CNA Exam Guide · 2026
Excel Testing CNA Practice Test 2026: New Hampshire & Vermont Guide
The Excel Testing CNA exam is administered by Excel Testing Systems in just two US states: New Hampshire and Vermont. With 80 multiple-choice questions and a 5-skill clinical evaluation, it's the longest of the smaller-vendor written exams. Use this guide to understand the format, prepare for the exam, and pass on your first try.
Official vendor portal
Register for the Excel Testing CNA Exam exam through Excel.
States using this exam
2
Questions
80
Time limit
90 min
Passing score
70-75%
Exam fee
$100
Retake limit
3 attempts in 24 months
What is the Excel Testing CNA Exam?
The Excel Testing CNA exam is administered by Excel Testing Systems, a regional testing company that serves New Hampshire and Vermont exclusively for nurse aide certification. While Excel is the second-smallest CNA vendor by state count (2 states), it follows the same content blueprint and skills framework as the larger vendors. The 80-question written exam is the longest of the smaller-vendor exams (more than NNAAP's 70, Prometric's 60-70, Headmaster's 60-75, Credentia's 70, and PHD's 75), which means time management is more critical for Excel candidates. For candidates in New Hampshire and Vermont, Excel is the only path to nurse aide certification.
Excel Testing CNA Exam format: written and skills
Written component
80 multiple-choice questions. Delivered by computer at regional testing sites or on paper at some sites. You have 90 minutes — that's about 67 seconds per question.
Skills component
5 randomly assigned clinical skills. Hand Hygiene and Indirect Care are always tested. The remaining 3 are drawn from a pool of 22 Excel-approved procedures.
Total exam duration: 90 minutes written + approximately 30-45 minutes for the skills evaluation.
What's tested on the Excel Testing CNA Exam: content area weights
The Excel Testing CNA Exam written exam draws questions from 5 content areas. Below is the percentage of questions that fall into each area on a typical state exam.
Which states use the Excel Testing CNA Exam?
2 US states currently use Excel Testing CNA Exam for nurse aide certification.
| State | Questions | Exam fee |
|---|---|---|
| NHNew Hampshire | 80 | $100 |
| VTVermont | 80 | $100 |
How to apply for the Excel Testing CNA Exam
- 1
Complete a New Hampshire or Vermont-approved CNA training program
Federal minimum is 75 training hours including 16 clinical hours. New Hampshire and Vermont have additional state-specific requirements — check your state's board of nursing for the latest.
- 2
Apply through Excel Testing Systems
Submit your application through Excel Testing's website. Your training program will typically submit your eligibility after graduation.
Open the vendor site - 3
Schedule your exam
After your application is approved, schedule at an Excel testing site in New Hampshire or Vermont. Plan for travel — both states have rural testing sites that may require driving.
- 4
Pass the exam
Plan for 3-4 hours total at the testing site. The 80-question written exam is the longest of the smaller-vendor exams — practice pacing.
Excel Testing CNA Exam exam day: what to bring and expect
- Bring: Two forms of government-issued ID, your Excel scheduling confirmation, and your program-completion form.
- Dress code: Scrubs or casual professional attire, closed-toe non-slip shoes, hair tied back.
- Arrival time: 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Weather in New Hampshire and Vermont can affect travel — check forecasts the day before.
- Testing site: Excel partners with regional sites in NH and VT — typically community colleges, vocational schools, and dedicated testing centers.
- Results: Written exam results are typically available the same day; skills results within 10 business days.
Excel Testing CNA Exam pass rates and difficulty
Excel Testing Systems does not publish first-attempt pass rates publicly, but New Hampshire and Vermont pass rates align with national averages in the 75-85% range. The 80-question format creates a time-pressure dynamic that doesn't exist on shorter exams — candidates who run out of time typically spend too long on the first 20 questions. Practice pacing with timed practice tests before exam day.
Excel Testing CNA Exam cost and fees
- Written exam$50
- Skills exam$50
- Combined written + skills$100
- Retake fee$50 per component
- Training program (separate)$500-$2,000 at a regional community college or vocational school
How is the Excel Testing CNA Exam graded?
Excel Testing uses the same NNAAP-aligned two-part scoring system. The computer-based written exam is scored immediately when you click submit, with results posted to your online account within minutes. The minimum passing score for the written portion is 70% (or as specified by your state's nurse aide registry — most states use 70%, New Hampshire and Vermont both follow the standard). The clinical skills portion is graded by a Registered Nurse evaluator against a critical-step rubric. To pass the skills portion, every critical step must be performed correctly on every skill — no partial credit. Excel posts your official score report to your online account within 10 business days. The report breaks down your written exam score by content area and shows pass/fail for each of the 5 clinical skills. New Hampshire and Vermont both allow up to 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion, with a per-component retake fee of $50.
Excel Testing CNA Exam clinical skills you'll be tested on
Every CNA candidate performs 5 randomly assigned clinical skills from a vendor-approved list. Two skills — hand hygiene and indirect care — are always tested. The remaining 3 are drawn from the list below. Each skill has a critical-step checklist; missing even one critical step fails that entire skill.
Hand Hygiene
1 critical stepThe 8-step handwashing sequence using soap and water (or alcohol-based handrub). Always tested as one of the 5 skills.
Indirect Care
1 critical stepKnock, introduce yourself, verify patient identity, provide privacy, and explain the procedure before any skill. Always tested.
Bed Bath (Complete or Partial)
2 critical stepsWash the resident from head to toe (or upper body only for partial), maintaining privacy and dignity throughout.
Oral Care
2 critical stepsBrush teeth, gums, and tongue using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Provide oral care for unconscious residents using a swab.
Perineal Care
2 critical stepsClean the perineal area from front to back. Privacy and dignity are graded as critical steps.
Vital Signs
1 critical stepTake and record temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure correctly. Report abnormal values to the nurse.
Blood Pressure
1 critical stepUse the correct cuff size, position the arm at heart level, and inflate to the appropriate pressure.
Feeding
2 critical stepsPosition the resident upright, offer fluids between bites, and place food on the unaffected side of the mouth for stroke residents.
Ambulation
2 critical stepsWalk with the resident using a gait belt, supporting the weak side.
Transfer (Bed to Wheelchair)
2 critical stepsUse a gait belt, lock the wheelchair brakes, and pivot safely without twisting the aide's body.
ROM Exercises
1 critical stepPerform passive range-of-motion exercises correctly, supporting the joint while moving it through its full range.
Catheter Care
2 critical stepsProvide perineal care to a resident with an indwelling catheter, cleaning from the urethra outward.
How to prepare for the Excel Testing CNA Exam
Excel Testing provides a candidate handbook specific to New Hampshire and Vermont — this is your most important prep resource. The 80-question format means time management is critical: aim for ~1 minute per question, leaving 10-15 minutes at the end for review. Take at least 4 full-length timed practice tests in the final week. Drill the skills critical-step checklist; every step must be performed correctly. Day-of: both NH and VT have rural testing sites — check road conditions the morning of, especially in winter.
Try 5 free Excel Testing CNA Exam practice questions
Five real-style Excel Testing CNA Exam questions with instant feedback and explanations. No signup required. Your score stays private. After you finish, you'll see how you did and (if you want) a path to the full 1,500+ question bank.
Try 5 practice questions — Excel Testing
Question 1 of 5
Score: 0
When feeding a resident who has had a stroke and has weakness on one side, the nurse aide should:
Common mistakes that fail the Excel Testing CNA Exam
After reviewing hundreds of failed first-attempts across all six CNA exam vendors, the same handful of mistakes account for the majority of failures. Skipping these is more important than memorizing every content area.
1.Skipping hand hygiene at the start of a skill
Excel Testing scoring follows the same NNAAP-aligned critical-step rubric. Hand hygiene is the first scored step in every skills demonstration. The 8-step hand hygiene sequence is identical across all Excel test sites in New Hampshire and Vermont.
2.Running out of time on the 80-question written exam
Excel's 80-question format is the longest of any CNA exam vendor. Candidates who don't practice pacing often finish the first pass with only 5-10 minutes left. Mark difficult questions for review and aim for ~1 minute per question with 10 minutes for review at the end.
3.Confusing Excel Testing with Prometric
Excel Testing Systems is unrelated to Prometric despite both being commercial testing companies. Some candidates confuse the two and try to schedule through Prometric's site. Verify you're on exceltc.com (or the correct New Hampshire / Vermont portal) before registering.
4.Not preparing for New Hampshire vs. Vermont differences
While both NH and VT use Excel, there are state-specific differences in training hours and fees. Check your state's candidate handbook before scheduling so you don't show up underprepared.
5.Forgetting indirect care steps
Knocking, introducing yourself, verifying identity, providing privacy, explaining the procedure — these are scored as a single critical step. Missing any one of these costs the points for the entire indirect-care sequence. Practice the opening ritual as one continuous sequence.
Excel Testing CNA Exam sample questions (with answers)
These questions mirror the format and difficulty you'll see on the Excel Testing CNA Exam exam. After choosing your answer, expand the explanation to see why it's correct and what concept it tests. Use these as a self-check before scheduling your real exam.
Q1.When feeding a resident who has had a stroke and has weakness on one side, the nurse aide should:
- Feed the resident quickly to prevent choking
- Place food on the unaffected side of the mouth(Correct)
- Mix all foods together for easier swallowing
- Use a straw for all liquids
Show explanation
Food should be placed on the unaffected (stronger) side of the mouth to reduce choking risk and promote safe swallowing. Mixing foods together is discouraged, and straws can sometimes increase aspiration risk in stroke patients. This tests the psychosocial and basic-nursing content areas.
Q2.A resident complains of pain in their hip after a fall. The nurse aide should:
- Help the resident back to bed and apply ice
- Report the pain to the charge nurse immediately(Correct)
- Administer prescribed pain medication
- Document the incident and continue rounds
Show explanation
Reporting the pain to the charge nurse is the correct action — nurse aides don't administer medications or make clinical decisions. Helping the resident back to bed without reporting could mask a serious injury. This tests the role-of-the-nurse-aide content area.
Q3.Before assisting a resident with ambulation, the nurse aide should:
- Lock the wheels on the wheelchair
- Apply a gait belt if indicated(Correct)
- Have the resident wear socks only
- Position the resident on their weak side
Show explanation
A gait belt provides the nurse aide a safe handhold during ambulation and is standard for residents at fall risk. Locking wheels is for transfers, not ambulation. Bare socks are a slip hazard. This tests the safety content area that Excel emphasizes.
What happens if you fail the Excel Testing CNA Exam
If you fail the Excel Testing CNA exam, Excel posts your score report to your online candidate account within 10 business days. The report breaks down your performance by content area and by skill. New Hampshire and Vermont both allow up to 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion, with a retake fee of $50 per component. Excel's 80-question format is the longest of any CNA exam vendor, and many candidates who fail do so because they ran out of time. The clinical skills portion also sees hand hygiene as the most-skipped critical step. For your retake, focus on time management: practice 80-question timed tests so you're comfortable with the pacing. Mark difficult questions for review and aim for ~1 minute per question with 10 minutes for review at the end. Most candidates who fail on the first attempt pass on the second or third try.
Excel Testing CNA Exam frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Excel Testing CNA exam?▾
The Excel Testing CNA exam has 80 multiple-choice questions — the longest of the smaller-vendor exams. You have 90 minutes to complete the written portion.
What is the passing score for the Excel Testing CNA exam?▾
Most states require a minimum of 70% on the written portion. Some states require 75%. The skills portion requires every critical step to be passed.
How long does it take to get Excel Testing CNA results?▾
Computer-based written exam results are usually available the same day. Skills results arrive within 10 business days.
Can I retake the Excel Testing CNA exam?▾
Yes. New Hampshire and Vermont both allow up to 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion.
Which states use Excel Testing for the CNA exam?▾
Only New Hampshire and Vermont use Excel Testing for nurse aide certification — Excel is the second-smallest vendor by state count (after PHD's single West Virginia).
What is the difference between Excel Testing and other CNA exam vendors?▾
Excel Testing is the smallest vendor serving more than one state (NH and VT). The 80-question format is longer than other vendors, creating a time-pressure dynamic that requires practice pacing.
Is the Excel Testing CNA exam hard?▾
Like other CNA exams, the Excel Testing exam is challenging but passable for candidates who complete their training program. The 80-question written exam is the most time-pressured of all CNA exam vendors — practice pacing during your prep.
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