Test of Competence 2021 for all nursing fields and midwives

Midwifery OSCE assessments

As part of the ongoing development of the Test of Competence OSCE for midwifery, we have made some changes to the existing assessments and released a small number of new stations which will come into use from Monday 26 June.  These changes will ensure a wider coverage of the standards, code of practice and blueprint and forms part of our routine maintenance to keep the test valid and reliable. 

Candidates will still sit a 10 station OSCE but these changes will mean that there will be a greater selection of skills that could be assessed which will make the assessment less predictable. We will continue to develop new stations covering different skills and scenarios, so it is important that candidates and those supporting them incorporate the NMC blueprint and standards into their preparation for the test.

The new stations are:

APIE stations 

  • Antenatal
  • Postnatal

Clinical skills stations 

  • Birth
  • Postnatal Sepsis
  • Unexpected Breech Birth
  • Neonatal blood glucose monitoring
  • Intramuscular injection
  • Removal of urinary catheter

Evidence Based Practice

  • Induction of labour at term

Professional Values

  • Safeguarding women and children

In addition to these changes the existing stations have been updated.  Systematic Examination of the Newborn has been amended to require candidates to carry out two aspects (heart, eyes hips or testes) as opposed to one aspect and it has been split from the postnatal check.  There are also other small changes to the existing stations to bring them into line with the latest best clinical practice and to ensure that the APIE stations flow more logically and are clearer and there is no duplication of tasks for candidates.   

The marking criteria available to trusts and candidates have also been updated as we are seeing higher numbers of candidates attempting to rote learn the marking criteria. This is problematic as they no longer approach the assessment with an open mind and in some cases find the assessment challenging when presented with new or different scenarios.The updated marking guidance are more holistic and will give trusts and candidates the key points that that all candidates will be assessed on.  They should be used by candidates to confirm understanding of the different skills that they need to demonstrate across the OSCE but the standards, code, and blueprint should form the basis of all teaching and learning.   

All candidates who sit their assessment prior to 26 June 2023 will not be presented with the updates covered above.  All candidates who sit on or after 26 June will experience the changes we have made.

Webinar recordings

On 2 August 2021, we introduced the Test of Competence 2021, to reflect our new standards for nurses and midwives.

We held some webinars covering different aspects of the Toc 2021 providing further information and outlining the changes we made to the CBT and OSCE. You can watch the recordings and download slides for each of the webinars.

Introduction to the Test of Competence 2021
Introduction to the CBT
Introduction to the OSCE for nurses

Nursing OSCE APIE (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation) stations:

Nursing OSCE skills stations:

Introduction to the CBT and OSCE for midwives
Introduction to the CBT and OSCE for nursing associates
Introduction to the Test of Competence 2021 for social care candidates
Overview of the support materials

Candidate information booklets

These booklets give an overview of the CBT and OSCE, what candidates should expect on the day and how they can prepare.

The CBT and OSCE information booklets for all nursing fields apply to adult nursing, children’s nursing, learning disabilities nursing and mental health nursing pathways.

CBT

OSCE

Test specifications

Test specifications show how the test is designed, what it will assess and how, and how results will be produced and presented.

The test specification for all nursing fields apply to adult nursing, children’s nursing, learning disabilities nursing and mental health nursing pathways.

Test blueprints

These blueprints show how the relevant standards of proficiency and associated skills and procedures may be tested in either the CBT, OSCE or both parts.

Other support materials

CBT

You can find CBT practice tests on Pearson VUE's website. They are accessible to all and do not need to be booked.

Taking these practice tests will help you check your understanding and readiness for the new CBT and learn more about the question format, style and level of difficulty.

OSCE

These are our five approved OSCE test providers websites where candidates can find all information related to booking their exams and locating the test centres:


OSCE support and preparation documents across all fields of nursing and midwifery

The following documents will support your preparation for the OSCE. We highly recommend you take the time to read these.

We have provided links to a number of documents that will support you in preparing for the OSCE.

As part of your learning and preparation, you should refer to the reading lists, understand and apply the NMC Code to all aspects of your practice, and access our useful documents as mock OSCE materials and station timings. By the time you sit the OSCE, you should be competent at practising at the level of a newly qualified nurse or midwife in the UK and your approach to the stations should reflect the actions you would take in a contemporary UK clinical setting.

We have also provided marking criteria for the relevant fields.  Please note that this should only be used to supplement your education and learning.

If you have any questions about any of these documents, please contact the NMC Test of Competence team at toc@nmc-uk.org.

OSCE documents across all fields

Midwifery

Midwifery OSCE assessments

As part of our ongoing review and maintenance of the test, the following documents have been updated. Pease note the changes made are minor and should not impact on the preparation that candidates complete ahead of sitting their test.  Candidates should continue to read the full exam instructions, and apply their skills and knowledge to the station or scenario that they are presented with.

  • Midwifery Station timings (2021)
  • Test of Competence 2021: OSCE information booklet for midwives
  • Preparing for your OSCE midwifery 2021
  • Midwifery reading list

As part of the ongoing development of the Test of Competence OSCE for midwifery, we have made some changes to the existing assessments and released a small number of new stations which will come into use from Monday 26 June.  These changes will ensure a wider coverage of the standards, code of practice and blueprint and forms part of our routine maintenance to keep the test valid and reliable. 

Candidates will still sit a 10 station OSCE but these changes will mean that there will be a greater selection of skills that could be assessed which will make the assessment less predictable. We will continue to develop new stations covering different skills and scenarios, so it is important that candidates and those supporting them incorporate the NMC blueprint and standards into their preparation for the test.

The new stations are:

APIE stations 

  • Antenatal
  • Postnatal

Clinical skills stations 

  • Birth
  • Postnatal Sepsis
  • Unexpected Breech Birth
  • Neonatal blood glucose monitoring
  • Intramuscular injection
  • Removal of urinary catheter

Evidence Based Practice

  • Induction of labour at term

Professional Values

  • Safeguarding women and children

In addition to these changes the existing stations have been updated.  Systematic Examination of the Newborn has been amended to require candidates to carry out two aspects (heart, eyes hips or testes) as opposed to one aspect and it has been split from the postnatal check.  There are also other small changes to the existing stations to bring them into line with the latest best clinical practice and to ensure that the APIE stations flow more logically and are clearer and there is no duplication of tasks for candidates.   

The marking criteria available to trusts and candidates have also been updated as we are seeing higher numbers of candidates attempting to rote learn the marking criteria. This is problematic as they no longer approach the assessment with an open mind and in some cases find the assessment challenging when presented with new or different scenarios.The updated marking guidance are more holistic and will give trusts and candidates the key points that that all candidates will be assessed on.  They should be used by candidates to confirm understanding of the different skills that they need to demonstrate across the OSCE but the standards, code, and blueprint should form the basis of all teaching and learning.   

All candidates who sit their assessment prior to 26 June 2023 will not be presented with the updates covered above.  All candidates who sit on or after 26 June will experience the changes we have made.

Adult Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Learning Disability Nursing
Children's Nursing