What Is OSCE Exam in the United Kingdom

Admin December 15, 2022
What Is OSCE Exam in the United Kingdom

You must take the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) if you intend to relocate to the UK for a nursing position. The OSCE represents Part 2 of the Test of Competence for Nurses and assesses your practical skills with respect to clinical competencies and communication skills. It is a competency test that is required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for nurses and midwives who received their training outside of the EU/EEA. 

What are the requirements for the OSCE exam

During the OSCE exam, you will be asked to act out situations that nurses and midwives could encounter in real clinical scenarios. The exam is comprised of 10 stations and is administered in a clinical setting with actors or mannequins.  

Of these, APIE is intended to test a person’s understanding of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care. There is one professional value station and one evidence-based practice station which will test your research ability and interpretation of NMC code of conduct in a real-time clinical scenario. These two are silent stations. The remaining are a measure of your clinical abilities. 

How to get ready for the OSCE test? 

You will receive assistance and the chance to practice and prepare prior to the OSCE exam. Knowing the NMC nursing test blueprints will be a crucial component of your preparation. These will outline the subjects and techniques that a newly registered nurse would need to know and are able to demonstrate for the OSCE exam. Additional resources for preparation may include mock tests, practice rooms and specific Facebook groups. 

What OSCE test centres are approved? 

Below mentioned are the five approved OSCE test centers: 

  • Oxford Brookes University 
  • University of Northampton 
  • Ulster University 
  • Northumbria University 
  • Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 

In how much time do I have to undertake the OSCE test? 

The OSCE exam may be taken by an individual arriving in the UK for a nursing or midwifery position within three months of the job start date indicated on their certificate of sponsorship (CoS). They are eligible to work lawfully throughout this time as a pre-registration candidate. 

What is the pass rate for OSCE exam

The OSCE exam for nurses in the UK normally has a 50% pass rate. To pass the OSCE exam, you must have a score of 50%. Below is a list of all OSCE test centers’ OSCE pass rates for the year 2021: 

  • In 2021, Oxford Brookes University’s pass rate was 72% on average. 
  • The average pass rate at the University of Northampton in 2021 was 76%. 
  • The average pass rate at Ulster University in 2021 was 88%. 

The OSCE exam pass rate is influenced by a variety of factors. The preparation and high-quality support are the main variables impacting the OSCE exam pass rate.  

It takes time for you to settle down and feel at ease when you travel to the UK for the exam. The amount of time you have to settle in before the exam day also affects how well you perform. It is important to not undervalue the setting of the testing facility and the care you receive on test day. 

Due to this immense strain, the examination period is quite stressful; however, the facilities and environment offered by the examination center can help reduce stress. Not to mention, the support materials like the OSCE sample exam, expert advice, and scoring guidelines also help you to succeed. 

How can you get your OSCE exam results

Within fifteen working days, you will receive an email with the results of the OSCE exam for nurses in the UK. On rare occasions, if new OSCE content is being introduced, it could take up to 10 days.  

If you do not correctly answer seven stations, the re-test will cost 50% of the total fee; however, if you do not correctly answer eight or more stations, the re-test will cost the full fee. You are permitted to take the OSCE test three times. 

Conclusion:  

Keep in mind that you can reappear for an OSCE exam, so if you fail initially in your performance, it is not the end of the world! There is no need to be worried or scared regarding an impending OSCE exam.  If have any further doubts or questions regarding the OSCE exam you can consult the experts at MWT Global Academy who can help you a great deal in giving you the right answers. 

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