SCRN Practice Test

The Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) exam is for registered nurses with qualifying stroke nursing experience. This page brings together free practice sets, explanations of sample answers, and verified exam details from the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN). Use it to connect your review to the official content areas, examine why an answer fits a clinical question, and plan what to study next. Our practice content is written with AI tools.

SCRN Exam at a Glance

What changed for SCRN in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Score release changed to Immediately at test site; via email for Live Remote Proctoring (previously Pass/fail + scaled score at the test site, or by email for remote proctoring).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Number of questions changed to 170 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 20 unscored pretest) (previously 170 multiple-choice items (150 scored, 20 pretest)).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Exam fee changed to $300 AANN member / $400 nonmember (credit card); $325 / $425 (check) (previously $300 AANN member / $400 non-member (credit card); $325 / $425 by check).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Eligibility changed to Current RN license + 2,080 hours of direct or indirect stroke nursing practice within past 3 years (previously Current RN license + 2,080 hours of stroke nursing in the past 3 years).^[4]
• Oct 27, 2026: Delivery changed to PSI test center (onsite) or Live Remote Proctoring (online) (previously PSI test center (~300 sites) or Live Remote Proctoring).^[3]
• Oct 27, 2026: Other (update 2027-01-31) changed to January 31, 2027 is the final deadline to apply for SCRN recertification by continuing education for the 2026 cycle; all CE must be earned by December 31, 2026. (previously January 31, 2027 is the final deadline to apply for SCRN recertification by continuing education in the 2026 cycle; all CE must be earned by December 31, 2026.).^[5]
• Oct 27, 2026: Validity changed to 5 years (expires December 31 of the 5th year) (previously 5 years, expiring December 31 of the 5th year).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Testing window changed to February 1–28, May 1–31, September 1–30 (2026) (previously Feb 1–28, May 1–31, Sep 1–30 (2026)).^[6]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake policy changed to Once per examination window; maximum 3 times in 12 months (previously Once per window; max 3 times in 12 months).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Passing score changed to Scaled score of 200 (previously Scaled score of 200 (criterion-referenced)).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Registration deadline changed to January 8, April 2, August 6, 2026 (5:00 p.m. CT) (previously Jan 8, Apr 2, Aug 6, 2026 (5:00 p.m. CT)).

What the SCRN is and how it works

According to American Board of Neuroscience Nursing, “To calculate a scaled score, the raw score required to pass is first set equal to 200.”^[2]

The SCRN exam verifies knowledge needed for a Stroke Certified Registered Nurse. The American Board of Neuroscience Nursing sets the eligibility requirements: a current RN license and at least 2,080 hours of direct or indirect stroke nursing practice within the past 3 years. Check ABNN’s official SCRN eligibility page when assessing whether your experience qualifies.

You can take the exam at a PSI test center or through Live Remote Proctoring online. It contains 170 multiple-choice questions, with 150 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest questions. The testing time is 3 hours. The passing scaled score is 200; this is a scaled score, not a stated number of correct answers.

Results are provided immediately at the test site or by email for Live Remote Proctoring. Candidates may test once per examination window, with a maximum of 3 attempts in 12 months. ABNN’s SCRN candidate handbook is the official source for scoring and retake rules.

Exam fees depend on AANN membership and payment method. Credit card payment costs $300 for members and $400 for nonmembers; check payment costs $325 and $425, respectively. Use the official ABNN candidate handbook to confirm the fee that applies to your application.

SCRN content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official SCRN content outline published by American Board of Neuroscience Nursing. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through SCRN questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What role does physical therapy play in post-acute stroke care?

1. To assist with emotional recovery
2. To help with regaining physical function such as strength and balance
3. To improve cognitive abilities
4. To control blood pressure

Answer: B. To help with regaining physical function such as strength and balance

Explanation:

B is correct: physical therapy helps patients regain physical function, including strength, balance, coordination, and mobility. The question asks for the role of a particular rehabilitation discipline, so match the answer to that discipline's main purpose.

A focuses on emotional recovery, which can affect rehabilitation participation but is not the primary role described here. C focuses on cognitive abilities rather than the motor function emphasized in physical therapy. D concerns blood pressure control rather than rehabilitation of movement.

Rule to remember: when a question asks about physical therapy after stroke, look for goals involving movement, walking, balance, and safer physical activity.

Example 2

Question: A stroke patient with dysphagia fails a bedside swallow screen. Which nutritional strategy is most appropriate for the short term?

1. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via central line
2. Nasogastric (NG) tube feeding
3. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement within 24 hours
4. Continue NPO status indefinitely

Answer: B. Nasogastric (NG) tube feeding

Explanation:

B is correct: nasogastric tube feeding is the short-term enteral nutrition option identified in this question. The important clues are the failed swallow screen and the need for short-term nutritional support. This is a nutrition-route question, rather than permission to resume oral intake.

A uses parenteral nutrition through a central line; the question gives no reason that an enteral route cannot be used. C proposes PEG placement within 24 hours, which does not match the short-term approach being tested. D leaves the patient's nutritional needs unresolved: withholding oral intake indefinitely is not a nutrition plan.

Rule to remember: distinguish protecting swallowing safety from providing nutrition; the patient still needs an appropriate nutritional route.

Example 3

Question: Why is monitoring of vital signs critical in hyperacute care?

1. To prevent patient discomfort
2. To monitor for complications and stabilize the patient
3. To determine when rehabilitation should begin
4. To prepare the patient for discharge

Answer: B. To monitor for complications and stabilize the patient

Explanation:

B is correct: monitoring vital signs helps detect complications and supports stabilization during hyperacute stroke care. Changes in blood pressure or breathing can signal a need for prompt assessment and intervention. Monitoring supplies information that guides care; it does not prevent complications by itself.

A focuses on discomfort, which does not explain the main purpose of monitoring in this phase. C concerns the start of rehabilitation, rather than immediate physiological stability. D concerns discharge preparation, which is also outside the priority described.

Rule to remember: match the purpose of an intervention to the phase of care. Hyperacute questions emphasize recognizing deterioration and supporting immediate stability.

How to use these practice tests

Begin with ABNN’s official SCRN content outline and candidate handbook. Use the outline to organize your review and the handbook to check eligibility, delivery, and exam rules. Keep the official content areas as your study headings; the additional topic labels on this page are practice categories.

Try the Start Practice Test set to identify questions you cannot explain clearly. For each missed or uncertain answer, record the clue you overlooked, why your choice did not fit, and what you need to review. Check clinical points against your study material before turning them into notes.

Then choose a matching topic set, such as SCRN Hyperacute Care or SCRN Post-acute Care. Explain your choice before reading the answer, then account for the alternatives. Return to questions after reviewing the underlying topic.

For Primary and Secondary Preventative Care, use the official outline to direct your reading because this page has no dedicated set for that area. Before test day, review your recurring errors and check the official instructions for your chosen delivery method. Treat these AI-written practice questions as study prompts, not real exam questions or a prediction of your result.

Sources & last verified

1. American Board of Neuroscience Nursing — number of questions, time limit (official source). “The SCRN exam is conducted in a computer-based testing facility and consists of 170 multiple-choice items with a total testing time of 3 hours. Twenty…” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
2. American Board of Neuroscience Nursing — exam fee, passing score, retake policy, validity (official source). “If paying by credit card: AANN Member: $300 Non-member: $400 If paying by check: AANN Member: (check payable to ABNN) $325 Non-member: (check payable to…” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
3. test-takers.psiexams.com — delivery (official source). “Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) Exam to verify knowledge needed for a Stroke Certified Registered Nurse Onsite (Test Center) Online Proctored (Live)” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
4. American Board of Neuroscience Nursing — eligibility (official source). “The candidate must have a minimum of at least one (1) year full-time (2,080 hours) of direct or indirect stroke nursing experience within the last…” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
5. American Board of Neuroscience Nursing — late registration deadline, other (official source). “Final Recertification by CE Deadline: January 31, 2027 No applications will be accepted after 5:00 PM (Central), January 31, 2027” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
6. American Board of Neuroscience Nursing — testing window (official source). “Exam Windows February 1-28, 2026 Register by January 8, 2026. May 1-31, 2026 Register by April 2, 2026. September 1-30, 2026 Register by August 6,…” Verified Oct 27, 2026.

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