Practice Test GeeksCNS - Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam Practice Test

CNS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CNS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

CNS exam key facts

  • The CNS exam contains 200 multiple-choice, single-answer questions. Source
  • Candidates have four hours to complete the CNS exam. Source
  • The CNS exam is scored on a 100 to 1,000 scale, and a minimum of 600 is required to pass. Source
  • Candidates who fail the CNS exam may retake it by submitting the CNS Reexamination Application with the reexamination fee. Source
  • Candidates who pass the CNS exam must fulfill all CNS program requirements within five years of their testing date, or the exam result expires. Source
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200 questions
240 min time limit
70.00% to pass
  1. The Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) DETERMINE checklist is used to identify nutritional risk in which population? → Older adults / elderly
  2. In functional nutrition, the '5R' gut restoration protocol begins with which step? → Remove
  3. Which test is considered the gold standard for assessing whole-body magnesium status in functional nutrition practice? → Red blood cell (RBC) magnesium
  4. In Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam, what is the primary purpose of formative assessment? → To monitor progress and provide feedback during the learning or development process
  5. In Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam, what does "evidence-based practice" mean? → Integrating best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
  6. Which approach is most effective for mastering metabolic processes in Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam? → Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review
  7. What is a best practice in Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam macronutrients? → A method or technique recognized as superior based on evidence and expert consensus
  8. What is the primary objective of diet planning in Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam? → To ensure competence and proficiency in core diet planning concepts
  9. Dehydration causes the release of __________ from the ___________. → antidiuretic hormone; pituitary gland
  10. In functional nutrition, a positive secretory IgA (sIgA) result on a comprehensive stool analysis most directly indicates what? → Mucosal immune defense status
  11. Pre-formed vitamin A is typically found in what kinds of foods? → Animal products
  12. What is a controlled variable in an experiment related to Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam? → A factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment
  13. Which approach is most effective for mastering micronutrients in Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam? → Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review
  14. What is the primary cause of the reduced vitamin B12 absorption commonly seen in older adults, often requiring supplementation with crystalline B12? → Atrophic gastritis reducing intrinsic factor and gastric acid
  15. Which mineral's requirement increases dramatically in pregnancy from 18 mg/day to 27 mg/day due to expanded blood volume and fetal demands? → Iron
  16. What is the relationship between theory and practice in Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam metabolic processes? → Theory provides the foundation and framework that guides effective practical application
  17. Folate is needed for which of the following types of reactions in the body? → Single-carbon transfer reactions
  18. What is the primary objective of micronutrients in Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam? → To ensure competence and proficiency in core micronutrients concepts
  19. In Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam, why is micronutrients knowledge important for professional certification? → It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards
  20. During the second trimester of pregnancy, the recommended additional energy intake above pre-pregnancy needs is approximately how many kcal/day? → 340 kcal/day
  21. Which type of assessment in Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam compares an individual's performance to a predetermined standard? → Criterion-referenced assessment
  22. What is a best practice in Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam diet planning? → A method or technique recognized as superior based on evidence and expert consensus
  23. In functional nutrition, 'leaky gut' is clinically described as increased intestinal permeability, most often assessed using which biomarker? → Zonulin
  24. Which dietary pattern is most frequently recommended in functional nutrition for reducing systemic inflammation and modulating the gut microbiome? → Mediterranean diet
  25. In Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam, what is the primary purpose of patient assessment in sports nutrition? → To gather comprehensive information about the patient's condition to guide care decisions
  26. In a functional nutrition assessment, an organic acids test (OAT) finding of elevated 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) indicates increased levels of what? → Oxidative DNA damage
  27. Carnitine transports _______________ across biological membranes. → fatty acids
  28. In Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam, what is the primary purpose of patient assessment in nutritional counseling? → To gather comprehensive information about the patient's condition to guide care decisions
  29. In Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam, what role does continuing education play in metabolic processes? → To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices
  30. What is the primary objective of metabolic processes in Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam? → To ensure competence and proficiency in core metabolic processes concepts
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How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

  1. theana.org — Test delivery, exam format, passing score, retake policy, score release, time limit, score validity, registration deadline, test dates, renewal · verified Oct 2026