CNA Exam Prep Guide

The exam has two parts

The California state CNA certification exam (administered by the state's testing partner) has a written/oral portion and a hands-on skills portion. Both must be passed to be certified.

Part 1: The written exam

Typically 60 multiple-choice questions. You'll have ~90 minutes. You need to score about 70% to pass. Available in English and Spanish, with an audio option for test-takers who prefer it.

What's covered (and roughly what % of questions)

• Role of the CNA, communication, resident rights (~15%)
• Promotion of safety / infection control (~15%)
• Promotion of function and health (~10%)
• Basic nursing skills, vital signs (~25%)
• Personal care skills (~15%)
• Mental health and social service needs (~5%)
• Care of the cognitively impaired (~10%)
• Basic restorative services (~5%)

Part 2: The skills exam

You'll demonstrate 5 randomly selected skills in front of a state evaluator. One is always hand-washing. The other four are drawn from a list of ~20 possible skills.

The 5 skills you'll demonstrate (with one always being hand-washing)

• Hand-washing (always tested)
• Measuring and recording vital signs (BP, pulse, respirations, temperature)
• Transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair
• Providing perineal care
• Catheter care
• Range-of-motion exercises
• Feeding a resident
• Making an occupied bed
• Dressing a resident with a weak arm
• Ambulating a resident with a gait belt
• ...and others

The 7 most common reasons people fail

1. Skipping hand-washing or PPE. If you forget gloves at the wrong moment, you fail that skill.
2. Not explaining what you're doing to the patient. Communication is graded throughout.
3. Not protecting patient privacy. Closing the curtain, draping properly, etc.
4. Rushing the steps. Calm and methodical beats fast.
5. Not asking the patient about pain or comfort. A small detail that's always graded.
6. Forgetting to return the bed to its lowest position or place the call light within reach.
7. Test anxiety. Train under pressure so test day feels familiar.

The 14-day prep plan

1. Days 1–3: Read through your program's textbook chapters on each skill. Make flashcards for vital sign ranges.
2. Days 4–7: Practice each skill out loud with a study partner. Talk through every step.
3. Days 8–10: Take practice written tests. Score yourself.
4. Days 11–13: Simulate full skills demonstrations under time pressure.
5. Day 14: Rest. Pack what you need. Sleep well. Show up early.

How CNA Pathways prepares students for the exam

Our 5-week program is built around the same skills the California CNA exam tests. Theory days cover the written material; clinical days cover the hands-on skills. Students practice each skill multiple times before exam day. See the full program details.