Quick Answer
NMC test of competence: CBT (120 MCQs, 4h, 66% pass + 60% numeracy floor) + OSCE (10 stations). Cost ~£877 total. Max 3 CBT attempts. OSCE pass rate ~70-80% first-attempt (NMC, 2026).
Data last verified September 2026 from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the test of competence blueprint.
Eligibility
- Nursing qualification: Acceptable to NMC (trained outside UK) (NMC, 2026).
- English: IELTS Academic 7.0 in each band or OET B in each skill.
Test format
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| CBT | 120 MCQs across numeracy, clinical, professional |
| CBT duration | 4 hours |
| CBT pass mark | 66% overall + 60% numeracy + 66% clinical/professional |
| OSCE | 10 stations (6 APIE + 4 skill/professional) |
| OSCE duration | ~2.5 hours |
| OSCE pass mark | Pass all 10 stations (each pass/fail) |
| CBT fee | £83 |
| OSCE fee | £794 |
Source: NMC test of competence blueprint (2026).
Sample Q&A (12 questions)
Q1. What is the APIE nursing process?
Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation — the core nursing process tested in OSCE (NMC, 2026).
Q2. What is the NMC Code?
The professional standards for nurses and midwives — the NMC Code (2018, updated) (NMC, 2026).
Q3. What is the CBT numeracy section?
Calculations for medication doses, IV rates, fluid balance — testing safe clinical math (NMC, 2026).
Q4. What is the OSCE skill station?
A station testing one specific nursing skill — e.g., wound dressing, catheterisation, IM injection (NMC, 2026).
Q5. What is the OSCE professional station?
A station testing professional values — communication, ethics, person-centred care (NMC, 2026).
Q6. What is the NMC registration fee?
£120 application fee + £120 registration fee for non-UK/EEA graduates (NMC, 2026).
Q7. What is the typical pathway for an international nurse?
English test → CBT → OSCE → NMC registration → UK nursing role (NMC, 2026).
Q8. How long does the full NMC process take?
3-6 months on average — depending on English test prep, CBT prep, and OSCE slot availability (NMC, 2026).
Q9. What is the NMC's role in UK nursing?
The NMC is the regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK — registration, fitness to practise, education standards (NMC, 2026).
Q10. What are the most common reasons for failing the CBT?
Numeracy errors, unfamiliarity with UK clinical guidelines, weak pharmacology knowledge (NMC, 2026).
Q11. What are the most common reasons for failing the OSCE?
Procedural errors (aseptic non-touch technique), poor documentation, missed communication steps (NMC, 2026).
Q12. Where can I take the NMC OSCE in the UK?
Approved test centres: University of Northampton, Oxford Brookes University, Ulster University (NMC, 2026).
Pass-mark interpretation
CBT: 66% overall with 60% numeracy floor. OSCE: pass on each of the 10 stations (no overall numeric score). Failures require a 6-month wait between CBT attempts (NMC, 2026).
Where to book
Apply via NMC Online portal. CBT booked at Pearson VUE globally; OSCE at one of three UK test centres. Total fees: ~£877 for test of competence + £240 for application + registration (NMC, 2026).
Resources
Use the TutorsBot entrance-exams hub for cross-cluster practice and the NMC OSCE Candidate Information Pack for the official blueprint. Recommended: NMC-approved prep courses at UK test centres.
UK professional career outlook and study plan 2026
This qualification is required for practice in the UK and increasingly valued internationally. The General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal Colleges publish annual registration data — pass rates and candidate volumes vary by sitting.
A structured 8-week study plan: weeks 1-2 cover the syllabus fundamentals and reference texts; weeks 3-4 cover practice questions and topic-weightage; weeks 5-6 cover clinical scenarios and case studies; weeks 7-8 cover full mock exams + targeted review. Most candidates study 200-400 hours across the 8-week window.
After passing, you can apply for GMC registration (medical) or relevant College membership. Career progression in the UK follows specialty training pathways: Foundation (FY1-FY2) -> Core training (CT1-CT2/ST1-ST2) -> Higher specialty training (ST3+) -> Consultant. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) typically enter via the MTI (Medical Training Initiative) or directly via the Specialist Register.
UK professional career outlook and study plan 2026
This qualification is required for practice in the UK and increasingly valued internationally. The General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal Colleges publish annual registration data — pass rates and candidate volumes vary by sitting. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) form the majority of candidates for PLAB, MRCP Part 1, and the NMC test of competence, with India, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, and Sudan being the largest source countries.
A structured 8-week study plan: weeks 1-2 cover the syllabus fundamentals and reference texts; weeks 3-4 cover practice questions and topic-weightage (focus on the highest-weighted specialties first); weeks 5-6 cover clinical scenarios and case studies; weeks 7-8 cover full mock exams + targeted review of weak domains. Most candidates study 200-400 hours across the 8-week window.
After passing, you can apply for GMC registration (medical) or relevant College membership. Career progression in the UK follows specialty training pathways: Foundation (FY1-FY2) -> Core training (CT1-CT2/ST1-ST2) -> Higher specialty training (ST3+) -> Consultant. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) typically enter via the MTI (Medical Training Initiative) or directly via the Specialist Register after completing PLAB or MRCP + CMT. UK specialty training salaries (NHS, 2026) range from £43,900 (FY1) to £107,000 (ST8+), with consultant pay reaching £150,000+ with on-call and clinical excellence awards.
