CBT Exam Syllabus for Nurses in the UK 2026: Complete Topic-by-Topic Guide

Planning to work as a nurse in the UK starts with one non-negotiable step — passing the NMC CBT exam and knowing the CBT exam syllabus for nurses. It is a theory-based computer test that checks whether your clinical knowledge meets UK nursing standards before you set foot in a British hospital.

Most nurses who struggle with CBT are not lacking clinical ability. They walk in underprepared because they studied without a clear picture of what the syllabus actually covers. They memorise drug names when they should be practising calculations. They focus on theory when the exam tests UK-specific clinical judgement.

This guide gives you the full CBT exam syllabus for 2026, broken down topic by topic across both Part A and Part B. Every domain is listed. Every numeracy topic is covered. By the end, you will know exactly what to study, in what order, and where to give your strongest focus.

What Is the NMC CBT Exam and Who Needs to Take It?

The CBT is a computer-based theory test. It is the first part of the NMC Test of Competence (ToC) for internationally trained nurses who want to register and work in the UK.

Who must take it:

• Nurses trained outside the UK — including those from India and Kerala
• Nurses returning to UK practice after a long break
• Nurses whose NMC registration has lapsed

Key facts:

• Conducted by Pearson VUE at authorised centres worldwide, including India
• You can sit the CBT from India before relocating to the UK
• After passing CBT, you move to the OSCE — the practical skills assessment held in the UK
• Both CBT and OSCE together complete the NMC Test of Competence
• Before booking the CBT, you must prove English proficiency through IELTS for nurses or OET preparation

CBT Exam Structure — Part A and Part B at a Glance

The current version is called ToC21. Both parts are taken in one sitting.

• You must pass both parts to complete the CBT
• Fail only one part — you resit only that part, not the whole exam
• CBT results are typically available within a few working days, although processing times may vary. Results are reported separately for Part A and Part B

CBT exam syllabus for Nurses:  Part A — Numeracy Topics

Part A checks whether you can apply clinical calculations accurately under time pressure. One wrong drug dose in real life can harm a patient — the exam reflects that seriousness.

Topics tested in Part A:

• Medication dose calculation — given a prescribed dose and stock dose, calculate the amount to give
• IV infusion rate — calculate drops per minute or ml per hour for a drip
• Weight-based dosing — calculate doses for adults or children based on body weight in kg
• Fluid balance — calculate total fluid intake and output over a set time period
• Unit conversions — switch between mg, g, mcg, and ml accurately
• Concentration and percentage calculations — work out dilutions and drug strengths

CBT Part B Syllabus — The 7 Clinical Domains

Part B is built on the NMC’s Future Nurse Standards (SOPFRN) — Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses. Questions come from seven clinical domains, all set in UK healthcare scenarios.

Domain 1 — Professional Values and Ethics

• The NMC Code and what it means in daily practice
• Patient dignity, privacy, and rights
• Informed consent and when it applies
• Confidentiality and information sharing boundaries
• Safeguarding adults and children
• Professional accountability and duty of candour

Domain 2 — Communication and Relationship Management

• Therapeutic communication with patients and families
• Breaking difficult news with sensitivity
• Documentation standards in UK clinical settings
• SBAR technique for clinical handovers
• Communicating within the multidisciplinary team
• Supporting patients with communication difficulties

Domain 3 — Leadership and Management

• Delegation — what can be delegated and to whom
• Escalating patient safety concerns appropriately
• Raising concerns under the NMC whistleblowing framework
• Teamwork responsibilities in a UK ward
• Managing workload priorities safely
• Supporting junior staff and student nurses

Domain 4 — Nursing Assessment and Care Planning

• Conducting a structured patient assessment
• Using APIE — Assess, Plan, Implement, Evaluate
• Identifying deteriorating patients using NEWS2 score
• Person-centred care planning principles
• Risk assessment — falls, pressure ulcers, VTE
• Documenting care plans accurately

Domain 5 — Medicines Management and Pharmacology

This is one of the most heavily tested domains in Part B. Expect a high volume of questions here.

• Safe medication administration principles
• The five rights — right patient, drug, dose, route, time
• Checking prescriptions and identifying errors
• Common drug interactions and contraindications
• Controlled drugs — storage, administration, documentation
• Responding to adverse drug reactions
• The Royal Marsden Manual is widely used as a reference resource for UK nursing procedures and is commonly recommended during CBT preparation

Domain 6 — Infection Prevention and Control

• Standard precautions in every care setting
• Hand hygiene — the five moments (WHO framework)
• Personal protective equipment — correct use and disposal
• Isolation procedures for infectious patients
• MRSA, C. difficile, and healthcare-associated infections
• Aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT)
• NICE infection control guidelines

Domain 7 — Nursing Practice Across Care Settings

• Recognising and responding to the deteriorating patient
• Basic Life Support (BLS) — adult and paediatric
• Acute, community, and palliative care scenarios
• End-of-life care and comfort care principles
• Mental capacity and best interest decisions
• Managing patients with complex or long-term conditions
• NEWS2 is an important UK clinical assessment tool and may appear in patient assessment and deteriorating patient scenarios

 Common CBT Mistakes Kerala Nurses Make

• Ignoring UK nursing terminology — Words like “escalate,” “duty of candour,” and “best interest” have specific clinical meanings in the UK. Using Indian equivalents mentally leads to wrong answers
• Skipping numeracy practice — Many nurses assume Part A is straightforward and focus entirely on Part B. Calculation errors under time pressure remain a common reason for not meeting the required standard
• Guessing medication questions — Domain 5 questions are scenario-based, not memory-based. Guessing drug-related answers without understanding UK administration protocols is high-risk
• Not understanding NEWS2 scoring — NEWS2 is the UK standard early warning system. Many candidates from India are unfamiliar with it. It is an important tool within patient assessment and deteriorating patient scenarios
• Poor time management in Part B — 100 questions in 150 minutes means 90 seconds per question. Candidates who read slowly or overthink early questions run short of time in the final section
• Studying theory without practising scenarios — The CBT tests clinical judgement in UK settings, not textbook recall. Without scenario-based mock practice, familiar topics can still produce wrong answers
• Underestimating Domain 1 — Professional values questions carry nuance around the NMC Code. Many nurses skip this domain, assuming it is common sense

 Expert Insights

Common Challenge in CBT Part A

Based on feedback from many CBT candidates and trainers, calculation errors are a common challenge in Part A, even for clinically experienced nurses. The UK calculation format — particularly IV infusion rates and weight-based dosing — feels unfamiliar at first. Daily timed practice for at least two weeks before the exam makes a significant difference to Part A performance according to the CBT exam syllabus.

How to Prepare — A Simple Week-by-Week Plan

Weeks 1–2: Numeracy Focus

• Practise 20+ calculation questions daily
• Cover all 6 Part A topics systematically
• Time yourself — 2 minutes per question maximum

Weeks 3–6: Part B Domain Study

• One domain per week, in sequence
• Many CBT trainers recommend giving extra attention to Medicines Management and Professional Values because these areas are commonly emphasised during preparation and mock testing
• Use the NMC Code and Royal Marsden Manual as primary references

Weeks 7–8: Mock Tests and Review

• Take full 115-question mock exams under timed conditions
• Review every wrong answer — understand why, not just what
• Focus revision only on the weakest domains

At Grace Academy, our CBT programme is built around this exact structure — so you walk into the exam knowing precisely what to expect.

Conclusion

The NMC CBT exam syllabus for Nurses is not a mystery. It is 15 numeracy questions across 6 calculation types, and 100 clinical questions across 7 structured domains — all based on UK nursing standards. When you know the syllabus clearly, you study with purpose, not panic.

Nurses who prepare domain by domain, practise numeracy daily, avoid common mistakes, and take structured mock tests give themselves the strongest chance of passing on the first attempt.

If you are a nurse in Kerala and want CBT coaching built around this exact syllabus — Grace Academy is ready when you are