Free CCRN practice questions: where to find them
AACN gives a free one-time CCRN practice trial with 30 questions and rationales, plus 5 sample questions per exam in the CCRN Exam Handbook.
Short answer: The best free CCRN practice comes from AACN itself: a free one-time practice exam trial with 30 questions and correct answer rationales for 7 days, and 5 sample questions for each CCRN exam (Adult, Pediatric, Neonatal) in the July 2026 CCRN Exam Handbook. Prep companies offer more free questions, but check their facts against AACN's handbook, because some vendor pages print out-of-date fees.
CCRN is the critical care nursing certification of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). AACN Certification Corporation runs the exam and says it "does not approve, endorse, or require for eligibility use of any specific exam preparation products."
What the CCRN exam looks like
AACN's CCRN Exam Handbook (July 2026) says each CCRN exam is a 3-hour test of 150 multiple-choice items. Of these, 125 are scored and 25 are unscored items used to test future questions. Eighty percent (80%) of each exam covers Clinical Judgment, and 20% covers Professional Caring and Ethical Practice. The Adult CCRN test plan applies to exams taken on and after November 12, 2025.
Free practice is most useful when it matches this format: single-best-answer clinical scenarios, timed, with the same content split.
AACN's own free resources
1. Sample questions in the CCRN Exam Handbook. The handbook has 5 sample questions each for the Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal exams, with the answer key. AACN says their purpose is "to familiarize candidates with the style and format of the certification exam items." There are no rationales, so use them to learn the style, not the content.
2. The free practice exam trial. AACN's Certification Practice Exams page offers a "Free One-Time Trial": 7 days of access, 30 questions with correct answer rationales, and exam scores. It covers CCRN Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal.
If you want more from AACN after the trial, it sells two subscriptions:
| AACN practice exam | Access | Questions | Member price | Nonmember price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial | 7 days | 30, with rationales | Free | Free |
| Basic | 30 days | 150, with rationales | US$35 | US$45 |
| Premium | 180 days | Hundreds, plus content-area exams | US$75 | US$90 |
For comparison, the CCRN (Adult) exam itself costs US$260 for AACN members and US$375 for nonmembers.
Other free sources
These were on each company's own page on November 15, 2026.
| Source | Free items | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| AACN CCRN Exam Handbook | 5 per exam (Adult, Pediatric, Neonatal) | Answer key only |
| AACN practice exam trial | 30 | Yes, rationales |
| Union Test Prep | 195, in six content sections | A hint per question; full explanations not confirmed |
| Mometrix Adult CCRN practice test | Number not printed | The page says "Detailed explanations" |
| Archer Review | Free CCRN webinar ("CCRN Rapid 30") | Live discussion, not a question set |
How to judge a free source
- Check the numbers against AACN. On November 15, 2026, one vendor page listed the CCRN fee as US$250 and US$365, while AACN's own page says US$260 and US$375. If a page has old fees, its questions may be old too.
- Check the passing score claim. AACN's handbook explains that a panel sets the cut score with the modified Angoff method, but it does not print a number. Some vendor pages print one. Treat any number that AACN does not publish as the vendor's claim.
- Check the test plan date. The Adult test plan applies from November 12, 2025. A source should say it follows the current plan.
- Check for rationales. A free question without an explanation shows the style but does not teach you. AACN's trial includes rationales.
- Check the population. Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal are separate exams. Make sure the questions match yours.
What to do next
- Download the CCRN Exam Handbook from AACN and try the 5 sample questions for your exam.
- Start AACN's free trial when you can use all 7 days.
- Add one vendor's free set, then decide whether you need a paid option.
Common questions
Who can take the CCRN?
AACN requires a current, unencumbered US RN or APRN license and recent direct-care hours with acutely or critically ill patients: 1,750 hours in the past two years (875 in the most recent year), or 2,000 hours in five years (144 in the most recent year). Read the handbook for the full rules.
Are free questions enough to pass?
The free sets are small next to a 150-item exam. A practical use is to find your weak areas with free questions, then study those areas in depth with the handbook's test plan and bibliography.
Is the CCRN like the NCLEX?
No. The NCLEX is a licensing exam with adaptive length. The CCRN is a fixed 150-item certification exam for nurses who already hold a license. For NCLEX practice, see Free NCLEX resources.
Sources
- AACN, CCRN (Adult) Direct Care Eligibility Pathway: https://www.aacn.org/certification/get-certified/ccrn-adult (checked November 15, 2026)
- AACN, Certification Practice Exams: https://www.aacn.org/certification/preparation-tools-and-handbooks/certification-practice-exams (checked November 15, 2026)
- AACN, CCRN Exam Handbook, Direct Care Pathway, July 2026: https://www.aacn.org/-/media/aacn-website/certification/get-certified/handbooks/ccrnexamhandbook.pdf (checked November 15, 2026)
- Union Test Prep, CCRN page and CCRN practice test page (read November 15, 2026)
- Mometrix, Adult CCRN practice test page (read November 15, 2026)
- Archer Review, CCRN page (read November 15, 2026)