CNA exam guides
Everything about the CNA exam, answered straight
How many questions are on the CNA written exam?
The NNAAP written exam used for CNA certification in Credentia states has 70 multiple-choice questions. Only 60 count toward your result; the other 10 are unscored pretest items. You get 2 hours to finish.
What is the passing score for the CNA written exam?
There is no single national passing score. The NNAAP written exam is reported as pass or fail, and the passing standard is set for each state program, not published as one number by NCSBN. Aim for 80% or better on timed practice, which covers the higher end of what candidates report.
NNAAP written exam content outline (2024)
The 2024 NNAAP outline has three domains: Physical Care Skills (64%), Role of the Nurse Aide (26%) and Psychosocial Care Skills (10%). Basic Nursing Skills alone is 35% of the scored exam, about 21 of the 60 scored questions.
How long should you study for the CNA written exam?
If you just finished a state-approved training program (federal minimum 75 hours), about 2 weeks of review at 45-60 minutes a day is enough for most people. Spend over half of it on Basic Nursing Skills and Activities of Daily Living, which make up 57% of the scored questions.
CNA exam fees, registration and retakes
Fees are set per state. In Pennsylvania, the first attempt at the written and skills exams together costs $135, a written-only retake is $50 and a skills retake is $85. If a nursing facility employs you or has offered you a job, federal law says you cannot be charged for the evaluation.
CNA written exam vs oral exam
Both follow the same 2024 NNAAP content outline and both give you 2 hours. The written exam is 70 multiple-choice questions; the oral exam is 60 multiple-choice questions read aloud plus 10 reading comprehension (word recognition) questions, and you must pass both parts of the oral exam.
CNA practice questions: infection control, safety and daily care
Physical Care Skills is 64% of the NNAAP written exam, about 38 of the 60 scored questions. The sample questions below come from that domain and show the reasoning the exam rewards: safety first, standard precautions every time, and reporting changes to the nurse.
CNA practice questions: client rights and the role of the nurse aide
Role of the Nurse Aide is 26% of the NNAAP written exam, about 16 of the 60 scored questions: Communication 7%, Client Rights 8%, Legal and Ethical Behavior 5% and Member of the Health Care Team 6%. Most answers come down to respecting the client and staying inside the aide's scope.