HCA Test: What to Expect and How to Prepare (Expert Tips)
- Katarina Mirkovic Arsic
- Mar 25
- 6 min read
At Cornerstone Healthcare Training, we’ve trained thousands of caregivers and are now actively involved in testing new HCAs across Washington State. That gives us a clear view of what actually happens during the exam and where candidates tend to struggle.
This guide is heavily based on advice and guidance of Jocelyn Wagner, Director of Learning & Development at Cornerstone Healthcare Training. It explains what to expect during both the HCA skills test and written exam, how the process works, and how to prepare with confidence. |
If you’re getting ready to take your exam, this will walk you through the structure, timing, and what evaluators are actually looking for, so you can approach each part with clarity instead of guesswork.
What to Expect on Test Day
The HCA exam in Washington State includes two parts: a written knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation. Both are designed to reflect real caregiving situations and confirm that you can apply what you’ve learned in training.
When you arrive:
Bring a valid photo ID
Sign in before testing
Store all personal items: phones and electronics are not allowed
Before the exam begins, the proctor will go over the rules and explain how the process works. You can ask questions about instructions, but not about the test content itself.
The environment is quiet and controlled, with spaced seating and no interruptions. The proctor will remain in the room the entire time.
In most cases, the full HCA test, including both the written and skills portions, takes under two hours to complete.
The Most Important Thing to Remember
Remember that nobody is there to catch you off guard or test whether you remember something obscure. It’s much simpler than that. You’re being evaluated on whether you can do the basics well, and whether you’re comfortable doing them. Those are the same skills you’ve already practiced during your training.
Most of what matters comes down to how you approach the situation: how you communicate, how you keep the client safe, and whether you follow each step with intention.
Instead of trying to remember everything at once, focus on doing each part correctly as you go. When you stay grounded in the fundamentals, the test becomes much more manageable.
Staying calm and confident isn’t always easy in a testing environment, but this is where mindset makes a difference. As Cornerstone’s Head of Training, Jocelyn Wagner, puts it:
“First, take a breath! You’ve already learned the skills. You are not learning anything new on test day.”
What the HCA Skills Test Is Like
The HCA skills test is a hands-on, in-person evaluation designed to see how you perform in a real caregiving situation.
During the test, you’ll be paired with another student acting as your client, or with a mannequin for certain skills. You’ll then draw a card at random that assigns you three skills to complete.
From that point, you’ll work through each skill one at a time. You’ll have 35 minutes total, which is enough time to complete everything without rushing, as long as you stay focused and move step by step.
Because the skills are randomly assigned, there’s no way to predict exactly what you’ll get. That’s why the goal isn’t to memorize one routine, but to understand how each task works and how to perform it correctly in different situations.
What Skills You May Be Tested On
You will not be tested on every skill. Instead, you’ll be randomly assigned only three of the tasks from the full list of 14 skills. Here’s the list for you:
Clean and store a client’s dentures
Assisting a client to eat
Help a client take a medication
Help a client walk
Catheter care (female mannequin)
Fingernail and hand care
Foot care
Mouth care
Passive ROM to a client’s shoulder, knee, ankle
Perineal care (female mannequin)
Apply knee-high compression stockings
Transfer client from bed to wheelchair
Turn and reposition a client in bed
Assist a resident with a weak arm to dress
The allocated 35 minutes should be more than enough to perform any of the three skills from the list. What really matters is staying consistent in how you approach each one.
What You’ll Be Expected to Do
No matter which skills you are assigned, the expectations remain the same. The evaluator is not just looking at whether you complete the task, but how you perform it from start to finish.
Think of this as the same checklist you apply to every skill, no matter which one you are assigned.
Communicate with the client
Introduce yourself
Explain what you are doing before each step
Speak clearly, respectfully, and at an appropriate pace
Use infection control
Wash your hands correctly. This is critical
Use gloves when required
Avoid contamination throughout the process
Keep the client safe and comfortable
Maintain privacy (covering the client, adjusting the environment)
Use proper body mechanics
Make sure the client is positioned safely at all times
Follow directions exactly
Perform each step in the correct order
Follow the skill checklist as taught during training
What the Proctor Is Watching For
The proctor is silently observing you and cannot help you. Throughout the test, they are paying attention to how you carry out your steps and if you complete the skills.
Proper hand hygiene. Make sure you wash your hands at the right times and follow the full process. This is one of the most important parts of the evaluation.
Clear communication. Focus on communicating with the client, not the proctor. Explain what you’re going to do before you begin each step, and speak in a calm, respectful tone. The goal is to show that you can guide the client through the process, not narrate your actions for the evaluator..
Safe and correct technique. Follow each step as it was taught, using proper body mechanics and positioning.
Correct use of gloves. Put gloves on when required, remove them properly, and avoid contamination.
Respect for client dignity and privacy. Keep the client covered when appropriate, explain what you’re doing, and maintain a professional approach throughout.
Ability to recognize and correct mistakes. If you realize you missed something, correct it. Showing awareness matters during the evaluation.
What the Written HCA Exam Is Like
The written portion of the HCA exam is designed to test how well you understand everyday caregiving situations, not just definitions or memorized facts.
You’ll complete:
60 questions
90 minutes total
40 correct answers required to pass
Each question is based on real scenarios you may encounter while working as a home care aide. You’ll be asked to choose the most appropriate response based on safety, communication, and proper care practices.
The goal is to show that you can think through situations and make safe, informed decisions.
What to Study for the HCA Exam
Preparation should focus on the core areas you’ve already covered in training:
Infection control and PPE
Client rights and professional boundaries
Communication skills
Safety and fall prevention
Nutrition basics
Skin care and pressure ulcers
Reporting abuse and changes in condition
Daily caregiving tasks
These topics are the foundation of both the written and skills portions of the exam. If you understand how they apply in real situations, you’ll be well prepared.
These are also the same areas covered in the required classes before the HCA state exam, so your training materials are the best place to review.
Final Encouragement
As Cornerstone’s Head of Training, Jocelyn Wagner, puts it:
You have already practiced these skills. Now you just need to show what you know.
The test focuses on the steps of the skills, but also on:
● Safety
● Respect
● Communication
● Infection control
If you’re feeling confident with both the written and skills portions, the next step is simply to move forward and take your exam.
You can continue practicing with our HCA test questions and answers reinforce what you’ve learned.
When you’re ready, you can schedule your HCA exam in Washington State with Cornerstone, with no waitlist, multiple testing locations, and a straightforward process from start to finish.
Worried that you might not make it the first time? Discover what happens if you have to retake the HCA exam.
