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Free NMC CBT questions with answers

NMC CBT Practice Questions and Answers (2026)

Free NMC CBT practice questions for all four fields of nursing, each with the answer and an explanation based on UK guidance. Try the sample questions below, then practise more by topic in study mode.

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Sample NMC CBT questions with answers

These questions cover the main Part B topics: clinical nursing practice, professional values and accountability, communication, and leadership and management. Click "Show answer" under each one.

Question 1 · Clinical nursing practice

A patient suddenly develops facial droop, arm weakness and slurred speech. Which piece of information is most important for deciding on emergency treatment?

  1. A.Their most recent cholesterol result and current statin prescription
  2. B.When symptoms started, or when they were last seen well
  3. C.Whether a close family member had a stroke or heart attack before age 60
  4. D.Their blood pressure readings over the past week from the GP record
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: B. When symptoms started, or when they were last seen well

Whether thrombolysis or thrombectomy is an option depends on time from symptom onset. Accurately recording when symptoms started, or when the patient was last seen well, is critical.

Question 2 · Clinical nursing practice

A 4-month-old is admitted with bronchiolitis. Which is part of recommended management?

  1. A.A 5-day course of oral amoxicillin to prevent a secondary infection
  2. B.Supportive care, with oxygen if saturation is persistently below 92%
  3. C.Nebulised salbutamol 4-hourly to open up the small airways
  4. D.A chest X-ray each day to monitor how the infection is progressing
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: B. Supportive care, with oxygen if saturation is persistently below 92%

NICE guidance (NG9) recommends supportive care for bronchiolitis: oxygen when saturation is persistently below 92%, nasogastric or IV fluids if the infant cannot take enough by mouth, and suctioning when needed. Antibiotics, bronchodilators and routine chest X-rays are not recommended.

Question 3 · Professional values & accountability

What is the maximum length of detention for assessment under section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983?

  1. A.6 months
  2. B.72 hours
  3. C.28 days
  4. D.14 days
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: C. 28 days

Section 2 allows detention for assessment (and treatment) for up to 28 days and cannot be renewed. Section 3 is for treatment and lasts up to 6 months at first, after which it can be renewed.

Question 4 · Clinical nursing practice

A non-verbal man with a profound learning disability has started head-banging, which he has not done before. What should the nurse consider first?

  1. A.Starting a reward chart to encourage him to stop the behaviour
  2. B.Asking the GP to prescribe a sedative to keep him safe
  3. C.That he is seeking attention and the behaviour should be ignored
  4. D.A physical cause of pain, such as constipation or toothache
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: D. A physical cause of pain, such as constipation or toothache

A change in behaviour may be how the person communicates pain or illness. Rule out physical causes first (constipation, dental, ear or urinary problems) using a tool such as DisDAT, and compare with the person's known baseline.

Question 5 · Leadership & management

A registered nurse delegates a set of observations to a healthcare assistant. Which statement about accountability is correct?

  1. A.Once delegated, accountability for the task passes fully to the healthcare assistant
  2. B.The ward manager becomes accountable for the tasks delegated on that shift
  3. C.The nurse alone is accountable for both the decision and how the task is done
  4. D.The nurse is accountable for delegating; the HCA for doing it
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: D. The nurse is accountable for delegating; the HCA for doing it

Under the NMC Code the registrant stays accountable for the decision to delegate. They must make sure the person is competent and supervised, and confirm the outcome meets the required standard. The person carrying out the task is accountable for how they do it.

Question 6 · Leadership & management

A child's Paediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) has risen sharply. You bleeped the doctor 20 minutes ago and they have not responded. What should you do?

  1. A.Wait 30 minutes before bleeping again, as the doctor may be busy
  2. B.Record the score and recheck it at the next scheduled set of observations
  3. C.Ask the parents to keep a close eye on the child and call you if worried
  4. D.Escalate up the chain of command, following the PEWS policy
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: D. Escalate up the chain of command, following the PEWS policy

If escalation is not answered within the required time, go up the chain of command and follow the local PEWS policy. Delayed escalation is a recognised factor in avoidable deterioration in children.

Question 7 · Communication

Which approach is most likely to help de-escalate an agitated patient?

  1. A.Several staff standing close around the patient to show authority
  2. B.Raising your voice clearly so the patient can hear over the noise
  3. C.A calm, low voice, open posture, personal space and offering choices
  4. D.Warning the patient they will be restrained if they don't calm down
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: C. A calm, low voice, open posture, personal space and offering choices

Effective de-escalation uses calm verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, respect for personal space and offering choices. Crowding, threats and raised voices tend to escalate a situation.

Question 8 · Professional values & accountability

What is the aim of the NHS England STOMP programme?

  1. A.To increase antipsychotic prescribing for people whose behaviour challenges
  2. B.To reduce over-use of psychotropic medicines in people with a learning disability
  3. C.To improve uptake of bowel cancer screening in people with a learning disability
  4. D.To promote annual flu vaccination for people with a learning disability
Show answer and explanation

✓ Answer: B. To reduce over-use of psychotropic medicines in people with a learning disability

STOMP (STopping Over-Medication of People with a learning disability, autism or both) aims to reduce inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines and to make sure medication is reviewed regularly, alongside non-drug approaches such as positive behaviour support.

Practice questions by field of nursing

The CBT is specific to your field, so practise the questions for the part of the register you are joining.

More ways to prepare

Frequently asked questions

What kind of questions are in the NMC CBT?

Part A has 15 numeracy questions where you type a numerical answer. Part B has 100 clinical multiple-choice questions, each with four options and one correct answer. Part B is based on the NMC's Future Nurse standards of proficiency, and about 10% of its questions are specific to your field of nursing.

Are these real NMC CBT questions?

No. The NMC does not publish its exam questions, so be wary of anyone selling 'real' or 'leaked' CBT questions. These are original practice questions written to match the format and content of the NMC's published test specification, with explanations based on UK guidance such as the NMC Code, NICE and the Mental Capacity Act.

How many practice questions should I do before the CBT?

There is no set number. Aim to practise across every topic until you are consistently scoring above the pass mark, then sit at least one full timed mock test. Reviewing why wrong answers are wrong matters more than the total number you answer.

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