Navigating the NMC CBT: Your Essential Guide to UK Nursing Registration
The NMC Computer-Based Test is the first step for international nurses joining the UK register. Learn the 120-question format, fees, and retake policy.
What is the NMC CBT?
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Computer-Based Test is Part 1 of the NMC Test of Competence — the assessment internationally educated nurses must pass to join the UK nursing register. It is a multiple-choice examination delivered at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide, including in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The CBT tests nursing knowledge and competence against the standards set out in the NMC Code. It is designed to ensure that internationally educated nurses meet UK standards before entering clinical practice.
Exam Format and Content
The CBT consists of 120 questions to be answered in 3 hours. Questions are single best answer (SBA) format — you choose one correct answer from four options. The test covers: professional values and behaviours, communication and interpersonal skills, nursing practice and decision-making, and leadership, management, and team working.
Questions are set at the level of a newly qualified UK nurse. They test both knowledge and judgement — understanding what to do AND why it is the right action in the given clinical situation.
Eligibility, Booking and Fees
To sit the CBT, you must first submit your application to the NMC and receive a letter confirming your eligibility to take the test. Once eligible, you book your CBT slot through Pearson VUE online. The current CBT fee is £83 (subject to change). You can sit the test at any approved Pearson VUE centre — the centre in Kathmandu allows Nepali nurses to complete this step before leaving Nepal.
Your CBT result is valid for three years from the date you pass. You must complete Part 2 (the OSCE) and all other registration requirements within this window.
Retake Policy
If you do not pass the CBT, you may retake it. There is no limit on the number of attempts, but each attempt requires paying the fee again. The NMC publishes a candidate performance report after unsuccessful attempts, which identifies areas of weakness — use this report to guide your revision before retaking.
Most candidates who prepare thoroughly pass the CBT on their first attempt. The key is not to underestimate it: while it covers nursing knowledge, the UK-specific framing of questions can catch internationally trained nurses off guard if they have not studied UK nursing practice and the NMC Code.
Preparation Tips from LIFE Academy
At LIFE Academy, we help nurses prepare for the CBT by covering UK nursing standards, the NMC Code, and the clinical decision-making framework used in UK practice. Our CBT preparation sessions combine knowledge review with timed mock tests using question banks mapped to the NMC content framework.
We also support nurses with the overall NMC application process, helping you understand documentation requirements, timelines, and what to expect at each stage of UK registration. Get in touch to learn more about our NMC registration support services.
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