How to cram for the HHA test (learn the right way)

When was the last test you took?

Maybe it was in high school? A driver’s license? Perhaps it was something to advance your career?

If it was a while ago, do you remember waiting until the last minute, staying up late and trying to review and study as much as you could?

We have all done that – and more.

I remember a test in high school where I stayed in the bathroom until minutes before the test in order to review some last-minutes notes I took that morning. I did not get an “A” but I did pass!

This is called “cramming”.

And it’s not that bad of an approach to take as it can help you pass the home health competency (HHA) test.

Cramming for the HHA exam may not be the wisest approach – more about that later.

If you do decide to cram for the test then there is a right and wrong way to do it.

But keep this in mind:

Cramming for the test is not the best route to take. You may pass the test with a good score but, in the long run, cramming is not the best way to pass and get certified.

The cramming process is temporary. The information you are storing in that section (?) of the brain is there for the short-term. This means it’s there for a very short time and then – poof, it’s gone for good.

When it comes to long-term learning and remembering, it’s not in your best interest – or for your clients’ either.

Imagine trying to learn the night before your test how to assist bathing a client. Sure, you may remember that for the test the next day and may even pass.

Then what?

In three weeks when you’re at a home trying to help a client get out of the bath tub. Will you remember the proper steps or draw a complete blank. You’re putting your client as risk for sure and yourself and your job on the line.

Learning (actually learning something) is incremental, meaning being exposed gradually over time while increasing what you’re learning.

You did this in your training. You were exposed to new and different skills, definitions, and deities over a period of time – that’s how you learned how to take vital signs, for example. The lessons build over time and eventually prepare you to be a fantastic home health aide!

As you get ready to take the competency test you need to remember—and understand—the material you learned. Here are some test secrets/tips that may come in handy as well.

Common sense:

You need to take the time to learn and understand the material.

The best way to study and prepare for the HHA test is to “space-out”.

This means you space out your study time.

Spend an hour here, an hour there, etc. Take a break – could be 15 minutes or even a day. The point is to gradually approach your preparation.

The results will be:

more effective learning
longer lasting
better passing results
make you a MUCH better HHA

Passing is important, for sure, as you need to pass, get certified and working right away.

But passing is not as important as becoming the best home health aide you can be.

Besides you don’t want to be stressed out and nervous leading up to the exam – do you?

You want a stress-free day on what could be the beginning of a rewarding career in home healthcare.

In summary, cramming is a real quick way to review your material and concepts to (perhaps) pass the test; what you “learn” during cramming may be gone before you get home that night.

It is recommended that trainees take the necessary sure-fire steps to pass with flying colors for higher pay and career advancement.