NMC CBT Test (2026): Format, Pass Mark & How to Prepare

The NMC Test of Competence has two parts: Part 1 is the CBT (a computer-based test of knowledge), taken online or at a test centre, and Part 2 is the OSCE (a practical exam taken in the UK). This guide covers the CBT.

What the CBT covers

The CBT is mapped to the NMC's Future Nurse standards of proficiency (or Future Midwife for midwives). It has two sections:

• Numeracy — a short section focused on drug and fluid calculations. Because medication errors are a safety issue, the pass standard for numeracy is high.
• Clinical / professional knowledge — a longer section of multiple-choice questions across themes such as professional values, communication and interpersonal skills, nursing practice and decision-making, and leadership and teamworking.

The exact number of questions and the pass marks are set by the NMC and reviewed periodically, so always check the current blueprint on the NMC website before you book.

How to prepare

1. Master drug calculations first. Practise dosage, infusion rate and unit-conversion questions until they're automatic — this is the section candidates most often fail.
2. Revise against the blueprint themes, not random facts. Focus on safe practice, prioritisation, infection control, medication safety and communication.
3. Practise lots of MCQs under time pressure. The clinical knowledge overlaps heavily with NCLEX-RN style questions (safety, prioritisation, pharmacology), so NCLEX practice is excellent preparation for the CBT's clinical section.
4. Read the stem carefully and eliminate wrong options — the same answering strategy that works for NCLEX works here.

After the CBT

Passing the CBT lets you progress toward the OSCE (Part 2), which you sit in the UK, usually after arriving for your job. You also need to meet the English language requirement separately.

Verify before you book

The NMC updates the Test of Competence specification periodically. Always confirm the current format, question numbers and pass marks on the official NMC website.