If you were trained as a nurse of midwife outside of the European Economic Area, you will have to complete the Computer-Based Test (CBT) to register with NMC.
The CBT is one of two exams which form NMC’s Test of Competence (ToC).
This evaluates candidates’ medical knowledge, numeracy skills and understanding of nursing or midwifery values according to UK standards.
At Fast Track IELTS, we want to share 5 things that you need to know about the CBT so that you can book and pass this exam with ease.
Let’s take a look…
1. The NMC will confirm if you need to take the CBT
You may be planning ahead and wondering if you need to take the CBT test or not.
Well, you’ll be happy to know that the NMC will confirm this for you.
For NMC to decide this, there are a few things you must do first. You will have to:
- start your registration application (see our article “How to Register with NMC” for more help with this)
- complete the Eligibility and Qualification Verification application
- pay the eligibility fee
Once the NMC have confirmed that you are eligible for registration, they will contact you by email to confirm whether you have to sit the CBT based on where you qualified.
2. An account with Pearson Vue is automatically created for you.
Once the NMC have confirmed that you need to take the CBT test, an account with Pearson Vue will be automatically created for you.
Pearson Vue are the test providers for the CBT and they have many test centres to choose from in the UK. If you want to find a test centre near you, follow this link.
Make sure to keep an eye on your emails, including your junk/spam folder, as the NMC will send your username and password to you via email.
We would recommend adding “@pearson.com” to your list of safe senders to ensure that you don’t miss anything important.
You will then receive instructions on booking your exam by using your online account.
We would recommend adding “@pearson.com” to your list of safe senders to ensure that you don’t miss anything important.
3. There are 3 key resources you need for revision.
The CBT consists of two parts:
- Part A: A test on numeracy, focusing on basic calculations such as drug dosages and IV rates.
- Part B: A test on clinical theory and knowledge, covering topics such as patient care, infection control, and ethical decision-making.
You will need to closely read the following resources:
The NMC Code
This document is crucial as it explains all key principles which the NMC hold to as well as guidance on how to deal with certain situations.
To view the NMC Code, click this link.
You will find additional resources and information at the bottom of the link provided which focus on the following areas:
Make sure to review each of these areas and make notes on the guidance as you may be given situations like this in your clinical questions.
The CBT Blueprint
This document outlines the 7 different platforms that you will be tested on in the CBT exam.
You are then provided with a (quite long) list of everything that you may be asked about in the CBT or OSCE.
To view the Nursing Blueprint, click here.
To view the Midwifery Blueprint, click here.
We would recommend taking one platform at a time and carefully reviewing the information that you will be expected to know.
If there are topics that you are not knowledgeable on, you could review your nursing course notes or revise online.
Practice Tests
Once you have completed your revision, you can put everything into practice by trying to complete the practice tests available from Pearson Vue.
To view the practice tests, click here.
These will give you a clear idea of what to expect on exam day, how the computer-based test will look and how you navigate the test, moving from one question to the next.
4. You can re-sit one part of the CBT if you don’t pass.
To pass the CBT, you need to score:
- Part A: at least 13 out of 15 questions
- Part B: at least 68 out of 100 questions
You will receive your results by email within 48 hours of sitting the exam with either “pass” or “fail”.
The good news is that if you fail one part of the exam, you don’t need to re-sit both parts. You can simply re-book the part that you failed.
Re-sits can be booked just 10 days after your last attempt.
Remember though, you only have three attempts at each part and if you do not pass within three attempts, you will have to re-start your NMC application and wait another 6 months before attempting again.
5. If numeracy is challenging, our CBT course can help you.
If numbers are not your thing, Part A Numeracy of the CBT can seem quite daunting.
Don’t panic! In our 5-lesson CBT course, we review all the numeracy equations and techniques that you will need to pass Part A easily, all in one lesson.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you will be provided with a calculator on your computer screen as well as a whiteboard if you wish to write out your calculations.
Contact Us Today For Help
If you need additional help, we offer many more practice questions for both clinical and numeracy to ensure that you are well prepared for the exam.
To find out more about our CBT course, leave a comment or contact us via email on contact@passmyielts.com and we’ll be happy to discuss the best option for you!
The post 5 Things You Need to Know About CBT (Computer-Based Test) appeared first on Fast Track IELTS.
