Question 1

What Is the CNA Exam?

Accepted Answer

The CNA exam — formally known as the NNAAP (Nurse Aide Assessment Program) — is the licensing exam required to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in the United States. It has two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a clinical skills evaluation. This guide focuses on the written test.

The written exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. You have 90 minutes to complete it. To pass, you need to score at least 70% — correctly answering at least 49 of the 70 questions.

Question 2

What Topics Are on the Exam?

Accepted Answer

The NNAAP written exam covers six content areas, each weighted differently:

• Physical Care Skills — 45% of the exam. This is the largest section and covers personal hygiene, bathing, grooming, feeding, elimination care, positioning, transfers, and mobility.

• Safety & Emergency Procedures — 14%. Fire safety (RACE protocol), fall prevention, restraint alternatives, and emergency response.

• Infection Control — 14%. Handwashing technique, standard precautions, PPE donning and doffing order, an

Question 3

How Long Should You Study?

Accepted Answer

Most students who pass on their first attempt spend 2–4 weeks preparing consistently. Here is a realistic study schedule:

• Week 1: Physical Care Skills. Spend time on bathing, oral care, positioning and transfers, and elimination care. These topics alone can account for 30+ questions.

• Week 2: Infection Control and Safety. Master hand hygiene, PPE order, RACE, and fall prevention. These are heavily tested and very specific.

• Week 3: Resident Rights, Psychosocial Care, and Role of the Nurse

Question 4

The Most Common Mistakes

Accepted Answer

Students who fail the CNA exam on their first attempt typically make one of these mistakes:

1. Skipping Physical Care Skills. Because the questions seem straightforward, students underestimate how specific the exam gets. The correct order of steps matters.

2. Memorizing answers instead of understanding concepts. The exam changes question wording. If you understand why the correct answer is right, you can handle any phrasing.

3. Not reviewing answer explanations. Getting a practice question ri

Question 5

How to Use Practice Tests Effectively

Accepted Answer

Practice tests are the single most effective study tool for the NNAAP exam. Here is how to use them:

• Take a full 70-question test in one sitting before you start studying. This diagnostic helps you see which topics you already understand and which need the most work.

• After each test, review every question — not just the ones you got wrong. Understanding why a correct answer is correct is as important as knowing why wrong answers are wrong.

• Do not memorize questions. The real exam will n

How to Pass the CNA Exam on Your First Try

What Is the CNA Exam?

What Topics Are on the Exam?

How Long Should You Study?

The Most Common Mistakes

How to Use Practice Tests Effectively

Related Pages

Put this knowledge to the test

More Study Guides