The Best Test Taking Tips for the Certified Nursing Exam

Here are our latest tips for taking the CNA exam. If you have anything to add that has helped you pass the CNA exam, please let us know in the comments and we may add them with your recognition. The CNA exam isn’t too difficult, but definitely not easy.

Study Tip #1 – Pace Yourself!

Time is your greatest enemy. Wear a watch. Not only so you can keep up with the time on your
test, but also for the skills portion of the test. Many people forget their watch and when your
vital sign portion of the skills test comes up, you will be lost and FAIL. After answering a few
questions on the written exam, check your watch to make sure you’re on time.

Study Tip #2 – Create Flashcards Online!

To help you study, you can visit a website to create your very own flashcards with your own
questions and own answers.
Here, you can create and print your own flashcards. Much cheaper than buying and spending
time to write them all out.

http://www.kitzkikz.com/flashcards/
https://quizlet.com/
http://www.cram.com/

A little secret about these last two is you can search what flashcards others are making. This is a
very nice tool.

Study Tip #3 – Guess Only If Time Is Running Out!

The test questions on the CNA exam can be tricky. If you finish the test, and come back to the
answers you didn’t know the first time, try and go with your first answer that you thought of
after reading the question. Research shows that your first ‘guess’ is usually right. Go with your
gut.
Process of elimination is probably the best way to answer a question that you are not 100% sure
of. Usually on state exams, there are two obviously wrong, 1 close to the right answer, and 1
correct answer. Eliminate the two obvious ones first. Then answer from the other two. Your
chance goes from a 25% chance to get it right, to a 50% chance.

Secret Tip #4 – Practice, Practice, Practice

Make sure that you know the answers to the harder questions. Study those first. Here is a little
tip as well. Make flashcards with the questions we provided in your booklet.

1. Make flash cards from the questions we gave you in the booklet.
2. Take the practice test over and over.
3. Study how the questions are laid out. There is a certain format the states use for exams. You
should be able to notice how their questions are. This may help.
4. Find online practice exams. Even if they are only 5 or 10 questions.
5. Time yourself taking practice exams.

The CNA Exam Killer!

When reading each question, make sure to follow the instructions. Sometimes they will put
“Which is not the right answer”. Many seem to never read the end, and go straight for the
logical answer in order to save time. This will FAIL you. Read the entire question.
If you pass one portion of the exam (Either skills or written) you can take the failed portion
again. If you fail both, you will have to retrain. If you fail one area 3 times, you will have to
retrain. So MAKE THIS COUNT!

Finally, study abbreviations for CNA’s. This will help. Some of our questions in your
booklet will have some such as q2h, (every 2 hours) This make for very good flashcards to study
with someone.