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NMC Midwifery Test of Competence Part 1 CBT

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NMC Midwifery OSCE Exam

OSCE stations

NMC OSCE page

4 APIE

Linked scenario stations

NMC OSCE page

4 skills

Practical skills stations

NMC OSCE page

2 written

Professional values and EBP stations

NMC OSCE booklet

GBP794

OSCE fee

NMC OSCE page

3 attempts

Maximum OSCE attempts per application

NMC OSCE page

For 2026 planning, uk-nmc-midwifery-part2 should be represented as NMC Test of Competence Part 2 OSCE for midwives. Official current facts include 10 stations, four APIE stations, four skills stations, two written professional stations, GBP794 fee, GBP397 reduced resit fee for seven or fewer failed stations, station-level pass requirements, red-flag station failure, results usually within five working days, three OSCE attempts per application, at least 10 days between attempts, and six-month wait after a failed third attempt.

Sample NMC Midwifery OSCE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NMC Midwifery OSCE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the NMC Test of Competence Part 2 OSCE designed to assess for a midwifery applicant?

A.Only the applicant's written knowledge of midwifery law

B.The applicant's practical clinical and communication skills

C.Only the applicant's ability to calculate medicines without patient interaction

D.The applicant's employment history and professional references

Explanation: The OSCE is Part 2 of the NMC Test of Competence and is a practical examination. It assesses whether an applicant can demonstrate safe clinical and communication skills in simulated practice scenarios.

2A midwifery applicant asks whether the OSCE is the same as the CBT. Which answer is most accurate?

A.Yes. The OSCE and CBT are two names for the same written exam.

B.Yes. The OSCE replaces the CBT for all midwifery applicants.

C.No. The OSCE is an optional training course and the CBT is the only required exam.

D.No. The OSCE is the Part 2 practical exam, while the CBT is a separate part of the Test of Competence.

Explanation: The CBT and OSCE are separate components of the Test of Competence. The OSCE is the Part 2 practical examination and focuses on clinical and communication skills.

3Which statement best describes the order in which a midwifery applicant may take the CBT and OSCE?

A.The CBT and OSCE can be taken in either order.

B.The CBT must always be passed before the OSCE can be booked.

C.The OSCE must always be passed before the CBT can be booked.

D.The CBT and OSCE must be taken on the same day.

Explanation: The CBT and OSCE can be taken in either order. However, both parts must be passed before the applicant can continue with registration or readmission.

4A midwifery applicant has passed the OSCE but has not yet passed the CBT. What must happen before they can continue with registration or readmission?

A.They can continue because the OSCE is the final practical exam.

B.They must wait five working days and then proceed automatically.

C.They must pass the CBT as well as the OSCE.

D.They must retake the OSCE because it cannot be passed before the CBT.

Explanation: Both the CBT and OSCE must be passed before the applicant can continue with NMC registration or readmission. The order does not remove the requirement to pass both parts.

5What is the required time limit for passing both the CBT and OSCE in the NMC Test of Competence?

A.Within 6 months

B.Within 1 year

C.Within 2 years

D.Within 5 years

Explanation: Applicants must pass both the CBT and OSCE within 2 years. This is separate from the overall validity period of the full Test of Competence.

6After a midwifery applicant has passed the full Test of Competence, how long is the full ToC valid?

A.5 years

B.1 year

C.2 years

D.3 years

Explanation: Once the full Test of Competence has been passed, it is valid for 5 years. The applicant must still follow NMC registration or readmission requirements.

7A candidate passed the CBT 25 months ago and has not yet passed the OSCE. Which statement is most accurate?

A.They have met the time requirement because the full ToC is valid for 5 years.

B.They can continue if they book the OSCE within the next five working days.

C.They only need to pay the reduced OSCE resit fee.

D.They have not met the requirement to pass both the CBT and OSCE within 2 years.

Explanation: The CBT and OSCE must be passed within 2 years. A 25-month gap means the applicant has exceeded that two-year requirement, even though the full ToC is valid for 5 years after both parts are passed.

8Which organisation is responsible for approving OSCE test providers for the Test of Competence?

A.The candidate's employer

B.The Nursing and Midwifery Council

C.The local maternity unit

D.The candidate's recruitment agency

Explanation: The OSCE is part of the NMC Test of Competence. The NMC identifies approved OSCE providers for candidates to use when booking the practical exam.

9Which list contains approved OSCE providers named by the NMC for the Test of Competence?

A.University of Edinburgh, Cardiff University, King's College London, and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

B.Oxford Brookes, University of Northampton, Ulster University, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and Northumbria

C.Pearson VUE, Prometric, IELTS, and OET

D.Any UK university with a midwifery programme

Explanation: The named approved providers are Oxford Brookes, University of Northampton, Ulster University, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and Northumbria. Candidates must also note provider updates, including centre closures.

10Which approved OSCE provider had an important update that its OSCE centre closed on 19 February 2026?

A.Oxford Brookes

B.University of Northampton

C.Ulster University

D.Northumbria

Explanation: Northumbria was listed as an approved provider, but the important update is that the Northumbria OSCE centre closed on 19 February 2026.

About the NMC Midwifery OSCE Exam

The NMC Midwifery OSCE is Part 2 of the Test of Competence for midwives applying to join the UK NMC register from overseas or to rejoin after time away from practice. It assesses safe practical midwifery performance, APIE clinical reasoning, communication, skills, professional values, evidence-based practice, and compliance with the NMC Code across women and newborn care.

Assessment

Part 2 of the NMC Test of Competence is the midwifery OSCE. It has 10 stations: four linked APIE scenario stations for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation; four skills stations; and two written stations assessing professional values and evidence-based practice. Candidates must pass every station.

Time Limit

The midwifery test specification states total assessment time is no more than 3 hours. APIE station timings are Assessment 20 minutes, Planning 14 minutes, Implementation 15 minutes, and Evaluation 8 minutes. Skills stations and the paired professional behaviours or critical-appraisal stations last up to 20 minutes, with about 4 minutes between stations. Test centres usually email results within 5 working days, or up to 10 working days when new OSCE content is introduced.

Passing Score

Candidates must achieve the pass score for every station. Station pass scores are set using professional judgement and statistical information. An agreed red flag always denotes a station fail. If a candidate fails, they receive feedback on failed stations and resit only failed stations unless the rules require retaking the whole OSCE.

Exam Fee

NMC lists the OSCE fee as GBP794. The reduced resit fee is GBP397 for seven or fewer failed stations. Failing eight or more stations requires a full-cost GBP794 resit. Candidates who fail any station on the third attempt must wait six months before reapplying to NMC. (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), delivered by approved OSCE test providers)

NMC Midwifery OSCE Exam Content Outline

Pathway

NMC ToC Part 2

OSCE identity, CBT and OSCE relationship, provider booking, Northumbria closure update, two-year completion rule, five-year ToC validity, and post-pass registration steps.

4 stations

APIE Scenario Stations

Assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation stations linked around one scenario, with safe care planning, documentation, prioritisation, escalation, continuity, and woman-centred decision-making.

4 stations

Skills Stations

Practical skills, including systematic physical examination of the newborn, emergency response, communication, manual dexterity, infection control, and generic transferable skill performance.

2 stations

Professional Values and Evidence

Written stations assessing professional values and evidence-based practice, including The Code, confidentiality, candour, safeguarding, record quality, critical appraisal, and applying evidence to care.

Administration

Results, Resits, Appeals, and ID

Station-level results, feedback, reduced and full-cost resits, three attempts, 10-day minimum between sittings, six-month wait after third-attempt failure, process-only appeals, ID check, original documents, clinical dress, filming, and confidentiality.

How to Pass the NMC Midwifery OSCE Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Candidates must achieve the pass score for every station. Station pass scores are set using professional judgement and statistical information. An agreed red flag always denotes a station fail. If a candidate fails, they receive feedback on failed stations and resit only failed stations unless the rules require retaking the whole OSCE.
Assessment: Part 2 of the NMC Test of Competence is the midwifery OSCE. It has 10 stations: four linked APIE scenario stations for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation; four skills stations; and two written stations assessing professional values and evidence-based practice. Candidates must pass every station.
Time limit: The midwifery test specification states total assessment time is no more than 3 hours. APIE station timings are Assessment 20 minutes, Planning 14 minutes, Implementation 15 minutes, and Evaluation 8 minutes. Skills stations and the paired professional behaviours or critical-appraisal stations last up to 20 minutes, with about 4 minutes between stations. Test centres usually email results within 5 working days, or up to 10 working days when new OSCE content is introduced.
Exam fee: NMC lists the OSCE fee as GBP794. The reduced resit fee is GBP397 for seven or fewer failed stations. Failing eight or more stations requires a full-cost GBP794 resit. Candidates who fail any station on the third attempt must wait six months before reapplying to NMC.

Keys to Passing

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NMC Midwifery OSCE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practise APIE as one linked scenario: keep assessment findings, plan, implementation, and evaluation internally consistent.

2Use The Code in every station: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust.

3In skills stations, verbalise safety checks, consent, infection control, escalation triggers, and documentation.

4For written professional stations, answer with a clear structure: issue, professional duty, immediate safety action, communication, documentation, and escalation.

5Memorise administrative rules that often appear in pathway questions: 10 stations, GBP794 fee, GBP397 reduced resit, three attempts, 10-day minimum, six-month wait after third-attempt failure, station-level pass, and red-flag failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is uk-nmc-midwifery-part2 the OSCE?

Yes. Part 2 of the NMC Test of Competence is the practical Objective Structured Clinical Examination, or OSCE.

How many stations are in the midwifery OSCE?

The OSCE has 10 stations: four linked APIE scenario stations, four skills stations, and two written stations for professional values and evidence-based practice.

What does the OSCE cost?

NMC lists the OSCE fee as GBP794. A reduced resit fee of GBP397 applies if a candidate needs to resit seven or fewer stations.

How is the OSCE passed?

Candidates must pass every station. An agreed red flag for unsafe practice always denotes a station fail.

How many OSCE attempts are allowed?

NMC states candidates can take the OSCE a maximum of three times as part of one application, with at least 10 days between sittings. After failing the third attempt, the application closes and the candidate must wait at least six months before sitting again.

Can a candidate appeal an OSCE result?

The NMC OSCE booklet states candidates cannot appeal the result itself; they may appeal only where a process problem or irregularity had a direct and demonstrably detrimental effect on performance.