CNA Practice Test

CNA Exam at a Glance

What changed for CNA in 2026

• Aug 1, 2026: Connecticut (Prometric) implements new exam pricing: $48 for written only, $48 for oral only, $125 for bundled written and clinical skills, effective August 1, 2026.^[5]
• Jul 1, 2026: Idaho (Prometric) raises CNA exam fees to $34 each for written and oral exams, plus test site fees, effective July 1, 2026.^[6]
• Jan 1, 2026: Missouri (Headmaster) raises CNA exam fees: knowledge from $30 to $32, skills from $95 to $103.^[7]

Many nursing homes offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment. Search for "paid CNA training" or "CNA sponsorship" in your area. Practice with the free CNA practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (3,000+ questions with answer explanations).

If you are searching for free CNA credential practice exams, start with the CNA practice test 2026 questions on this page: every answer comes with an explanation, and the study notes below cover the CNA exam topics in order.

Related CNA resources: cna certification, cna salary, cna skills test, cna reciprocity, free cna classes near me, cna registry, cna charting, cna to rn.

Free CNA Study Tools

Interactive CNA resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• CNA practice test — 3,000+ questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
• CNA flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• CNA study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• CNA cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

Ready to Pass the CNA Exam?

Join thousands of students who have used our free CNA practice tests to become Certified Nursing Assistants.

Don't let your certification lapse! Check your state's registry for specific CNA renewal forms and deadlines to avoid retaking the exam. Remember to check the CNA registry regularly.

Related CNA Practice Test Resources

If you are preparing for a career in nursing, you may also find these related practice tests helpful:

Prepare for the NCLEX - National Council Licensure Examination — the national licensure exam for registered nurses, testing clinical judgment and patient safety across all nursing domains.

Prepare for the TEAS - Test of Essential Academic Skills — a standardized admissions test for nursing programs, assessing reading, math, science, and English language skills.

Prepare for the CCRN - Review — a specialty certification for nurses working in critical care units, covering hemodynamic monitoring and ventilator management.

Prepare for the PCCN - Exam — the Progressive Care Certified Nurse exam for nurses in step-down and telemetry units.

Prepare for the CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing — the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification for nurses specializing in adult health and perioperative care.

For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our cna written exam practice test resource.

For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our cna practice test pdf resource.

For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our cna courses near me resource.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

CNA Practice Test 2026

The written (or oral) portion of the CNA exam is delivered by one of three test vendors, and the format depends on which one your state uses. Prometric administers a 60-question multiple-choice test with a 90-minute limit in Texas (Alabama uses 55 questions in the same 90 minutes), and the count varies by state. Credentia runs the NNAAP written exam (70 multiple-choice questions, two hours; the oral version is 60 multiple-choice plus 10 reading-comprehension questions) in states including California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and, since June 2026, Tennessee. Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) sets the length per state (Michigan: 65 questions in 60 minutes) in states such as Ohio, Oregon and Wisconsin. Every vendor also requires a skills evaluation of five randomly assigned skills, and handwashing is always one of them.

All three vendors draw from the same content outline: physical care skills (activities of daily living, basic nursing skills, restorative care), psychosocial care (emotional, mental health, cultural and spiritual needs) and the role of the nurse aide (communication, resident rights, legal and ethical behavior, infection control). The free CNA test questions and answers on this page follow that outline, so the free CNA written exams with answers you take here mirror what you will see on test day.

Use the CNA practice test free 2026 questions as a diagnostic: take a full-length timed set, review every explanation, then retake only the sections you missed. Consistently strong scores on our practice questions are a good sign you're ready for the written test.

Free CNA Practice Test Printable Versions and PDF Downloads

Many candidates want a free CNA practice test they can print. Printable versions are useful when you study away from a screen: on breaks at a clinical site, on a commute, or with a study partner who reads questions aloud, which is also good preparation if you plan to take the oral version of the knowledge test. Our free CNA practice test questions and answers PDF covers the same content areas as the online quizzes, and the CNA written exam practice test PDF page collects more printable sets.

Use printed and online practice together. Work through a printed set with a pencil, mark every question you guessed on, then check the answers and read why each correct option is right. Next, take the matching online CNA practice test, where explanations appear instantly and the timer shows whether you can keep a steady pace. Repeat the cycle for weak topics such as infection control, resident rights and safety until your scores stay consistently strong.

Remember that paper practice only prepares you for the knowledge test. The skills evaluation is a hands-on demonstration, so practice each skill step by step in your training lab as well.

Sample CNA Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free CNA practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. A helpful tip to keep in mind when asking questions is to

   • A. start with difficult questions.
   • B. ask one question at a time.
   • C. use a "yes" or "no" format, to make it easy.
   • D. offer your own opinion after they answer.

Answer: B. ask one question at a time.

When asking questions, it is a helpful tip to ask one question at a time. This approach prevents overwhelming the patient, especially those with cognitive impairments or communication difficulties, and ensures they can fully process and respond to each query. Asking one question at a time promotes clearer communication and more accurate information gathering.

Answer: B. Use sterile technique with sterile gloves and sterile supplies as required

Wound care typically requires sterile or at minimum clean technique depending on wound type and facility policy, always with appropriate gloves to prevent infection.

Answer: B. ask one question at a time.

When asking questions, it's crucial to ask one question at a time to avoid overwhelming the patient and ensure clear understanding. This allows the patient to focus on and fully process each question, leading to more accurate and complete responses. Asking multiple questions at once can be confusing, especially for patients with cognitive impairments or communication difficulties.

Answer: C. Measuring and recording vital signs

Measuring and recording vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure) is within the CNA's scope of practice. Tasks such as sterile dressing changes, IV medications, and diagnoses require higher licensure.

Take the full CNA practice test

Official Resources

• Credentia administers the NNAAP nurse aide exam for CNA candidates in many states and lets you schedule, pay for, and look up results for the written and skills tests.
• Prometric delivers the CNA knowledge and clinical skills exams in the states that contract with it, where you register, reschedule, and locate your nearest test center.
• Pearson VUE provides nurse aide certification testing in several states, handling candidate registration, scheduling, and seating for the computer-based CNA exam.

Sources & last verified

1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — passing score, retake policy, delivery, eligibility (official source). “The State shall establish the passing standard for the written or oral examination and for the skills demonstration.” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
2. archive.regulations.delaware.gov — validity (official source). “CNA certification shall be effective for 2 years following the date of issue and shall expire 2 years following such date” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
3. cdph.ca.gov — renewal (official source). “Certificates are renewed every two years, and the required training is 48 hours of in-service training or continuing education” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
4. floridasnursing.gov — score release (official source). “After you pass both components and your application is fully processed, the Board adds you to the Registry and mails your certificate. The process can…” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
5. prometric.com — other (official source). “Effective August 1, 2026, the following exam pricing will be implemented” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
6. prometric.com — other (official source). “Effective July 1, 2026, the following exam pricing will be implemented: $34 written, $34 oral, plus test site fees” Verified Oct 14, 2026.
7. health.mo.gov — other (official source). “D&S DIVERSIFIED TECHNOLOGIES (D&SDT) LLP – HEADMASTER, LLP...has advised DHSS of fee increases effective January 1, 2026. Specifically: Knowledge test: from $30 to $32 for…” Verified Oct 14, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.