UK NMC CBT Explained: Overview, Format, and How to Prepare

If foreign nurses aim to practice clinically in the UK, they must obtain registration with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council).

The NMC is the UK’s statutory regulatory body responsible for registering and regulating nurses and midwives.

To register with the NMC, applicants are required to pass the following assessments:

English language skills (English qualification)
CBT (Computer-Based Test – written clinical exam)
OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination – practical exam)

To work clinically in the UK, nurses must first demonstrate a minimum level of English proficiency. This can be done by achieving the required score in either OET or IELTS.

The English exam can be taken at any time. However, because a high level of English is essential for effective CBT and OSCE preparation, it is strongly recommended to begin with English study first.

For details on English language requirements, please refer to the related article linked above.

The clinical exams are divided into a written test and a practical test. In this article, we focus on CBT preparation, which corresponds to the written component.

CBT Overview and Preparation Methods

CBT stands for Computer-Based Test, as the name suggests, it is conducted on a computer.

Below is a brief overview:

Exam name: Multiple Choice Questions
Format: 4-option multiple-choice
Number of questions: 115
Duration: 180 minutes
Pass rate: Approximately 89%
Pass mark: 68% or higher
Exam fee: £83
Application: *1 Pearson VUE account creation
Reference: NMC CBT

Candidates answer 115 multiple-choice questions over three hours.
The breakdown is as follows:

Basic numeracy: 15 questions / 30 minutes
Nursing knowledge & ethics: 100 questions / 2 hours 30 minutes

The pass rate is close to 90%, which is relatively high. Since many candidates struggle to pass the English exam on their first attempt, the CBT itself is often considered less challenging in comparison.

The CBT can be taken at Pearson Professional Centers worldwide. In Japan, test centers are available in Tokyo and Osaka.

After passing the CBT, candidates must also pass the OSCE within two years, so it is important to plan your exam schedule carefully.

Preparation Strategy 1: Official Sample Questions

From here, we will look at specific CBT preparation strategies.
There is no official CBT textbook, but official sample questions are available on the following website:

Practice tests

The best first step is to attempt the official sample questions. This helps you understand the exam format and develop a feel for how questions are structured.

If you already have strong nursing knowledge in English, you may quickly reach a passing level.

You can access the questions via the link at the bottom of the page. Try it and assess how many questions you can answer correctly.

Preparation Strategy 2: Online Question Banks

Because there is no official textbook, most candidates prepare using commercially available online courses.

Major platforms include:

These websites provide access to a large number of practice questions. By paying an additional fee, you can also purchase structured preparation courses.

Be careful not to become too passive with online learning. Simply answering questions is not enough — you must thoroughly review incorrect answers.

“Thorough review” means not only understanding why the correct answer is right, but also being able to clearly explain why each incorrect option is wrong.

Preparation Strategy 3: Textbooks

Some learners may prefer studying with textbooks.

Commonly used references for CBT preparation include:

One advantage of textbooks is the accuracy of information. Even self-published materials often maintain higher question quality compared to some online courses.

However, a drawback is that information can become outdated. The first book was published in 2022, and the second in 2019. Exam trends shift slightly every year, so textbooks may not fully reflect the latest CBT format.

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