If you need help studying for the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) qualifying exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free CGFNS practice test!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 165 multiple-choice questions total, but only 150 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 15 unscored questions on the exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The time limit for the exam is 3 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed.
Exam Outline
These are the sections of the CGFNS qualifying exam:
- Safe, Effective Care Environment (26-38%)
- Management of care (17–23%)
- Safety and infection control (9–15%)
- Health Promotion and Maintenance (6–12%)
- Psychosocial Integrity (6–12%)
- Physiological Integrity (38-62%)
- Basic care and comfort (6–12%)
- Reduction of risk potential (12–18%)
- Pharmacological and parenteral therapies (9–15%)
- Physiological adaptation (11–17%)
How to Register
To get started, you’ll need to create an account on the TruMerit website. From there, you’ll be able to register for the exam.
When you submit your registration, you’ll also need to submit the testing fee, which is $495.
CGFNS Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 200 and 800.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can contact your state board to see what the next steps are for retesting.
Keep in mind that you will likely have to pay the full testing fee every time you retake the test.
FAQs
Did CGFNS become TruMerit?
Yes, in 2025, CGFNS International changed its name to TruMerit.
How many questions are on the CGFNS qualifying exam?
The exam contains 165 questions.
What is the time limit for the CGFNS qualifying exam?
The exam is timed at 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the CGFNS qualifying exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 400 to pass.
How much does the CGFNS qualifying exam cost?
The testing fee is $495.