Free guide
Your 30-Day Study Plan for the CNA Exam
A day-by-day plan to walk into your exam prepared, without feeling overwhelmed or lost on where to start.
Optional — the full plan is already below, no email required.
Week 1 (Days 1-7) — Fundamentals and vocabulary
Get to know the exam and start with the basics.
- Day 1: create your free CNA Estudio account and take the 5-question diagnostic.
- Days 2-3: review 10-15 clinical terms a day (see the Vocabulary section under Resources).
- Days 4-5: read about what a CNA is and your scope of practice — what you can and can't do.
- Day 6: practice 15 physical-care questions.
- Day 7: rest, or only review what tripped you up this week.
Week 2 (Days 8-14) — Practice by category
Cover the three areas on the written exam.
- Days 8-10: 15-20 physical-care questions a day.
- Days 11-12: 15-20 psychosocial-care questions a day.
- Days 13-14: 15-20 questions a day on the CNA's role.
- Track (in a notebook or your progress dashboard) the 3 categories you miss the most.
Week 3 (Days 15-21) — Clinical skills
Learn and practice the skills that come up on the practical exam.
- Learn 3-4 new skills a day until you've covered all 25.
- Practice each skill out loud, narrating every step just like you will on exam day.
- Repeat the ones you struggle with the next day before moving to new skills.
- Want a guide to practice them at home without clinical equipment? See the Skills Guide below.
Week 4 (Days 22-30) — Mock exam and final review
Walk in with confidence, not last-minute new information.
- Days 22-24: take a full timed mock exam and calmly review every mistake.
- Days 25-27: review only your weak areas based on your progress tracking.
- Days 28-29: light review — no new content, just repeating what you already know.
- Day 30: sleep well the night before and get your ID, registration confirmation, and comfortable clothes ready.
This content is practice and review material for your exam — it does not replace your state-approved training hours or the supervision of a certified instructor.
Ready to start Day 1?
Practice for free with 5 questions and 2 skills inside CNA Estudio.
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