NMC CBT study guide
NMC CBT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The NMC CBT is the computer-based test used within the Nursing and Midwifery Council's registration route for internationally trained nurses, midwives and nursing associates who want to join the UK register. The NMC describes itself as "the independent regulator of more than 867,000 nursing and midwifery professionals" and states that it "protect[s] the public by setting and upholding high education and professional standards for Nurses and Midwives." The test is a multiple-choice exam that samples the knowledge and judgement expected of a registered professional, and preparation should be built around the NMC's own published standards rather than around any single commercial question bank. The NMC CBT study guide has 4 sections and about 1,282 words.
01Nursing and Midwifery Practice: Clinical Judgement and the Care Process
Clinical questions test whether you can apply the nursing process (assess, diagnose/identify need, plan, implement, evaluate) and the ABC/ABCDE prioritisation framework. Know the difference between dependent interventions (requiring a prescription, e.g.
318 words, about 2 min02Professional Standards and The Code: Accountability, Delegation and Scope
The Code sets out four themes: prioritise people; practise effectively; preserve safety; and promote professionalism and trust. Learn each theme's practical meaning: prioritise people (dignity, consent, person-centred care), practise effectively (evidence, competence, keep skills current), preserve safety (raise concerns, manage risk, be candid when things go wrong), and promote professionalism and trust (honesty, integrity, uphold reputation).
318 words, about 2 min03Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Person-Centred and Safe Communication
Communication questions test active listening , open vs closed questions , reflection , summarising , clarifying and empathy . Know SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) for structured handover and escalation, and closed-loop communication for safety-critical instructions (repeat back and confirm).
310 words, about 2 min04Safety, Ethics and Professional Accountability: Risk, Consent and Raising Concerns
This domain tests patient safety (human factors, error reporting, incident reporting, near misses, root-cause thinking), infection prevention (hand hygiene, standard precautions, asepsis), medication safety (rights of administration, high-alert medicines, reporting errors), falls and pressure-ulcer prevention , and safeguarding (recognising and reporting abuse, including of children and vulnerable adults). Ethically, know the four principles - autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice - and apply them to consent , confidentiality , capacity , best interests and end-of-life decisions .
336 words, about 2 min