Nursing and Midwifery Council Test of Competence Part 1 - Candidate information booklet - Computer-Based Test (CBT) - V.3 updated April 2025

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

Nursing and Midwifery Council Test of Competence Part 1 candidate information booklet sets out requirements and procedures for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) for nurses seeking UK registration. It explains the test structure, including the numeracy short-answer section and the multiple-choice theory assessment, the total number of questions and scoring method, and the CBT duration and optional breaks. It also covers candidate rules, confidentiality and test security, grounds for dismissal or invalid results, and day-of-arrival procedures and communication expectations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Overview of the Test of Competence

Applying for the Test of Competence

Computer-based test

Candidate rules

Confidentiality

Taking the CBT

Grounds for dismissal or cancellation of results

Confidentiality and test security

Invalid results

On the day of the CBT

Arrival procedures at the test centre

Communication during the CBT

Breaks

After the CBT is completed

Results of the CBT

The passing standard

Answering the numeracy questions

Answering the multiple-choice questions

Re-sits and exceptional circumstances

Reasonable adjustments

Nursing and Midwifery Council Test of Competence: Part 1 Nursing Candidate information booklet The Computer-Based Test (CBT) V.3 updated April 2025 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Overview of the Test of Competence ...............................................................................................4 Applying for the Test of Competence ...............................................................................................5 Computer-based test ............................................................................................................................................... 5 Candidate rules............................................................................................................................................ 5 Confidentiality .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Taking the CBT ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 Grounds for dismissal or cancellation of results .......................................................................................... 9 Confidentiality and test security ................................................................................................................... 9 Invalid results ............................................................................................................................................. 10 On the day of the CBT .......................................................................................................................................... 10 Arrival procedures at the test centre .......................................................................................................... 10 Communication during the CBT........................................................................................................................... 11 Breaks ................................................................................................................................................. 11 After the CBT is completed ........................................................................................................................ 11 Results of the CBT ......................................................................................................................................... 12 The passing standard ..................................................................................................................... 12 Answering the numeracy questions ........................................................................................................... 13 Answering the multiple-choice questions .................................................................................................. 13 Re-sits and exceptional circumstances ..................................................................................................... 13 Reasonable adjustments ........................................................................................................................... 14 Introduction Since October 2014, nurses trained outside the European Economic Area who are seeking UK registration must pass the NMC Test of Competence. In 2021, a new version of the test was introduced. This test consists of two parts, and it measures applicants against ‘Future nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses’(2018) . It assesses the essential professional knowledge, skills and attitudes required for safe and effective nursing practice in the UK. Nursing in the UK is made up of separate and distinct fields of practice, each requiring three years of pre-registrat

FAQs

Who needs to take the NMC Test of Competence and why?

Nurses trained outside the European Economic Area who are seeking UK registration must pass the NMC Test of Competence to demonstrate proficiency for safe and effective nursing practice in the UK.

What is included in Part 1 of the test and how is the CBT structured?

Part 1 is a CBT that includes a numeracy test with short-answer questions, objective questions, and a theory test using multiple choice. The CBT comprises 115 questions, scored correct or incorrect with no partial credit.

What rules and security measures apply during the CBT?

Candidates must follow candidate rules covering confidentiality and test security. The booklet also specifies that there are grounds for dismissal or cancellation of results and conditions that can lead to invalid results.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine