CNA exam cram sheet: most important topics?

Infection control, safety and emergencies, residents' rights, the aide's role and reporting, and basic vital signs.

Last minute CNA exam tips the night before?

Confirm your ID and arrival time, review only missed questions, pack your documents and sleep.

How many practice tests should I take the week before the CNA exam?

One or two full-length timed tests plus short topic drills is enough; review every miss instead of taking more tests.

My CNA exam is in 3 days. What should I focus on?

Updated November 12, 2026 · Reviewed against official sources

With 3 days left, do not learn new material: take one practice test to find your two weakest topics, drill those with explanations, and run every skill out loud with the same opening and closing steps. The night before, review only the questions you missed and sleep.

3-day plan
Day	Written test	Skills test
Day 3 before	One full practice test; list your 2 weakest topics	Run your opening and closing routine 10 times
Day 2 before	Drill weakest topics in instant-feedback mode	Practice the measurement skills (pulse, respirations, BP, output)
Day before	Review missed questions only, no new tests late at night	Walk through each skill in your head; pack ID and documents
Exam day	Read every word; flag and return to hard questions	Hand hygiene first and last; call light in reach

Highest-yield written topics

Infection control: hand hygiene, PPE order, standard precautions.
Safety: fall prevention, call light, bed low, wheel locks, fire response, choking.
Residents' rights: privacy, dignity, right to refuse, reporting abuse and neglect.
Role and responsibility: what is within the aide's scope and when to report to the nurse.
Vital signs basics and recording what you observe.

Skills steps you cannot miss

Hand hygiene at the start and end.
Knock, introduce yourself, identify the resident, explain, provide privacy.
Safety before any movement: lock wheels, bed height, gait belt, non-skid footwear.
End every skill with bed low, call light within reach, and hand hygiene.

The night before

Check your admission letter or portal for arrival time, location and required ID.
Lay out comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes per your handbook.
Do not take a full new test at night; it only adds stress.
Sleep. Recall is better rested than crammed.

Quick answers

My CNA exam is in 3 days, what should I focus on?: Your two weakest written topics (found with one practice test) and the opening, safety and closing steps of every skill.
CNA exam cram sheet: most important topics?: Infection control, safety and emergencies, residents' rights, the aide's role and reporting, and basic vital signs.
Last minute CNA exam tips the night before?: Confirm your ID and arrival time, review only missed questions, pack your documents and sleep.
How many practice tests should I take the week before the CNA exam?: One or two full-length timed tests plus short topic drills is enough; review every miss instead of taking more tests.

What to do next

Find your two weakest topics right now with the free 20-question test, then drill them by topic.

Find my weak topics

Related guides

Sources

Checked: November 12, 2026. Rules, fees and vendors change — always confirm with your state's official page and candidate handbook.