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How long does it take to pass NMC CBT?

Most candidates are ready within 6 – 8 weeks of focused prep. Both Theory and Clinical must pass; you can sit them on different days.

Verified answerAnswered by Pathway advisor· Last reviewed 24 Apr 2026

The answer

NMC CBT is the Test of Competence Part 1 — a two-paper computer-based exam delivered by Pearson VUE. Part A is Theory; Part B is Clinical. Each part must pass; you can take them on different days.

Realistic prep windows: 4 weeks if your last clinical posting was within 12 months and you study 2 hours a day, 8 weeks for most working nurses, 12 weeks if you work full clinical shifts and only have evenings.

Pearson VUE runs CBT in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Dakar, Johannesburg, Cairo, and other African capitals. You don't need to travel to the UK — that's OSCE.

The NMC publishes the CBT test specification PDF for free; that document is the single most useful prep input.

If that was confusing, here it is in plain English

6 – 8 weeks is the realistic timeline for most nurses. You sit it in your home city; you don't travel for it.

Your next step

Open the NMC CBT exam guide for the 4 / 8 / 12-week study plan.

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