THE WRITTEN TEST
If your state uses Promissor as their C.N.A. testing agency (see the bottom of our "home" page to see which states
use Promissor testing agency) then you can go to promissor.com
and take a free practice
test.
If you need a copy of the skills you must know for the test you can find it on Promissor's
web site. When you get to the site click on "nurse aide" when you are on that page find your state on the drop down menu
and click. Find " Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook" and click. Near the end of the handbook will be all the skills.
The practice test is 60 multiple-choice questions. Of course none of the questions that are on the
practice test will be on your real test BUT the questions on the practice test are the same TYPE of questions and the same
LEAVE of difficulty that you will have on your state test. How you do on the practice test will give you a good indication
on how you will do on your state test and how much more you need to study before your state test.
You have 2 hours (in most states) to complete the written part of the test. This is more then enough
time so take your time, read the questions carefully. Most mistakes are from reading to fast. Remember, if you are not sure
of an answer your FIRST choice of an answer is usually your best choice, DON"T go back and change it UNLESS you are SURE you
were wrong the first time. After you are done with your written test you can hand it in and leave.
You can take the written test orally. You have to make that choice on the application you sent
into your test agency. If you did not make that choice and want to take the written test orally call your test agency and
talk to them. If you are taking it orally they will give you a tape recorder and headphones, that is how they administer an
orally test. If you don't know if you would do better orally or by reading the quiestions yourself, practice at home. Take
a practice test (we have some you can buy below) and do it by reading and answering the questions. Then take a test by having
someone read the questions and answers to you. Grade them both and see which test you did better on.
THE SKILLS TEST
For your skills test you will be asked to perform 5 skills in a closed room with only the Evaluator and someone
in the bed playing your client. The first skill for everyone is Handwashing so practice that skill well because you know you
will be performing it. The next 4 skills are picked at random from your skills handbook. Those 4 skills can be ANY 4 of the
20+ skills in your handbook so you must study all of them. Studying the skills or watching someone else perform the
skills WILL NOT be enough for you to pass the skills part of your state test. YOU MUST practice the skills
for yourself. Performing the skills over and over will help you feel confident in performing them in front of the
Evaluator on test day. Even if you do not have anyone willing to play the part of your client in bed you can use a doll or
even a pillow and still go through all the steps of each skill.
Before you begin your skills test the Evaluator (remember he or she is a RN so act professionally) will show you
where everything is that you will need to perform your skills. She will show you how to use any equipment, such as the bed
controls. Everything you need to perform your skills will be in the room. When the Evaluator is done showing you around she
will ask if you have any questions. You must ask any questions BEFORE the test begins. The Evaluator will NOT answer any questions
after the test begins. You have 25 minutes (in most states, check your handbook to be sure it is the same in your state) to
complete the 5 skills. The Evaluator will give you a written list of the skills that you can refer to after you finish each
skill. If you make a mistake in a skill tell the Evaluator " I made a mistake" she will ask you what the mistake was.
Ask her if she wants you to continue with your skill on the step you are on OR if she wants you to go back to the step you
made the mistake on and go from there. This is the ONLY time she can talk to you and answer that question. If you make another
mistake after that just keep on going. You can only correct ONE mistake in each skill. Remember, you do not have to perform
all the skills perfectly to pass. You can make some mistakes and still pass your test. What kind of mistakes and how many
no one knows.
SKILLS TEST TIPS
- Wear scrubs to your test. You will look more professional.
- If you have long hair TIE IT BACK. It is easy for long hair to get in you way while you perform your skills.
- Take off rings (wedding rings are OK) and long earrings or large hoop earrings and bracelets. All these things
could get in your way.
- If you have long acrylic nails you need to take them off for test day. Some Evaluators will not let you test with
long nails. Long nails can scratch clients.
- As you practice your skills for your test any questions that come to your mind, write them down. The Evaluator
will answer any question you have BEFORE the skills test begins.
- You can do more steps in a skill then are in the skills handbook, example: some skills require that you provide
privacy for your client, some skills do not. I don't want to have to remember which skills need privacy and which do not SO
I will just provide privacy in EACH skill. I will not be counted off for doing MORE. I will only get counted off if I FORGET
a step in a skill. You can do the same with putting on gloves. If you think you might forget to put on gloves in a skill that
requires them then just put on gloves for every skill (except "feeding a client" no one wants to be helped to eat with someone
wearing gloves).
- Be on time for your test, if you are late you loose your test time and money.
HEADMASTER TESTING AGENCY
The web site for Headmaster is hdmaster.com. The states that use Headmaster are listed on
our web page "Headmaster". On their web site there is a practice test BUT they make you pay for it. I would use the practice
test on Promissor's web site. The questions on Headmaster's state test will be very similar to the Promissor practice test
and it is FREE. Headmaster gives it's test candidates 35 minuets to complete the 5 skills that are picked at random. It may
be different in your state so double check. Headmaster's phone # 1-800-3693-8664. Most of the information on the test above
also applies to Headmaster. One thing they do differently, they do not give you a written list of the 5 skills you will
perform on your test. They will tell them all to you before you begin your test. As you complete a skill you CAN ask the evaluator
what the next skill is.
****NEW ****
THREE WRITTEN PRACTICE TESTS
The practice tests are made up of 70 multiple choice questions. These tests come from the NNAAP (National
Nurse Aide Assessment Program) who are the ones that provide the test questions that all nurse aide testing agencies use.
NONE of the questions you will receive will be on your actual state test. These questions are EXAMPLES
of the type of questions and the level of difficulty of the questions on your state test.
You will receive 3 seperate tests,70 questions on each test, with the answer sheet + an explanation
on why the answer is correct.
Test question example:
A example of a special device to help prevent contractures is a (an):
A. handroll
B. doppler
C. air mattress
D. manometer
Answer: A handroll is placed in the palm of the hand to prevent the hand and fingers from contracting in the flexed
position.
These tests will give you ample opportunity to test your knowledge and help you see how prepared you
are for your state test.
PROVE TO YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE READY FOR YOUR NURSE AIDE WRITTEN
TEST.
WE WILL ALSO INCLUDE FREE :
COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS and THERMOMETER READING TEST and READING AN ANEROID SPHYGMOMANOMETER
Three Practice Tests, 70 questions on each test, with answer sheet Plus the Common
Abbreviations and the Thermometer and Aneroid Sphygmomanometer Resding Tests: $15.00
There is no refunds on the practice tests.
Abbreviation Example: NPO-nothing by mouth. qhs-every hour of sleep. We will include 81 more common
medical abbreviations
You will use medical abbreviations when you chart for your clients and you will need to know them
to understand what other staff members have written about your client. Medical Abbreviations are like short hand. They are
used throughout the medical community.
