100+ Free NMC CBT Practice Questions
Pass your NMC Test of Competence Part 1 — Computer Based Test (CBT) for Overseas Nurses exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
A patient is prescribed 1.2 g of an antibiotic. The vial is reconstituted to a concentration of 600 mg in 5 mL. What volume should the nurse draw up?
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Sample NMC CBT Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your NMC CBT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A medication is prescribed as 500 mg orally. The stock tablets are 250 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
2A patient is prescribed 1.2 g of an antibiotic. The vial is reconstituted to a concentration of 600 mg in 5 mL. What volume should the nurse draw up?
3A solution of 1 litre is to be infused intravenously over 8 hours using a gravity giving set delivering 20 drops per millilitre. What is the drip rate in drops per minute (rounded to the nearest whole number)?
4A patient requires an infusion of 1000 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride over 4 hours via a volumetric pump. What rate should the nurse set in mL/hour?
5A drug is prescribed at 15 mg/kg for a patient weighing 70 kg, to be given as a single dose. What total dose should be administered?
6Convert 0.25 grams to milligrams.
7An oral solution is prescribed as 120 mg. The stock concentration is 250 mg in 5 mL. What volume should be measured (to one decimal place)?
8A patient's fluid balance chart shows total input of 1850 mL and total output of 2200 mL over 24 hours. What is the fluid balance?
9Heparin is prescribed at 25,000 units in 50 mL to run at 1000 units per hour via a syringe pump. What rate in mL/hour should be set?
10An injection of 80 mg is prescribed. The ampoule contains 100 mg in 2 mL. What volume should be drawn up?
About the NMC CBT Exam
The NMC CBT is Part 1 of the Test of Competence that internationally educated nurses must pass to join the UK register. It is a 115-question computer-based test (15 numeracy plus 100 clinical multiple-choice questions) sat at a Pearson VUE centre and is assessed against the Future Nurse (2018) standards.
Assessment
Single sitting of 115 questions: Part A (Numeracy) 15 constructed-answer items and Part B (Clinical) 100 four-option single-best-answer multiple-choice items, mapped to the seven Future Nurse platforms plus Annexes A and B.
Time Limit
3 hours total (Part A 30 minutes; Part B 2 hours 30 minutes), including any optional breaks.
Passing Score
Part A and Part B are passed independently and only the failed part must be re-sat. The pass standard is set by NMC standard-setting and maintained statistically across test versions rather than published as a fixed mark; adult-nursing prep providers commonly cite an effective overall pass around 68%.
Exam Fee
GBP 83 for both parts booked together (Pearson VUE/NMC, 2025); re-sits of a single part are charged separately. (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), UK (delivered via Pearson VUE))
NMC CBT Exam Content Outline
Part A: Numeracy
15 applied drug and fluid calculations: doses, metric units, oral medicines, injections, IV infusions and fluid balance.
Platform 1: Being an accountable professional
NMC Code themes, accountability, consent and the Mental Capacity Act, confidentiality, candour and medicines accountability.
Platform 2: Promoting health and preventing ill health
Health promotion, infection prevention and control, immunisation, screening tools and public health.
Platform 3: Assessing needs and planning care
Holistic and risk assessment (NEWS2, Waterlow, MUST), ABCDE, the nursing process and SMART goals.
Platform 4: Providing and evaluating care
Safe medicines administration, asepsis, wound and catheter care, recognising deterioration and evaluating care.
Platform 5: Leading and managing nursing care and working in teams
Delegation, leadership styles, supervision, multidisciplinary working and raising concerns.
Platform 6: Improving safety and quality of care
Incident and near-miss reporting, clinical audit, evidence-based practice, safeguarding and care bundles.
Platform 7: Coordinating care
Continuity, transfer and discharge planning, referral, advocacy and reasonable adjustments.
Annexe A: Communication and relationship management skills
Therapeutic communication, interpreters, informed consent and accessible communication.
Annexe B: Nursing procedures
Vital signs, venepuncture, sharps safety, basic life support and oxygen therapy.
How to Pass the NMC CBT Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Part A and Part B are passed independently and only the failed part must be re-sat. The pass standard is set by NMC standard-setting and maintained statistically across test versions rather than published as a fixed mark; adult-nursing prep providers commonly cite an effective overall pass around 68%.
- Assessment: Single sitting of 115 questions: Part A (Numeracy) 15 constructed-answer items and Part B (Clinical) 100 four-option single-best-answer multiple-choice items, mapped to the seven Future Nurse platforms plus Annexes A and B.
- Time limit: 3 hours total (Part A 30 minutes; Part B 2 hours 30 minutes), including any optional breaks.
- Exam fee: GBP 83 for both parts booked together (Pearson VUE/NMC, 2025); re-sits of a single part are charged separately.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
NMC CBT Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the NMC CBT and how long is it?
The CBT contains 115 questions in one sitting over 3 hours: Part A is a 15-mark numeracy test (30 minutes) and Part B is a 100-mark clinical multiple-choice test (2 hours 30 minutes).
What is the pass mark for the NMC CBT?
Part A and Part B are passed independently and only the failed part must be re-sat. The NMC sets the standard through standard-setting and maintains it statistically across versions rather than publishing a fixed percentage; many adult-nursing prep sources cite an effective overall pass of around 68%.
How much does the NMC CBT cost and who delivers it?
The CBT is delivered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the NMC and costs GBP 83 for both parts booked together (2025). A single failed part can be re-sat for a separate fee.
Can I re-sit the NMC CBT if I fail?
Yes. You may sit the CBT up to three times within one application, with at least 10 days between attempts, and you only re-sit the part you failed. After three unsuccessful attempts you must wait a minimum of six months and submit a new application.