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Frequently Asked Questions
Our experts answer some of your most common queries about taking the OSCE.
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OSCE FAQ
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When and where do I take the OSCE?
The OSCE is taken after you have been deployed to the UK. It is conducted in one of 5 locations across the UK:
- Oxford Brookes University
- University of Northampton
- Ulster University
- Northumbria University
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is the second part of the Test of Competence that Internationally Educated Nurses must take to become registered to practice as a nurse in the UK.
Our expert trainers have compiled a list of commonly asked questions, to help you understand and prepare for the OSCE.
Click on a question below, to see the answer.
How much does it cost to sit the OSCE?
How many re-sits am I allowed?
You can take the OSCE a maximum of three times as part of your application, but you will need to wait at least 10 days between each sitting.
If you do not pass your OSCE on your third attempt, your application will close and you will need to start a new application. You must wait at least six months before you can sit the OSCE again.
How long does it take to complete the OSCE?
The OSCE is comprised of 10 sections, or 'stations', with a total testing time of approximately 3 hours.
What is the structure or format of the OSCE?
The OSCE is comprised of 10 sections, or ‘stations’:
Four stations will be scenario-based and will relate to the four stages of the nursing care process:
- Assessment
- Planning
- Implementation
- Evaluation
Four of the stations will test practical clinical skills. This will take the form of two pairs of two skills.
Each pairing of skills stations will last for up to 21 minutes in total, with 4 minutes in between the pairings.
One station will specifically assess professional issues associated with professional accountability and the related skills around communication. This will be a written assessment.
One station will also specifically assess critical appraisal of research and evidence and associated decision-making. This is also a written assessment.
What can I expect at the OSCE test centre?
The test centre is a full mock-up of a hospital ward, a community setting, or a patient’s home. You will be allocated one bay, where you will do all your stations. The bay will be set up with the appropriate equipment for each station.
The examination area of the centre is overseen by an invigilator. The invigilator and assessor will welcome you to the test centre and oversee your movements through the examination process. Queries or requests will be directed to the invigilator or assessor. The assessor within the station will be able to answer any clinical questions. The lead assessor is there to coordinate the marking and moderation process.
Each bay hosts a camera. The test centre records the assessment for moderation and review purposes only. Also, the centre uses both professional actors and manikins to conduct the assessments, to make them as real-life as possible.
What are some of the common things that nurses often forget or miss during the OSCE?
The following is a list of some of the most common mistakes/errors nurses make across all stations:
Lack of communication – verbal, non-verbal, not listening to the patient.
Not reading the scenarios or instructions accurately.
Not completing the paperwork or assessment requested within the given time frame.
Touching the patient before conducting hand hygiene techniques.
Not checking for allergies.
Not checking patient identity according to guidelines.
Not gaining consent from the patient.
Not ensuring patient safety.
Not completing the station within the time frame.
My employer has said they will help me to prepare for the OSCE.
What is the benefit of training with ATS?
There are three key reasons why choosing to learn with ATS will help you to succeed:
1. Our pass-rates speak for themselves! Compared to the average NMC OSCE pass rates, ATS students consistently achieve 100% pass rates, and go on to successfully register as UK RNs, saving stress and allowing them to earn their post-registration salaries as quickly as possible.
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When will I get my OSCE results and how are they presented?
The NMC will inform you of your OSCE results within 15 working days after you take your test. The following outcomes are possible:
PASS: Passed all stations taken - Congratulations! You have passed and the NMC will be in touch to issue your NMC PIN.
FAIL: You will only need to re-sit the stations you have not passed. If you need to re-sit the APIE stations, you will be given your original paperwork from the APIE stations you passed in your previous attempt, to complete the re-sit stations in sequence.
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Our experts answer some of your most common queries about taking the CBT.
USEFUL OSCE RESOURCES
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have provided the following reading material to help you prepare for your OSCE.
Click on the brochure to download a copy.
The fee for sitting the OSCE is £794.
The good news is that your UK hospital employer will pay this cost upfront on your behalf, and may then reclaim it from your salary over an agreed period.
If you do not pass the OSCE on your first attempt, the following re-sit fees will apply:
Partial Re-sit (if you need re-sit up to 7 stations): £397
Full Re-sit (if you need to re-sit 8 or more stations): £794
As you can see from the above pass-rates, our OSCE training has been fully revised and updated to cover all the knowledge and skills you will need to take the new OSCE with confidence!
2. You can prepare ahead of time. By starting your learning and preparation before your deployment, it means you won’t be seeing and hearing everything for the first time when you arrive in the UK. This can be especially helpful when you will no doubt be going through a period of adjustment as you settle in to your new home.
3. Free 'Become a UK Registered Nurse' eBook. Designed especially to help Internationally Educated Nurses to prepare for the OSCE, this valuable reference guide is yours to keep, allowing you to revise as often as you want, and to refer to throughout your career as a UK RN.
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