GNA 10
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ExploreAbout this exam
The GNA 10 refers to the written knowledge component of geriatric nursing assistant certification, the credential that states require before an aide may work in a nursing home or long-term care setting. Candidates are typically nursing assistant trainees who have finished a state-approved training program, or experienced aides moving into long-term care. The exam tests whether you can apply basic nursing skills safely and treat residents as people with rights, preferences, and histories. Content is organized into eight domains: basic nursing skills; personal care and activities of daily living; restorative and rehabilitation care; mental health and social service needs; care of cognitively impaired residents; communication and interpersonal skills; resident rights and independence; and safety and emergency procedures. Questions are multiple choice and lean heavily on judgment rather than memorized lists: what you do first, what you report, what you never do without asking. Preparation works best in layers. Start with the skills you will physically perform, then personal care and restorative care, then the behavioral and rights material that candidates most often underestimate. Practice scenario questions until you can justify each answer by a safety or rights principle. Use your textbook, your instructor, and your clinical experience as references, and confirm all scheduling, fee, and scoring details with your state's official nurse aide registry, which publishes the current requirements.
What you'll study
About GNA 10 preparation
What is the exam format?
The written portion is multiple choice, with each item offering four options and one best answer. Many states pair it with a separate hands-on skills demonstration, so check which components your state requires. The official registry publishes the current structure, timing, and any changes to the test plan.
How hard is the GNA 10?
Most items are not tricky facts but judgment calls: what to do first, what to report, and what requires consent. Candidates who have practiced real skills and read scenario questions carefully usually find it manageable. The common stumble is answering from habit instead of from the safety or rights principle being tested.
How long is the exam, and how many questions are there?
Question counts and time limits vary by state and are revised periodically, so no single number applies everywhere. Your state's nurse aide registry publishes the current figure along with testing vendor details. Confirm it before you schedule so you can practice at a realistic pace.
What happens if I fail?
Retake rules differ by state, including waiting periods and whether you must repeat training before retesting. Some states limit the number of attempts within a set window. The official registry publishes the current retake policy and any associated fees, so read that page before assuming you can simply rebook.
How should I order my studying?
Begin with basic nursing skills and personal care, since those carry the most weight and anchor everything else. Then study restorative care and safety, followed by cognitive impairment, mental health, communication, and resident rights. Finish with mixed scenario practice so you learn to spot which domain a question is really testing.
Why do candidates miss questions on resident rights?
Because rights questions often have an answer that feels efficient but overrides the resident. The correct choice usually preserves choice, privacy, dignity, or consent, even when it takes longer. When two answers both seem safe, pick the one that treats the resident as the decision-maker.
What are common failure patterns?
Rushing and misreading the stem, choosing what a facility prefers over what the resident may decide, skipping reporting steps, and confusing what an aide may do with what a nurse must do. Another frequent error is memorizing numbers without understanding the situation that calls for them.
Is this an official GNA 10 study guide?
No. This is independent study material with no affiliation to any state board, registry, or testing vendor. It is designed to complement your training program, not replace it. Always treat your state registry and your instructor as the authoritative sources for requirements and procedures.