UK nursing · NMC Test of Competence, Part 1
NMC CBT pass rate: Part A and Part B, first attempt and resits
About three in four candidates pass each part first time. Part A numeracy pass rates fell from 87% to 76% in late 2025.
In the latest figures published by the NMC (January to March 2026), 76% of first-time candidates passed Part A (numeracy) and 77% passed Part B (clinical) [1]. Counting every sitting, resits included, 63% passed both parts. Each part is passed or failed on its own, you resit only the part you failed, and you have 3 attempts within a year [3].
NMC CBT pass rates by quarter
The NMC publishes CBT results every quarter for all fields of practice together (adult, mental health, learning disabilities, children's nursing and midwifery) [1][2].
| Quarter | CBT sittings | Passed both parts (all sittings) | Part A, 1st attempt | Part B, 1st attempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2025 | 5,261 | 76% | 89% | 84% |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 4,512 | 74% | 88% | 81% |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3,495 | 71% | 87% | 80% |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3,318 | 65% | 76% | 77% |
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 2,967 | 63% | 76% | 77% |
Over the four quarters of 2025, 13,246 candidates sat the CBT for the first time. Weighting each quarter by its number of first attempts gives a first-attempt pass rate of about 86% for Part A and 81% for Part B for the year (our calculation from the NMC tables [2]).
Part A numeracy: the pass rate dropped in late 2025
From January to September 2025, between 87% and 89% of first-time candidates passed Part A. From October 2025 it fell to 76%, 11 points lower, and stayed there in early 2026 [1][2]. Part B moved much less. The NMC tables give no reason for the change, so do not assume the numeracy test is still the easy half.
Part A is 15 questions in 30 minutes, one numerical answer each, with an on-screen calculator [3][4]. That is 2 minutes per question, and a single slip in units (mg and micrograms, mL and litres) costs a whole mark.
Train the calculations, not just the theory. The book has two chapters of numeracy method and a workbook of 150 worked calculations (doses by weight, tablets, liquids, infusions, fluid balance), plus 450 multiple-choice questions and 3 full Part B mock exams: Pass the NMC CBT.
Resits: pass rates fall with each attempt
| Quarter | Part A, 1st | Part A, 2nd | Part B, 1st | Part B, 2nd | Part B, 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2025 | 89% | 90% | 84% | 74% | 65% |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 88% | 86% | 81% | 73% | 64% |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 87% | 90% | 80% | 69% | 59% |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 76% | 80% | 77% | 64% | 54% |
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 76% | 80% | 77% | 63% | 59% |
For Part A, a second attempt passes about as often as a first, which suggests careless errors can be fixed. For Part B, the second attempt passes 8 to 14 points less often than the first, and the third less often still [1][2]. A failed Part B usually means gaps in knowledge, which 10 days of extra practice will not close.
The trap: booking the Part B resit as soon as the 10-day gap is over. Your three attempts must fit within one year, so you have time to rebuild the weak topics first. A third failed attempt closes your application, and you must wait 6 months to apply again [3].
What a resit costs: four scenarios
The first sitting of both parts costs £83. A resit of both parts also costs £83, Part A alone £50 and Part B alone £70 [3].
| Scenario | Fees | Total | Sittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass both parts first time | £83 | £83 | 1 sitting |
| Fail Part A, pass it on the 2nd sitting | £83 + £50 | £133 | 2 sittings, at least 10 days apart |
| Fail Part B twice, pass on the 3rd sitting | £83 + £70 + £70 | £223 | 3 sittings, at least 20 days in all |
| Fail both parts, then pass both | £83 + £83 | £166 | 2 sittings |
The fee is small next to the delay: each failed attempt pushes back your OSCE and your registration by weeks, and three failures cost a new application and six months.
Is there a pass mark for the NMC CBT?
The NMC does not publish a fixed pass mark or percentage. Its CBT booklet says an initial standard was set and statistical techniques are used to keep the same standard across versions of the test [4]. Every question is marked right or wrong, with no partial credit and no negative marking [4]. You receive pass or fail for each part, with no further feedback [3].
Part B is 100 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, or 1.5 minutes per question [3]. Pick the answer that is the most correct: several options can look reasonable [4].
Frequently asked questions
What is the NMC CBT pass rate?
In January to March 2026, 76% of first-time candidates passed Part A (numeracy) and 77% passed Part B (clinical). Across all sittings, including resits, 63% passed both parts.
What is the pass mark for the NMC CBT?
The NMC does not publish a fixed pass mark. Its CBT booklet says an initial standard was set and statistical techniques keep the standard the same across versions of the test. You only get pass or fail for each part.
How many times can I take the NMC CBT?
Three attempts within one application, at least 10 days apart and all within one year. After three failed attempts the application closes and you wait 6 months before applying again.
Do I have to resit both parts if I fail one?
No. Parts A and B are passed or failed separately, so you only resit the part you failed: £50 for Part A only, £70 for Part B only.
Is there negative marking in the NMC CBT?
No. A wrong or blank answer scores zero; nothing is deducted. Always answer every question.
The book
Pass the NMC CBT
Test of Competence Part 1 for internationally educated nurses: a written method for every type of numeracy question, a short course on the NMC Code and the clinical topics behind Part B, and 600 original practice questions, including 150 worked calculations and 3 full mock exams of 100 questions.
Ebook. Also on other Apple Books and Google Play Books stores.
Sources
- NMC, « Test of Competence pass rates and number of candidates: 2026 » (CBT, January to March 2026), page updated 12 June 2026, consulted 8 November 2026.
- NMC, « Test of Competence pass rates and number of candidates: 2025 » (CBT, all four quarters), consulted 8 November 2026.
- NMC, « Test of Competence for nurses and midwives: CBT » (structure, fees, results, resits), page updated 11 September 2026, consulted 8 November 2026.
- NMC, « Test of Competence: CBT information booklet for nurses » (scoring, passing standard, timing advice), PDF, consulted 8 November 2026.
Figures checked on 8 November 2026. Independent guide: not produced or approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council or Pearson. Always check the NMC website before you book or pay.