Nursing CBT exam is one of the key steps for nurses who intend to start their professional activity in the health system of England, Canada or other countries that recognize this exam and immigrate to it. This test, which stands for Computer Based Test, is conducted online and tests nurses’ theoretical knowledge and clinical skills in areas such as patient care, professional ethics, public health and safety. In this article, you will get to know the structure of the nursing CBT exam, how to prepare, reliable sources, participation conditions and key points to succeed in it.
Where is the organization organizing CBT nursing and midwifery exam?
The organization supervising and organizing the Nursing and Midwifery CBT exam in Great Britain is the Nursing and Midwifery Council of England (NMC). This council is responsible for reviewing and confirming the qualifications of international nurses and midwives to enter the health system of this country. The CBT test is administered by the NMC as one of the two main steps in the professional qualification assessment process (along with the OSCE test).
The technical implementation of the test is the responsibility of international testing companies such as Pearson VUE, which is held in prestigious centers around the world.
What is the CBT test in nursing?
If you are wondering what the CBT test is in nursing, it should be said that this test is an online computer-based assessment designed to measure theoretical knowledge, clinical thinking, and understanding of nursing concepts. CBT, which stands for Computer Based Test, is the first stage of the registration process in the British Nursing and Midwifery Council for international nurses and midwives. This test consists of 120 multiple choice questions that must be answered within 3 hours.
The structure of the exam is such that it covers various nursing topics such as patient care, infection control, pharmacology, safety management, professional principles, work ethics, and clinical decision making. For midwives, questions are designed around maternal and child health, childbirth, antenatal care and postnatal care. The test is based on the competency map set by the NMC and its purpose is to ensure that the candidate is prepared to work in the UK health system.
What are the requirements to participate in the CBT nursing and midwifery exam?
The conditions for participating in the Nursing CBT exam have been clearly defined by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Having a valid academic degree
The first requirement is to have a valid degree in nursing or midwifery from an approved university or institution.
Proficiency in English
The second condition is to be fluent in English with an acceptable score in tests such as IELTS (score 7) or OET. According to the NMC:
“You must demonstrate you meet the English language requirements through an approved English test such as IELTS (minimum 7.0 in each band) or OET (minimum B in each domain).”
(NMC, English Language Requirements Guidance)
Initial registration on NMC website and receiving Eligibility confirmation
The third requirement is to first register on the NMC website and get the Eligibility confirmation. After that, the candidate can apply for the CBT. It is also necessary to have a valid passport, resume and relevant employment history.
How much does it cost to participate in the CBT exam?
For those who intend to participate in the exam, it is very important to know the costs. The cost of participating in the nursing CBT exam may vary slightly depending on the field and type of exam, but usually the amount is the same for nurses and midwives. Candidates must pay the exam fee at the time of final booking on the Pearson VUE website.
The following table shows the cost of registering for the CBT exam:
| Cost title | Amount (GBP) | Description |
| Main CBT exam fee | £83 | For the full test 120 questions |
| The cost of the failed part (Partial CBT) | £50 | Only if you need to repeat part of the test |
| Cancellation or rescheduling fee | £0–£83 | It depends on the time left until the exam |
Payments are made online and with international cards, and if you fail to attend the exam without prior notice, the total amount is non-refundable.
Benefits of passing the nursing CBT exam
Passing the nursing CBT exam has very important benefits for international nurses and midwives.
- This exam is the first step to enter the health system of England, Northern Ireland and other countries subject to NMC. After passing this test, the person enters the second stage of assessment, the OSCE practical test, and if they are successful, they can work as a nurse or midwife in the NHS.
- According to the official statistics of NHS England, more than 25,000 international nurses managed to obtain NMC qualification confirmation in 2023 alone, with more than 80% of them passing the CBT stage successfully.
- Also, the average annual salary of registered nurses (NMC Registered Nurse) in the UK is about 28,000 to 35,000 pounds.
This success not only opens international career doors, but also provides the opportunity for scientific advancement, social status improvement and income increase.
Eligible to participate in the nursing and midwifery CBT exam
All nurses and midwives who studied outside the UK and intend to work professionally in the NHS are eligible to participate in this exam. The main requirement is to have a valid degree in nursing or midwifery and at least one year of relevant work experience. These persons must have received eligibility confirmation from the NMC Council before participating in the CBT.
Types of nursing and midwifery CBT tests
The CBT exam is divided into several categories depending on the type of expertise and professional group of applicants. Each exam focuses exclusively on the topics and standards of the same profession.
Types of tests:
- Adult Nursing CBT exam
- Children’s Nursing CBT test
- Mental Health Nursing CBT test
- Learning Disability Nursing (Learning Disability Nursing) CBT test
- Midwifery CBT test
Adult Nursing CBT exam
This test is designed for nurses who work in the field of adult care. Its questions focus on principles of general nursing, emergency medicine, pharmacology and standards of care. The goal is to assess one’s skills and knowledge for safe and ethical care of adult patients.
Children’s Nursing CBT test
The content of this exam is focused on the specialized care of babies, children and adolescents. Candidates should be familiar with child growth and development, children’s specific drug reactions, and their emotional needs. This test measures the clinical skills and professional judgment of pediatric nurses.
Mental Health Nursing CBT test
This test is for evaluating nurses who work in the field of mental health. Its questions focus on topics such as mental disorders, psychiatric medication, communication skills and psychological support. The goal is to ensure professional preparation in dealing with patients with mental problems.
Learning Disability Nursing (Learning Disability Nursing) CBT test
This test is for nurses who work with people with learning disabilities. Its content includes social support, behavioral health, independence education and professional ethics. The ability to create positive interaction and care-oriented planning are the main elements of the test.
Midwifery CBT test
The content of this exam focuses on the care of mothers during pregnancy, delivery and after. Topics such as pregnancy risk prevention, newborn care, and clinical decision making are covered. The goal is to measure the capabilities of midwives in maintaining the health of mothers and babies.
CBT test language for nursing and midwifery
CBT exams are conducted in English, as the NMC considers full command of the English language to be a prerequisite for registration and professional practice in the UK. The candidate must have sufficient skills in understanding specialized texts, analyzing clinical situations and reading complex multiple-choice questions.
Language of tests:
- Nursing CBT test language: specialized nursing English
- Midwifery CBT test language: specialized English for midwifery and mother and child care
Candidates should take serious CBT Nursing exam preparation methods, including taking online courses, using practice tests, and carefully studying authoritative resources, to succeed on the exam.
How to register for nursing CBT exam
How to register for the Nursing CBT exam is a multi-step and relatively detailed process that is done online:
- Create an account on the site NMC: First, you must register and enter your personal and educational information on the official website of the British Nursing and Midwifery Council.
- Sending documents and checking eligibility (Eligibility Assessment): Documents such as education degree, work experience, and language certificate should be submitted. After confirming the documents, the candidate enters the CBT stage.
- Exam reservation on the site Pearson VUE: The reservation link will be activated for you by NMC. At this stage, you can choose the time and place of the exam and pay the fee.
- Preparation and participation in the exam: The candidate must appear at the test center according to the reserved time and take the test online.
Resources and exam preparation
For success, it is recommended to use recommended books for nursing CBT exam such as The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures and NMC Test of Competence Preparation Materials. Also, participating in online courses and joint study groups has an effective role in better understanding the application of CBT test in nursing.
Nursing and midwifery CBT exam structure
What is the nursing CBT test and how is it conducted? This test is a computer-based assessment that tests the theoretical knowledge of nurses and midwives based on the NHS Nursing Standards. The structure of the exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions that must be answered within 3 hours.
Questions are designed in various areas such as patient safety, medication management, principles of care, professional ethics and clinical decision making. In the midwifery CBT exam, rather than focusing solely on general nursing, questions are developed based on the NICE guidelines on pregnancy, childbirth and neonatal care.
The structure of the test is not adaptive (that is, it does not become harder or easier with the level of the candidate’s answers) and there is no oral or descriptive part in it. All questions are multiple-choice and answering is done by computer.
Passing score in nursing CBT exam
To succeed in the exam, candidates must achieve a minimum score that proves their clinical ability and theoretical knowledge. According to the official announcement of the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council), the passing score in the nursing CBT exam is that at least 63% of the questions must be answered correctly.
This means that out of 120 questions, the candidate must answer about 76 or more questions correctly. In some cases, the final grade may change slightly depending on the version of the test or the assessment conditions, but usually this percentage is the standard measure.
The test score will be announced immediately after the completion of the test and through the candidate’s online account.
Validity period of CBT exam
After passing the CBT test, the test result is valid for two years. This means that after passing, the candidate must complete the other necessary steps within two years, including the OSCE exam and completing his immigration file for official registration at the NMC.
If the candidate fails to complete the next steps within this time frame, the test result is expired and he/she must participate in the CBT again. The validity period of the exam is the same for all sub-branches of nursing and midwifery.
Nursing CBT exam venue
Nursing CBT exam is held in international centers of Pearson VUE company. The company works with the UK’s NMC to run the tests professionally and under supervision.
In Iran, the official Pearson VUE center is currently not active, but candidates can take the exam in neighboring countries such as Turkey (Istanbul and Ankara), UAE (Dubai) and Armenia (Yervan).
For example, the exact address of one of the test centers in Istanbul is as follows:
Pearson VUE Test Center, British Side, Levent Mahallesi, Büyükdere Cd. No:111, 34330 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey
Exam reservation in these centers is done through the official website of Pearson VUE.
The difference between the CBT test and other nursing tests
The difference between the CBT test and other nursing tests can be seen in several main parts. First of all, this test is conducted completely by computer and it is different from traditional descriptive or oral tests in terms of structure. Second, CBT is designed based on NHS occupational standards and is required to issue a work permit in the UK. While many of the country’s internal tests focus more on basic theoretical knowledge, the CBT test has a high focus on the application of knowledge in real clinical scenarios.
Re-participating in the nursing CBT exam
Nursing CBT exam is one of the main stages of assessing the competence of nurses to work in countries like the UK. This exam, which is conducted by computer, measures the theoretical and practical knowledge of the nurse in clinical conditions. People who do not get a passing grade in the initial test can participate again. However, this process requires compliance with certain conditions set by the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council).
Usually, the candidate can apply for re-participation after receiving the test result. This retest is done by paying the fee again and going through the registration process. The important thing is that there is no limit on the number of retakes, but it is better for the candidate to first check the reasons for failure and increase the chances of success by studying the official sources of the nursing CBT exam and strengthening their weaknesses.
Nursing CBT exam resources
To successfully prepare for this exam, it is very important to use reliable and NMC approved resources. These resources help nurses to get familiar with the structure, type of questions and scientific content of the test.
The official sources of nursing CBT exam include the following:
| Source name | Description |
| The NMC Test of Competence Handbook | The main guide published by the NMC which contains complete information about the structure of the exam and the subjects assessed. |
| Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures | The authoritative reference for clinical and safe nursing procedures, the primary source of many exam questions. |
| Oxford Handbook of Clinical Nursing | A compact and comprehensive book to review the principles of nursing, pharmacology and patient care. |
| CBT for Nurses Practice Questions by NMC Online | Simulated question bank as per CBT exam pattern available on reputable websites. |
| NMC Blueprints | Test design frameworks that show what areas are considered in the test. |
Conditions for re-examination in the CBT exam after failure
In case of failure in the CBT test, it is possible for the candidate to participate again, but he must follow some points. First of all, the candidate must re-register on the official website of Pearson VUE, which is conducting the online test. Then choose the new test time and pay the relevant fee.
Important points for re-examination:
- There is no time limit between the first and second test, but it is better to consider a reasonable interval for more preparation.
- The candidate must go through the process of registering and holding the nursing CBT exam again through his profile in Pearson VUE.
- How is it possible to succeed in the nursing CBT exam? By analyzing previous test results, identifying weaknesses, and practicing with standard resources, this success will be within reach.
How to prepare for CBT exams
In order to succeed in the nursing CBT exam, planning, continuous practice and familiarity with the exam structure are vital. The first step is to learn about the procedures for registering and holding the nursing CBT exam, which is conducted online through Pearson VUE. After that, studying authoritative sources and practicing with simulated questions should be on the agenda.
It is noteworthy that the CBT nursing exam is conducted online, but it is necessary for the candidate to attend one of the test centers approved by Pearson VUE. Therefore, the answer to the question of online or face-to-face nursing CBT exam? Here it is: The test is online but held at a specific physical location.
For further preparation, the following are recommended:
- Preparation of weekly study plan
- Using simulated tests to measure the level of preparation
- Participating in CBT preparation courses in reputable educational centers
- Frequent review of official CBT nursing exam resources
Finally, how is it possible to succeed in the nursing CBT exam? The answer is simple: with constant practice, reading up-to-date resources, stress management and a thorough knowledge of the exam structure, passing this key step for nurses’ professional migration is within reach.
Homa Immigration Institute services
Homa Migration Institute provides specialized and comprehensive services with the aim of facilitating the process of educational and work migration for Iranian applicants, especially in the fields of medicine and nursing. Relying on the experience of its professional experts, this institute accompanies volunteers from the initial planning stage to reaching the final destination.
In the field of nursing, Homa Immigration Institute offers special services for the preparation of the nursing CBT exam, which includes expert advice, introducing the official resources of the nursing CBT exam, intensive training to strengthen scientific skills, and guidance regarding the registration and administration of the nursing CBT exam.
Other key services of this institution include the following:
- Free evaluation of candidate conditions for work migration to England
- Specialized English language training for nurses
- Full support for preparation and translation of documents
- Registration for CBT and OSCE exams
- Follow up on the process of issuing a work visa to the UK or other destination countries
With continuous support and detailed planning, Homa Holding helps candidates go through their immigration process with the least stress and the most preparation.
Frequently asked questions
- test CBT In what language is nursing held?
The exam is held in English and mastering the general and specialized language of nursing is necessary for success.
- test CBT Is nursing online or face-to-face?
This test is conducted in computer-based (CBT) and online, but the candidate must attend one of the test centers approved by Pearson VUE.
- How many times can you take the test? CBT participated?
There is no limit on the number of times you can take the test. After each failure, the candidate can register for the next test.
- What resources are recommended for exam preparation?
Official nursing CBT exam sources including The NMC Handbook, Royal Marsden Manual and Oxford Handbook of Clinical Nursing are among the best options.
- Do to participate in the test CBT Do we need a language certificate?
No, a language qualification is not required to take the CBT itself, but a language qualification (such as IELTS or OET) is required to complete the immigration process and be accepted into the UK health system.
final word
Nursing CBT exam is a key step for nurses who plan to enter the international labor market. Success in this test depends not only on scientific knowledge, but also on proper planning, use of reliable resources, and targeted practice. Although this path may seem complicated at first, with the help of standard resources, mental preparation and the use of expert advice from institutions such as Homa Migration Institute, this path will be much smoother. Remember that every temporary failure is a prelude to improvement and retaking the test is another opportunity to prove your ability.
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