Wait for your testing notice to be delivered to your mailing address. The testing notice will notify you when and where you shall appear for your exam.
Practice for the hands-on exam, where you will be given approximately five randomly selected skills that all CNAs must master. To prepare, practice taking blood pressures, temperatures, making beds (with and without people in them) and dressing people (this is where family members come in handy).
Take pencils with you to your exam appointment, but be prepared to leave purses or other personal belongings behind. For this reason, it's best to go to your exam only with your ID, pencils and a watch with a second hand (you may be asked to take blood pressure or respiration).
Take the written exam first (generally). In most cases, you will be asked to answer roughly 100 multiple choice questions. This portion of the test takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the speed with which you get through the questions. When you're finished, you must remain seated, test paper face-down on the desk. The instructor will collect all exams when they are completed. Then, one at a time, students will be called in to perform the hands-on nursing skills test. You won't know what skills you will be tested on until you are handed the piece of paper with them printed on it.
Remember to follow rules regarding hand washing and introducing yourself to your "patient." Communication between caregiver and patient is vital, so don't leave this important part of the exam out.
Perform your skills to the best of your ability. If you know you've made a mistake or forgotten an important step, say, "Stop! I want to do that over." You may do so as long as you stop the process before your skill has ended.