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MACE Simulator

Free MACE Practice Test

Practice the Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) with 1,020 questions and a rationale for all four options on every one. Take a full 60-question, 120-minute mock exam, or take the free readiness check — no signup.

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5 practice questions, one at a time · every answer explained · no signup.

Question 1 of 5⏱ 0:00

A resident is prescribed a topical corticosteroid ointment for a rash on their arm. When applying the medication, which action should the Medication Aide take?

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The 5 MACE practice questions — with answers

Every answer, and why each option is right or wrong. Practise them one at a time in the simulator above.

Question 1

A resident is prescribed a topical corticosteroid ointment for a rash on their arm. When applying the medication, which action should the Medication Aide take?

💡 Hint

Look closely at: topical corticosteroid ointment · rash on their arm

  • A Apply a thick layer of the ointment to ensure it absorbs fully.
  • B Rub the ointment vigorously into the skin until it disappears.
  • C Wear gloves and apply a thin, even layer over the affected area.
  • D Place a sterile gauze dressing over the ointment after application.
▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

🔑 Key takeaway

Apply topical corticosteroids in a thin, even layer while wearing gloves to prevent personal medication absorption.

A — incorrect
Incorrect. Applying a thick layer can cause unintended systemic absorption and adverse effects; medications should be applied in a thin layer unless ordered otherwise.
B — incorrect
Incorrect. Vigorously rubbing an ointment can cause skin irritation or unintended rapid absorption; it should be applied gently.
C — correct
Correct. The Medication Aide should wear gloves to protect themselves from absorbing the medication and apply a thin, even layer as directed, which is the standard technique for topical ointments.
D — incorrect
Incorrect. Covering the area with a dressing (occlusion) increases absorption and should only be done if specifically ordered by the prescriber.

Question 2

The Medication Aide pops a routine, non-controlled docusate sodium capsule into a medication cup. The resident refuses the dose, stating they have had loose stools. After notifying the nurse and documenting the refusal, how should the aide handle the refused capsule?

💡 Hint

Look closely at: pops a routine, non-controlled docusate sodium · stating they have had loose stools

  • A Return the capsule to the resident's original medication bingo card.
  • B Flush the capsule down the resident's toilet to prevent diversion.
  • C Place the capsule in the biohazard sharps container.
  • D Dispose of the capsule according to the facility's specific waste management policy.
▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

🔑 Key takeaway

Unused or refused medications removed from original packaging must be discarded per facility waste policy.

A — incorrect
Returning the capsule to the bingo card is tempting to save medication and reduce waste, but once a pill is removed from its blister, it is considered contaminated and cannot be restocked.
B — incorrect
Flushing the capsule is tempting because it permanently destroys the drug, but flushing is prohibited by environmental regulations unless specifically directed by the FDA for certain high-risk drugs.
C — incorrect
Placing the capsule in the biohazard container is tempting because it is medical waste, but biohazard sharps containers are strictly for items that can puncture the skin or are saturated with blood, not pills.
D — correct
Popped, non-controlled medications that are refused must be destroyed and discarded according to facility policy (often using a designated pharmaceutical waste container or a drug-deactivating pouch).

Question 3

A Medication Aide realizes they just administered Mr. Smith's morning blood pressure medication to Mr. Jones. What is the aide's immediate priority?

💡 Hint

Look closely at: Medication Aide realizes · morning blood pressure medication

  • A Complete a facility incident report detailing the medication error.
  • B Notify the delegating nurse immediately so the resident can be assessed.
  • C Check Mr. Jones's vital signs and monitor him for adverse reactions.
  • D Call the poison control center or the facility's on-call pharmacist.
▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

🔑 Key takeaway

Following a medication error, immediately alert the supervising nurse so the patient can be promptly clinically evaluated.

A — incorrect
Completing an incident report is tempting and necessary, but it is a secondary administrative task; the resident's immediate physiological safety and nurse notification must come first.
B — correct
Notifying the delegating nurse immediately is correct because the nurse must promptly assess the resident for potential harm and determine the next clinical steps following any medication error.
C — incorrect
Checking vital signs and monitoring for adverse reactions is wrong because assessing a resident's clinical status is strictly outside the Medication Aide's scope of practice.
D — incorrect
Calling poison control or the pharmacist is wrong because the delegating nurse must be the one to determine the medical response and contact appropriate providers.

Question 4

When administering a medication via the buccal route, where should the Medication Aide place the medication?

💡 Hint

Look closely at: administering a medication · buccal route

  • A Under the resident's tongue.
  • B On the back of the resident's tongue to be swallowed whole.
  • C Inside the lower eyelid pocket.
  • D Between the resident's cheek and gum.
▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

🔑 Key takeaway

Buccal medications must be placed between the resident's cheek and gum to dissolve and absorb properly.

A — incorrect
Incorrect. Placing a medication under the tongue is the sublingual route, not the buccal route.
B — incorrect
Incorrect. Buccal medications should not be swallowed whole, as they will be destroyed by stomach acid or will not absorb as intended.
C — incorrect
Incorrect. Placing medication inside the lower eyelid pocket is the technique for ophthalmic (eye) administration.
D — correct
Correct. Buccal medications are designed to dissolve and be absorbed through the mucous membranes lining the cheek, so they must be placed between the cheek and the gum.

Question 5

A Medication Aide is preparing to administer a newly prescribed oral medication. The aide is unfamiliar with the drug's common side effects and wants to know what to observe the resident for after administration. What is the most appropriate resource for the aide to consult first?

💡 Hint

Look closely at: newly prescribed oral medication · common side effects

  • A A current nursing drug reference guide or package insert.
  • B The resident's medical diagnosis list in the chart.
  • C The facility's policy and procedure manual.
  • D The resident's family member who requested the medication.
▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

🔑 Key takeaway

Consult standardized pharmacological references or drug guides first when unfamiliar with newly prescribed medication side effects.

A — correct
A drug guide or package insert provides reliable, standardized pharmacological information, including common side effects, nursing considerations, and administration guidelines.
B — incorrect
The resident's medical diagnosis list is tempting because it explains why the drug was ordered, but it does not list the drug's adverse effects.
C — incorrect
The facility's policy and procedure manual is tempting because it guides MA-C actions, but it contains administrative rules and general protocols, not specific drug monographs.
D — incorrect
The resident's family member is tempting if they have prior experience with the drug, but they are not a reliable or approved clinical reference for medication administration.

About the official exam

The Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE®) is administered by Credentia, state by state — NCSBN no longer develops or owns the MACE.

States with Credentia MACE pages
Colorado, Kentucky, South Carolina, Utah and Washington
Format
60 multiple-choice questions · online proctored · scored as soon as you finish
Fees
Set by each state — e.g. $80 per attempt in Kentucky and South Carolina, $120 in Utah
Retake limits
Set by each state — e.g. 3 attempts in South Carolina, 2 in Kentucky, unlimited within 5 years in Utah
Scheduling
Online written exams can often be booked as early as the next day

Source: NCSBN — NNAAP and MACE notice; Credentia state MACE pages. LexPort is independent exam practice — not affiliated with or endorsed by Credentia.

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What’s inside these MACE practice questions

  • ✓Every question explains all four options — you learn why, not just the answer key
  • ✓All 1,020 questions across the three MACE domains (Duties · Administration · Concepts)
  • ✓17 full-length 60-question mock exams, timed to the real 120-minute MACE
  • ✓A readiness score + per-domain weak-spot tracking, so you always know what to study next
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The MACE domains

MACE scored domains and weights
Scored domainWeight
Authorized Duties16%
Medication Administration, Observation & Reporting60%
Medication Concepts & Measurements24%

MACE practice — frequently asked questions

What is the MACE exam?
The Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) is administered by Credentia, state by state, for medication aide certification; NCSBN no longer develops or owns it. It tests authorized duties, safe medication administration and reporting, and medication concepts and measurements.
How many questions are on the MACE?
Sixty multiple-choice questions: 50 are scored and 10 are unscored pretest items. You cannot tell which is which, so treat every question as if it counts.
How long is the MACE?
You have 120 minutes for the 60 questions. Confirm current details on the Credentia candidate handbook, as testing specifics are updated periodically.
What does the MACE cover?
Three domains: Authorized Duties (16%), Medication Administration, Observation and Reporting (60%), and Medication Concepts and Measurements (24%). The bulk of the exam is safe administration and reporting.
How should I practice for the MACE?
Take full 60-question timed practice tests to build stamina and accuracy, and read the rationale for every option — the wrong answers teach the discriminating detail. Weight your practice toward Medication Administration, the largest domain.

Authoritative sources

Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NCSBN or Credentia. Study aid only; not medical or legal advice.