Free CNA Practice Test

What the CNA written exam tests

Every state’s nurse aide exam has a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills test. The written test is multiple choice and asks what a nurse aide should do: give safe daily care, prevent infection, observe and report changes, protect residents’ rights and communicate well. The NNAAP content outline, used by Credentia states, weights it like this:

Basic Nursing Skills covers infection control, safety and emergencies, data collection and reporting, and therapeutic procedures. Source: Credentia’s 2024 NNAAP content outline.

Written exam format by state

Formats come from each state’s current candidate handbook. Each state page lists the oral option, skills test, fees and attempts, with sources, and a practice exam built to that format.

How to prepare for the skills exam

The skills exam is hands-on, so you prepare by practicing each skill on your state’s official checklist until you can do every step in order. Your state page links the official list. Graders watch for the same safety and courtesy steps on every task:

• Knock, introduce yourself, identify the resident and explain what you are going to do.
• Provide privacy with the curtain, screen or door before any personal care.
• Perform hand hygiene before and after care; wear gloves when you may touch body fluids.
• Lock the bed or wheelchair wheels before any transfer.
• Finish with the bed in its lowest position and the call light within reach.

On the NNAAP, one of your five skills is always a measurement. Practice reading these until your numbers match a partner’s: manual blood pressure, radial pulse, respirations, urine output, weight. Critical steps are printed in bold on the official checklists; missing one fails the skill, even if everything else is right.

Common questions

CNA practice tests by state

• California CNA Practice Test
• Pennsylvania CNA Practice Test
• North Carolina Nurse Aide I Practice Test
• Washington CNA Written Exam Practice Test
• Alabama CNA Practice Test
• South Carolina CNA Practice Test
• Tennessee CNA Practice Test
• Ohio STNA Practice Test
• Michigan CNA Practice Test
• Massachusetts CNA Practice Test
• Arizona CNA Practice Test
• Wisconsin CNA Practice Test
• Minnesota CNA Practice Test
• Missouri CNA Practice Test
• Mississippi CNA Practice Test
• New Mexico CNA Practice Test
• Nevada CNA Practice Test
• Oregon CNA Practice Test
• Arkansas CNA Practice Test
• Utah CNA Practice Test
• Indiana CNA Practice Test
• Oklahoma CNA Practice Test
• NNAAP Written Exam Practice Test