pass: a hands-on Skills Evaluation and a Written (or Oral) Knowledge Test. The exam is administered for NJ DOH by the state's contracted testing vendor; the NJ DOH-referenced Candidate Information Bulletin is published by PSI. Always confirm the current vendor and fees in the NJ DOH-linked candidate bulletin, because state testing contracts change.
Part 1: Skills Evaluation
The Skills Evaluation is performed in person, in front of a trained nurse-aide evaluator, on a live volunteer or mannequin.
| Feature | New Jersey Detail |
|---|---|
| Skills tested | Handwashing + 4 randomly selected skills |
| Selection | Random from the published NNAAP skills list |
| Always included | Handwashing (indirect-care infection control) |
| Grading | Each skill has critical (key) steps |
| Pass standard | About 80% overall and no missed key step |
Handwashing is effectively guaranteed because it is an indirect-care infection-control skill that protects every resident. The other four are drawn at random — examples include taking a radial pulse, denture care, or shoulder range-of-motion. The decisive rule: critical steps must be 100%. You can perform most of a skill correctly and still fail it if you skip one key step (for example, not checking water temperature, or breaking infection control during a transfer).
Part 2: Written or Oral Knowledge Test
The knowledge test is multiple-choice and covers the NNAAP content domains (physical care, psychosocial care, and the role of the nurse aide).
| Feature | New Jersey Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Multiple-choice |
| Length | ~60 scored questions (some forms add unscored pretest items) |
| Time | ~90 minutes |
| Written pass standard | ~75% (confirm in the current NJ bulletin) |
| Oral option | English and Spanish, audio via headphones |
New Jersey's published written passing standard is approximately 75%, which is higher than the generic "70%" figure quoted for CNA exams nationally — a real NJ distinction worth planning your study target around. Some preparation materials cite a ~70-question form because forms can include unscored pretest items; the scored count referenced for New Jersey is about 60. Treat the official NJ candidate bulletin as the source of truth for the exact count and cut score.
The Oral Knowledge Test
New Jersey offers an Oral Knowledge Test for candidates who have difficulty reading English. It is available in English and Spanish. Candidates wear headphones; each question and its answer choices are read aloud and repeated twice before the candidate selects an answer. This accommodation tests the same knowledge content as the written form.
How the Two Parts Fit Together
flowchart LR
A[Eligible after NATCEP] --> B[Skills Evaluation: handwashing + 4 random skills]
B --> C{All key steps correct\n and ~80% overall?}
C -->|No| D[Retest skills within attempt limits]
C -->|Yes| E[Written or Oral Knowledge Test ~75%]
E --> F[Pass both -> Registry placement]
You must pass both components to be certified — a strong written score does not offset a failed skill, and a perfect skills demonstration does not waive the knowledge test. Plan to be exam-ready on both at the same time.
During the New Jersey Skills Evaluation, a candidate performs a transfer almost perfectly but forgets to lock the wheelchair brakes before moving the resident. What is the most likely outcome?
Which statement best reflects New Jersey's written knowledge test passing standard compared with the commonly cited national CNA figure?