CNA EXAM

thenameismac · Dec 3, 2010

I start a PCT program in January but I've picked up a ton of books from the library. It seems like a lot of common sense but a really good one to look at, in my opinion, is Exam Cram CNA since it always discusses the skills part as well as the written part. A lot of the books talk about just the written part. There are a few books out there that you can check out. I hope this helps.

Did you complete a program already and just waiting to take the exam?

AzDeb · Dec 4, 2010

The written exam had about 70 questions and it seems that a lot of them were on communication. There are several versions of the test and personally I thought it was harder than I anticipated it to be. I went with 3 other classmates and a couple of us got harder tests and the other two said theirs was really easy. You only have to pass with 75% though, so I think just about everyone passes. I thought it was hard and I ended up passing with 92%. Just study for it and you'll do fine. As for the skills portion, we had to do 5 skills in 35 minutes. One was hand washing and then the other 4 are random. I studied and practiced my skills prior to testing. In Arizona if you miss any bold steps it's an automatic fail, so I focused on those the most. I found it helped to verbalize what I was doing while performing my skills, that really helped. And of course it helps to have a test observer that makes you feel at ease and doesn't get you flustered! So good luck! :yeah:

Kfarmer · Dec 6, 2010

My program starts Jan 20... I have the Exam Cram book as well! I have not started looking at it as I am busy with Finals this week but as soon as I am done with my exams I am going to begin studying the skills (which is may main concern) A lot of the questions do seem like common sense.

Kfarmer · Dec 6, 2010

AzDeb,

thank you!! Skills is my main concern!

yousoldtheworld · Dec 6, 2010

Every state is going to be a bit different. In my experience, the written test was almost absurdly easy, I got 100 percent despite the fact that I didn't study, and I was done in just a few minutes. Much of it was just common sense.

The skills, however, were nervewracking. I hate doing things with people watching, it makes me nervous and flustered. I passed, but it was definitely more of a challenge than the written test. The hardest part is just remembering the steps, in order, while being watched. When you're studying your skills, say each step out loud. This will help you remember them, and when you take your test, actually say the steps out loud as you do them then, too.

You might feel stupid saying "Now I'm going to dress the affected side first..." etc. in front of the tester, but it really does keep your mind on track. As an added bonus, even if you make a physical flub (like I had the hardest time putting shoes on my test "resident" during the test), stating the step shows the tester that you DO know what you're doing.

Don't stress too much, you'll be fine. :)

Kfarmer · Dec 6, 2010

Okay. Thank you... I HATE doing stuff in front of an audience, or a single person at that point!!! I will definetly practice a lot.

Thanks :0)

thenameismac · Dec 6, 2010

For the exam, how is the physical part? Are there real patients or do you bring a volunteer? Are you in a real setting or do you have to make believe? I hope this isn't too confusing.