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Tips for Help Passing the CNA Exam

In order to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) you must pass a required exam. Getting a good grade and passing the exam is necessary for you to get your certification and get a job as a CNA. It consists of two parts: a written test and a skills test.

First, don’t stress too much, as everything on both tests is covering things you should have learned in your CNA classes. Most classes even have a section at the end where you take practice tests.

Best tips to pass CNA exam

To pass the test, a potential CNA must get at least 80 on the test. The written test is a multiple choice test, so you just have to pick the best answer to the questions. The questions are on the theoretical knowledge you learned in your classes and will test your knowledge and understanding of the essential skills and concepts they need to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Study Possible Questions

You can study possible questions with a partner from your classes who also needs to take the test and ask each other questions and drill each other on the answers. Start with studying the learning modules from your CNA cources. Go over each chapter carefully and mark the main ideas in each and make up sample questions to use to study from.

Study Through Online Sites

There are also study sites online that have practice tests you can download and take to see how you do in advance. The written test is said to be the easier test of the two and as long as you have a good understanding of everything you learned in your classes, and you prepare by taking some sample tests, you should do fine.

The second part of the test is skills based. You can train for possible scenarios with your class partner as well. Just think of some of the skills you learned like taking care of a patient, changing their bed, cleaning them, giving them different kinds of care, etc.

In the real test an instructor watches as you perform the skill they choose and evaluates how you accomplished it. Try not to be nervous, because part of the test is how well you keep your composure. The test will probably have things like taking vital signs, CPR, or other things that a CNA would do on their real job. The test usually requires you to perform anything from three to six procedures.

Why people fail in CNA exam?

Most people fail because they concentrate on doing the more complicated parts of the procedures and forget the little things like knocking on a patient’s door, washing their hands, or being overly nervous or seemingly stressed out since in a real life situation you would have to remain composed.

All in all, the main thing is to practice in advance and try to remain calm. It should all come together just fine and you will be well on your way to your first real job as a CNA.

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Jakie S

I have been a CNA in the state of California since 1995. One of my passions in life is to help people and help others who want to expand their careers and become CNAs.

2 Responses

  1. I’m currently taking CNA classes and passed the writtten part but i’m having trouble with the lab skills, plus I get extremly nervous when l take tests and have someone watching my every move and if i mess up there goes all the money I’ve paid to get this certification.

    I keep studying as much as I possibly can but I hope I don’t screw up when I take the finals and state exam. After reading your notes hopefully I can try to relax and pass the test. Thankyou

  2. Angela says:

    Good luck Amanda!

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