CBT
The NMC’s Test of Competence (ToC) is used to assess the skills and knowledge of people wanting to join the NMC register from overseas or rejoin the NMC register after a long period away from practice.
Part one of the Test of Competence is a computer based test known as the CBT. You can sit your CBT or OSCE in any order, but you must successfully complete both parts to continue with your application for initial registration or readmission.
The CBT is split into two parts: Part A covers numeracy and Part B covers clinical questions for nursing or midwifery.
Part A: Numeracy
30 minutes
15 questions
Part B: Clinical
2 hours and 30 minutes
100questions
We at AINA provides online classes to help you sucessfully vomplete CBT exams.
Booking your test
Once the NMC has told you that you will need to take the CBT, you may book your CBT online or over the phone. Pearson Vue will send you an email confirming that your account has been created and a temporary password to log in. If you choose to take the Test of Competence for return to practice, you need to first book the Test of Competence in your NMC Online account.
When you log into your Pearson Vue account:
click on the ‘view exams’ button
select the correct exam that matches your application type
select both modules (Part A and Part B) for your first attempt.
Candidates must ensure they book the CBT that is consistent with their application type.
Registered Adult Nurse: NMC_RNA
Registered Childrens Nurse: NMC_RNC
Registered Mental Health Nurse: NMC_RNMH
Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse: NMC_RNLD
Registered Midwife: NMC_RM
Registered Nursing Associate: NAR
Fees
The fee for sitting both parts of the CBT is £83.
Resit Part A and Part B: £83
Resit Part A only: £50
Resit Part B only: £70
Verifying your identity
You will need to show the test centre your valid passport so that they can verify your identity. This must be the same passport that you provided earlier in your NMC Online account.
Getting your result
Once the test is completed, your result is then submitted and calculated. You will receive a pass or fail result for each part of the test: Part A (Numeracy) and Part B (Clinical). You can check your CBT results in:
the exam report given to you directly after your CBT
your Pearson Vue account within 48 hours of your CBT - click on relevant exam entry in the ‘Exam history’ section to see a further break down of results for Part A and B.
Your NMC Online account will update within 48 hours of your CBT too, but it will only show an overall exam result for each attempt:
Resitting the CBT
Part A and Part B of your CBT are taken together in a single sitting, but are passed or failed independently. You only need to resit the part that you’ve failed. Each sitting counts as an attempt. You have three attempts as part of one application, with a minimum of 10 days between each sitting. These attempts all need to be taken within one year. After this period, you will need to resit both modules again. After three failed attempts, your application will close and you will need to wait six months to submit a new application and sit the CBT again.