What is the format of the CRNE?
The CRNE consists solely of multiple-choice questions.
What type of test is the CRNE?
The CRNE is a paper and pencil exam offered in French and English. The exam consists of one book, which is administered over the course of four hours.
The exam consists of approximately 200 multiple-choice questions, each designed to measure a specific competency required of entry-level registered nurses. Some of the questions are presented within cases in which a brief description of a case is followed by a group of three to five questions. The remainder of the exam consists of single, independent questions that are unrelated to a case or to other questions on the exam. About 20 of the questions are experimental.
Every question on the exam contains a stem and four options. The stem typically consists of one to three sentences that provide relevant information and the specific nursing question that is being asked. One of the four options is the correct (or best) answer, and the remaining three are incorrect or less appropriate options.
What is tested on the CRNE?
The exam measures the competencies that Canadian nurses have identified as necessary for safe
and effective nursing practice. For the 2010-2015 exam cycle, about 148 competencies will be
measured. These competencies have been organized into a framework that reflects a primary
health-care model. A list of the competencies tested on the CRNE is included in the Canadian
Registered Nurse Examination Prep Guide and the Blueprint for the Canadian Registered Nurse
Examination June 2010-May 2015. Both of these documents are available for purchase from CNA.
How are the CRNE questions developed and by whom?
The CRNE questions are designed around the competencies required of entry-level registered
nurses to deliver safe and effective nursing care. The questions are developed and assessed by
nurse experts and psychometricians and updated regularly to reflect the evolution of nursing practice.
The CRNE is also regularly assessed by testing and psychometric experts to ensure that it is fair,
valid and reliable.
I am planning to take the CRNE. What is there available to help me prepare for the exam?
CNA, developer and owner of the CRNE, offers two official tools to assist candidates studying for the exam.
These two tools, the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination Prep Guide and the CRNE Readiness
Test, complement each other to help candidates prepare for the CRNE.
Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) Prep Guide
The CRNE Prep Guide is a study guide in print format with an accompanying CD-ROM.
Available in either English or French, the guide offers over 200 practice multiple-choice questions.
The guide also provides the following tools:
• answers and explanations to help you learn
• a performance profile to identify your strengths and weaknesses
• valuable test-taking strategies and study tips
Purchase the CRNE Prep Guide from your school bookstore or from
CNAathttp://bookstore.cna-aiic.ca/ or by calling 1-800-385-5881.
The price is $74.95 plus taxes and shipping and handling.
CRNE Readiness Test
Available in either English or French, the CRNE Readiness Test is an online simulated CRNE in a shortened format. Please note: The test has now been updated so that it conforms to the revised format of the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE).The CRNE Readiness Test offers these benefits:
• 100 multiple-choice questions
• questions from former CRNEs that are completely different from those in the prep guide
• a match with the CRNE in terms of level of difficulty and questions by content type
• an opportunity to view questions you answered incorrectly along with the correct responses, supporting rationale and references
The test also gives you instant overall results as well as four sub-scores based on the CRNE competency categories to help focus future study for the CRNE.
Anyone who is planning to take the CRNE may want to consider taking this test. For internationally educated nurses, the test may be particularly helpful since it is accessible from all over the world and can be taken before coming to Canada.
Purchase the CRNE Readiness Test online, with a credit card, for $39.99 plus applicable taxes, in Canadian funds.
How long does it take to receive results on the CRNE?
Your pass or fail result on the exam will be sent to your provincial or territorial regulatory authority within 4-8 weeks of the exam. The regulatory authority will then mail your result to you; how long it takes for you to receive your result from the regulatory authority varies depending on the jurisdiction.
How many times can I take the CRNE?
With few exceptions, in all provinces and territories, you can write the CRNE only three times. Please check with your regulatory authority for details.
How do I apply to write the CRNE?
To write the CRNE and become registered in one of the provinces or territories in Canada, you must apply to the nursing regulatory body in that province or territory. The regulatory body will provide you with the application forms you need and inform you about the application process. It will also advise you of your eligibility to take the CRNE and inform you of upcoming CRNE dates in the relevant jurisdiction. All authority to take the actual CRNE and become registered is given by the nursing regulatory bodies. Links to Canadian nursing regulatory bodies are found at www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/resources/links/default_e.aspx
