CNA Cheat Sheet.
The night-before summary, built like the exam.
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the numbers to know before exam dayFull write-up
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- Written test: 70 multiple-choice questions.
- Time limit: 90 minutes for the written portion.
- To pass: You must pass both the written (knowledge) test AND the skills evaluation — passing one alone is not enough.
Pacing Math (Written)
- 90 min ÷ 70 questions ≈ ~1.3 minutes (about 77 seconds) per question.
- Flag-and-return: never spend more than ~90 sec on any single item on the first pass.
Two-Part Structure — Must Remember
- The exam has two independent parts: a written/knowledge test and a hands-on skills assessment.
- Both are scored separately; a fail on either part means you retake that part.
- Study strategy: dedicate roughly equal prep to memorizing facts (for the written) and rehearsing physical skills to muscle memory (for the skills eval).
Skills-Eval Universals (apply to nearly every skill)
- Knock, greet the resident by name, and explain the procedure before starting.
- Wash hands at the start and end of the skill.
- Provide privacy (close door/curtain) and ensure resident comfort.
- Lock bed/wheelchair wheels; raise the bed to a safe working height, lower it when finished.
- Place the call light within reach before leaving.
- These "indirect care" steps are commonly the difference between pass and fail — do them on every skill.
Test-Day Reminders
- Bring valid ID; arrive early.
- Answer every written question — there is no penalty for guessing on multiple-choice items.
- For skills, perform steps in order and out loud where required; do not skip the safety/comfort steps.
Frequently asked questions
What should I memorize from this CNA cheat sheet?
Focus on the numbers and rules that show up constantly: normal vital-sign ranges, infection-control steps like handwashing duration and glove use, resident-rights basics, and safe transfer and positioning rules. These are the facts the written test rewards you for knowing cold. Skim everything, but drill the vitals and safety rules until they are automatic.
What are the most common traps on the CNA written test?
Watch for answer choices that skip a safety step, ignore resident dignity or privacy, or have you act outside a nursing assistant's scope of practice. Questions often include an option that is faster but unsafe, and another that sounds caring but violates a rule. When two answers seem right, pick the one that protects the resident's safety and rights first.
How should I use the cheat sheet the night before the exam?
Do one calm read-through of the whole sheet, then a second pass only on items you hesitate over. Don't try to learn new material the night before; the sheet works best as a refresher of what you already studied. Get a full night's sleep, since you will need steady focus for 70 questions in 90 minutes plus the skills evaluation.
Is the cheat sheet enough to pass the CNA exam on its own?
No, treat it as a summary layer on top of full preparation, not a replacement. You still need practice questions to test recall under exam conditions and hands-on rehearsal for the skills evaluation, since you must pass both parts to be certified. Use the cheat sheet for quick review between practice sessions and as your final pre-exam refresher.
Can I bring the cheat sheet into the CNA testing room?
No. Testing sites do not allow notes, study aids, or personal papers in the exam room, so the cheat sheet is strictly a study tool. Review it before you arrive, then leave it in your car or bag. Check your state's NNAAP candidate handbook for the full list of what you may and may not bring on test day.
Sources
- 1.NNAAP Nurse Aide Exam — NCSBN / Credentia (accessed Jul 6, 2026)
- 2.About the NCLEX — NCSBN
- 3.NCLEX Statistics & Publications — NCSBN
- 4.NCLEX Scheduling (Pearson VUE) — Pearson VUE
Official sources
Primary documents used to verify the exam details shown on this page.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 — Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsbls.goveffective May 31, 2025
- 42 CFR 483.154 — Nurse Aide Competency EvaluationU.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo)govinfo.gov
- 42 CFR 483.152 — Requirements for Approval of a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation ProgramU.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo)govinfo.gov
- Credentia NNAAP Nurse Aide TestingCredentiacredentia.com
- NNAAP Nurse Aide ExamNCSBN / Credentiancsbn.org
- 42 CFR 483.156 — Registry of Nurse AidesU.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo)govinfo.gov
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 — Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), national employmentU.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsbls.goveffective May 31, 2025
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