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Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Exam

5. Cognitive: practice questions

Our CDA exam bank has 21 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1

By 3 years, which cognitive milestone do most children show?

  1. Drawing a circle when shown how
  2. Counting to 20
  3. Reading simple words
  4. Writing their name
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A. Drawing a circle when shown how — CDC's 3-year milestones include drawing a circle when shown how and avoiding hot objects when warned.

Question 2

By about 1 year, a baby looks for a toy they saw you hide under a blanket. What does this show?

  1. Object permanence: knowing things still exist when out of sight
  2. The baby cannot see well
  3. Delayed language development
  4. The baby is not really interested in the toy and is only copying the adult
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A. Object permanence: knowing things still exist when out of sight — CDC's 1-year milestones include looking for things the baby saw you hide, like a toy under a blanket.

Question 3

Which activity best helps a toddler learn about cause and effect?

  1. Pushing buttons or levers on a toy that makes something happen
  2. Listening to a lecture
  3. Watching a video about how machines work
  4. Doing a worksheet
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A. Pushing buttons or levers on a toy that makes something happen — CDC's 2-year milestones include trying to use switches, knobs or buttons on a toy.

Question 4

Which question best encourages a preschooler's thinking?

  1. "Did you finish?"
  2. "Is that red?"
  3. "Can you sit down?"
  4. "What do you think will happen if we add more water?"
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D. "What do you think will happen if we add more water?" — Open-ended questions promote curiosity, reasoning and problem solving, the core of the Cognitive area.

Question 5

Which activity builds early math skills in preschoolers?

  1. Copying numbers on worksheets every day
  2. Memorizing number flashcards for an hour a day until all numbers to 100 are known
  3. Watching counting videos alone
  4. Sorting and counting objects during play, such as buttons by color
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D. Sorting and counting objects during play, such as buttons by color — The Cognitive area includes mathematics content goals taught through developmentally appropriate experiences.

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