CDA Exam Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The CDA Exam has 65 multiple-choice questions: 60 standard questions and 5 scenario questions built on a short narrative and photo, taken on computer at a Pearson VUE center (Council FAQ). The exam is one part of the CDA credential, together with the professional portfolio and a verification visit by a CDA professional development specialist. The Council does not publish the passing score; use the percentage in this portal as a self-check.

The CDA is a widely recognized credential for early childhood educators and is used by many programs and states for staff qualifications.

Early childhood educators in preschool, infant-toddler, family child care and home visitor settings.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

Ask the Council about retake rules and fees if you do not pass the exam.

The Council for Professional Recognition does not publish a passing score for the CDA Exam, so this guide does not state one. The mock exam here is a study tool, not a prediction of your result. Format: 65 four-option multiple-choice questions, including 5 scenario questions. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

The CDA Exam has 65 multiple-choice questions: 60 standard questions and 5 scenario questions built on a short narrative and photo, taken on computer at a Pearson VUE center (Council FAQ). The exam is one part of the CDA credential, together with the professional portfolio and a verification visit by a CDA professional development specialist. The Council does not publish the passing score; use the percentage in this portal as a self-check. 65 multiple-choice questions (60 standard + 5 scenario questions with a short narrative and photo) · computer-based at Pearson VUE · point-and-click. The Council for Professional Recognition does not publish a passing score for the CDA Exam, so this guide does not state one. The mock exam here is a study tool, not a prediction of your result.

The CDA Competency Standards group the work into 13 functional areas: safe, healthy, learning environment, physical, cognitive, communication, creative, self, social, guidance, families, program management and professionalism. The Council does not publish exam weights for them.

The Council sets the education, training-hour and experience requirements and the portfolio contents for each setting. Confirm them on the Council website before applying.

$525 online or $600 paper initial application (effective August 1, 2025); $250 online renewal. Training costs are separate.

The CDA credential must be renewed on the Council's cycle; renewal is $250 online.

Work through the exam topics one area at a time, finish with timed full-length practice runs of 65 questions in one sitting.

Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the official documents listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check the Council for Professional Recognition before you register.