NMC CBT 30-Day Study Plan: How to Pass the CBT Exam for Nurses in One Month

Oct 7

5 min read

Booked your NMC Test of Competence and only have a month to prepare? This NMC CBT study plan splits 30 days into four weeks: drug calculations first, then the NMC Code, professional values, and communication; then care delivery and decision-making; and finally field-specific topics and an NMC CBT mock test. It shows you how to pass the CBT exam for nurses without guessing what to study next, and it highlights warning signs that mean you should reschedule.

Nurse studying with a 30-day NMC CBT study plan calendar and laptop

Quick answer (checked 6 October 2026): To follow an NMC CBT study plan in 30 days, study three to four hours daily, about 90–100 hours in total. Week 1 covers NMC CBT drug calculations; Week 2 covers the NMC Code, professional values, and communication; Week 3 covers assessment, care delivery, and decision-making; and Week 4 covers field-specific topics plus timed mock exams. If your mock scores are low by Day 21–27, delay and reschedule.

Understanding the NMC CBT structure

The CBT is one sitting of 115 questions in three hours. Each part is scored separately, so you only need to resit the failed part.

Part	Questions	Time	Pass mark (NMC test specification)
Part A: Numeracy	15	30 minutes	13 out of 15 (87%)
Part B: Clinical	100	2 hours 30 minutes	Generally 60–70%, varying by field

The NMC sets pass marks through standard-setting, so they can change between test versions. Check the NMC’s current guidance before you sit. For a fuller breakdown, see our guide to the NMC CBT exam format.

The NMC CBT syllabus for Part B maps to the seven platforms of the Future Nurse standards, plus two annexes. Platform 1 (being an accountable professional) carries the most questions at 17, followed by Platform 4 (providing and evaluating care) at 15 and Platform 3 (assessing needs and planning care) at 14. Platforms 2, 5, 6 and 7 have 10 each, and each annex has seven. About 10% of Part B is field-specific. Part A covers dose measurement, metric units, oral medications, injections, IV infusions and fluid balance.

Week 1: foundation and NMC CBT drug calculations (Part A)

Days 1–2: gather the BNF, NICE guidelines, The NMC Code and a question bank, then sit 10 sample drug questions. The Pearson VUE test engine has practice questions.

Days 3–7: cover basic maths, then dose measurement, metric units, oral medications, injections, IV infusion rates, fluid balance and weight-based dosing for children. Plan about 2 hours 45 minutes a day, including 20–25 practice calculations.

Key strategy for NMC CBT drug calculations: practise 20 or more daily, aim for 1.5–2 minutes per question (Part A allows two), always check your units and build speed gradually. By the end of Week 1, aim for 12 or 13 out of 15 on a timed test.

Week 2: the NMC Code, professional values and communication

Days 8–14 build the foundation of Part B. Spend about 40% of your time on The NMC Code (its four themes are prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust), professional values and communication, including breaking bad news. Use the rest for Part A maintenance and a light introduction to assessment. Plan about 3 hours 15 minutes a day.

Week 3: assessment, care delivery and decision-making

Days 15–21 focus on Platforms 3 and 4 and Annexe B: assessment, recognising deterioration (NEWS2 scoring), escalation and patient safety.

Take one high-risk condition a day: sepsis, acute kidney injury, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia, anaphylaxis, asthma attack and mental health crisis. For each, learn the signs, immediate management, nursing care and escalation, then complete 30 or more practice questions. Plan about 3 hours 45 minutes a day, including 30 minutes of Part A maintenance.

Week 4: field-specific topics and NMC CBT mock test consolidation

Days 22–26: because about 10% of Part B is field-specific, focus on your own field.

Adult nursing: comorbidity and polypharmacy, end-of-life care, the deteriorating adult
Children’s nursing: child development, child-specific pharmacology
Mental health nursing: the Mental Health Act 1983, risk assessment
Learning disabilities nursing: the Mental Capacity Act 2005, health passports, diagnostic overshadowing

Days 27–30: treat every NMC CBT mock test as the real exam: timed, no notes and no interruptions. On Day 27, sit a Part A mock and review weak calculation types if you score below 13 out of 15. On Day 28, sit a Part B NMC CBT mock test (100 questions, 2 hours 30 minutes) and identify weak topics. Day 29 is for rest and light review, and Day 30 is exam day.

Red flags: when to delay your NMC CBT

Stop and reschedule if you see these signs. They are readiness targets for this plan, not NMC rules.

Part A: below 11 out of 15 by Day 7, no improvement by Day 14, or arithmetic errors on Day 21
Part B: below 50% on practice questions by Day 14, below 55% on mixed questions by Day 21, or below 65 out of 100 on your Day 28 mock
Overall: you are exhausted, cannot concentrate or are falling significantly behind

Delaying by two or three weeks is better than sitting before you are ready.

Key takeaways

Part A needs precision and speed. Practise NMC CBT drug calculations daily from Day 1.
Platform 1 carries the most questions in Part B, so know The NMC Code well.
A 30-day NMC CBT study plan is achievable if you are strategic: Part A early, then Part B, then your field.
An NMC CBT mock test shows you what you are not ready for.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pass the NMC CBT in 30 days?

It is possible if you have nursing experience and some UK knowledge and can study three to four hours every day. If you are new to UK standards, you may need more time.

How many hours should I study for the CBT exam for nurses?

Plan for 90–100 hours over 30 days, or three to 3.5 hours daily. Consistent daily study works better than long, irregular sessions.

What is the hardest part of the NMC Test of Competence CBT?

Many nurses find Part A drug calculations the hardest because of the two-minute limit per question and the typed answers. In Part B, Platform 1 carries the most questions.

How do I know my NMC CBT mock test score is good enough?

In this plan, aim for 13 out of 15 in Part A and around 70% in Part B, and do not sit the exam if your Part B mock is below 65 out of 100. These are readiness targets, so check the NMC’s current pass marks.

Next steps after the CBT

Once you have passed, the OSCE is the next stage of your NMC registration. Our UK OSCE training for nurses prepares you for it, and you can book your training here. If you would prefer guided preparation, our CBT training in Kochi follows a structured plan like this one. Not sure you are ready for the NMC CBT study plan above? Talk to our team, and we will assess where you stand.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and reflects NMC published guidance, including the Test of Competence test specification, as checked on 6 October 2026. Pass marks and test content can change. Always confirm the latest requirements with the NMC (nmc.org.uk) and Pearson VUE before you book or sit the exam.