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Apprehensive about taking your certification?  You are not alone!  Very few people actually like taking tests.  Even fewer people like preparing for tests but with a few simple tips to remember, getting ready for your CNA practice test or exam can go a little smoother than you may have expected.

1. Make a schedule for yourself.  You probably don’t have entire days that you can devote to studying and that’s fine.  As long as you take time out of your day to study, you should be fine.  Of course, your schedule should also include eating, sleeping, and possibly some time with friends and family.
2. Write up flashcards.  Flashcards are a great tool that you can carry with you anywhere.  If you have a couple minutes to spare while riding the bus, pull out your flashcards and go over important information.
3. Create a mnemonic device.  A mnemonic device is a way to easily memorize information by applying that information to something else.  For example, a mnemonic device for remembering the Great Lakes is to remember the word HOMES, as in Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.  Use that idea to create your own.
4. Have friends and family test you.  Give your test material to people you know and have them quiz you on it.  It’s always helpful to interact with others and this is a great way to be with people you love while still studying.
5. Don’t procrastinate.  If you have studying to do, don’t put it off until the next day because, eventually, the next day will be the test day and by then it will be too late.  Study a bit everyday to get yourself prepared but not overwhelmed.
6. Have a reward in mind.  Tasks become easier when you know you are working toward something.  Tell yourself that if you pass the test, you will reward yourself with an ice cream cone or, if you have kids, a night alone!
7. Make vocabulary sheets.  Being familiar with the language of a test will always help you.  If you’re comfortable with the vocabulary of the subject, you’ll be more comfortable with the subject.
8. Don’t cram the day before your test.  Studying should not last only one night.  To really retain the information, you’ll need to work a bit everyday.  Cramming the night before might not even be enough to get you through the actual test.
9. Use your common sense.  If a question seems ridiculously hard, go back and reread it; maybe you missed a key word the first time through.  Before you answer, make sure what you put makes sense logically.

While taking a test is rarely easy, we hope this quick guide gives you some useful tips for taking your Certified Nurses Assistant exam.  If you have any more tips that help you in test taking, let us know!