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NZ First Aid Practice Test (6401 and 6402) 2026

Most workplace first aid courses in New Zealand assess NZQA unit standards 6401 (provide first aid) and 6402 (provide resuscitation), and the training provider sets the assessment. These questions follow Hato Hone St John first aid guidance, which is based on ANZCOR guidelines. This is study material, not medical advice.

  • First aid
  • New Zealand
  • 50 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

Pass mark: No single national exam. The training provider assesses the unit standards with written and practical tasks. There is no time limit. It is run by NZQA-accredited first aid training providers (for example Hato Hone St John); guidelines from ANZCOR and the New Zealand Resuscitation Council. Practise here for free with 50 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the NZ First Aid Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    What number do you call for an ambulance in New Zealand?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 111

    Call 111 and ask for an ambulance.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    In the DRSABCD action plan, what does the first D stand for?
    123
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    Answer: A. Dangers

    First check for dangers to you, the person and bystanders, such as traffic or live wires.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    How do you check whether a collapsed person responds?
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    Answer: A. Talk to them, then grasp and squeeze their shoulders

    Ask a question or give a command, then firmly squeeze the shoulders. Any movement or noise is a response.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    In DRSABCD, what does the S stand for?
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    Answer: D. Send for help

    Send for help by calling 111.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    How do you open the airway of an unresponsive adult?
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    Answer: D. Tilt the head back and lift the chin

    A head tilt and chin lift opens the airway. Clear anything in the mouth with two fingers.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    An unresponsive person is taking occasional gasps. What does this mean?
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    Answer: A. They are not breathing normally, so start CPR

    Occasional gasps are not normal breathing. Start CPR.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    When should you attach an AED (defibrillator) to a person in cardiac arrest?
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    Answer: B. As soon as possible, and follow its voice instructions

    The D in DRSABCD is defibrillation: attach an AED as soon as one is available.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Where do you put your hands for adult chest compressions?
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    Answer: D. Heel of one hand in the centre of the chest, other hand on top

    Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest with the other hand on top, arms straight.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    How deep should chest compressions be?
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    Answer: A. About one-third of the depth of the chest

    Push down one-third of the chest depth, for adults, children and babies.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    What is the ratio of compressions to breaths in CPR?
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    Answer: B. 30 compressions to 2 breaths

    Give 30 compressions, then 2 breaths, and repeat.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    You are giving CPR but cannot or will not give rescue breaths. What should you do?
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    Answer: C. Keep giving chest compressions without stopping

    If you cannot give breaths, continue with chest compressions alone.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    When should you stop CPR?
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    Answer: C. When the ambulance crew arrives and takes over

    St John says to keep going until the ambulance arrives and not to give up.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    St John child CPR is for children of which age?
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    Answer: C. 1 to 8 years

    Child CPR applies to children aged 1 to 8; baby CPR is for those under one.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    How do you usually give chest compressions to a child aged 1 to 8?
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    Answer: B. With the heel of one hand, adding the other hand if needed

    Use one hand in the centre of the chest; if it is too hard, use both hands.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    How do you give chest compressions to a baby under one year?
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    Answer: D. With two fingers in the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line

    Use two fingers of one hand just below an imaginary line between the nipples.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    How do you give rescue breaths to a baby?
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    Answer: C. Seal your lips over the mouth and nose and gently puff

    Cover the baby's mouth and nose and give gentle puffs until the chest rises.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    You are alone with a baby who is not breathing and have no phone with you. What should you do?
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    Answer: C. Give about one minute of CPR, then call 111

    If you are alone with no phone nearby, do about one minute of CPR first, then call 111.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Someone is choking but can still cough and breathe. What should you do?
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    Answer: A. Encourage them to keep coughing

    With a partly blocked airway, get them to cough and do not hit their back.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    An adult is choking and cannot breathe or cough. After calling 111, what do you do first?
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    Answer: D. Give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades

    Lean them forward and give up to 5 back blows with the heel of your hand, checking after each.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    The back blows do not clear the blockage. What does St John say to give next?
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    Answer: C. Up to 5 chest thrusts

    Give up to 5 chest thrusts, then keep going with back blows and chest thrusts until help arrives.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    A choking adult becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally. What should you do?
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    Answer: A. Call 111, check the mouth for anything visible, and start CPR

    Tell the call handler they were choking, remove any visible object and start CPR.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    How do you position a choking baby for back blows?
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    Answer: A. Face down along your lap with the head lower than the bottom

    Support the head and give up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    How do you control severe bleeding from a wound?
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    Answer: B. Press firmly on the wound and keep pressing until the ambulance arrives

    Firm direct pressure is the main way to control severe bleeding.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    A person has a bleeding wound on their forearm. What else can help slow the bleeding?
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    Answer: A. Raising the arm

    Raising an injured arm or leg reduces blood flow to the wound.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    A large piece of glass is stuck in a wound. What should you do?
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    Answer: D. Leave it in place, pad around it and press on either side

    Do not remove large embedded objects. Pad around them so they cannot move.

What to know before the test

  • In New Zealand, call 111 and ask for an ambulance.
  • Common first aid certificates cover NZQA unit standards 6401 (provide first aid) and 6402 (provide resuscitation level 2).
  • The Ministry of Education requires early learning staff to refresh their first aid qualification every 2 years.
  • CPR uses 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths, pushing down one-third of the depth of the chest.
  • For a choking adult who cannot breathe, St John teaches up to 5 back blows, then up to 5 chest thrusts.
  • Cool a burn with cool running water for at least 20 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a government first aid exam in New Zealand?

No. First aid courses are run by NZQA-accredited training providers, which assess the unit standards with written and practical tasks. Each provider sets its own assessment.

Which unit standards does a workplace first aid course cover?

Most cover 6401 (provide first aid) and 6402 (provide resuscitation level 2). Some also include 6400 on managing first aid in an emergency.

How often do I need to renew my first aid certificate?

Many workplaces and the Ministry of Education ask for a refresher every 2 years. Check what your employer or industry requires.

What CPR ratio is used in New Zealand?

30 compressions to 2 breaths for adults, children and babies. If you cannot give breaths, keep doing compressions until the ambulance arrives.

Is this practice test medical advice?

No. It is study material only. In an emergency call 111, and for health advice call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Sources

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