Overview
The CBT is a key assessment for those looking to practice Nursing or Midwifery in the UK. It's divided into two parts (Part A and Part B) and aligns with the current standards for pre-registration education. The test is designed to evaluate the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for safe and effective practice in the UK.
- Part A – Numeracy Ability Assessment:
This section consists of 15 numeracy questions. You will need to provide one answer for each question. The questions cover various areas such as measurements, metric units, oral medications, injections, IV therapies, and fluid balance. You will have approximately 30 minutes to complete this part. - Part B – Clinical Ability Assessment:
This part includes 100 multiple-choice questions, with one answer required for each question. Each question is scored as either correct or incorrect, with no partial credit given. You will have 2 hours and 30 minutes to finish this section. The CBT is available at Pearson VUE test centers, which are located in many countries worldwide.
CBT Structures
Why Us?
PRACTICAL
BASED LEARNING
We'll give you lots of materials to use before you come to our training sessions, both online and in person. This includes videos, slideshows, and forms to help you practice. You'll also get to try some mock exams to get a feel for what it's really like, and you'll get feedback from our teachers to help you improve. Plus, we'll give you a study guide to help you learn on your own.
ONLINE
LEARNING PLATFORM
Even after our training sessions are over, you'll still have access to all our resources and guidelines through our online learning platform. This way, you can keep learning and practicing until you take your exam.
PRE-OSCE
EXAM SUPPORT
We don't just stop once the training is over. We'll give you support before your exam with a mentor, our online learning platform, and a study guide with a suggested timeline. We'll also have competence tests and resit preparation to make sure you're ready to do your best on exam day.
FAQ
The fee for sitting both parts (Part A and Part B) of the CBT is £83. Resit fees vary:
- Resit both Part A and B: £83
- Resit Part A only: £50
- Resit Part B only: £70
For more details, visit NMC's CBT fee page
After NMC verifies your qualifications and issues an Authorisation to Test (ATT) via email, Pearson Vue will send you an email to create an account for booking the exam. For Test of Competence for return to practice, book through your NMC Online account. Pearson Vue's website is here.
Yes, you must present your valid passport at the test centre for identity verification. It should be the same passport as in your NMC Online account. If you have a new passport, contact NMC to update the information.
Carefully choose the exam that matches your application type to avoid having to retake the exam. The exam codes are specific to each nursing or midwifery field. The exam codes that match each application type are:
- Adult nurse – RNA
- Mental health nurse - RNMH
- Learning disabilities nurse - RNLD
- Children’s nurse - RNC
- Midwife - RM
For example, if you’re applying to the adult nursing part of our register you should select:
- Exam: RNA 2021: Adult nurse
- Module 1: RNA 2021: Adult nurse - Part A: Numeracy only
- Module 2: RNA 2021: Adult nurse - Part B: Clinical only
Results for each part (Part A and Part B) are available immediately after the test and within 48 hours in your Pearson Vue account. NMC Online updates within 48 hours too, showing an overall result. NMC doesn't provide further feedback to maintain test integrity.
You can re-take only the part you failed. You have three attempts within one year, with a minimum of 10 days between each sitting. After three failed attempts, your application closes, and you must wait six months to reapply and sit the CBT again.
Once you've passed the CBT, provide a screenshot of your NMC portal confirming your pass, and the next steps for your arrival in the UK will be initiated.
For more detailed information and updates, please refer to the NMC's CBT information page.
Reference: https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/toc/toc-2021/cbt/