If you need help studying for the CDR’s Pediatric Nutrition exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free Pediatric Nutrition practice test!
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the Pediatric Nutrition exam, you’ll have to meet the following requirements:
- You need to have a current RD status with CDR
- You need at least 2,000 hours of RD practice experience within the last five years
If you meet one of these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 150 multiple-choice questions total, but only 125 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 25 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.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the exam.
1. Characteristics of Pediatric Patient Population
40 scored questions
- Pediatric growth and development
- Human milk and formulas
- Age-appropriate nutrition and foods
Disease-Related Nutrition Considerations
- Congenital and developmental conditions
- Body system and organ dysfunctions
- Medical supportive therapies
- Disordered eating, feeding disorders, and food sensitivities
2. Nutrition Assessment and Diagnosis
46 scored questions
- Medical treatment and medication history
- Nutrition and supplementation history
- Cultural and psychosocial factors
- Activity and lifestyle history
Assessment and Diagnosis Process
- Anthropometrics
- Nutrition-focused physical exam
- Diagnostic and laboratory testing
- Estimation of nutritional needs
- Nutrition diagnosis and coding statements
3. Nutrition Intervention, Monitoring, and Evaluation
39 scored questions
- Oral nutrition and diet modification
- Vitamin and mineral supplementation
- Enteral nutrition support
- Parenteral nutrition support
Care Planning
- Monitoring and evaluation of care
- Interdisciplinary coordination of care
- Access to food and healthcare
- Education and counseling
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam.
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application on the CDR’s website. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things).
When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the testing fee, which is $350.
Pediatric Nutrition 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 1 and 50.
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 retake the test after a 45-day waiting period.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay the full testing fee every time you retake the test.
FAQs
How many questions are on the Pediatric Nutrition exam?
The exam contains 150 questions.
What is the time limit for the Pediatric Nutrition exam?
The exam is timed at 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the Pediatric Nutrition exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 25 to pass.
How much does the Pediatric Nutrition exam cost?
The testing fee is $350.