What to Expect on the RN Gerontology Nursing Exam
With excerpts from Gerontological Nurse Certification Review, Second Edition, by Alison E. Kris, RN, PhD
It pays to be mentally prepared for what’s to come on exam day! Below is an outline of what you can expect on the RN Gerontology nursing exam—from format to timing and everything in between.
Exam Purpose
The RN Gerontology certification exam evaluates your knowledge and ability to apply professional nursing in gerontology at an entry-level of competency. Updated regularly by the ANCC, its goal is to determine whether you are competent to:
- Assess the strengths of older adults
- Support their highest quality of life
- Facilitate, when appropriate, a dignified “good death”
Exam Format
- Delivery: Computer-based only
- Structure: One exam with 175 multiple-choice questions (four possible answers, only one correct)
- Scoring: 150 questions count toward your score; 25 are “pilot” questions being tested for future exams
- Timing: 3.5 hours total (no scheduled breaks; restroom breaks allowed but deducted from your exam time)
Exam Content Areas
According to the ANCC, here’s how the scored questions are distributed:
| Topic Area | # of Questions | % of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | 26 | 17.3% |
| Plan of Care | 35 | 23.3% |
| Person-Centered Care | 43 | 28.7% |
| Professional Practice | 21 | 14.0% |
| Health Promotion | 25 | 16.7% |
| Total | 150 | 100% |
👉 View the official ANCC Test Content Outline.
Exam Day Essentials
- Arrive 15 minutes early—late arrivals forfeit their test and must reapply.
- There is no penalty for guessing—always answer each question.
- You can skip and return to questions later in the test.
- No questions may be asked once the exam begins.
Results and Certification
- Results: Provided before leaving the testing center
- Failing: You’ll receive a diagnostic breakdown of each content area
- Passing: Within ~8 weeks you’ll receive a certificate, pin, and ID card acknowledging ANCC certification
- Certification Validity: 5 years
Study Tools
Ready to prepare? Try our free Gerontology nursing practice quiz. For more comprehensive study, explore our Gerontological Nurse Certification Review book and app—featuring 500 practice questions.
Resources
- American Nurses Credentialing Center. (n.d.). Test Content Outline. Retrieved from ANCC
- Kris, A. E. (2015). Gerontological Nurse Certification Review, Second Edition. New York: Springer Publishing
👉 Learn more in our Gerontological Nurse Certification Overview.
