Review Skills & Vocabulary Words
- Review your skills checklist, vocabulary words, and Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook.
- Practice taking pulses on individuals of varying ages. This skill is often difficult for students to master because pulses vary depending on the individual.
- For each skill, write down all of the supplies you need to complete that task. Study this list often.
- Make flash cards for all vocabulary words and medical abbreviations, and review them using Quizlet
Visualization & Vocalization
This exercise will help you internalize the skills you’ve learned in class by visualizing your task and then saying the steps you are taking to accomplish that task.
1. Close your eyes.
2. Imagine yourself performing a required task on a resident. Examples could include feeding, cleaning, etc.
3. As you imagining yourself performing the task, describe the steps you are taking out loud.
4. Repeat for all of your skills.
Take a Practice Exam
Taking a practice CNA exam can help you prepare for some of the items you’ll be tested on. There are several online resources that allow you to take a practice exam, as well as help you understand any questions or skills you may have gotten wrong. Here are a few sites you can use:
- Free CNA Practice Tests provided by Test-Guide
- PracticeCNATest.com Exam
- All Healthcare Careers Free Online Practice Exam
- Headmaster LLP, Wisconsin’s CNA testing agency, offers a practice test for $8.95. When selecting your practice exam, be sure to use the “Which Test?” dropdown menu to choose Wisconsin.
Plan Out Your Exam Day
As you prepare for your exam, make a schedule of your activities for the day of the exam, as well as the day before. Try to set aside plenty of time for each activity so that you can thoroughly complete everything you need to do leading up to the exam. Here are some ideas for items to incorporate into your schedule:
Day Before:
- Make sure you know how to get to your exam site.
- Study your CNA Handbook, especially the sections where you feel you need the most review.
- Make sure your TMU username and password are working properly.
- Use the Visualization and Vocalization technique to review each of your skills.
- Go to sleep early enough to give yourself a full eight hours of rest.
Day of:
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Make sure you bring your state ID and wear your scrubs.
- Review the dress code on page 23 of the Headmaster Handbook. Make sure to dress appropriately according to these guidelines.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your exam time.Do not bring your cell phone or other electronic devices in with you for the test. They are not allowed to be on your person as you are testing.
- Plan on being at the test site for at least 4 hours.
CNA Testing Resources
- Check out the Wisconsin CNA Handbook and Testing Standards.
- Wisconsin Nurse Aide Training and Registry Information
- Learn more about Headmaster LLP, Wisconsin’s CNA testing agency, and their skills test checklist.
- Headmaster ADA Accommodations Request