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Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed > Mixed Topic

Take the Free CDA Practice Test in English and Ace It!

Ready for a comprehensive CDA practice exam? Dive into sample test questions now!

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Bertzz UpticknewswireUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art preschool quiz illustration showing health safety development icons on coral background.

This Free CDA Practice Test helps you practice core preschool topics - health, safety, and child development - through realistic exam‑style questions so you can spot gaps before the exam. Items mirror common scenarios and terms you'll see on test day. Want more practice? Try the full practice exam.

Which action best reduces the spread of illness during arrival in a preschool classroom?
Using alcohol-based hand rub only when hands look dirty
Wearing gloves all day instead of handwashing
Spraying hands with disinfectant spray
Having children and staff wash hands with soap and water upon arrival
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The safest way to store bleach-water sanitizer used for surfaces in a preschool room is:
In a labeled bottle kept on the diapering table
In a clear open bowl near the sink
In a labeled, child-resistant spray bottle out of children's reach
In an unlabeled bottle on a high shelf
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Which food is a choking hazard for a 3-year-old unless modified?
Whole grapes
Banana slices
Applesauce
Cooked rice
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The primary purpose of daily health checks at drop-off is to:
Reduce separation anxiety
Identify signs of illness or injury early to protect all children
Document attendance for licensing
Assess parent satisfaction
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What is the most appropriate response when a child has a minor nosebleed?
Insert tissue deep into the nostril
Lay the child flat and apply a cold cloth to the forehead
Tilt the head back and pinch the nose
Tilt the head slightly forward and pinch the soft part of the nose
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Daily toothbrushing in the classroom should be conducted:
With staff brushing children's teeth for them
With individually labeled brushes stored to air-dry and a pea-sized toothpaste dispensed hygienically
With a shared toothpaste tube touching each brush
Only once per week to reduce mess
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Which statement best defines a developmentally appropriate practice (DAP)?
Planning learning experiences based on child development knowledge and individual needs
Using activities one grade above to accelerate learning
Expecting all 4-year-olds to write full sentences
Teaching only from a scripted curriculum
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Which is the most accurate sign of potential child abuse or neglect that must be reported?
Occasional scraped knee from playground
A child who prefers to play alone
Patterned bruises inconsistent with explanations
Child refusing a snack
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When supervising a water table in a preschool room, the teacher should:
Allow children to play without adult presence
Add bleach to the water while children play
Ensure direct, constant supervision and empty water after use
Allow children to drink the water to stay hydrated
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The BEST way to communicate with families about a contagious illness in the classroom while respecting privacy is to:
Tell parents verbally who is sick
Send a general notice with symptoms to watch for and exclusion policies, without identifying individuals
Avoid sharing any information
Post the ill child's name on the door
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To reduce the risk of lead exposure in an older building, the center should:
Boil hot tap water for formula
Allow children to play with paint chips to explore textures
Ignore peeling paint if not in play areas
Use cold tap water for drinking and address peeling paint through certified remediation
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Which action is appropriate during a fire drill with toddlers and preschoolers?
Use evacuation cribs for non-walkers and maintain attendance counts at each checkpoint
Finish activities before evacuating
Return indoors to get coats in cold weather
Carry as many children as possible at once
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An authentic assessment system in preschool should primarily:
Be completed once yearly
Compare children to national norms only
Use multiple sources like observations, work samples, and family input over time
Rely on one standardized test score
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Which scenario requires exclusion from care according to common illness policies?
Two or more episodes of vomiting in 24 hours
Mild cough, playful, fever-free
Small abrasion on knee
Clear runny nose with allergies
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The most effective way to prevent SIDS in infant rooms, relevant knowledge for CDA candidates, is to:
Place infants to sleep on their stomachs
Swaddle with loose blankets and add pillows
Place infants on their backs in a bare crib and avoid overheating
Use wedges to keep the baby in position
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A non-ambulatory child must exit during an emergency. The safest plan is to:
Have peers carry the child
Assign trained staff and use appropriate evacuation devices per the child's plan
Wait until others have exited
Move the child in a rolling office chair
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Which metric best indicates if your classroom is meeting NAEYC-aligned supervision standards outdoors?
Staff maintain active, scanning supervision with intentional placement and constant name-to-face counts
Staff remain near the door while children play
No injuries in the last year
Children report problems to staff as needed
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When documenting an incident, which element is essential for quality and compliance?
Objective description, date/time, witnesses, actions taken, and signatures
Subjective opinions about who is at fault
Speculation about intent
Only the injured child's perspective
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To effectively implement an emergent curriculum, the teacher must first:
Observe children's interests and plan responsive experiences aligned to standards
Assign worksheets to measure interest
Let children choose all activities without guidance
Create a year-long fixed lesson plan
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Which approach most effectively integrates social-emotional learning into daily routines?
Weekly assembly on feelings
Use a poster only
Coach feeling identification during conflicts, embed problem-solving, and model empathy throughout the day
Reward charts only
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Study Outcomes

  1. Apply Health and Safety Protocols -

    Implement essential health and safety measures in preschool environments by recognizing hazards, following sanitation procedures, and enforcing emergency plans.

  2. Identify Developmental Milestones -

    Distinguish key physical, cognitive, and social-emotional milestones in young children to tailor activities that support growth and learning.

  3. Interpret Observation Data -

    Analyze sample child development assessment results to inform curriculum planning and track individual progress effectively.

  4. Evaluate Instructional Strategies -

    Assess various teaching approaches and choose developmentally appropriate practices that foster engagement and skill development in preschoolers.

  5. Analyze Communication Techniques -

    Examine methods for building collaborative relationships with families and colleagues through clear, respectful, and responsive communication.

  6. Demonstrate Test-Taking Confidence -

    Apply time-management strategies and question-analysis skills to maximize performance on the CDA practice test and similar exam scenarios.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Health and Safety Protocols -

    Review handwashing steps recommended by the CDC (20 seconds, all surfaces) and use a "Happy Birthday" song twice as a timer mnemonic. Understand proper toileting, diapering, and sanitization schedules per the American Academy of Pediatrics to prevent illness outbreaks. Be confident in emergency preparedness by memorizing evacuation routes and first-aid basics from the Red Cross.

  2. Child Development Milestones -

    Familiarize yourself with age-specific benchmarks from birth to five years, as outlined by the CDC's Milestone Tracker. Use the "PIES" mnemonic (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social) to organize observations and ensure holistic tracking. For instance, expect 3-year-olds to pedal a tricycle (physical) and follow two-step instructions (cognitive).

  3. Curriculum Planning & Learning Environments -

    Design interest centers (e.g., reading nook, art station) using theories from the National Association for the Education of Young Children to support differentiated learning. Apply the "I Do, We Do, You Do" model when introducing new concepts to scaffold skills effectively. Incorporate inclusive materials and clear routine charts to foster autonomy and security.

  4. Observation & Assessment Tools -

    Master anecdotal records, checklists, and the ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) recording method to capture meaningful child interactions. Use online resources like ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) for validated assessment forms. Regularly reflect on data to adapt activities and share progress during CDA practice exam simulations.

  5. Family Communication & Professionalism -

    Build partnerships by following the FCC (Family - Child - Caregiver) triangle approach and use the "I CARE" strategy: Invite input, Communicate openly, Appreciate differences, Respect culture, Engage consistently. Keep confidentiality and ethical standards per NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct. Schedule regular conferences and send home positive notes to reinforce trust.

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