What Happens If I Fail My ACLS Skills Test?

​Failing an ACLS skills test can be stressful, especially when you need your certification for work, school, clinical rotations, or a healthcare credential. The good news is that failing a skills test does not necessarily mean you cannot become ACLS certified. In many cases, the instructor can identify the areas that need improvement and provide an opportunity to remediate or retest.

If you are preparing for an American Heart Association ACLS skills test, understanding what happens if you don't pass the first time can help you walk into your testing session with greater confidence.

What is an ACLS SKILLS TEST?

Our ACLS skills-testing sessions are designed for healthcare professionals who need to demonstrate their hands-on ACLS competencies. An ACLS skills test evaluates your ability to apply advanced cardiovascular life support concepts in a simulated emergency situation.

Depending on the course format and training provider, you may be expected to demonstrate skills such as:

1. High-quality CPR
2. Use of an AED or defibrillator
3. Recognition and management of cardiac arrest
4. Team dynamics and communication
5. Rhythm recognition
6. Appropriate use of medications
7. Airway and ventilation management
8. Post-cardiac-arrest care
9. Recognition and treatment of bradycardia and tachycardia

What If I don't Pass the ACLS SKills Test?

If you don't successfully complete the skills evaluation, your instructor at Help-A-Heart CPR will explain which portions of the evaluation need additional work. We will then offer an opportunity for remediation and demonstrating the required skills.

However, at other organizations, the specific retesting process can vary, so it is important to ask your instructor what their remediation and retesting policy is before your course begins.

It's always important to remember that "You May Not Need to Repeat Everything"! A common concern is that "If I fail one part of ACLS, do I have to take the entire course again?" Not necessarily. For example, you may just need additional practice with one of the following topics:
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• Identifying a cardiac rhythm
• Following the appropriate treatment algorithm
• Performing effective CPR
• Communicating during a resuscitation scenario
• Operating the defibrillator
• Selecting or administering the appropriate intervention

Why DO People Fail the ACLS Skills Test?

Many ACLS students know the material but become overwhelmed when they have to apply it during a simulated emergency.

Some common challenges include the following:

1. Not Following the ACLS Algorithm: ACLS scenarios require you to recognize the patient's condition and follow an appropriate treatment pathway. Students sometimes know individual interventions but have difficulty putting them together in the correct sequence.
2. Poor Team Communication: ACLS emphasizes effective team dynamics. During a scenario, you may need to assign roles, give clear directions, confirm that orders were heard, communicate changes in the patient's condition, and coordinate CPR and other interventions.
3. Difficulty Recognizing Rhythms: Rhythm recognition can be challenging when you're under pressure. You should be comfortable distinguishing common rhythms encountered in ACLS scenarios and determining whether the rhythm requires interventions such as defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, pacing, or other treatment.
4. Forgetting to Reassess the Patient: ACLS is not simply a checklist of interventions. You need to continually evaluate the patient's condition and determine whether your interventions are producing the expected response.

Can I retake an ACLS SKILLS TEST? 

Retesting policies depend on the organization providing the course and the instructor's policies. However, at Help-A-Heart CPR we do permit ACLS retesting and encourage students to ask the following questions whether at our training center or different location:

• "What happens if I don't successfully complete the skills evaluation on my first attempt?"
• Is remediation included?
• Is there an additional retesting fee?
• How soon can I retest?
• Do I need to repeat any portion of the course?
• What skills must I demonstrate during the retest?

How can I prepare for an acls skills test?

The best preparation is hands-on practice combined with reviewing the ACLS algorithms. Before your ACLS skills testing, make sure you can practice identifying the following:
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• What rhythm you are seeing
• Whether the patient has a pulse
• Whether the patient is stable or unstable
• What intervention is indicated
• What your team members should do
• When you need to reassess the patient

ACLS SKills testing in san antonio

If you have completed the required AHA ACLS training and need to complete your skills evaluation, Help-A-Heart CPR, LLC offers ACLS skills testing in San Antonio.

​Please note that the AHA online ACLS course is not included with the skills-testing fee. If your course requires AHA online training, the online course must be purchased directly through the American Heart Association.