CNA Practice Test 2026: What to Expect and How to Prepare

The NNAAP (Nurse Aide Assessment Program) written exam is administered by Prometric at testing centers across the United States. Here is exactly what to expect: • 70 multiple-choice questions • 2 hours to complete • 4 answer choices per question (A, B, C, D) • Passing score: 70% (approximately 49 of the 60 scored questions correct) • Questions are scenario-based — you will be given a situation and asked what the nurse aide should do The exam is also available in an oral (audio) format for candidates with reading difficulties. You can request this accommodation when registering.

NNAAP questions are written to test practical knowledge, not memorization. Most questions follow one of these patterns: • "A resident does X. What should the nurse aide do first?" • "Which of the following is correct technique for Y?" • "A nurse aide observes Z. Who should they report to?" • "Which action best protects the resident's right to W?" The key word in many questions is "first." When you see "what should the nurse aide do first," the answer is usually about safety — ensuring the resident is safe — before doing anything else. The second most common pattern is asking what to report and to whom. Wrong answer choices are designed to be plausible. They often describe things that are partially correct or that a nurse (not a CNA) would do. If an answer involves doing something outside the CNA scope of practice — administering medication, making medical decisions, performing clinical procedures — eliminate it.

Practice tests are the most effective preparation tool available. Here is how to use them correctly: 1. Start with a diagnostic test. Before you study anything, take a full 70-question practice test. Do not look anything up. This baseline shows you exactly where you are starting from and which topics need the most attention. 2. Review every explanation. After each test, read the explanation for every question — including the ones you got right. Understanding why the correct answer is correct (not just which letter it is) is the difference between passing and failing. 3. Simulate real conditions. Take at least one full 70-question practice test with a 2-hour timer running. This builds pacing and reduces test anxiety. 4. Do not memorize questions. The real exam uses different wording. If you find yourself remembering answer choices rather than understanding the concept, stop and re-read the explanation. 5. Target 80% before test day. The passing threshold is 70%, but aim for 80% on practice tests to give yourself a comfortable buffer for the real exam.

Based on the official NNAAP exam content outline, here is how the 70 questions are distributed: • Physical Care Skills: ~31 questions (45%) • Safety & Emergency Procedures: ~10 questions (14%) • Infection Control: ~10 questions (14%) • Resident Rights: ~8 questions (11%) • Psychosocial Care Skills: ~6 questions (8%) • Role of the Nurse Aide: ~5 questions (8%) This distribution means that if you master Physical Care Skills, you can answer nearly half the exam confidently. But do not neglect the smaller sections — 8 questions on Resident Rights can make the difference between passing and failing if you leave that topic unstudied. Note: These categories and percentages reflect the practical grouping used in most CNA preparation programs. The official NNAAP content outline organizes exam content into three main domains — Physical Care Skills, Psychosocial Care Skills, and Role of the Nurse Aide — with multiple subcategories each.

• Arrive early. Testing centers require you to present a valid photo ID and your authorization to test. Late arrivals may be turned away. • Read every question completely. Do not skip ahead after reading the first sentence. NNAAP questions often contain key information mid-sentence. • Eliminate wrong answers first. Even if you are unsure, you can usually eliminate 1–2 answer choices immediately. This improves your odds significantly. • Do not change your first answer unless you have a specific reason. Research consistently shows that first instincts are correct more often than second-guessing. • Flag and return. If you are stuck on a question, flag it and move on. Return to flagged questions after completing the rest of the exam. • Trust your training. If you have completed a state-approved CNA training program and studied consistently, you are prepared. The exam tests skills you have practiced — trust what you know.

The NNAAP written exam allows 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete 70 multiple-choice questions. That works out to approximately 1 minute and 43 seconds per question. Most test-takers finish well before the time limit — the challenge is accuracy, not speed. Practice with a 2-hour timer to build comfort with the pacing before test day.

You need to score at least 70% to pass the NNAAP written exam. Of the 70 exam questions, 10 are unscored pilot questions, so the passing threshold applies to the 60 scored items. In practice, aim for 80% on practice tests before your real exam — the buffer matters when you encounter unfamiliar question wording on test day.

No. The NNAAP written exam does not permit calculators or any reference materials. The exam is closed-book and closed-note. No math is required — the questions are scenario-based, testing nursing assistant knowledge and judgment, not arithmetic. All you need is a valid photo ID and your authorization-to-test letter from your testing provider.

CNA exam fees vary by state and testing vendor but typically range from $90 to $150 for the full exam (written + skills). Some states charge separate fees for each part. Retake fees apply when you reschedule a failed portion. Your testing provider (Prometric, Credentia, HDmaster, or your state's vendor) will list the current fee schedule on their website. Some CNA training programs include the first exam attempt in their tuition — confirm with your program before paying separately.

You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the testing center — a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. Your name on the ID must match exactly what appears on your authorization-to-test letter from the testing vendor. You also need to bring that authorization-to-test letter itself. Testing centers will turn away candidates who arrive without both documents.

The most missed questions on the NNAAP exam fall into two categories. First, Physical Care Skills procedural detail — questions about the exact correct order of steps, water temperatures, safe technique variations (such as the correct direction for perineal care, or which side to stand on during a transfer). Second, Resident Rights nuance — questions that test whether you know a resident can refuse care even when it seems medically unwise, or how to respond when a family member asks for confidential information. Both require understanding the principle behind the rule, not just memorizing the answer.

Most states use the NNAAP (Nurse Aide Assessment Program) format — 70 multiple-choice questions, 70% passing score, six content areas. However, the exam is administered by different vendors depending on your state: Prometric, Credentia, HDmaster, or a state-specific vendor. A small number of states administer their own proprietary exam. The core content is consistent across NNAAP states, but check your state's nurse aide registry website to confirm which vendor administers your exam and what the current fees and scheduling process are.

Take at least 3 full-length (70-question) practice tests before your exam date — one as a diagnostic before you begin studying, one or two during focused study, and one final simulation within a few days of your test. Beyond that, use topic-specific quizzes to drill your weak areas. Stop scheduling more practice tests once you are consistently scoring 80% or above. At that point, additional tests offer diminishing returns and the better use of time is reviewing explanations for the questions you still get wrong.