The UK computer-based test — Part 1 of your NMC Test of Competence.
CBT is the knowledge half of the two-part NMC test. You can sit it in Africa at Pearson VUE, long before you have a UK employer. Pass both CBT parts (Theory + Clinical) and OSCE unlocks.
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Inside the NMC CBT: 115 questions, two passing bars, four hours
The NMC Computer-Based Test is Part 1 of the UK Test of Competence — required for every overseas-trained nurse applying to the NMC register. 115 questions over 4 hours at a Pearson VUE test centre, computer-delivered with an on-screen calculator for the numeracy section. Two distinct parts: Numeracy (30 questions, must score ≥80%, drug-calculation focused) and Theory of Nursing (85 questions, must score ≥56%, scenario-based on the NMC Code, infection control, mental capacity, safeguarding, deteriorating-patient recognition). You pass only by clearing BOTH bars — clearing one and failing the other fails the whole test.
Test fee is £150 GBP (~$190 USD), paid directly to Pearson VUE. Bookable at any Pearson VUE-accredited centre worldwide — 5,000+ sites including Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Cairo, Dubai, Manila and across Europe. Results display on screen at exit; an official PDF is issued within 48 hours. CBT passes stay valid 2 years from your sitting date — within that window you must complete OSCE Part 2 in the UK or you re-sit the CBT.
Numeracy is where most African-trained nurses fail — drug calculations under time pressure, with the same conversion patterns repeated until you can do them blind. The NMC permits 3 attempts; a 4th attempt requires a 6-month wait and CPD evidence. The most common time-pressure error is misreading the unit (mg vs mcg vs g) — practise unit-conversion drills daily for two weeks before the sitting. Theory questions reference the NMC Code 2018 verbatim; read the Code cover to cover before sitting.
Is NMC CBT right for you?
Pass / fail per part — Theory + Clinical
See per-destination minimum scores in the country selector.
CBT is the knowledge half of the two-part NMC test. You can sit it in Africa at Pearson VUE, long before you have a UK employer. Pass both CBT parts (Theory + Clinical) and OSCE unlocks.
Where is NMC CBT accepted?
Pick your destination to see the regulator, minimum score, and timing guidance.
Always confirm requirements with the official regulator or exam provider before booking.
NMC CBT — UK Test of Competence Part 1
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NMC CBT vs NMC OSCE — which one for you?
Both are valid. The right choice depends on your destination and the way you prefer to study.
NMC CBT
This page- Sit it in Africa at Pearson VUE — no UK travel required
- Pass before you have an employer or visa
- Two parts — retake only the failed part (lower retake cost)
- Mostly multiple-choice + scenario questions; predictable format
NMC OSCE
- Practical (OSCE) — final stage of NMC licensure
- Sit inside the UK after a sponsor confirms
- Employer often funds the OSCE travel + prep
- Direct path to your NMC PIN once you pass
Your 4-step pathway
- 1
Open your NMC online account and pay the application fee
- 2
Submit qualifications + English evidence (IELTS / OET); wait for verification
- 3
Receive CBT authorisation; book Theory + Clinical at Pearson VUE
- 4
Pass both parts within the NMC two-year window before sitting OSCE
Cost & timeline
What NMC CBT actually costs and how long prep takes
Three things to budget before you book — fee total, prep weeks, and how to plan around your job.
What you'll spend, end to end
$115.00
- NMC application fee£140 (~USD 180)
- CBT Theory fee£83 (~USD 105)
- CBT Clinical fee£83 (~USD 105)
- Study bank (NMC-style)USD 30 – 150
How long prep usually takes
6 weeks
- Theory145 min
- Clinical115 min
Pick a study plan that fits your life
We'll match you to a 4-, 8-, or 12-week schedule based on your start date, target score, and weekly study hours — no generic plans.
Request your NMC decision letter. After both parts pass, NMC confirms you can progress to OSCE. Save the letter — some UK employers ask for it at interview.
Avoid these
Mistakes that cost NMC CBT candidates time and money
Read once. The four below are the most expensive errors we see in exam-prep advisor sessions — they're easy to avoid when you know what to watch for.
Applying to NMC before documents are ready — delays your CBT authorisation for months.
Skipping NMC Code alignment (it underpins clinical reasoning in both parts).
Under-practising numeracy — drug-dose calculation failures are very common.
Missing the NMC two-year window — both CBT and OSCE must be passed within two years of each other (the NMC removed the strict CBT-first ordering, but the two-year window still applies).
Nurses who passed NMC CBT
Verified pathways from African nurses who used this exam to license abroad. Outcomes vary — yours depends on your start point.
The CBT prep plan alone saved me three months. I booked my test in Abuja with confidence, passed first attempt, and the dashboard kept me calm through OSCE.
Common questions
Top questions about NMC CBT
Can I take CBT in Africa?
Can I fail Theory and still pass Clinical?
How long before I can retake?
Do I need a UK employer before CBT?
What score is the pass mark?
Prepare for NMC CBT the right way.
Aligned with your destination pathway — not generic prep.
Small cohorts, weekly sessions on Zoom. Recorded for replay.
Watch anywhere, at your own pace. Bookmark + revisit.
Mock exams every week with instant feedback + answer reasoning.
Direct WhatsApp + weekly Q&A clinic with experienced nurses.
Live dashboard showing your readiness score per topic.
Prep matched to your destination — NMC, NCLEX, AHPRA, SCFHS.
Ready to start?
Pick Online. We'll match you with the next cohort and your personal study plan within 24 hours.
We do not sell exam vouchers. You book and pay official exam bodies directly. We provide preparation and guidance only — no guarantees.
Not sure if NMC CBT is the right exam for your nursing pathway?
Tell us your destination and current step. We'll match you to the right exam, the regulator-correct sequence, and a 4-step plan — in 2 minutes, free.