How Many Questions Are on the CDA Exam? - post

Getting ready for the #CDA can feel big. This short guide answers one important question clearly: how many questions are on the #exam and what that means for your #study and #portfolio work in #earlychildhood settings. Read on — these tips are written for child care providers and directors who want quick, friendly, and practical answers.

For official scheduling details see Pearson VUE’s CDA testing page and for helpful study tools see ChildCareEd’s CDA Exam overview.

How many questions are on the CDA exam?

Most candidates see about 65 questions. That typically includes:

1. About 60 standard multiple-choice questions.
2. About 5 scenario-style questions (a short story or photo plus choices).

This format is described in multiple prep guides — see ChildCareEd’s CDA Exam page and the official test center information at Pearson VUE. The exam works the same whether you apply for Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care, or Birth-to-Five — each pathway uses the Competency Standards as the test blueprint. For a quick practice set, try the Free CDA Sample Exam Questions from ChildCareEd.

How much time will I have to finish the test?

You will usually have up to 1 hour and 45 minutes (105 minutes) to complete the CDA exam. This timing is confirmed by the Council testing pages and ChildCareEd resources — see Pearson VUE and ChildCareEd’s prep guide.

Here are practical ways to use that time well:

1. Read the question fully before looking at answers.
2. Eliminate any clearly wrong answers first.
3. Flag harder items and return if you have time at the end.

Practice runs are key. Try timed sets of 60 questions so you learn a steady pace. ChildCareEd suggests practice and sample sets to build stamina — see the CDA Exam Prep Guide. Also remember: state requirements vary - check your state licensing agency.

What kinds of questions will I see and what do they test?

The exam asks about real things you do every day in a child care setting. Typical question types include:

1. Knowledge questions — quick facts about child development, health, and safety.
2. Application questions — choose the best action for a classroom moment.
3. Scenario questions — read a short story or look at a photo, then pick the best response.

These items map to the CDA Competency Standards: safe and healthy environments, physical and intellectual development, social-emotional support, family partnerships, program management, professionalism, observing and recording, and child development principles.

See Preschool CDA overview and Infant/Toddler CDA overview.

Why it matters:

1. Passing shows you can make safe, learning-focused choices.
2. Scenario items test how you think in real classroom moments.

Use sample items to practice moving from facts to decisions. Try the free sample questions and pair each item with the matching Competency Standard.

How should I prepare and what common mistakes should I avoid?

Prepare in clear steps. Here’s a simple 4-week plan you can use at your center:

1. 📘 Week 1: Read the Competency Standards and make one-page notes for each subject area (see ChildCareEd’s CDA Exam overview).
2. 📝 Week 2: Focus on health, safety, and routines. Do practice questions from the free sample set.
3. 🎯 Week 3: Work on family partnerships and guidance. Draft or polish your reflective statements for the #portfolio.
4. ⏱️ Week 4: Take timed practice tests and review missed items. Use ChildCareEd practice guides and courses for feedback.

Common mistakes and fixes:

1. ❌ Rushing scenarios — ✅ Slow down and underline key facts first.
2. ❌ Studying facts only — ✅ Practice applying knowledge to real classroom stories.
3. ❌ Waiting on your portfolio — ✅ Collect documents and family questionnaires as you go; see the Pre-Virtual Verification Visit Checklist.

On test day, bring ID, arrive early, and remember accommodations are available if you need them (see Pearson VUE accommodations). For practice tools and courses that include portfolio review, visit ChildCareEd CDA courses. You’ve got the skills — use steady practice and the right tools.

Summary

1) Most candidates will answer about 65 questions on the CDA exam (roughly 60 multiple-choice + 5 scenarios).

2) You’ll usually have up to 1 hour and 45 minutes.

3) Questions test knowledge, application, and real classroom decisions tied to the CDA Competency Standards.

4) Study with short timed practice sets, build your #portfolio early, and avoid common timing and scenario mistakes.

For official scheduling and test-center rules, see Pearson VUE, and for helpful study tools and sample questions see ChildCareEd’s Prep Guide and the Free CDA Sample Exam Questions.

Remember state requirements vary - check your state licensing agency. You can do this — take it one step at a time and lean on peer supports and the great resources from ChildCareEd.

Quick FAQ

1. How many questions? — About 65 total (60 + 5 scenarios). See ChildCareEd.
2. How long? — Up to 1 hour 45 minutes. See Pearson VUE.
3. Where to practice? — ChildCareEd sample questions: free set.
4. Do I need a portfolio? — Yes. The portfolio and Verification Visit are part of the CDA process. See ChildCareEd CDA page.