This free CNA cheat sheet distills the nurse aide certification exam into a single, printable page of the facts and skill steps candidates miss most. The CNA exam pairs a written (or oral) knowledge test with a hands-on skills evaluation, so this sheet covers both. Download it above, then reinforce the concepts with the rest of your free CNA toolkit — the practice test, study guide, and flashcards. It's a review aid, so use it to cram the last 48 hours.
CNA exam at a glance
- Format: Written/oral knowledge test + hands-on skills evaluation
- Skills: 5 randomly selected skills (hand hygiene is nearly always one)
- Passing: Varies by state (both parts must be passed)
- Attempts: Usually up to 3 within a set window
What’s on the cheat sheet
- Physical Care Skills — activities of daily living, basic nursing skills, restorative care, and taking accurate vital signs.
- Psychosocial Care Skills — emotional and mental health needs plus spiritual and cultural sensitivity for residents.
- Role of the Nurse Aide — communication, resident rights, legal and ethical behavior, and being a member of the care team.
- Hands-On Skills Evaluation — the checklist steps — indirect care (hand washing, privacy, safety) count on every skill you perform.
The cheat sheet is your review layer — your CNA practice test drives the exam-readiness ring at the top of this page. Download it, review, then take a full practice exam (or drill with the study guide and flashcards) to see where you stand.
- 1.Credentia. “Nurse Aide Certification Exam (NNAAP / state candidate handbook).” Credentia, 2026. ↑
- 2.CMS. “Nurse Aide Training & Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) Requirements.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (cms.gov), 2026. ↑
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