NMC OSCE (UK Nursing & Midwifery Council Test of Competence Part 2 — OSCE) — Free Online Mock Test

NMC OSCE exam at a glance

NMC OSCE full-length mock tests

Attempt 50 full-length NMC OSCE mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 120-question, 152-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.

NMC OSCE key facts & eligibility

Who is eligible for NMC OSCE?

Internationally educated nurses or midwives applying to join the NMC register, who have passed the Part 1 CBT and meet the NMC’s English-language and qualification requirements. You sit the OSCE for your field of practice (adult, children’s, mental health, learning disability nursing, or midwifery).

Last verified July 2026 against NMC — Test of Competence. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.

NMC OSCE section breakdown

The NMC OSCE mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. Inter-section breaks are enforced.

• Station 1 — Assessment (APIE)
  15 questions · 17 minutes · ~68 sec/question
• Station 2 — Planning (APIE)
  15 questions · 17 minutes · ~68 sec/question
• Station 3 — Implementation (APIE)
  15 questions · 17 minutes · ~68 sec/question
• Station 4 — Evaluation (APIE)
  15 questions · 17 minutes · ~68 sec/question
• Skill — Medication Administration
  10 questions · 15 minutes · ~90 sec/question
• Skill — IV Fluids & Cannulation
  10 questions · 15 minutes · ~90 sec/question
• Skill — Basic Life Support / ANTT
  10 questions · 15 minutes · ~90 sec/question
• Skill — Infection Control / Catheter / Vital Signs
  10 questions · 15 minutes · ~90 sec/question
• Evidence-Based Practice
  10 questions · 12 minutes · ~72 sec/question
• Values & Behaviours
  10 questions · 12 minutes · ~72 sec/question

NMC OSCE scoring & marking scheme

Strategy: NMC OSCE has no negative marking. Attempt every question — blank answers cost you potential marks but cannot pull your score down.

Scale: NMC OSCE (competent on all stations to pass).

How NMC OSCE is conducted

• Mode
  Standard — practice without proctoring on Wrexa Edge, or enable optional webcam proctoring to simulate test-day conditions.
• Test format
  Linear / fixed-form — every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
• Backtracking
  Allowed — you can revisit and change answers within a section.
• Mark for review
  Available — flag tough questions and return to them before submitting the section.

NMC OSCE time strategy

With 120 questions in 152 minutes, you have about 76 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:

• Station 1 — Assessment (APIE)
  Target ~68 sec/question. If a question takes more than 102 seconds, mark for review and move on.
• Station 2 — Planning (APIE)
  Target ~68 sec/question. If a question takes more than 102 seconds, mark for review and move on.
• Station 3 — Implementation (APIE)
  Target ~68 sec/question. If a question takes more than 102 seconds, mark for review and move on.
• Station 4 — Evaluation (APIE)
  Target ~68 sec/question. If a question takes more than 102 seconds, mark for review and move on.
• Skill — Medication Administration
  Target ~90 sec/question. If a question takes more than 135 seconds, mark for review and move on.
• Skill — IV Fluids & Cannulation
  Target ~90 sec/question. If a question takes more than 135 seconds, mark for review and move on.
• Skill — Basic Life Support / ANTT
  Target ~90 sec/question. If a question takes more than 135 seconds, mark for review and move on.
• Skill — Infection Control / Catheter / Vital Signs
  Target ~90 sec/question. If a question takes more than 135 seconds, mark for review and move on.
• Evidence-Based Practice
  Target ~72 sec/question. If a question takes more than 108 seconds, mark for review and move on.
• Values & Behaviours
  Target ~72 sec/question. If a question takes more than 108 seconds, mark for review and move on.

Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.

NMC OSCE topics covered

Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of NMC OSCE, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):

Station 1 — Assessment (APIE)

• Vitals — BP · 2
• Vitals — Temperature · 2
• Nursing — Handoff · 1
• Vitals — Heart Rate · 1
• Vitals — Respiratory Rate · 1
• Vitals — Oxygenation · 1
• Reading — Trade History · 1
• Reading — Vaccines · 1

Station 2 — Planning (APIE)

• Vitals — BP · 2
• Vitals — Temperature · 2
• Nursing — Handoff · 1
• Vitals — Heart Rate · 1
• Vitals — Respiratory Rate · 1
• Vitals — Oxygenation · 1
• Reading — Trade History · 1
• Reading — Vaccines · 1

Station 3 — Implementation (APIE)

• Vitals — BP · 2
• Vitals — Temperature · 2
• Nursing — Handoff · 1
• Vitals — Heart Rate · 1
• Vitals — Respiratory Rate · 1
• Vitals — Oxygenation · 1
• Reading — Trade History · 1
• Reading — Vaccines · 1

Station 4 — Evaluation (APIE)

• Vitals — BP · 2
• Vitals — Temperature · 2
• Nursing — Handoff · 1
• Vitals — Heart Rate · 1
• Vitals — Respiratory Rate · 1
• Vitals — Oxygenation · 1
• Reading — Trade History · 1
• Reading — Vaccines · 1

Skill — Medication Administration

• Vitals — BP · 2
• Nursing — Handoff · 1
• Vitals — Heart Rate · 1
• Vitals — Respiratory Rate · 1
• Vitals — Oxygenation · 1
• Vitals — Temperature · 1
• Reading — Trade History · 1
• Reading — Vaccines · 1

Skill — IV Fluids & Cannulation

• Vitals — BP · 2
• Nursing — Handoff · 1
• Vitals — Heart Rate · 1
• Vitals — Respiratory Rate · 1
• Vitals — Oxygenation · 1
• Vitals — Temperature · 1
• Reading — Trade History · 1
• Reading — Vaccines · 1

Skill — Basic Life Support / ANTT

• Vitals — BP · 2
• Nursing — Handoff · 1
• Vitals — Heart Rate · 1
• Vitals — Respiratory Rate · 1
• Vitals — Oxygenation · 1
• Vitals — Temperature · 1
• Reading — Trade History · 1
• Reading — Vaccines · 1

Skill — Infection Control / Catheter / Vital Signs

• Vitals — BP · 2
• Nursing — Handoff · 1
• Vitals — Heart Rate · 1
• Vitals — Respiratory Rate · 1
• Vitals — Oxygenation · 1
• Vitals — Temperature · 1
• Reading — Trade History · 1
• Reading — Vaccines · 1

Evidence-Based Practice

• MedEthics — Informed consent · 4
• MedEthics — Capacity · 2
• Reasoning — Classification (odd one out) · 2
• Reasoning — Number Series (arithmetic) · 1
• Reasoning — Number Series (squares) · 1

Values & Behaviours

• MedEthics — Informed consent · 4
• MedEthics — Capacity · 2
• Reasoning — Classification (odd one out) · 2
• Reasoning — Number Series (arithmetic) · 1
• Reasoning — Number Series (squares) · 1

NMC OSCE difficulty calibration

Advanced tier. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep.

NMC OSCE practice for overseas-trained nurses applying for UK registration. Full 10-station circuit modelled on the real blueprint at the University of Northampton / Oxford Brookes / Ulster: 4 APIE (Assessment / Planning / Implementation / Evaluation) scenarios, 4 clinical skills stations, 1 evidence-based practice station, 1 values & behaviours station. Per real exam: ~17 minutes per APIE station, ~15 min per skill, structured marking. Pass requires competent on every station. Course providers (Pass the NMC OSCE Academy, OSCE House) charge £600–£1500 for prep — this is free. · Official language: English.

Verified content — Wrexa Edge's NMC OSCE bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).

How Wrexa Edge prepares you for NMC OSCE

• Real test-day interface
  Our vignette skin mirrors the actual NMC OSCE testing software — same timer, palette, tools, and navigation.
• 50 distinct variants
  6000 unique practice questions, each variant a fresh test — not just shuffled options.
• Detailed analytics
  Scaled score, section accuracy, topic-wise heatmap, time-per-question — see where to focus after every attempt.
• Spaced repetition (Notebook)
  Wrong answers and flagged questions flow into an SM-2 spaced-repetition deck so you actually retain what you learn.
• Optional proctoring
  Browser-based face-api detection (no install) — turn it on to simulate a high-stakes environment.
• Free to start
  No credit card. Sign up, pick a variant, and your first NMC OSCE mock starts in under a minute.

Expert take: what NMC OSCE really tests

The NMC OSCE (Test of Competence Part 2) is a 10-station practical exam for internationally educated nurses and midwives: four linked APIE stations, four skills stations and two written stations, marked to UK pre-registration standards. Indirect steps — hand hygiene, consent, safety — are scored, so missing them fails otherwise-correct stations.

NMC OSCE study plan

A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.

Where NMC OSCE can take you

A strong NMC OSCE result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:

• UK nursing/midwifery registration
  Passing the OSCE (with Part 1) leads to NMC registration to practise in the UK.
• Overseas-nurse pathway
  The route for internationally educated nurses and midwives to join the register.
• Field-specific competence
  You are assessed in your field (adult, child, mental health, LD or midwifery).
• NHS employment
  Registration opens employment across the NHS and UK health sector.

Best books & official prep for NMC OSCE

• NMC Test of Competence — Preparing for your OSCE (official handbook) — Nursing and Midwifery Council
  The official OSCE handbook and marking criteria for your field — study it closely.
• OSCE skills and APIE practice resources — Various (e.g. Geeky Medics)
  Station-by-station practice of skills, ANTT and the APIE nursing process.

Official practice: Study the NMC’s official OSCE handbook and marking criteria for your field, and rehearse each station — the APIE nursing process, aseptic technique and medication administration — to the UK standards.

Previous-year papers: The NMC publishes official station materials and marking criteria rather than past papers; rehearse to those criteria.

Frequently asked questions

What is the NMC OSCE exam pattern?

UK Nursing & Midwifery Council Test of Competence Part 2 — OSCE contains 120 questions across 10 sections: Station 1 — Assessment (APIE), Station 2 — Planning (APIE), Station 3 — Implementation (APIE), Station 4 — Evaluation (APIE), Skill — Medication Administration, Skill — IV Fluids & Cannulation, Skill — Basic Life Support / ANTT, Skill — Infection Control / Catheter / Vital Signs, Evidence-Based Practice, Values & Behaviours. Total duration is 152 minutes (about 76 seconds per question).

Does NMC OSCE have negative marking?

No — NMC OSCE has no negative marking. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, so attempt every question.

How is NMC OSCE scored?

Scaled score range: 0 to 100. NMC OSCE (competent on all stations to pass).

How can I practise NMC OSCE online for free?

Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length NMC OSCE mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.

What is the difficulty level of NMC OSCE?

NMC OSCE is rated Advanced difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep. NMC OSCE practice for overseas-trained nurses applying for UK registration. Full 10-station circuit modelled on the real blueprint at the University of Northampton / Oxford Brookes / Ulster: 4 APIE (Assessment / Planning / Implementation / Evaluation) scenarios, 4 clinical skills stations, 1 evidence-based practice station, 1 values & behaviours station. Per real exam: ~17 minutes per APIE station, ~15 min per skill, structured marking. Pass requires competent on every station. Course providers (Pass the NMC OSCE Academy, OSCE House) charge £600–£1500 for prep — this is free. · Official language: English.

How long is the NMC OSCE exam?

NMC OSCE runs for 152 minutes total across 10 sections. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including mandatory inter-section breaks.

What topics are covered in NMC OSCE?

NMC OSCE is split into: Station 1 — Assessment (APIE), Station 2 — Planning (APIE), Station 3 — Implementation (APIE), Station 4 — Evaluation (APIE), Skill — Medication Administration, Skill — IV Fluids & Cannulation, Skill — Basic Life Support / ANTT, Skill — Infection Control / Catheter / Vital Signs, Evidence-Based Practice, Values & Behaviours. Each section is timed and weighted separately. NMC OSCE practice for overseas-trained nurses applying for UK registration. Full 10-station circuit modelled on the real blueprint at the University of Northampton / Oxford Brookes / Ulster: 4 APIE (Assessment / Planning / Implementation / Evaluation) scenarios, 4 clinical skills stations, 1 evidence-based practice station, 1 values & behaviours station. Per real exam: ~17 minutes per APIE station, ~15 min per skill, structured marking. Pass requires competent on every station. Course providers (Pass the NMC OSCE Academy, OSCE House) charge £600–£1500 for prep — this is free. · Official language: English.

What tools or aids are allowed during NMC OSCE?

No special tools are required.

Is the NMC OSCE test adaptive?

No — NMC OSCE is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.

How many NMC OSCE mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?

Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct NMC OSCE variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 6000 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.

Is there a free NMC OSCE test series 2026?

Yes. The Wrexa Edge NMC OSCE test series for 2026 gives you 3 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.

Are NMC OSCE previous year question–style papers included?

Every NMC OSCE mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 120-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.

Which is the best free NMC OSCE mock test online?

Wrexa Edge's NMC OSCE mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and marking scheme, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.

Can I take the NMC OSCE mock test on mobile?

Yes. NMC OSCE mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.

What is the NMC OSCE syllabus?

The NMC OSCE syllabus maps to its 10 sections: Station 1 — Assessment (APIE), Station 2 — Planning (APIE), Station 3 — Implementation (APIE), Station 4 — Evaluation (APIE), Skill — Medication Administration, Skill — IV Fluids & Cannulation, Skill — Basic Life Support / ANTT, Skill — Infection Control / Catheter / Vital Signs, Evidence-Based Practice, Values & Behaviours. Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.

What is the eligibility for NMC OSCE?

Internationally educated nurses or midwives applying to join the NMC register, who have passed the Part 1 CBT and meet the NMC’s English-language and qualification requirements. You sit the OSCE for your field of practice (adult, children’s, mental health, learning disability nursing, or midwifery). Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic NMC OSCE practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.

When is the NMC OSCE exam and how should I prepare?

Official NMC OSCE exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free NMC OSCE mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.

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