A CPR certification written test is a requirement for most CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) credentials issued by organizations like the American Red Cross (ARC), American Heart Association (AHA), and the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI). Whether you are a healthcare provider working toward BLS certification, a lifeguard renewing your card, a teacher required to hold first-aid credentials, a coach, or a childcare professional, passing the written knowledge portion of the exam is a mandatory step before you receive your certificate.
The typical CPR certification format combines two parts: a written knowledge test and a hands-on skills check. The written portion covers the cognitive side — you need to know compression ratios, rescue-breath techniques, AED operation, choking responses, and when to start or stop CPR. The hands-on skills check confirms you can actually perform those techniques on a mannequin under an instructor's observation. A downloadable PDF study guide targets the written knowledge portion specifically, giving you a portable set of practice questions you can review anywhere — on a commute, during a break, or the night before your class.
This page provides a free CPR practice test PDF along with a breakdown of every knowledge area the written exam covers. Use the PDF alongside the topic summaries below to fill any gaps before your certification session.
Before starting CPR you must recognize the emergency correctly. For laypeople, the chain of events begins when a person is unresponsive — no reaction to tapping the shoulders and shouting "Are you okay?" The next signs are absent or abnormal breathing: the person has stopped breathing entirely or is producing only agonal gasps (occasional, irregular, gasping breaths that are not effective). Layperson guidelines do not require a pulse check; instead, call 9-1-1, send someone for an AED, and begin CPR immediately if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Healthcare providers are trained to check for a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds while simultaneously checking for breathing, then start compressions if no definite pulse is felt.
Modern CPR follows the CAB sequence (Compressions, Airway, Breathing) rather than the older ABC approach, reflecting research showing that early chest compressions are the most critical intervention. The correct adult technique is:
For compression-only CPR (hands-only), skip rescue breaths and continue compressions without stopping until the AED arrives or EMS takes over. This approach is acceptable for adult victims of sudden cardiac arrest witnessed by a bystander.
CPR technique varies by age group. For children (age 1 to puberty), the compression depth is about 2 inches (5 cm) and one hand may be used if the child's chest is small enough that you can compress adequately with a single hand. The standard ratio remains 30:2 for a single rescuer but changes to 15:2 when two trained rescuers are present — a rule specific to children and infants.
Infant CPR (under 1 year of age) requires different technique because of the infant's small size and fragile structure. Place two fingers (index and middle) on the center of the chest just below the nipple line. Compress to a depth of about 1.5 inches (4 cm). A two-rescuer infant technique uses a two-thumb encircling method, with both thumbs on the sternum and hands wrapped around the torso — this method produces better circulation than two-finger compressions. As with children, use 15:2 when two healthcare providers are present and 30:2 for a single rescuer.
Respiratory causes account for a higher proportion of cardiac arrest in infants and children compared to adults, so rescue breaths are especially important in pediatric CPR.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is designed to be used by laypeople with minimal training. The device provides audio and visual instructions, but knowing the steps in advance helps you act without hesitation:
Special considerations tested on written exams: do not use an AED in standing water; remove a transdermal medication patch from the pad placement area; if a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator is present, place the pad at least 1 inch away from the device.
Choking is an airway obstruction emergency that requires a different response depending on the victim's age and level of consciousness. For a conscious adult or child over age 1, use abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver): stand behind the victim, make a fist with one hand and place it thumb-side against the abdomen just above the navel and well below the breastbone, grasp the fist with the other hand, and deliver firm upward thrusts. Repeat until the object is expelled or the person becomes unconscious.
For a conscious infant under 1 year, do not use abdominal thrusts — the infant's abdominal organs are too vulnerable. Instead, hold the infant face-down along your forearm (supporting the head lower than the chest) and deliver 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand, then flip the infant face-up and deliver 5 chest thrusts with two fingers on the center of the chest. Alternate 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is cleared or the infant becomes unconscious.
If a choking victim of any age becomes unconscious, lower them to the ground, call 9-1-1 if not already done, and begin CPR. Each time you open the airway for rescue breaths, look for the object — remove it with a finger sweep only if you can clearly see it. Never perform a blind finger sweep in an infant or child.
The recovery position (lateral recumbent position) is used for an unconscious victim who is breathing normally and has a pulse — it is not for cardiac arrest. Tilt the victim onto their side to keep the airway open and allow fluids (vomit, blood) to drain, preventing aspiration. Continue to monitor breathing until EMS arrives.
Knowing when to stop CPR is also a tested topic. Continue CPR until: an AED is available and ready to use; a trained responder takes over; the victim shows obvious signs of life (breathing, movement, eye opening); EMS personnel arrive and assume care; you become too exhausted to continue safely; or a physician directs you to stop. Do not stop CPR to check for a pulse mid-cycle — wait until after 5 cycles or 2 minutes, then pause for no more than 10 seconds.
The downloadable PDF works best as a final review tool. Read through the six knowledge areas above first to build your understanding, then test yourself with the PDF questions under timed conditions. Aim to answer each question in under 30 seconds — the written portion of most CPR certification classes is brief, and instructors expect confident, quick answers.
Remember that the written test only covers half of the certification requirement. Hands-on skills practice is equally important. If you have access to a CPR mannequin (many community centers, fire stations, and libraries offer free CPR training nights), use it to build muscle memory for compression depth and rate. Apps from the AHA and ARC also offer practice compression feedback via phone sensors.
If you are a nurse, EMT, medical assistant, dental hygienist, or other clinical professional, you likely need BLS for Healthcare Providers (AHA) or the equivalent ARC BLS course rather than a basic CPR/AED certification. BLS includes a more rigorous written exam (~30 questions), two-rescuer adult and infant techniques, bag-mask ventilation, and the specific 15:2 pediatric two-rescuer ratio. The PDF and knowledge areas on this page cover both basic CPR and BLS content, so it is useful regardless of which level you are pursuing.
For a full list of CPR practice tests, quizzes, and study resources organized by topic, visit the CPR Certification Practice Tests main page, where you will find timed quizzes covering each of the six knowledge domains above.