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BCEN · CEN

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) practice exams

BCEN's Certified Emergency Nurse exam — practice against the official CEN content outline, with every answer explained.

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Or read 15 sample questions with answers.

About the CEN exam

The CEN exam tests emergency nursing across body systems — cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, GI, GU/OB/GYN, mental health, medical, musculoskeletal and wound, HEENT, environmental and toxicology emergencies and communicable diseases — plus professional issues like triage and legal and ethical care.

These practice exams follow BCEN's content outline effective July 2026 and cover all eleven categories in proportion.

The real exam

Public information published by BCEN. A ExamWize practice exam matches this format — it is not a copy of the exam's contents.

Format
175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest) with 180 minutes of seat time.
Cost
BCEN lists exam fees on its website — check BCEN for current pricing.
Scoring
BCEN sets the passing score using the Angoff method with statistical equating, so it can vary slightly by exam form. Practice scores here use a 70% line as an estimate.
Validity
The CEN credential is valid for four years; recertify by exam or continuing education.

Practice by exam topic

ExamWize practice exams draw questions in these same proportions, from a bank of 597 CEN questions. Open a topic for what it covers and free questions with answers.

Who it's for

  • Registered nurses working in emergency departments
  • Flight, transport and urgent care nurses
  • ED nurses preparing for their first CEN or recertifying by exam

How to prepare

  • Cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological emergencies make up about a third of the exam — master ACS, dysrhythmias, airway problems and stroke.
  • Practice triage and prioritization: airway, breathing, circulation, then disability.
  • Know classic presentations: epiglottitis, testicular torsion, ectopic pregnancy, compartment syndrome.
  • Review toxicology antidotes and environmental emergencies like heat stroke and hypothermia.

See the free CEN cheat sheet for a one-page domain summary, and the content policy for how these questions are written.

Free CEN practice resources

CEN exam FAQ

What is the format of the CEN exam?
175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest) with 180 minutes of seat time.
How much does the CEN exam cost?
BCEN lists exam fees on its website — check BCEN for current pricing.
How is the CEN exam scored?
BCEN sets the passing score using the Angoff method with statistical equating, so it can vary slightly by exam form. Practice scores here use a 70% line as an estimate.
How long is the credential valid?
The CEN credential is valid for four years; recertify by exam or continuing education.
How many CEN practice questions does ExamWize have?
597 original practice questions, drawn into full practice exams in the same format and domain proportions as the real CEN. Every option has its own explanation.
Are these real CEN exam questions?
No. Every question is original, written from BCEN's public content outline — never copied from the real exam or from exam dumps. They match the real exam's format, not its contents.
Can I try ExamWize for free?
Yes. The free diagnostic has 10 CEN practice questions with a full explanation for every answer, and no account is needed.
Ready to practise CEN?

Buy this certification for a one-time $49, or save with a bundle for its field (see pricing) — lifetime access, no subscription either way. Start with the free diagnostic if you want to see where you stand first.

Get the full question bank — $49Free 10-question diagnostic