PSW Study Schedule: Your 5-Week Plan to Pass the NACC Exam

You know you need to study for the NACC exam. You have the textbook, the notes, maybe a pile of handouts from your PSW program. What you do not have is a plan for how to get through all of it before exam day without losing your mind.

That is what this guide solves. Below is a complete 5-week study schedule that maps to all 12 NACC curriculum modules, builds in timed mock exams, and includes a final review week to lock everything in. It is designed for working students who cannot study eight hours a day — you need about 60-90 minutes per day, six days a week. One rest day per week is built in because burnout helps no one.

If you have not already read our guide to passing the NACC exam, start there for the big-picture strategy. This schedule is the tactical companion — it tells you exactly what to study and when.

How This Schedule Works

Before diving in, here are the principles behind the structure.

Foundations come first. Modules 1-3 cover the PSW role, safety and IPAC, and body systems. Almost every scenario question on the exam depends on concepts from these modules. If you skip ahead to clinical skills without a solid foundation, you will struggle with questions that combine multiple modules.

High-weight modules get more time. Not every module carries equal weight on the exam. IPAC (Module 2), scope of practice (Module 1), vital signs (Module 7), dementia care (Module 11), and medication safety (Module 10) appear more frequently. This schedule allocates extra sessions to these topics.

Practice exams start in Week 4. You need to cover the full curriculum before sitting a mock exam, or you will be guessing on topics you have not studied yet. Week 4 introduces your first timed practice exam, and Week 5 is dedicated entirely to review and exam simulation.

Active recall beats passive reading. Each study session in this schedule includes time for practice questions, not just reading notes. Answering questions — especially scenario-based ones — is the single most effective study method for the NACC exam. For a breakdown of what the exam actually looks like, see our NACC exam format guide.

The 5-Week NACC Study Schedule

Week 1: Foundations (Modules 1-3)

This week builds the base that everything else rests on. Do not rush through it.

Day 1 — Module 1: The PSW Role (Part 1)

• Scope of practice: what a PSW can and cannot do
• Professional boundaries and ethical principles
• The healthcare team: roles, delegation vs. assignment
• Study time: 60-75 minutes (45 min review + 15-30 min practice questions)

Day 2 — Module 1: The PSW Role (Part 2)

• DIPPS framework: Dignity, Independence, Preferences, Privacy, Safety
• Client rights and advocacy
• Documentation basics and reporting
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 3 — Module 2: Safety and IPAC (Part 1)

• Chain of infection: all six links (infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host)
• 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Routine practices vs. additional precautions (contact, droplet, airborne)
• Study time: 75-90 minutes (this is a high-weight topic — give it extra time)

Day 4 — Module 2: Safety and IPAC (Part 2)

• PPE donning and doffing sequence
• WHMIS symbols and workplace safety
• Fire safety: RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish) and PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
• Sharps safety and incident reporting
• Study time: 75-90 minutes

Day 5 — Module 3: Body Systems and Medical Terminology

• Major body systems overview (cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, nervous, digestive, urinary, integumentary, endocrine, reproductive)
• Common medical terminology: prefixes, suffixes, root words
• Abbreviations used in care settings (ADLs, PRN, NPO, BID, TID, etc.)
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 6 — Week 1 Review

• Review flashcards: chain of infection, 4 Moments, PPE sequence, DIPPS
• Complete 20-30 practice questions covering Modules 1-3
• Identify any areas where you felt unsure and make a note for later review
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 7 — Rest day. No studying. Let your brain consolidate.

Week 2: Clinical Skills (Modules 4-7)

This week covers the hands-on knowledge that makes up the bulk of daily PSW work. Pay special attention to Module 7 — vital signs are a high-frequency exam topic.

Day 1 — Module 4: Personal Care (Part 1)

• Bathing, grooming, oral hygiene, and skin care
• Principles of personal care: privacy, dignity, promoting independence
• Perineal care and catheter care basics
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 2 — Module 4: Personal Care (Part 2)

• Positioning, body mechanics, and safe transfers
• Bed-making (occupied and unoccupied)
• Adaptive equipment for dressing and grooming
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 3 — Module 5: Abuse and Neglect

• Types of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, financial, neglect
• Indicators of each type of abuse
• Duty to report under the Long-Term Care Homes Act (LTCHA)
• The PSW's legal and ethical obligations when abuse is suspected
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 4 — Module 6: Nutrition and Hydration

• Canada's Food Guide principles
• Special diets and dietary restrictions
• Dysphagia and IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) levels
• Aspiration precautions, feeding assistance, adaptive eating equipment
• Fluid intake and output measurement
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 5 — Module 7: Health Assessment Skills

• All five vital signs: temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
• Normal adult ranges for each vital sign
• When to report abnormal findings and to whom
• Intake and output measurement, height and weight recording
• Study time: 75-90 minutes (high-weight topic)

Day 6 — Week 2 Review

• Review vital sign normal ranges (test yourself without looking)
• Complete 25-30 practice questions covering Modules 4-7
• Revisit any weak areas from Week 1 that you noted
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 7 — Rest day.

Week 3: Specialized Care (Modules 8-12)

This week covers more complex topics that frequently appear in scenario-based questions. Modules 10 and 11 are especially important.

Day 1 — Module 8: Family and Community Care

• Home care vs. facility care: key differences
• Working with families: communication, cultural considerations, boundaries
• Community resources and referrals
• Unique challenges of providing care in a client's home
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 2 — Module 9: Palliative and End-of-Life Care

• Signs of approaching death
• Comfort measures and pain management principles
• Advance directives and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders
• Supporting the family through grief
• The PSW's emotional response to death and self-care
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 3 — Module 10: Medication Assistance (Part 1)

• The 6 Rights of Medication: right client, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation
• What PSWs can and cannot do regarding medications
• Delegation vs. assignment in the context of medication
• Study time: 75-90 minutes (high-weight topic)

Day 4 — Module 10: Medication Assistance (Part 2)

• Common medication forms (oral, topical, inhaled, sublingual, transdermal)
• High-alert medications and when to refuse a task outside your scope
• Observing and reporting medication side effects
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 5 — Module 11: Mental Health and Dementia Care

• Types of dementia: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia
• Stages of Alzheimer's disease (mild, moderate, severe)
• Communication strategies for clients with dementia
• Responsive behaviours: causes, prevention, and appropriate responses
• Validation therapy, redirection, and reality orientation
• Study time: 75-90 minutes (high-weight topic — allocate extra time)

Day 6 — Module 12: Common Health Conditions + Week 3 Review

• Diabetes: hypoglycemia vs. hyperglycemia (signs, symptoms, responses)
• Cardiovascular conditions: heart failure, hypertension, angina
• Respiratory conditions: COPD, asthma, pneumonia
• Musculoskeletal conditions: osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, fractures
• Stroke: signs, TIA, post-stroke care
• Complete 20-25 practice questions covering Modules 8-12
• Study time: 90 minutes (combined module study + review)

Day 7 — Rest day.

Week 4: Practice Exams and Weak-Area Targeting

You have now covered all 12 modules. This week is about testing yourself under realistic conditions and closing the gaps.

Day 1 — First Full-Length Timed Mock Exam

• Simulate real exam conditions: sit at a desk, set a timer, do not pause
• Answer all questions without checking notes or answers
• Flag questions you are unsure about as you go
• Study time: full exam duration (approximately 2 hours)

Day 2 — Mock Exam Review

• Go through every question you got wrong
• For each incorrect answer, identify: What module does this belong to? What concept was being tested? Why is the correct answer better than what I chose?
• Group your errors by module — this reveals your weak areas
• Study time: 75-90 minutes

Day 3 — Weak Area Session 1

• Spend the full session on your weakest module from the mock exam
• Focus on the specific concepts you missed, not the entire module
• Do 15-20 targeted practice questions on that module
• Study time: 75-90 minutes

Day 4 — Weak Area Session 2

• Spend the full session on your second weakest module
• Same approach: targeted concepts, targeted practice questions
• Study time: 75-90 minutes

Day 5 — Cross-Module Scenario Practice

• Complete 30-40 scenario-based practice questions that draw from multiple modules
• Practice applying the DIPPS framework to every question
• Focus on identifying the "best" answer, not just a "correct" one
• Study time: 75-90 minutes

Read our guide on common NACC exam mistakes before this session — it will sharpen your approach to scenario questions.

Day 6 — Second Full-Length Timed Mock Exam

• Same conditions as Day 1
• Compare your score to the first mock exam — you should see improvement
• If new weak areas emerge, note them for Week 5
• Study time: full exam duration

Day 7 — Rest day.

Week 5: Final Review and Exam Preparation

This is the home stretch. No new material. Your only goal is to consolidate what you know, address any remaining weak spots, and prepare mentally for exam day.

Day 1 — Second Mock Exam Review

• Review all incorrect answers from the Day 6 mock exam
• Compare your error patterns to the first mock exam — are the same modules still weak, or have they improved?
• Create a short list of your top 5 weakest concepts (not modules — specific concepts)
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 2 — Targeted Weak Spot Review

• Dedicate the entire session to your top 5 weakest concepts
• For each concept, review the material and then immediately test yourself with practice questions
• Study time: 75-90 minutes

Day 3 — High-Weight Topic Speed Review

• Rapid review of the five highest-weight exam topics: IPAC, scope of practice, vital signs, dementia care, medication safety
• For each topic, test yourself on the key facts without looking at your notes first, then check your accuracy
• Study time: 60-75 minutes

Day 4 — Final Practice Questions

• Complete 40-50 mixed practice questions spanning all 12 modules
• Enforce the 60-90 second rule per question
• Do not look at answers until you have completed all questions
• Study time: 75-90 minutes

Day 5 — Light Review Only

• Review your flashcards one final time
• Skim your one-page reference sheets (vital signs, chain of infection, PPE sequence, 6 Rights of Medication)
• Do NOT attempt a full practice exam today — you want your brain fresh, not fatigued
• Study time: 30-45 minutes maximum

Day 6 — Exam Day Prep

• Lay out everything you need: identification, login information, any required materials
• Review your exam-day routine (see below)
• Go to bed at your normal time — do not stay up late studying
• Study time: 0 minutes. You are done studying.

Day 7 — Exam Day. Trust your preparation.

Sample Daily Study Routine

If you are not sure how to structure each 60-90 minute session, here is a template you can follow.

Minutes 0-5: Warm-Up Review 10-15 flashcards from previous sessions. This activates recall and gets your brain into study mode.

Minutes 5-35: Content Review (30 minutes) Study the day's assigned module or topic. Read your notes, textbook sections, or course materials. Focus on understanding the concepts, not just memorizing words. Highlight or star anything you find confusing.

Minutes 35-55: Practice Questions (20 minutes) Answer 10-15 practice questions related to the material you just reviewed. This is the most important part of your session. Answer each question before looking at the explanation, then read the full explanation regardless of whether you got it right.

Minutes 55-65: Review and Reflect (10 minutes) Go back to anything you got wrong or found confusing. Write a one-sentence explanation in your own words for each concept you struggled with. This forces active processing instead of passive recognition.

Minutes 65-75: Preview Tomorrow (optional, 10 minutes) Briefly skim the topic for your next session. This primes your brain to start processing the material before you formally study it.

If you only have 60 minutes, drop the preview step. If you have 90 minutes, extend the practice questions section to 30-35 minutes.

How to Handle Weak Areas

Every student has modules they find harder than others. The key is identifying your weak areas early and addressing them systematically, not avoiding them.

During Weeks 1-3: After each weekly review session, write down the modules or topics where you felt least confident. Do not try to fix them immediately — note them and keep moving through the schedule.

During Week 4: Your two mock exams will objectively identify your weak areas through your error patterns. This is more reliable than your subjective sense of confidence, because sometimes students feel confident in areas where they are actually making mistakes.

Addressing weak areas effectively:

• Focus on specific concepts within a module, not the entire module. If you are weak on dementia care, you might specifically need to work on communication strategies and responsive behaviours, not the entire Module 11.
• Use practice questions, not re-reading. If you got a medication safety question wrong, do 15 more medication safety questions. Reading your notes again will not fix the problem as quickly.
• Explain the concept out loud or in writing. If you cannot explain why the correct answer is correct in your own words, you do not truly understand it yet.

Adjusting the Schedule

This schedule assumes you have five full weeks before your exam. If your situation is different, here is how to adapt.

If you have 4 weeks: Compress Weeks 1 and 2 into a single week by studying two modules per day instead of one. Keep Week 4 (practice exams) and Week 5 (final review) intact — do not sacrifice exam simulation time.

If you have 6+ weeks: Add an extra week of practice exams between Week 4 and Week 5. Three full mock exams are better than two.

If you have less than 3 weeks: Focus exclusively on the five high-weight topics (IPAC, scope of practice, vital signs, dementia care, medication safety), complete at least one timed mock exam, and review the common exam mistakes guide to avoid the most costly errors.

If you can only study 30-45 minutes per day: Cut the daily routine to content review (20 minutes) and practice questions (15-20 minutes). Skip the warm-up and preview steps. Extend the schedule to 6-7 weeks to compensate for shorter sessions.

What Not to Do During Your Study Period

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do.

Do not study without practice questions. Reading notes is not studying — it is reviewing. Studying means testing yourself and learning from your mistakes. Every session should include practice questions.

Do not skip rest days. Your brain consolidates learning during rest. Studying seven days a week leads to diminishing returns and burnout. One rest day per week is not optional — it is part of the plan.

Do not compare your progress to others. Other students may be further ahead or behind. That is irrelevant. Your schedule is based on the NACC curriculum and your personal weak areas. Stay on your plan.

Do not cram the night before the exam. If you have followed this schedule, you are already prepared. Cramming the night before replaces solid long-term knowledge with fragile short-term memory and guarantees you arrive at the exam tired. Read a book, go for a walk, get a good night's sleep.

Do not ignore the exam format. Understanding how the exam works — the number of questions, the time limit, the online interface — reduces anxiety and prevents surprises. Read our NACC exam format guide at least a week before your exam date.

Your Exam-Day Routine

The morning of the exam is not the time for last-minute decisions. Here is a routine that sets you up for your best performance.

The night before: Lay out your identification, login credentials, and any required materials. Set two alarms. Do not study.

Morning of the exam: Eat a normal breakfast — something you are used to, not something new. Drink water. Avoid excessive caffeine if you are not a regular coffee drinker, as it can worsen anxiety.

Before the exam starts: Arrive or log in early. Get settled. Take three slow, deep breaths. Remind yourself that you have prepared for this — you know the material, you have practised under timed conditions, and you have a strategy for managing difficult questions.

During the exam: Stick to your 60-90 second per question pace. Flag questions you are unsure about and come back to them. Do not let one hard question derail the next ten. Trust your DIPPS framework for scenario questions.

Start Now

The best time to start this schedule is five weeks before your exam. The second best time is today. Every day you delay compresses the schedule and increases the pressure.

If you want more detail on the strategies behind this schedule — why certain topics are prioritized, how to master scenario questions, and what the exam is really testing — start with our complete guide to passing the NACC exam.

If you want to start practising right now, try our free PSW practice questions. And when you are ready for the full 2,400+ question bank with detailed explanations, timed mock exams, and weak-area tracking, explore PSW Leap.

You have the schedule. Now follow it.