• 100 questions

EKG Practice Test

Unofficial EKG technician test questions on electrodes, artifact, intervals and rhythms, weighted like the two national test plans.

How many electrodes go on the patient for a standard 12-lead ECG?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the National Healthcareer Association or National Center for Competency Testing. Bank checked October 7, 2026.

The two national exams, as their test plans describe them

NHA CET exam
100 scored questions and 20 pretest questions in 2 hours. The plan is based on a job analysis completed in 2017.
NHA CET content
Safety, compliance and coordinated patient care 32 questions; EKG acquisition 44; EKG analysis and interpretation 24.
NCCT NCET exam
100 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions in 3 hours: 92% four-option multiple choice, 8% alternative items. Plan effective January 2024.
NCCT NCET content
Patient intake and compliance 24 questions; ECG placement techniques 25; ECG recording and recognition 36; troubleshooting 15.
Pass mark
Neither test plan prints one. Ask the certifying body how its exam is scored.

Checked October 7, 2026 against the NHA CET Test Plan and the NCCT National Certified ECG Technician Detailed Test Plan (January 2024). Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

The NHA's own page for its CET exam

Next step CMA practice examBLS practice test

All 100 questions

Electrodes, leads and machine settings 27

  • At standard calibration, how far does a 1 mV signal move the tracing? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central). Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.B; NCET 3.10.
  • Chest hair keeps the electrodes from sticking. What does MedlinePlus say may be necessary? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Electrocardiogram, How the Test is Performed. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.C; NCET 2.1.
  • For a right-sided ECG, where is the V4R electrode placed? Morris and Brady, Acute myocardial infarction Part I, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Right ventricular infarction. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E.5; NCET 2.2.
  • For an exercise stress test, where does MedlinePlus say the 10 electrodes are placed? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Exercise stress test, How the Test is Performed. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E.3; NCET 2.6.
Show all 100 questions (96 more)

Electrodes, leads and machine settings, continued

  • For continuous monitoring in hospital, where are the limb electrodes placed? American Heart Association, Update to Practice Standards for Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Hospital Settings (Circulation 2017), Accurate Electrode Placement. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E.4; NCET 2.8.
  • For continuous monitoring, the AHA statement advises changing electrodes at least how often? American Heart Association, Update to Practice Standards for Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Hospital Settings (Circulation 2017), Electrocardiographic Electrodes and Lead Wires. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.A; NCET 2.8.
  • How does the CDC's NHANES manual position a patient for a resting ECG? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.2, step 5. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.D; NCET 2.1.
  • How many electrodes go on the patient for a standard 12-lead ECG? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.3. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • In lead aVF, which electrode is the positive one? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.5.2. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • In which plane do the six chest leads, V1 to V6, look at the heart? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central). Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • Lead II is recorded between which two electrodes? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.5.2. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • Leads I, aVL, V5 and V6 view which surface of the heart? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Anatomical relations of leads. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.G; NCET 3.9.
  • The paper speed is set to 50 mm per second. The count of large squares from one R wave to the next is divided into what number to give the heart rate? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Rate. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.B; NCET 3.13.
  • V3 has no bony landmark of its own. Where is it placed? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), figure, position of the six chest electrodes. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • What is the standard paper speed for an ECG? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central). Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.B; NCET 3.13.
  • Where does the V1 electrode go? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), figure, position of the six chest electrodes. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • Where does the V4 electrode go? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), figure, position of the six chest electrodes. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • Which bony landmark does the technician find first when counting down to the fourth intercostal space? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.3, step 4a. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • Which chest electrode sits in the mid-axillary line, level with V4? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), figure, position of the six chest electrodes. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • Which extra leads look at the left ventricle's posterior wall? Morris and Brady, Acute myocardial infarction Part I, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Anatomical relationship of leads. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E.5; NCET 2.2.
  • Which landmark marks the place of V5? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), figure, position of the six chest electrodes. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • Which lead is used most often to record a rhythm strip? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Rhythm. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.F; NCET 3.1.
  • Which lead wires belong on the patient's right side? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.3, step 3. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.F; NCET 4.1.
  • Which leads look at the heart's inferior surface? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Anatomical relations of leads. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.G; NCET 3.9.
  • Which set lists only limb leads? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central). Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • Which site on the arm does the CDC's NHANES manual prefer for a limb electrode? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.3, step 1g. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 2.5.
  • Why is the skin prepared before electrodes go on? American Heart Association, Update to Practice Standards for Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Hospital Settings (Circulation 2017), Skin Preparation. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.C; NCET 2.1.

Artifact and troubleshooting 15

  • According to the AHA monitoring statement, what has been wrongly diagnosed as ventricular tachycardia, leading to needless treatment? American Heart Association, Update to Practice Standards for Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Hospital Settings (Circulation 2017), Accurate Electrode Placement. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.2.
  • The baseline drifts up and down across the tracing. What does the CDC's NHANES manual call the prime suspect? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.1. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.2.
  • Besides swapped arm electrodes, which condition can give a negative P wave in lead I? Meek and Morris, Introduction II: basic terminology, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), P wave. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E.5; NCET 4.1.
  • Electrodes went on oily, sweaty skin that was not cleaned. Which problem does the CDC's NHANES manual tie to that? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.3. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.2.
  • Every complex in lead I is upside down. What should be checked first? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.5.2. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.F; NCET 4.1.
  • Muscle tremor artifact is most likely when the patient is what? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.2. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.2.
  • The P, QRS and T waves are almost invisible in one standard limb lead. Which hookup error does the CDC's NHANES manual suspect? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.5.2. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.F; NCET 4.1.
  • Tremor from the arms and legs spoils the tracing. Where can the limb electrodes be moved? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.2. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.4.
  • The weight of the lead wires keeps tugging an electrode loose. What helps? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.4. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.3.
  • What can loops in the lead wires cause? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.3, step 2. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.2.
  • Which of these can cause unstable electrode contact? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.1. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.2.
  • Which of these does the CDC's NHANES manual say does NOT cause AC interference? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.3. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.2.
  • Which step does the CDC's NHANES manual suggest to quiet muscle tremor? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.2. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.4.
  • Why does MedlinePlus say a patient should be relaxed and warm during the recording? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Electrocardiogram, How the Test is Performed. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.G; NCET 4.4.
  • Why must chest electrodes be placed by bony landmarks every time? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 3.5.5.1. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.E; NCET 4.1.

Conduction, waves, intervals and heart rate 14

  • A 10-second strip of an irregular rhythm shows 14 R-R intervals. What is the heart rate? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Rate. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.A; NCET 3.11.
  • A QRS complex of at least what duration is called abnormally wide, as in bundle branch block? Meek and Morris, Introduction II: basic terminology, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), QRS complex. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.C; NCET 3.9.
  • At standard speed a QRS complex is two small squares wide. How long does it last? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central). Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.C; NCET 3.9.
  • How long does a normal PR interval last? Meek and Morris, Introduction II: basic terminology, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), PR interval. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.C; NCET 3.9.
  • How many large squares make up a 6-second strip at standard speed? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Rate. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.A; NCET 3.11.
  • The PR interval is measured from where to where? Meek and Morris, Introduction II: basic terminology, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), PR interval. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.C; NCET 3.9.
  • The rhythm is regular and the R waves are four large squares apart at standard speed. What is the heart rate? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Rate. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.A; NCET 3.11.
  • The rhythm is regular with 25 small squares between R waves at standard speed. What is the heart rate? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Rate. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.A; NCET 3.11.
  • The sinoatrial node fires and the atria depolarize. Where does the impulse pass next on its way to the ventricles? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central). Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.C; NCET 3.9.
  • What does the P wave represent? Meek and Morris, Introduction II: basic terminology, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), P wave. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.D; NCET 3.9.
  • Which change is the earliest ECG sign of a high potassium level? Slovis and Jenkins, Conditions not primarily affecting the heart, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Hyperkalaemia. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.D; NCET 3.9.
  • Which structure acts as the heart's natural pacemaker? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central). Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.C; NCET 3.9.
  • Which wave is produced by ventricular repolarization? Meek and Morris, Introduction II: basic terminology, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), T wave. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.D; NCET 3.9.
  • Why does the electrical signal slow slightly at the AV node? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, How the Heart Beats, Electrical activity. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.C; NCET 3.9.

Naming a rhythm from its features 16

  • A regular rhythm at 48 beats per minute has an upright P wave in lead II before every QRS. What is it? Da Costa, Brady and Edhouse, Bradycardias and atrioventricular conduction block, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Sinus bradycardia. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.3.
  • Atrial flutter with 2:1 block typically gives what ventricular rate? Goodacre and Irons, Atrial arrhythmias, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Atrial flutter. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.4.
  • Broad, saw-toothed waves at about 300 per minute, best seen in the inferior leads and V1, are the mark of which rhythm? Goodacre and Irons, Atrial arrhythmias, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Atrial flutter. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.4.
  • During exercise testing, which change is the most reliable indicator of ischemia? Hill and Timmis, Exercise tolerance testing, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central). Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.G; NCET 3.12.
  • Every P wave is followed by a QRS, and the PR interval is a constant 0.28 second. What is the rhythm? Da Costa, Brady and Edhouse, Bradycardias and atrioventricular conduction block, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), First degree block. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.7.
  • In ventricular fibrillation, what are the lower chambers of the heart doing? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Ventricular fibrillation, Causes. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.H; NCET 3.5.
  • The most frequently used ECG criterion for acute myocardial infarction is ST segment elevation where? Morris and Brady, Acute myocardial infarction Part I, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central). Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.G; NCET 3.9.
  • No P waves, a wavy baseline and an irregular ventricular rhythm. Which rhythm fits? Goodacre and Irons, Atrial arrhythmias, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Atrial fibrillation. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.4.
  • Normal P waves, one before every QRS, in a regular rhythm at 124 beats per minute. Which rhythm is this? Goodacre and Irons, Atrial arrhythmias, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Electrocardiographic characteristics of atrial arrhythmias. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.3.
  • P waves and QRS complexes each keep their own steady pace, with no relation between them. What is the rhythm? Da Costa, Brady and Edhouse, Bradycardias and atrioventricular conduction block, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Third degree block. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.7.
  • The PR interval lengthens beat by beat until one P wave has no QRS after it, and then the cycle repeats. What is the rhythm? Da Costa, Brady and Edhouse, Bradycardias and atrioventricular conduction block, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Second degree block. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.7.
  • Some P waves are not conducted, and the PR interval of the conducted beats does not change. What is the rhythm? Da Costa, Brady and Edhouse, Bradycardias and atrioventricular conduction block, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Second degree block. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.7.
  • Ventricular tachycardia is defined as at least how many ventricular extrasystoles in a row at a rate over 120? Edhouse and Morris, Broad complex tachycardia Part I, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Terminology. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.H; NCET 3.5.
  • Which finding is one of the cardinal features of sinus rhythm? Meek and Morris, Introduction I: leads, rate, rhythm and cardiac axis, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Cardinal features of sinus rhythm. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.3.
  • Which rate and QRS shape are typical of a junctional escape rhythm? Da Costa, Brady and Edhouse, Bradycardias and atrioventricular conduction block, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Escape rhythms. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.E; NCET 3.6.
  • Why can a bedside monitor sound a false ventricular tachycardia alarm for a patient with a pacemaker? American Heart Association, Update to Practice Standards for Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Hospital Settings (Circulation 2017), Permanent Pacemaker or ICD. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.F; NCET 3.8.

Patient preparation, vital signs and monitoring tests 16

  • A loop memory monitor records constantly but does not save the ECG. What makes it save a stretch of recording? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Cardiac event monitors, How the Test is Performed. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.G; NCET 2.7.
  • A nervous patient asks whether the ECG will give a shock. Which statement is true? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Electrocardiogram, How the Test will Feel. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.D; NCET 1.4.
  • A patient faints after the test and is breathing normally. Which step is on the MedlinePlus list of immediate steps? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Fainting, Home Care. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.I; NCET 1.7.
  • A patient's palpitations come about once a month. Which test does MedlinePlus say is used for symptoms that occur that seldom? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Cardiac event monitors, Why the Test is Performed. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.G; NCET 2.7.
  • A provider explains a procedure, checks that the patient understands and asks whether the patient agrees. What is this process called? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Informed consent - adults, What is Informed Consent?. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.C; NCET 1.2.
  • Before a stress test a resting adult's blood pressure reads 84/52 mm Hg. How does that compare with the normal range MedlinePlus gives? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Vital signs. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.E; NCET 1.5.
  • By the usual convention, what is the maximum predicted heart rate of a 50-year-old man? Hill and Timmis, Exercise tolerance testing, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Maximum predicted heart rate. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 3.A; NCET 3.11.
  • During a treadmill test on the Bruce protocol, when is blood pressure measured? Hill and Timmis, Exercise tolerance testing, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), The test. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.I; NCET 3.12.
  • How long is a Holter monitor usually worn before it is returned? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Holter monitor (24h), How the Test is Performed. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.G; NCET 2.7.
  • What does MedlinePlus tell a patient about bathing and a Holter monitor? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Holter monitor (24h), How to Prepare for the Test. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.G; NCET 2.7.
  • What does MedlinePlus tell a patient not to do for 3 hours or more before an exercise stress test? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Exercise stress test, How to Prepare for the Test. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.F; NCET 2.4.
  • What should a patient keep while wearing a Holter monitor? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Holter monitor (24h), How the Test is Performed. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.G; NCET 2.7.
  • Where should the upper arm be while a blood pressure is taken? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Blood pressure measurement, How the Test is Performed. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.E; NCET 2.9.
  • Which finding is listed as a reason for stopping an exercise test? Hill and Timmis, Exercise tolerance testing, ABC of clinical electrocardiography, BMJ 2002 (PubMed Central), Reasons for stopping a test. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.J; NCET 3.12.
  • Which of these, done immediately before a resting ECG, may cause false results according to MedlinePlus? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Electrocardiogram, How to Prepare for the Test. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.D; NCET 2.4.
  • You count 41 beats at the wrist in 30 seconds. What pulse do you record? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine), Pulse, How the Test is Performed. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.E; NCET 1.5.

Safety, privacy and infection control 12

  • A patient is on Contact Precautions. What does the CDC have the technician wear for an ECG in that room? CDC, Infection Control Basics: Transmission-Based Precautions, Contact Precautions. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.B; NCET 2.3.
  • A technician opens a chart to confirm an ECG order. What does the HIPAA minimum necessary standard ask of that use? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HIPAA Minimum Necessary Requirement (45 CFR 164.502(b), 164.514(d)), How the Rule Works. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.A; NCET 1.6.
  • The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects individually identifiable health information held by a covered entity in which forms? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, What Information is Protected. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.A; NCET 1.6.
  • In the CDC's disinfection guideline, what is an item called that touches intact skin but not mucous membranes? CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, A Rational Approach to Disinfection and Sterilization, Noncritical Items. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.A; NCET 1.9.
  • In which case does the CDC call for washing with soap and water in place of hand sanitizer? CDC, Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers, When to wash with soap and water. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.B; NCET 1.8.
  • One ECG machine has to serve a patient on Contact Precautions and then other patients. What does the CDC require before the next patient? CDC, Infection Control Basics: Transmission-Based Precautions, Contact Precautions. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.A; NCET 2.3.
  • The tracing is done and you take off your gloves. What does the CDC say comes next? CDC, Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers, Know when to wear (and change) gloves. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.B; NCET 1.8.
  • Under OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard, what does Universal Precautions mean? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA), paragraph (b), Definitions. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.B; NCET 1.8.
  • Under OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard, what must an employer make available to employees who have occupational exposure? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA), paragraph (f)(2), Hepatitis B Vaccination. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.B; NCET 1.8.
  • Which infection does the CDC give as an example that calls for Airborne Precautions? CDC, Infection Control Basics: Transmission-Based Precautions, Airborne Precautions. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.B; NCET 2.3.
  • You find frayed wiring on the ECG machine. What does the CDC's NHANES manual direct? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual (1991), section 6.1. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 2.A; NCET 1.9.
  • Your hands are not visibly soiled and you are about to place electrodes. Which hand hygiene method does the CDC prefer in most clinical situations? CDC, Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers, Know when to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer versus soap and water. Outline: NHA CET and NCCT NCET test plans, CET 1.B; NCET 1.8.

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the content areas shared by two published test plans: the NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET) Test Plan of the National Healthcareer Association (https://info.nhanow.com/hubfs/Test%20Plans/nha_2017-cet-test-plan.pdf, linked from https://www.nhanow.com/certification/nha-certifications/certified-ekg-technician-(cet)) and the National Certified ECG Technician (NCET) Detailed Test Plan of the National Center for Competency Testing, effective January 2024 (https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/ECG%20Detailed%20Test%20Plan.pdf), both read 2026-10-07. The bank holds 28 questions on safety, compliance and patient care, 27 on electrodes, leads and settings, 15 on artifact and troubleshooting and 30 on waves, heart rate and rhythms. Every fact was read on 2026-10-07 in the public source the question names: the ABC of clinical electrocardiography series of the BMJ (2002) in PubMed Central, the NHANES III Electrocardiogram manual of the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, the American Heart Association 2017 update to its practice standards for electrocardiographic monitoring, MedlinePlus, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the CDC, HHS (HIPAA) and 29 CFR 1910.1030. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free EKG practice test has 100 questions of our own. It is unofficial and not affiliated with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

Read the full guide

What it covers

The questions follow two published test plans, read October 7, 2026: the NHA's plan for its CET exam and the NCCT's plan for its ECG Technician exam. This bank holds 28 questions on safety and patient care, 27 on electrodes, leads and machine settings, 15 on artifact and 30 on waves, heart rate and rhythms.

Timing

Exam mode asks 50 questions in 50 minutes, the pace of the NHA exam: 120 questions in two hours.

Where the answers come from

Each of these EKG technician exam questions names the public page its fact was read in: the BMJ's ABC of clinical electrocardiography in PubMed Central, a CDC survey manual on recording ECGs, an American Heart Association statement, MedlinePlus, the NHLBI, the CDC, HHS and OSHA.

  • V1 and V2 sit in the fourth space on either side of the sternum; V4, V5 and V6 share one level line.
  • Dividing 300 by the large squares between R waves gives the rate only when the rhythm is regular.

Questions and answers

Is this an EKG national exam practice test?

It is practice for the two national EKG technician exams, the NHA's CET and the NCCT's NCET, written to their published test plans. It is unofficial: no question is taken from or reworded from either exam or its paid practice tests.

How many questions are on the EKG certification exam?

The NHA's CET has 100 scored questions and 20 pretest questions in 2 hours. The NCCT's ECG Technician exam has 100 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions in 3 hours. Both figures are from the test plans.

Can I use this as a practice EKG exam for certification?

Yes, as study. Exam mode is a timed EKG practice exam that gives the number right, with no verdict and no forecast of a real score.

Does this EKG quiz have rhythm strips?

No. Every question is in words: a rhythm is named from written features such as its rate, P waves and PR interval. The NHA plan asks candidates to identify arrhythmias from a tracing, so practice with strips as well.

Can I get these EKG technician exam questions as a PDF?

Yes. Finish a set and press Print for a question sheet, with the answer key if you tick its box. Your browser's print window can save the sheet as a PDF.

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