If you are an overseas nurse planning to register in the UK, you may be asking, what is the NMC CBT exam and how does it fit into the UK nursing registration process? The CBT is the computer-based part of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Test of Competence. If you need professional guidance, the UK NMC Exam Consultant In India can help you understand eligibility, documents, exam preparation and the steps from CBT to registration.
The CBT is only one part of the Test of Competence. For applicants who need the Test of Competence, the second part is the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
What Is the NMC CBT Exam?
The NMC CBT is a computer-based examination used to assess the knowledge and understanding of nurses and midwives trained outside the UK.
For nurses, the CBT has two separate parts:
- Part A: Numeracy
- Part B: Clinical
Both parts are taken in the same sitting, but they are assessed separately. You must pass both parts to receive an overall CBT pass.
The CBT is delivered through Pearson VUE test centres, with centres available in many countries. This means eligible overseas nurses can generally take the CBT before travelling to the UK for the OSCE.
NMC CBT Eligibility for Overseas Nurses
The first step is not booking the examination. You must first apply through the NMC’s overseas registration process and receive confirmation that you are eligible to take the Test of Competence.
The NMC assesses your qualification and registration information before confirming whether a Test of Competence is required.
For an overseas nurse, the process can involve:
- Completing the eligibility and qualification application
- Providing identity evidence
- Providing nursing qualification and registration information
- Paying the qualification evaluation fee
- Completing the Test of Competence if required
- Completing the final registration application
This is why checking eligibility before paying for exam preparation or booking a test is important.
NMC CBT Syllabus and Exam Structure
The current CBT contains 115 questions in total and takes up to three hours, including the two sections.
NMC CBT Part A Numeracy
Part A contains 15 numeracy questions and has a time limit of 30 minutes.
The questions are designed around practical nursing numeracy rather than advanced mathematics. You may encounter areas such as:
- Dosage calculations
- Medication calculations
- Measurements and conversions
- Units
- Applied clinical calculations
The main challenge is usually accuracy under time pressure. Practising calculations regularly is more useful than studying them only a few days before the examination.
NMC CBT Part B Clinical
Part B contains 100 multiple-choice clinical questions and has a time limit of two hours and 30 minutes.
The clinical section assesses nursing knowledge and its application to patient care. Preparation should cover the relevant NMC standards and the field of nursing for which you are applying.
Candidates should focus on understanding why an action is appropriate rather than simply memorising answers.
NMC CBT Exam Fees
The current NMC information for internationally trained applicants lists the following main costs:
| Stage | Current fee |
| Qualification evaluation | £140 |
| CBT | £83 |
| OSCE | £794 |
| Registration fee | £153 |
| Total | £1,170 |
The £1,170 figure represents the main application and Test of Competence fees for applicants who need both CBT and OSCE. It does not include expenses such as flights, accommodation, visa costs, preparation courses or resits.
Fees can change, so applicants should check the latest NMC information before making payment.
NMC CBT Exam Dates and Booking
There is no single annual NMC CBT exam date.
After the NMC confirms that you need to take the Test of Competence, you receive information allowing you to book the relevant examination. CBT appointments are arranged through the test provider and depend on available test-centre dates.
For overseas nurses, it is sensible to plan your documents and eligibility first and then select an exam date that gives you enough preparation time.
NMC CBT Passing Score
A common question is, “What percentage do I need to pass the NMC CBT?”
The NMC does not simply publish one universal percentage that candidates can use as a target for every CBT. Part A and Part B are passed independently, and your result is reported separately for each part.
The practical goal should therefore be to prepare thoroughly across the syllabus rather than relying on a particular percentage or unofficial online pass mark.
The NMC publishes official CBT performance data. For example, during January–March 2026, 63% of applicants across all fields passed both parts of the CBT, including resit attempts. This is a population-level statistic, not an individual prediction of whether a candidate will pass.
NMC CBT Preparation: How Should Overseas Nurses Study?
Good preparation should combine NMC-approved information with regular practice.
A practical study approach is:
1. Understand the test format
Know the number of questions, time available and difference between Part A and Part B before starting intensive preparation.
2. Practise numeracy regularly
Do short calculation sessions several times a week. Focus on accuracy first and speed later.
3. Build clinical reasoning
For Part B, practise questions that require prioritisation, patient safety and appropriate nursing action.
4. Read the NMC Code
The NMC Code is an important professional reference because UK nursing practice is based on clear standards of professional behaviour and responsibility.
5. Use mock tests carefully
Mock exams can help identify weak areas, but they should not replace understanding of nursing principles. Be cautious with unofficial question banks that claim to reproduce actual examination questions.
NMC CBT Resit Rules
The NMC has specific rules for candidates who do not pass one or both CBT parts.
Part A and Part B are passed independently. If you pass one part but fail the other, you only need to resit the part you failed.
Under the current rules:
- You have up to three attempts within one application.
- There must be at least 10 days between attempts.
- The three attempts must be completed within one year.
- After three failed attempts, the application closes.
- You must then wait six months before submitting a new application and taking the CBT again.
Understanding these rules is important because a rushed first attempt can affect the timeline of your application.
NMC CBT to OSCE Process
The NMC CBT to OSCE Process is often misunderstood.
The CBT and OSCE are the two parts of the Test of Competence. Importantly, the NMC states that they can be taken in either order.
For many overseas nurses, the practical pathway looks like:
Eligibility and qualification assessment → Test of Competence → CBT and OSCE → Registration application → NMC registration decision
The OSCE is a practical examination that assesses clinical and communication skills. It is taken at an approved UK OSCE centre.
Passing the CBT alone does not complete the Test of Competence. If your application requires both components, you must successfully complete both before moving through the remaining registration requirements.
What Happens After Passing the CBT?
After passing both CBT components, you continue with the relevant stages of your NMC application.
If you still need the OSCE, you arrange and complete it according to the NMC process.
After completing the required Test of Competence stages, the registration application also requires evidence relating to areas such as:
- Health
- Character
- English language
- Professional indemnity arrangement
- Identity and supporting documents
Passing an exam does not automatically place a nurse on the NMC register. The NMC must receive and assess all required evidence before making the registration decision.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what is the NMC CBT Exam is only the beginning of the UK nursing registration journey. For overseas nurses, the bigger picture includes eligibility, qualification assessment, CBT, OSCE and the final registration requirements.
Indian nurses can reduce avoidable delays by checking eligibility first, preparing documents early and using the official NMC guidance as the main reference for current rules and fees.
MediBridge Education Consultants can support healthcare professionals with NMC exam guidance, document planning, preparation and the wider UK registration pathway.
FAQs
1. What is the NMC CBT Exam for overseas nurses?
The NMC CBT is the computer-based part of the Test of Competence for eligible overseas nurses and midwives. For nurses, it contains Part A Numeracy and Part B Clinical. Both parts are assessed separately, and candidates must pass both where the Test of Competence applies.
2. What is the NMC CBT Eligibility for Indian nurses?
Indian nurses must first complete the relevant NMC overseas registration application and provide qualification, registration and identity information. The NMC evaluates the application before confirming whether the Test of Competence, including the CBT, is required.
3. What is included in the NMC CBT Part A Numeracy?
NMC CBT Part A Numeracy contains 15 questions and allows 30 minutes. It focuses on applied nursing calculations, including dosage, medication, measurements, units and conversions. Regular calculation practice can help nurses improve accuracy and confidence under examination time limits.
4. What is the NMC CBT Part B Clinical syllabus?
NMC CBT Part B Clinical contains 100 multiple-choice questions and allows two hours and 30 minutes. It assesses clinical nursing knowledge and its application. Preparation should cover the relevant NMC standards, professional responsibilities, patient safety and the field of nursing for which you are applying.
5. What are the NMC CBT Exam Fees in 2026?
The current CBT fee is £83. For applicants who require the full Test of Competence, the NMC lists £140 for qualification evaluation, £83 for CBT, £794 for OSCE and £153 for registration, giving a listed total of £1,170 before additional personal expenses.
6. What are the NMC CBT Resit Rules?
Candidates have three CBT attempts within one application, with at least 10 days between attempts. The attempts must be completed within one year. If all three attempts are unsuccessful, the application closes and the candidate must wait six months before submitting a new application.
7. What is the NMC CBT to OSCE Process?
The CBT and OSCE are the two parts of the Test of Competence and can be taken in either order. Nurses who need both must successfully complete both components before completing the remaining registration requirements. The OSCE assesses practical clinical and communication skills in the UK.
