Call: 0208 1507 024
Email: info@excelsis-healthcare.com
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Part 1 test of competence, known as CBT was introduced in October 2014 for nurses and midwives trained outside the European Economic Area, who dream to come and work in the United Kingdom. This assesses the three essential requirements, such as:
- Professional Knowledge
- Attitudes and
- Skills
These requirements ensure safe and effective practices for both nurses and midwives in the UK.
There are four distinct nursing field of practices:
- Adult nursing
- Children’s nursing
- Learning disabilities nursing
- Mental health nursing
Each field has specific test of competence known as CBT which compose of multiple choice and can be taken at a Pearson Vue test centre.
- It composes of 120 multiple-choice questions- which is scored as PASS or FAIL. Remember, there is no partial credit.
- Breaks are optional and the total hours of direct testing is 4 hours.
- This exam can be taken in Pearson Vue centre across the globe.
- The cost is £83
Objective Structured Clinicial Examination (OSCE)
The second part of test of competence is Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). This composes of Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation and skills station, which assess the clinical knowledge of a nurse. Each station has standardised marking criteria which are assessed by a panel of examiners and to ensure quality the clinical examination will be filmed.
Objective Structured Clinical Examination can only be taken in the three centres located in the United Kingdom:
- University of Northampton
- Oxford Brookes University and
- Ulster university
The cost of this exam is £794, non-refundable in the event of cancellation, but can be rearrange the test date by notifying through email the chosen test centres.
For Nurses who do not have IELTS, OET & CBT
If you are finding that you are struggling with these requirements you can avail yourself to our online training: IELTS, OET and CBT courses. Your employer may be able to reimburse you the fees for theses online modules, however this will be at their discretion. We will off course inform you straightaway if your employers are prepared to do this or not as part of your offer of employment.
You can contact our training department to give you further advice in terms of your training needs. So, take advantage of our training delivered by competent and experienced online tutors.
Update: From 28 January 2020, NMC confirmed that OET score of C+ in writing is accepted while reading, listening and speaking remain a minimum score of B. This change was made on 27 November 2019.
UK Nursing and Midwifery Council English Requirements
English language is one of the primary requirements of the United Kingdom Nursing and Midwifery Council to ensure that the patient will receive safe and effective care. This is one way of ensuring that the public is protected.
To ensure that applicants are safe to deliver and effective care, the introduction of International English Language Test System (IELTS) was introduced several years ago. However, in August 2018, a new type of English measurement, known as Occupational English Test was introduced to ensure that the applicants have another option if they are not successful in taking IELTS.
International English Language Test System (IELTS) Scoring
Acceptable IELTS scoring in one sitting
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Sitting 1 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
Rationale: In one sitting IELTS scoring, the candidate should have 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking sections while 6.5 in Writing section. This new system of IELTS scoring was updated on Wednesday, 5 December 2018.
How to combine IELTS test scores?
The required marks should be done in two sittings, within six months, and tested in all four sections at the same time. All scores in both sittings are above 6.5 or 6.5 in Writing section while Listening, Reading and Speaking sections are 7 and above.
Accepted Combine IELTS score within 6 months
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Test 1 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| Test 2 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 |
Rationale: No score below than 6.5
Not Accepted Combine IELTS score
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Test 1 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| Test 2 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 |
Rationale: One of the applicant scores is lower than 6.5
Helpful Link: IELTS https://www.ielts.org/
Occupational English Test (OET)
Occupational English Test, known as OET is widely recognised proof of English proficiency for UK Nursing and Midwifery Council registration since August 2018. OET uses real healthcare scenarios and help in the development of language skills to become successful in nursing and midwifery careers.
Acceptable OET and OET Numerical scoring in one sitting
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Sitting 1 | -B -350-440 | -B -350-440 | -C+ -300-340. | -B -350-440 |
Rationale: No score below than B or 350-440 in Listening, Reading and Speaking sections while no score below than C+ or 300-340 in Writing section.
How to combine OET scores?
The required marks should be done in two test sittings, taken within six months, tested in all four sections at the same time, all grades in both sitting are above C+ and the achieve Grade is B or higher in all four sittings upon viewing together.
Accepted Combine OET scores
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Test 1 | B | B | C+ | B |
| Test 2 | B | C+ | B | B |
Rationale: No score below than C+
Not Accepted Combine OET scores
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Test 1 | B | B | C+ | B |
| Test 2 | C | C+ | B | B |
Rationale: One of the applicant scores is lower than C+
Helpful Link: OET https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/
English Language Different Scoring
| IELTS | OET | OET Numerical Score |
| 8-9 | A | 450-500 |
| 7-7.5 | B | 350-440 |
| 6.5 | C+ | 300-340 |
| 5.5-6 | C | 200-290 |
| 4-5 | D | 100-190 |
| 4 | E | 0-90 |
Rationale: In both IELTS, OET and OET Numerical Score, the candidate score should be no lower than 6.5, C+ and 300-340 in combined scoring.
Acceptable Scores based on IELTS, OET and OET Numerical Scoring
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Sitting 1 | -7.0 -B -350-440 | -7.0 -B -350-440 | -6.5 -C+ -300-340. | -7.0 -B -350-440 |
Rationale: No score below than 7.0, B or 350-440 in Listening, Reading and Speaking sections while no score below than 6.5, C+ or 300-340 in Writing section.
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