5 Tips to Prep You for the CNA Certification Exam

This may sound obvious, but building a simple schedule for when you will study can help boost your exam preparation. Scheduling an hour or two a day can make a significant difference. Write it on your calendar. Let your family know. And during that time, head to a quiet corner of the house, the library or another place—wherever you can be alone for a couple of hours to focus on your studies.

A quality CNA certification exam study guide should provide the following:

• It will describe the test format
• It should provide sample questions or a practice test for certified nursing assistants
• Advise you on test-taking techniques
• Give you other relevant information to help improve your score

You can find study guide resources online as well as at the bookstore. If you decide to use a website, bear in mind that different sources charge higher prices than others. Before you choose one, ask instructors, fellow classmates or other CNAs which sites they recommend.

The CNA certification exam consists of a written exam and a hands-on clinical skills assessment given on the same day. You must pass both in order to become certified as a nursing assistant.

The exam can vary from state to state. However, most states require 70 questions in multiple-choice format for the written portion, which candidates typically have two hours to complete. The skills assessment involves performing five hands-on practice skills for a designated evaluator within a specified time frame, usually twenty-five to thirty minutes. Examples of these skills include measuring and recording blood pressure, feeding a patient and changing an occupied bed.

Along with the knowledge you bring from your CNA training, having experience with the CNA exam format and time limits will help improve your score on the actual exam day. Not to mention, taking the practice test for certified nursing assistants can alleviate some nerves when the real test is sitting in front of you. Because the CNA certification exam can vary by state, you might consider searching for a practice test for certified nursing assistants available through your state's website or Board of Nursing.

When it comes time to take the CNA exam, be sure to get plenty of rest the night before. And try to avoid stress the morning of the test. When you've studied, you know the exam format, and you've taken the practice test for certified nursing assistants, you are as prepared as you can be. Walk into the testing room knowing that; take a deep breath; and do your best.