CNA Exam Structure and Content 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which domain of the CNA exam specifically tests knowledge of financial reporting standards?
- Auditing and Attestation
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (Correct answer)
- Regulation and Tax
- Business Environment and Concepts
Correct answer: Financial Accounting and Reporting
Financial Accounting and Reporting is the domain that covers GAAP-based financial statement preparation and disclosure standards.
Question 2: On the CNA exam, which of the following best describes a 'task-based simulation'?
- A multiple-choice question with four answer options
- A scenario requiring candidates to complete real-world accounting tasks (Correct answer)
- An oral examination conducted by a proctor
- A timed essay question on accounting theory
Correct answer: A scenario requiring candidates to complete real-world accounting tasks
Task-based simulations present realistic scenarios where candidates must perform accounting tasks such as journal entries or document completion.
Question 3: What is the purpose of the research task typically included in some CNA exam sections?
- To test typing speed
- To evaluate candidates' ability to locate authoritative guidance (Correct answer)
- To assess handwriting legibility
- To measure oral communication skills
Correct answer: To evaluate candidates' ability to locate authoritative guidance
Research tasks require candidates to search authoritative literature to find the correct standard or code section applicable to a given situation.
Question 4: How are partial credits typically handled on CNA task-based simulations?
- No partial credit is ever awarded
- Partial credit may be awarded for correct components of an answer (Correct answer)
- Only full credit or zero is possible on all question types
- Partial credit applies only to written communication tasks
Correct answer: Partial credit may be awarded for correct components of an answer
Task-based simulations can award partial credit when candidates correctly complete portions of a multi-part task.
Question 5: Which content area of the CNA exam would most likely include questions about the Sarbanes-Oxley Act?
- Financial Accounting and Reporting
- Auditing and Attestation (Correct answer)
- Business Environment and Concepts
- Cost Accounting
Correct answer: Auditing and Attestation
Auditing and Attestation covers auditor independence, internal controls, and regulatory frameworks including SOX provisions.
Question 6: In the context of the CNA exam, what does 'authoritative literature' most commonly refer to?
- Textbooks approved by the AICPA
- FASB Accounting Standards Codification and related pronouncements (Correct answer)
- State CPA board regulations
- IRS Publication manuals
Correct answer: FASB Accounting Standards Codification and related pronouncements
The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) is the primary source of US GAAP and represents the authoritative literature tested on the exam.
Question 7: What percentage of the CNA exam is typically devoted to higher-order cognitive skills such as analysis and evaluation?
- Less than 10%
- A majority exceeding 50% (Correct answer)
- Exactly 25%
- The exam tests only recall-level knowledge
Correct answer: A majority exceeding 50%
The CNA exam is designed to test higher-order thinking, with the majority of content requiring analysis, application, and evaluation rather than simple recall.
CNA Exam Structure and Content 2
Which domain of the CNA exam specifically tests knowledge of financial reporting standards?