PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

100+ Free NMC OSCE Practice Questions

Pass your NMC Test of Competence Part 2 — OSCE (Nursing) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
100+ Questions
100% Free
1 / 100
Question 1
Score: 0/0

The Evaluation station assesses clinical reasoning. After implementing care, how should you evaluate whether the care plan goals were met?

A
B
C
D
to track
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

Practice Questions

NMC Test of Competence Part 2 - OSCE (Midwifery)

Practice Questions

Sample NMC OSCE Practice Questions

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

1You enter the Assessment station and approach a patient on the ward. Before any physical contact, which action does the NMC marking criteria require you to perform FIRST?
A.Auscultate the chest to begin the ABCDE assessment
B.Assess the safety of the scene and the privacy and dignity of the patient, then decontaminate your hands
C.Record a full set of vital signs immediately
D.Ask the patient to describe their presenting complaint in detail
Explanation: The NMC OSCE Assessment marking grid opens with assessing the safety of the scene and the patient's privacy and dignity, followed immediately by hand decontamination per WHO guidelines. These are essential criteria that establish a safe, patient-centred start before any clinical task. Skipping the safety/scene check or hand hygiene risks an automatic fail.
2During the Assessment station you must confirm the patient's identity. According to NMC criteria, which combination is the minimum acceptable identity check?
A.The bed number and the consultant's name
B.The patient's name only, confirmed verbally
C.The patient's name plus either their date of birth or hospital number, verified verbally and against the wristband where appropriate
D.The patient's address and next of kin
Explanation: The marking criteria state the person's name is essential and must be combined with either their date of birth or hospital number, checked verbally against the wristband (where appropriate) and the documentation. This three-way reconciliation prevents wrong-patient errors. Using name alone is insufficient and can lead to failing the identity criterion.
3The Assessment station expects a structured A-E approach recommended by the Resuscitation Council UK. What does the 'A' stand for and what is the priority action within it?
A.Assessment - take a full set of observations
B.Allergy - confirm the patient's documented allergy status
C.Alertness - calculate the AVPU score
D.Airway - check patency and look for signs of obstruction such as stridor or see-saw breathing
Explanation: In the Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE framework, 'A' is Airway; the priority is to assess patency and identify obstruction (stridor, gurgling, see-saw chest movement) because a blocked airway is immediately life-threatening. Each letter is addressed and any problem corrected before moving on. Confusing 'A' with allertness or allergy misorders clinical priorities.
4While completing 'B' in the ABCDE assessment, you measure the patient's respiratory rate as 24 and oxygen saturations as 92% on air. Which set of actions best reflects safe 'Breathing' assessment in the OSCE?
A.Count respiratory rate for a full minute, measure SpO2, observe symmetry and effort, auscultate the chest and consider oxygen if indicated
B.Estimate the respiratory rate over 15 seconds and move straight to circulation
C.Apply 15 L/min oxygen via a non-rebreathe mask to every patient regardless of saturations
D.Record only the oxygen saturation because it replaces the need to count respirations
Explanation: Safe Breathing assessment requires counting the respiratory rate over a full minute, measuring SpO2, observing chest symmetry and work of breathing, and auscultating, then acting on findings (e.g. titrated oxygen). Respiratory rate is the most sensitive early sign of deterioration, which is why it must be counted accurately. Blanket high-flow oxygen or skipping the rate undermines the assessment.
5You aggregate the patient's observations using the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2). Which parameter is scored differently for patients on the SpO2 Scale 2 used in the APIE assessment?
A.Heart rate, which is doubled on Scale 2
B.Oxygen saturation, because Scale 2 applies to patients with a target range of 88-92% such as those at risk of type 2 respiratory failure
C.Temperature, which is excluded from Scale 2
D.Level of consciousness, which is removed for Scale 2
Explanation: NEWS2 contains two oxygen-saturation scales: Scale 1 for most patients and Scale 2 for those with a prescribed target of 88-92% (e.g. hypercapnic/type 2 respiratory failure risk). Only the SpO2 scoring changes between the scales; all other parameters are scored identically. Selecting the correct scale prevents over- or under-scoring oxygenation.
6A patient's NEWS2 total comes to 7 with no single parameter scoring 3. According to standard NEWS2 escalation, what is the expected clinical response?
A.Immediate discharge planning because the score is below 10
B.Routine ward observations every 12 hours with no escalation
C.Urgent review by a clinician with core competencies to assess acutely ill patients and increased frequency of monitoring
D.No action because escalation is only required when a single parameter scores 3
Explanation: A NEWS2 aggregate of 5-6, or any total of 7 or more, triggers an urgent or emergency clinical response; a score of 7 warrants urgent review by a competent clinician and continuous or markedly increased monitoring. Escalation depends on both the aggregate score and any single red (3) parameter. Failing to escalate a high aggregate score is a key patient-safety error in the APIE.
7Within the 'D - Disability' element of ABCDE, which rapid bedside check is most appropriate to perform alongside assessing conscious level?
A.Capillary blood glucose, because hypoglycaemia is a rapidly reversible cause of reduced consciousness
B.A 12-lead ECG, because it defines neurological status
C.A chest X-ray request, because it reveals cerebral pathology
D.A urinalysis dipstick, because it grades conscious level
Explanation: Disability assessment includes conscious level (ACVPU/AVPU or GCS), pupils, and a capillary blood glucose, because 'Don't Ever Forget Glucose' - hypoglycaemia is a common, rapidly reversible cause of altered consciousness. Checking glucose at the bedside allows immediate correction. ECG, chest X-ray and urinalysis do not assess neurological disability at this point.
8The Assessment station is timed at 20 minutes with a patient actor. A common cause of failing this station relates to documentation. What is the recommended use of any remaining time?
A.Repeat the entire ABCDE assessment from the start
B.Begin the Planning station early to save time
C.Leave the room quietly to avoid disturbing the examiner
D.Double-check all documentation is complete and accurate, as omissions are a frequent reason for failure
Explanation: Incomplete or inaccurate documentation is a recognised common cause of failing the Assessment station, so candidates are advised to use spare time to double-check that everything is recorded correctly. Good record keeping is an NMC Code requirement and is explicitly marked. The APIE stations are taken in sequence, so you cannot start Planning early.
9Before examining the patient in the Assessment station, the NMC criteria require you to gain consent. Which statement best reflects valid consent in this context?
A.Assume consent because the patient is on a hospital ward
B.Explain what you intend to do and why, and obtain the patient's agreement before proceeding
C.Obtain written consent on a formal surgical consent form
D.Ask a relative to consent on the patient's behalf
Explanation: Valid consent for routine nursing assessment is gained by explaining the procedure and its purpose in understandable terms and obtaining the patient's agreement; this respects autonomy under the NMC Code. Consent is not assumed from ward admission, and a relative cannot consent for a capacitous adult. A formal written surgical consent form is not needed for bedside assessment.
10A patient in the Assessment station has a blood pressure of 88/54 mmHg, heart rate 118, and cool peripheries with a prolonged capillary refill time. Within ABCDE, what is the priority nursing action under 'C - Circulation'?
A.Sit the patient fully upright to lower the blood pressure further
B.Reassure the patient and recheck the blood pressure in two hours
C.Gain IV access, consider a fluid challenge as per protocol, and escalate as the patient shows signs of shock
D.Withhold all fluids until a doctor has reviewed in the morning
Explanation: Hypotension, tachycardia, cool peripheries and prolonged capillary refill indicate hypovolaemic or distributive shock; the Circulation priority is to obtain IV access, consider a fluid challenge per protocol, and escalate urgently. Delaying or withholding treatment, or worsening hypotension by sitting the patient up, would be unsafe and could trigger a red flag.

About the NMC OSCE Exam

The NMC OSCE is Part 2 of the Test of Competence taken by internationally educated and returning nurses joining the UK register. It is a practical exam of 10 stations taken in the UK, assessing clinical, communication and professional skills against the NMC Code and Standards of Proficiency. The exam is field-specific (adult, mental health, learning disability or children's nursing).

Assessment

10 stations: 4 linked APIE stations (Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation), 4 clinical skills stations (two pairs of two), and 2 silent written stations (Professional Values and Behaviours, Evidence-Based Practice).

Time Limit

Approximately 3 hours in total, with each station individually and strictly timed.

Passing Score

Each station is pass/fail; candidates must pass all 10 stations. Failing fewer than 8 stations allows a partial resit of only the failed stations.

Exam Fee

£794 for the full OSCE; £397 for a partial resit (fail 7 or fewer stations) and £794 for a full resit (fail 8-10 stations). (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), UK (approved university test centres))

NMC OSCE Exam Content Outline

14%

APIE — Assessment

Structured ABCDE assessment, NEWS2/PEWS scoring and escalation, scene safety, hand hygiene, identity, allergy and consent checks with accurate documentation.

11%

APIE — Planning

Silent written care planning: prioritised, SMART, evidence-based nursing care plans addressing falls, pressure ulcers, nutrition, VTE and sepsis risks.

10%

APIE — Implementation

Safe medication administration covering the rights of administration, allergy and dose checks, drug and infusion calculations, insulin and controlled-drug safety.

5%

APIE — Evaluation

SBAR verbal handover, escalation of the deteriorating patient and evaluation of care against care-plan goals using clinical reasoning.

27%

Clinical Skills Stations

Hands-on skills including ANTT, blood glucose monitoring, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, NG tube placement and pH check, IV flush and VIP, catheter specimen and removal, oxygen, inhaled medication, peak flow, wound, pressure-area, nutritional, pain, bowel and fluid-balance assessment.

17%

Professional Values and Behaviours

Silent written station on the NMC Code: duty of candour, drug errors, safeguarding, confidentiality, social media, discrimination, raising concerns and accountability.

16%

Evidence-Based Practice

Silent written station applying NICE and Resuscitation Council UK guidance to scenarios such as smoking cessation, wound cleansing, female MI, fever in children, restraint and diabetes education.

How to Pass the NMC OSCE Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Each station is pass/fail; candidates must pass all 10 stations. Failing fewer than 8 stations allows a partial resit of only the failed stations.
  • Assessment: 10 stations: 4 linked APIE stations (Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation), 4 clinical skills stations (two pairs of two), and 2 silent written stations (Professional Values and Behaviours, Evidence-Based Practice).
  • Time limit: Approximately 3 hours in total, with each station individually and strictly timed.
  • Exam fee: £794 for the full OSCE; £397 for a partial resit (fail 7 or fewer stations) and £794 for a full resit (fail 8-10 stations).

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 OSCE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Drill the structured opening that every clinical station shares: scene safety, WHO hand hygiene, introduction, ID check (name plus date of birth or hospital number), allergy check and consent, then a full ABCDE assessment.
2Memorise the frameworks the marking grids reward: ABCDE for assessment, NEWS2/PEWS for escalation, SBAR for handover, and the rights of medication administration, and practise drug and infusion calculations under time pressure.
3For the silent written stations, base your answers on current UK guidance (NMC Code, NICE, Resuscitation Council UK) and review the April 2025 station list so you are not preparing for retired scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stations are in the NMC OSCE and do I have to pass them all?

The OSCE has 10 stations and takes around 3 hours. Each station is marked pass or fail and you must pass every station to pass overall. If you fail fewer than 8 stations you can resit only the stations you failed.

How much does the NMC OSCE cost?

The full OSCE fee is £794. A partial resit (where you failed 7 or fewer stations) costs £397, and a full resit (failing 8-10 stations) costs £794.

What are the APIE stations?

APIE stands for Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation. These four linked stations follow one patient scenario: a structured ABCDE assessment, written care planning, safe medication administration, and a verbal SBAR handover.

What changed in the OSCE in 2025?

From April 2025 the NMC streamlined the test, removing two APIE scenarios (asthma, and anxiety and depression) and retiring several professional values, evidence-based practice and clinical skills stations to reflect current clinical relevance. The 10-station structure and pass-all requirement were unchanged.