Introduction

Basic Life Support is the foundation of every emergency response, and the BLS exam checks that you can apply it correctly and fast. This free BLS practice test is organized by topic so you can work through the areas the exam actually covers: high-quality CPR, adult and pediatric BLS, AED use, choking response, ventilations and team dynamics. Each question includes the answer and a short explanation, so it doubles as a study guide. The questions reflect current CPR guidelines. When you are ready to certify or recertify, the same guidelines are taught in full in our BLS course.

How to Use This Practice Test

Work through one topic at a time and answer before reading the explanation. If you miss a question, do not just note the right letter, read why it is right, since the exam tests understanding, not memorization. Aim to explain each answer in your own words before moving on. Most BLS certification exams require a passing score around 80 percent, so treat anything below that on a topic as a signal to review that section.

Topic 1: High-Quality CPR Fundamentals

Q1. What is the recommended compression rate for an adult in cardiac arrest?

1. 60 to 80 compressions per minute
2. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
3. At least 140 compressions per minute
4. As fast as possible

Answer: b. High-quality CPR uses a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Faster than 120 reduces the depth and the time the heart has to refill between compressions.

Q2. How deep should chest compressions be on an average adult?

1. About 1 inch
2. At least 2 inches (5 cm) and no more than 2.4 inches
3. At least 3 inches
4. Depth does not matter if the rate is correct

Answer: b. Adult compressions should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep, not exceeding about 2.4 inches. Too shallow does not circulate blood; too deep can cause injury.

Q3. Why is full chest recoil between compressions important?

1. It lets the heart refill with blood
2. It slows the rescuer down
3. It is only important for infants
4. It reduces the compression rate

Answer: a. Allowing the chest to recoil fully lets the heart fill with blood before the next compression, which improves blood flow. Leaning on the chest between compressions reduces effectiveness.

Q4. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for one-rescuer adult CPR?

1. 15:2
2. 5:1
3. 30:2
4. 20:2

Answer: c. A single rescuer performing adult CPR uses a 30:2 ratio: 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths.

Q5. After confirming an adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally, what should you do first?

1. Give two rescue breaths
2. Activate emergency response and get an AED, then begin compressions
3. Check for a pulse for a full minute
4. Place the person in the recovery position

Answer: b. Activate the emergency response system and send for an AED, then start compressions. A pulse check should take no more than 10 seconds.

Q6. For how long should you check a pulse before starting CPR?

1. No more than 10 seconds
2. At least 30 seconds
3. One full minute
4. You should never check a pulse

Answer: a. Take no more than 10 seconds to check for a pulse. If you are not sure a pulse is present within that time, begin CPR.

Topic 3: Child and Infant BLS

Q7. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer CPR on a child or infant?

1. 30:2
2. 15:2
3. 10:1
4. Same as adult, 30:2

Answer: b. With two rescuers, child and infant CPR uses a 15:2 ratio. A single rescuer still uses 30:2.

Q8. Where do you place your fingers or hands for infant compressions with one rescuer?

1. Two fingers on the center of the chest, just below the nipple line
2. The heel of one hand on the abdomen
3. Both hands stacked as on an adult
4. On the upper back

Answer: a. For a single rescuer, use two fingers on the center of the chest just below the nipple line. Compress about 1.5 inches (4 cm), roughly one third the depth of the chest.

Q9. How deep should compressions be on a child?

1. About one third the depth of the chest, roughly 2 inches
2. At least 3 inches
3. Exactly 1 inch
4. The same depth as an adult

Answer: a. Child compressions should be about one third the depth of the chest, approximately 2 inches (5 cm).

Topic 4: AED Use

Q10. What should you do first when an AED arrives during CPR?

1. Finish five minutes of CPR before using it
2. Turn it on and follow the voice prompts
3. Check the pulse again for one minute
4. Only use it if you are a healthcare provider

Answer: b. Turn the AED on as soon as it arrives and follow its voice prompts. Early defibrillation is one of the strongest predictors of survival.

Q11. While the AED analyzes the rhythm, what must rescuers do?

1. Continue compressions
2. Clear and do not touch the patient
3. Give rescue breaths
4. Remove the pads

Answer: b. Stop and clear the patient so no one is touching them while the AED analyzes, and again before a shock is delivered, so the reading is accurate and no rescuer is shocked.

Q12. How should AED pads be modified for an infant or a child under 8 if possible?

1. Use adult pads at full energy
2. Use pediatric pads or a dose attenuator if available
3. Do not use an AED on children
4. Place both pads on the back

Answer: b. Use pediatric pads or a pediatric dose attenuator when available for children under 8 or under about 25 kg. If pediatric pads are not available, adult pads may be used.

Topic 5: Choking (Foreign-Body Airway Obstruction)

Q13. A conscious adult is choking and cannot speak or cough. What do you do?

1. Give abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver)
2. Start chest compressions immediately
3. Give water to drink
4. Wait to see if it clears on its own

Answer: a. For a responsive adult with a complete airway obstruction, give abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.

Q14. How do you relieve choking in a conscious infant?

1. Abdominal thrusts
2. Five back blows followed by five chest thrusts
3. A finger sweep of the mouth
4. Hold them upside down and shake

Answer: b. For a choking infant, alternate five back blows and five chest thrusts. Do not perform abdominal thrusts on an infant, and avoid blind finger sweeps.

Topic 6: Rescue Breathing and Ventilations

Q15. How long should each rescue breath last, and what are you looking for?

1. About 1 second each, enough to see the chest rise
2. 3 seconds each, as forcefully as possible
3. Half a second, rapid puffs
4. Breaths are not part of BLS

Answer: a. Deliver each rescue breath over about 1 second, using just enough volume to produce visible chest rise. Over-ventilating can push air into the stomach and reduce circulation.

Q16. An adult has a pulse but is not breathing adequately. What is the rescue-breathing rate?

1. One breath every 6 seconds, about 10 per minute
2. One breath every 2 seconds
3. Continuous breaths
4. 30 breaths then 2 compressions

Answer: a. For an adult with a pulse but inadequate breathing, give one breath every 6 seconds, roughly 10 breaths per minute, and recheck the pulse about every 2 minutes.

Topic 7: Team Dynamics and Special Situations

Q17. Why should compressors switch roles about every 2 minutes?

1. To follow hospital policy only
2. Because compression quality drops as the rescuer tires
3. To take a rest break
4. It is not necessary to switch

Answer: b. Rescuers should swap the compressor role about every 2 minutes (or sooner if fatigued) because compression depth and rate fall off as the rescuer tires. Aim to make the switch in under 5 seconds.

Q18. What is a key goal for minimizing interruptions during CPR?

1. Keep the chest compression fraction as high as possible, ideally at least 60 percent
2. Pause every 30 seconds to reassess
3. Stop compressions during ventilations for 30 seconds
4. Interruptions do not affect outcomes

Answer: a. Keep interruptions short and infrequent so the chest compression fraction, the proportion of time compressions are actually being delivered, stays high, ideally at least 60 percent.

Score Yourself and Fill the Gaps

Check your score by topic. If you score under 80% on any section, review that material before taking the official exam. While these questions cover core BLS concepts, a full course provides hands-on practice, explains the reasoning behind each guideline, and prepares you for real-world scenarios. You can go through our online training by clicking here.

Ready to Get BLS Certified?

If you moved through these comfortably, you are ready to certify. If a few tripped you up, that is exactly what the course is for. American Healthcare Academy’s BLS course teaches the current guidelines in full and issues your certification on completion, online and on your schedule. You can enroll here. If you are renewing an existing certification, recertify online by clicking here.

FAQs

1. Is BLS the same as CPR?

BLS and CPR are related but not identical. CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is the specific technique of chest compressions and rescue breaths used when someone’s heart stops. BLS, Basic Life Support, is the broader set of skills that includes CPR plus AED use, airway management, choking response, and working as part of a resuscitation team. BLS certification is typically required for healthcare providers and is more comprehensive than a general CPR class aimed at the public. If your employer requires “BLS,” a basic public CPR card usually will not meet the requirement, so confirm which certification your role needs.

2. How many questions are on the BLS exam and what score do you need to pass?

Most BLS certification exams are a short multiple-choice test, commonly around 25 questions, taken after the skills portion. The typical passing score is about 80 percent, though the exact number of questions and the cutoff can vary by provider. Because the exam checks that you can apply the guidelines correctly, the best preparation is understanding why each answer is right rather than memorizing answers. Working through a topic-organized practice test like this one, then reviewing any areas you miss, is an effective way to walk in ready to pass on the first attempt.

3. Is the BLS exam hard?

For most people the BLS exam is very manageable with a little preparation. The questions are practical and focus on core skills: compression rate and depth, ratios, AED use, and choking response. The people who struggle are usually those who try to memorize numbers without understanding them, since the exam often frames questions as short scenarios. If you can explain why the adult compression rate is 100 to 120 per minute or why full chest recoil matters, you are in good shape. A topic-by-topic practice test, followed by the course itself, removes most of the difficulty.

4. Can I take a BLS practice test for free?

Yes. This page is a free BLS practice test with answers and explanations, organized by topic so you can target your weak areas. It is a study aid, not an official exam, and it does not by itself certify you. To earn a BLS certification you need to complete a course that covers the full guidelines and issues a credential on completion. Using a free practice test first is a smart way to gauge your readiness and study efficiently, then move into the course confident about the material you already know.

5. How do I get BLS certified online?

You can earn or renew a BLS certification through an online course that teaches the current guidelines and issues your certification when you finish. American Healthcare Academy’s BLS course is self-paced and online, so you complete it on your schedule and receive your certification on completion. The process is the same for recertification, which lets you renew without taking a full day off. Before enrolling, confirm that your employer or state accepts the certification, then use a practice test like this one to prepare so you pass the course exam on your first attempt.