Yes, you can miss some questions and still pass the CNA written exam.
The exact number depends on your state, testing provider, passing score, and how many questions are scored. Many NNAAP/Credentia exams have 70 total questions, but only 60 are scored.
If your state requires 70%–80% to pass, you may be able to miss about 12–18 scored questions. Always check your official CNA candidate handbook for your exact requirements.
CNA Written Exam Overview
What is the CNA Written Exam?
The CNA written exam is a knowledge-based test that checks whether you understand the basic responsibilities of a nursing assistant. It usually covers safety, infection control, communication, resident rights, personal care, basic nursing skills, and legal/ethical responsibilities. The exact number of questions, time limit, and passing score can vary by state and testing provider.
Exam Structure
While the CNA written exam is similar across the country, the exact setup can vary slightly depending on your state or testing provider.
Here’s the general format most candidates can expect:
|
Exam feature |
What to expect |
|
Number of questions |
Usually 60–70, depending on the state and testing provider |
|
Scored questions |
Some exams include unscored pretest questions |
|
Question type |
Multiple-choice |
|
Time limit |
Often 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the vendor |
|
Format |
Usually computer-based; some states may offer paper or oral options |
|
Topics covered |
Safety, infection control, resident rights, communication, basic nursing care, and personal care |
|
Passing score |
Usually, percentage-based and set by the state or testing provider |
Why Some CNA Questions May Not Count
Some CNA written exams include unscored pretest questions. These questions appear on the exam like regular questions, but they do not affect your final score.
For example, some NNAAP/Credentia exams include 70 total questions, but only 60 questions are scored. The remaining 10 questions are pretest questions used to evaluate future exam content.
This means your passing score may be based on the number of scored questions, not the total number of questions you answer. Since you will not know which questions are unscored, you should treat every question as if it counts.
Passing Score
Your CNA written exam passing score depends on your state and testing provider. In most cases, you need around 70% or higher to pass. However, your score may be based only on the number of scored questions, not the total number of questions you see on the exam.
For example, some NNAAP/Credentia exams include 70 total questions, but only 60 are scored. The remaining 10 are pretest questions and do not affect your final score.
Maximum Questions Missed on the CNA Written Exam, Calculated
|
Note: This calculation explains “what score do you need to pass the CNA exam” in plain numbers. |
The number of questions you can miss depends on two things:
To calculate how many questions you can miss, you need two numbers:
- The number of scored questions on your exam
- The passing percentage required by your state
Step 1: Convert the passing score to a decimal
For example, 75% becomes 0.75.
Step 2: Multiply the number of scored questions by the passing percentage
If your exam has 60 scored questions and your state requires 75%, multiply:
60 × 0.75 = 45
This means you need at least 45 correct answers to pass.
Step 3: Subtract from the number of scored questions
60 − 45 = 15
So, on a 60-question exam with a 75% passing score, you can miss up to 15 scored questions and still pass.
Want to test yourself right now?
How Many Questions Can You Miss?
|
Scored questions |
Passing score |
Questions needed correct |
Questions you can miss |
|
60 |
70% |
42 |
18 |
|
60 |
75% |
45 |
15 |
|
60 |
80% |
48 |
12 |
|
70 |
70% |
49 |
21 |
|
70 |
75% |
53 |
17 |
|
70 |
80% |
56 |
14 |
|
100 |
70% |
70 |
30 |
|
100 |
75% |
75 |
25 |
|
100 |
80% |
80 |
20 |
Note: If your exam includes unscored pretest questions, your final score may be based only on the scored questions, not the total number of questions you answer.
State-by-State CNA Exam Passing Score Chart
|
State |
Written Exam Passing Score |
Total No. Of. Questions |
Official Scoring Link |
|
California |
70% minimum on both written and skills tests |
||
|
Georgia |
N/A |
||
|
Indiana |
80% (80 of 100 questions correct) |
||
|
Kansas |
75% or higher (100 multiple-choice) |
||
|
Massachusetts |
76% (knowledge test) |
60 scored + 10 pretest | |
|
Missouri |
80% (knowledge test) |
||
|
Ohio |
70% (knowledge test) |
||
|
Utah |
75% (57 out of 75) |
Tips to Ace the CNA Written Exam
Now that you know how CNA written exam scoring works, the next step is to prepare in a focused way. Use these tips to study smarter and improve your chances of passing.
Study the highest-weight exam topics first
Start with the topics that commonly appear on CNA written exams. These often include:
- Activities of daily living
- Safety and emergency procedures
- Infection control
- Communication
- Resident rights
- Legal and ethical behavior
- Basic nursing skills
- Personal care
These areas are important because they reflect the day-to-day responsibilities of a nursing assistant and are commonly tested across CNA exams. Using reliable study guides can help you review these topics in a more organized way and focus on the areas most likely to appear on the test.
Practice with timed tests
Do not just answer practice questions casually. Take timed practice tests using the time limit for your state or testing provider. Some CNA exams allow around 90 minutes, while some Credentia/NNAAP exams allow up to 2 hours.
Timed practice helps you build speed, reduce stress, and learn how long to spend on each question.
Review rationales, not just answers
When you take practice questions, do not only check whether you got the answer right. Read the explanation for each answer. This helps you understand CNA exam logic, especially for questions asking for the “first,” “best,” or “most important” action.
Reviewing rationales also helps you avoid repeating the same mistakes on exam day.
Read each question carefully
CNA exam questions often test judgment, not just memory. Pay close attention to words like first, best, most appropriate, least appropriate, and priority. These words can change what the question is really asking.
Take your time, understand the situation, and then choose the safest and most patient-centered answer.
Eliminate clearly wrong choices
If you are unsure of an answer, remove the choices that are obviously incorrect first. This improves your chances of choosing the right answer and helps you stay calm when a question feels difficult.
Manage test anxiety before exam day
Feeling nervous is normal, but preparation can reduce anxiety. Sleep well the night before, eat a balanced meal, arrive early, and use slow breathing if you start to feel overwhelmed.
If one question feels hard, do not panic. Move on, answer the questions you know, and return to the difficult ones later if your exam allows it.
Ready to take action?
Ready for Your CNA Exam?
You do not need a perfect score to pass the CNA written exam. In many cases, you can miss several questions and still pass, but the exact number depends on your state, testing provider, passing score, and whether your exam includes unscored pretest questions.
Before exam day, check your official candidate handbook, calculate your target score, and take timed practice tests until you are consistently scoring above your required passing range.
FAQs on the CNA Written Exam
The passing score is usually set by your state or testing provider. Many states require around 70% or higher, but some require 75% or 80%.
The CNA written exam often has 60–70 questions, depending on your state and testing provider. Current NNAAP/Credentia written exams have 70 multiple-choice questions, including 60 scored questions and 10 unscored pretest questions.
Yes. You can miss some questions and still pass as long as your score meets your state’s passing requirement. For example, if your exam has 60 scored questions and the passing score is 75%, you need 45 correct answers and can miss 15 scored questions.
The CNA written exam covers a wide range of topics related to patient care, safety, infection control, and ethical considerations.
To prepare for the CNA written exam, study diligently, practice with sample questions, manage test anxiety, and read questions carefully during the exam.
No. CNA exam scores do not transfer between states. If you move, you usually need to apply for reciprocity with the new state’s nursing board. Some states may require you to retake the exam.
Most states allow you to retake the CNA exam up to three times within a set period (often two years after finishing training). The exact number of attempts depends on state rules.
If you fail the CNA exam three times, most states require you to complete CNA training again before reapplying for the exam. Rules can vary, so always check with your state’s registry.
Not always. Some exams include unscored pretest questions. For example, current NNAAP/Credentia written exams include 70 total questions, but 10 are pretest questions that do not count toward your score.
No. CNA exam rules vary by state and testing provider. The number of questions, time limit, passing score, retake rules, and exam vendor may differ.
The written exam uses multiple-choice questions. The oral exam is usually offered for candidates who prefer or need the test read aloud. Some oral exams may include reading comprehension questions.
Yes. In most states, you must pass both the written and oral knowledge exam and the hands-on skills exam to become certified.
