The NMC CBT explained
The CBT is the first hard gate in UK nurse registration and the one you can sit from home, which makes it the natural place to start. This guide covers the structure, booking, and a preparation approach that works around clinical shifts.
Last updated 1 September 2026
The short answer
The CBT is the theory half of the NMC test of competence, taken online or at a Pearson VUE centre before you travel to the UK. It has two parts — numeracy and clinical questions — both taken in one sitting, and you must pass both. It is valid for a limited period, so plan it alongside your job search.
Structure of the test
Both parts are sat in the same session and both must be passed. Question counts, pass marks and resit rules are set by the NMC and change from time to time — confirm the current version on the NMC site before you book.
| Part | Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | Numeracy — drug calculations, fluids, dosages | Practical calculation under time pressure |
| Part B | Clinical questions for your field of practice | Adult, mental health, learning disability or children's nursing |
Booking it
- Open your NMC online account and complete the eligibility stage first
- Book through the NMC's test provider — you can sit in your own country
- Choose the field of practice that matches your qualification, not the job you want
- Check your ID matches your application documents exactly; mismatches cause cancellations
How to prepare
The CBT rewards familiarity with UK practice and terminology more than raw clinical experience. Nurses who fail usually do so on numeracy under time pressure, or on questions that assume UK-specific escalation and safeguarding routes.
- Do timed numeracy every day — accuracy first, then speed
- Revise from the NMC test of competence blueprint, not from unofficial question dumps
- Learn UK terminology for medications, escalation and documentation
- Sit at least two full mock papers under real timing before your date
What happens after you pass
Passing the CBT keeps your NMC application moving while you find a sponsoring employer. The OSCE follows once you are in the UK. Your CBT result has a validity window, so avoid passing it years before you are ready to move.
Frequently asked questions
Primary sources
Fees, thresholds and rules change. Always confirm the current position with the body concerned.
Related guides
Plan the whole route, not just the exam
Registration support maps every stage from CBT to PIN, with your documents checked before you submit.
Find out more