PracticeVideosBlogFlashcards
All Practice Exams

Free Practice Questions for NMC Midwifery OSCE

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card
180+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More UK NMC Nurse & Midwife Registration

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

NMC Test of Competence Part 1 CBT — Shared Registered-Nurse Core (RNA/RNC/RNLD/RNMH)

Practice Questions117 questionsStudy GuideCheat SheetFlashcards

NMC Test of Competence Part 2

Practice Questions100 questions
Exam Review

Key Facts: NMC Midwifery OSCE Exam

10

OSCE Stations

NMC current OSCE page

4 APIE

Linked Scenario Stations

NMC

4 skills

Practical Skills Stations

NMC

2 written

Professional Values and Evidence Stations

NMC midwifery booklet V2.4

About 2.5 hours

Testing Time

NMC midwifery booklet V2.4, October 2026

£794 / £397

Full / Reduced Resit Fee

NMC

3 providers

Current Approved Providers

NMC OSCE page checked 10 October 2026

The NMC midwifery OSCE has 10 stations: four APIE, four skills, and two written professional-values and evidence-based-practice stations. The October 2026 booklet gives about 2.5 hours of testing time and stations lasting 8–25 minutes. Candidates must pass every station; an agreed red flag fails a station. The fee is £794; resitting seven or fewer failed stations costs £397 and eight or more costs £794. Current providers are Northampton, Ulster, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Normally three attempts are allowed per application with at least 10 days between sittings; after a failed third attempt, wait at least six months before sitting a new full OSCE. CBT and OSCE can be taken in either order and must be passed within two years of each other. An exceptional further attempt requires NMC approval under its mitigating-circumstances or process-failure rules.

Sample NMC Midwifery OSCE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NMC Midwifery OSCE exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 180+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1At the start of an Antenatal APIE assessment station, before approaching the woman, what is the FIRST action the marking criteria expect the midwife to take?
A.Assess the safety of the scene and protect the woman's privacy and dignity
B.Auscultate the fetal heart with a Pinard stethoscope
C.Perform urinalysis on the provided sample
D.Write the diagnosis on the MEOWS chart
Explanation: The NMC Antenatal APIE assessment grid lists assessing scene safety and the woman's privacy and dignity as the opening criterion, before hand hygiene and introductions. Establishing a safe, dignified environment is a professional-values expectation that examiners look for from the outset.
2When checking a woman's identity at an antenatal station, what is the MINIMUM combination the NMC marking criteria require?
A.Her first name only
B.Her name plus either date of birth or hospital number, verified verbally and against documentation
C.Her postcode and next of kin
D.Her NHS number written on the MEOWS chart only
Explanation: The criteria state the person's name is essential plus either their date of birth or hospital number, checked verbally, against the wristband where appropriate, and against documentation. This two-identifier rule is a recurring essential criterion across every APIE and skills station.
3A woman attends at 38 weeks with reduced fetal movements. Which set of maternal observations does the Antenatal APIE assessment grid expect the midwife to verbalise?
A.Blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, oxygen saturation and per vaginam loss
B.Blood pressure and pulse only
C.Capillary blood glucose and weight
D.Apgar score and cord pH
Explanation: The antenatal assessment criteria require a full set: blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, oxygen saturation and per vaginam (PV) loss. A complete observation set lets the midwife screen for deterioration on the MEOWS chart.
4During the antenatal assessment, how should the midwife confirm fetal wellbeing in a way that distinguishes the fetal heart from the maternal pulse?
A.Record only the cardiotocograph trace without palpation
B.Auscultate the fetal heart with a Pinard while simultaneously palpating the maternal radial pulse to differentiate the two rates
C.Assume any rate over 100 bpm is the fetal heart
D.Use the woman's reported fetal movements as the sole measure
Explanation: The criteria require auscultating the fetal heart (Pinard) and differentiating between fetal and maternal heart rate. Palpating the maternal pulse while auscultating prevents the dangerous error of mistaking a maternal rate for the fetal heart.
5Which measurement does the Antenatal APIE grid expect the midwife to take to assess fetal growth?
A.Estimated fetal weight from maternal BMI
B.Maternal mid-upper arm circumference
C.Symphysis-fundal height measured with a tape measure
D.Crown-rump length
Explanation: Measuring symphysis-fundal height is listed as part of assessing fetal wellbeing in the antenatal station. Plotting fundal height helps detect small- or large-for-gestational-age growth and triggers referral when off the centile.
6Before performing urinalysis at the antenatal station, what does the marking criteria require the midwife to do?
A.Send the sample directly to the laboratory
B.Catheterise the woman to obtain the sample
C.Discard the sample as it is not relevant antenatally
D.Put on disposable gloves and apron
Explanation: The grid specifically requires donning disposable gloves and apron before handling the urine sample and performing urinalysis as per the manufacturer's instructions. Appropriate PPE is an essential infection-control criterion scored throughout the station.
7An antenatal woman's blood pressure is 158/104 mmHg with new proteinuria (protein ++) at 37 weeks. On the MEOWS chart this triggers a red score. What does this most likely indicate?
A.Normal late-pregnancy physiology requiring no action
B.Dehydration to be managed with oral fluids only
C.Pre-eclampsia requiring urgent escalation and obstetric review
D.A laboratory error to be ignored
Explanation: New hypertension (>=140/90, here 158/104) with proteinuria after 20 weeks defines pre-eclampsia. A red MEOWS trigger requires the midwife to identify the concern and escalate for urgent obstetric review, reflecting NICE hypertension-in-pregnancy guidance.
8In the Antenatal Planning station, after identifying abnormal findings, on what must the midwife base the documented plan of care?
A.Personal preference unsupported by guidance
B.Current, evidence-based best practice in line with NICE guidelines
C.The fastest option to finish the station
D.Whatever the woman's relative suggests
Explanation: The planning criteria require that midwifery interventions are current, evidence-based and based on best practice in line with current NICE guidelines. Examiners reward plans that are explicitly grounded in national guidance rather than habit or convenience.
9What feature of care planning does the Antenatal Planning grid specifically reward beyond writing the clinical plan?
A.Recognising the need to involve the woman in the care-planning process
B.Using abbreviations to save time
C.Omitting review times to keep the plan concise
D.Planning without reference to the assessment findings
Explanation: Both antenatal and postnatal planning criteria explicitly require recognising the need to involve the woman in care planning. Partnership and shared decision-making are central NMC Code values that examiners assess across the OSCE.
10In the Antenatal Implementation (medicines) station, before administering any prescribed drug the midwife must verbalise a set of checks. Which list matches the NMC criteria?
A.Drug colour, batch number and manufacturer only
B.Person and drug only
C.Cost of the drug and stock level
D.Person, drug, dose, date and time of administration, route and method of administration
Explanation: The implementation grid requires verbalising person, drug, dose, date and time of administration, and route and method of administration, having first checked allergies. These align with the long-standing safe medicines-administration rights.

About the NMC Midwifery OSCE Exam

The NMC Midwifery OSCE is the practical Part 2 Test of Competence for applicants required by NMC to demonstrate UK entry-to-register midwifery competence. It assesses clinical and communication skills, safe care of women and newborns, APIE reasoning, practical skills, professional values, and evidence-based practice.

Exam sponsor: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), delivered by approved OSCE providers. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

10 stations: four linked assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation (APIE) stations; four skills stations; and two written stations assessing professional values and evidence-based practice. Candidates must pass every station.

Time Limit

The October 2026 NMC midwifery booklet gives about 2.5 hours of total testing time; stations last 8–25 minutes. Allow additional time for the centre’s arrival and administration procedures.

Passing Score

Pass every station. Station pass scores use professional judgement and statistical information; an agreed red flag always fails the station.

Exam / Certification Fees

£794 OSCE fee; £397 resit fee for seven or fewer failed stations. Eight or more failed stations incur the £794 full resit fee; candidates resit failed stations.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

APIE scenario

Antenatal APIE

Assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of antenatal care: full antenatal assessment, fetal wellbeing (Pinard, fundal height), urinalysis, MEOWS, medicines administration and SBAR handover.

APIE scenario

Intrapartum (Labour and Birth) APIE

Abdominal palpation, maternal and fetal observations on the partogram, NICE Intrapartum Care planning, safe medicines administration and SBAR evaluation handover.

APIE scenario

Postnatal APIE

Postnatal maternal assessment on MEOWS, mental and physical wellbeing, health education, care planning, medicines administration and discharge handover.

Skills stations

Clinical skills (birth, neonatal and core skills)

Normal birth and third stage, IM injection, NEWTT neonatal assessment, systematic examination of the newborn (NIPE), urinary catheter removal, IV flush and VIP, postnatal check and maternal sepsis screening.

Skills stations

Midwifery emergencies

Acute emergency skill stations: shoulder dystocia, postpartum haemorrhage, complex (breech) birth, with recognition, manoeuvres, uterotonics and escalation.

1 written station

Professional values and behaviours

Silent station on accountability and communication: safeguarding, bereavement care, consent, duty of candour and the NMC Code.

1 written station

Evidence-based practice

Silent station on critical appraisal and decision-making: induction of labour at term, place of birth, smoking and pregnancy, applying evidence to recommendations.

Administration

OSCE Pathway, Results and Resits

CBT and OSCE order, current provider booking, identity checks, fees, two-year completion rule, five-year ToC validity, normally three attempts, 10-day minimum between sittings, feedback, and appeals.

Preparing for the NMC Midwifery OSCE Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass every station. Station pass scores use professional judgement and statistical information; an agreed red flag always fails the station.
  • Assessment: 10 stations: four linked assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation (APIE) stations; four skills stations; and two written stations assessing professional values and evidence-based practice. Candidates must pass every station.
  • Time limit: The October 2026 NMC midwifery booklet gives about 2.5 hours of total testing time; stations last 8–25 minutes. Allow additional time for the centre’s arrival and administration procedures.
  • Exam / certification fees: £794 OSCE fee; £397 resit fee for seven or fewer failed stations. Eight or more failed stations incur the £794 full resit fee; candidates resit failed stations. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 180 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NMC Midwifery OSCE: Suggested Study Strategy

1Work through the official NMC midwifery mock OSCE and marking criteria so you know the essential criteria and recurring red flags (hand hygiene, ID checks, allergy checks) scored at every station.
2Practise SBAR handovers and accurate MEOWS, NEWTT and partogram documentation under time pressure, since clear communication and legible records are assessed across the whole OSCE.
3Practise APIE as one linked scenario: keep assessment findings, plan, implementation, and evaluation internally consistent.
4Use The Code in every station: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust.
5In skills stations, verbalise safety checks, consent, infection control, escalation triggers, and documentation.
6For written professional stations, answer with a clear structure: issue, professional duty, immediate safety action, communication, documentation, and escalation.
7Memorise administrative rules that often appear in pathway questions: 10 stations, GBP794 fee, GBP397 reduced resit, normally three attempts, 10-day minimum, six-month wait after third-attempt failure, station-level pass, and red-flag failure.
8Use the current marking criteria and station timings, including the 2026 neonatal-assessment and smoking-in-pregnancy updates; practise adaptable safe care rather than rote scripts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stations are in the midwifery OSCE and how long does it take?

There are 10 stations: four APIE, four skills, and two written stations. The October 2026 NMC booklet gives about 2.5 hours of testing time and station durations of 8–25 minutes.

What is the pass mark?

Candidates must pass every station. Station pass scores use professional judgement and statistical information; an agreed red flag always denotes a station fail.

What does the OSCE cost?

The full fee is £794. Resitting seven or fewer failed stations costs £397; eight or more costs £794. Paying the full fee does not itself mean retaking passed stations.

Where can I take the OSCE?

NMC currently lists University of Northampton, Ulster University, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Oxford Brookes closed on 31 July 2026 and Northumbria closed on 19 February 2026. The OSCE is in person; Pearson VUE delivers Part 1 CBT.

How many attempts are allowed?

NMC normally allows three OSCE attempts per application with at least 10 days between sittings. If the third attempt is unsuccessful, the application closes; wait at least six months before sitting again and retake all 10 stations. An exceptional further attempt requires NMC approval under its mitigating-circumstances or process-failure rules.

Can I appeal the result?

The booklet permits an appeal about a process problem or irregularity with a demonstrable detrimental effect on performance; candidates cannot appeal the assessment result itself.

How do the CBT and OSCE relate?

They can be taken in either order. Pass both within two years of each other; the completed Test of Competence remains valid for five years.

Does passing the newborn examination station make me a NIPE practitioner?

No. The current NMC booklet states that passing the Systematic Examination of the Newborn station is not equivalent to qualified Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Practitioner status.