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The nursing numeracy test: Part A of the NMC CBT

Part A of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) computer-based test (CBT) is a nursing numeracy test: 15 calculation questions in 30 minutes. They’re set in a nursing or midwifery context, such as working out a dose or an infusion rate, and you type the answer instead of choosing one. The NMC’s test specification gives the pass mark as 13 of 15.

  • 15Questions in Part A
  • 13 of 15Pass mark in the test specification
  • 30 minutesTime allowed for Part A
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Updated November 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What’s on the nursing numeracy test?

AreaQuestions
Measuring the correct dose2
Metric units2
Oral medications4
Injections3
Intravenous infusions3
Fluid balance1

The questions are generally at the apply and analyse level, and some need the correct unit as well as the number. Pearson VUE says the nursing numeracy exams mix general questions with ones set in an adult, child, mental health or learning disabilities setting. Midwives’ Part A uses a midwifery context.

NMC: Nursing test specification (PDF) ↗

How your answers are marked

You only get the mark if you use the right answer format, and there’s no partial credit. Pearson VUE sets out the rules on its practice tests page:

  • Enter just the number when that’s what the question asks for, with no other text
  • Follow any instruction on decimal places, and don’t add extra zeros: 1.5, not 1.50
  • For a unit, use the standard abbreviation, such as kg, mg, L or mL
  • Don’t add an “s” to a unit, write the unit out in full or add the medicine’s name

So if the answer is 5 mL, Pearson VUE marks “5 mls”, “five mL”, “5 mL of water” and the unit written out in full as wrong.

Pearson VUE: NMC practice tests ↗

Calculator, timing and the pass mark

An on-screen calculator is available, and you work things out on the erasable note board the test centre gives you. The CBT information booklet suggests spending at most 2 minutes on each numeracy question. You can review answers and change them, and a wrong or blank answer doesn’t lose you marks.

Part A has its own pass mark, separate from Part B. The test specification gives it as 87%, or 13 of 15 correct. If you fail only Part A, you resit only Part A, a 30-minute sitting with a different set of questions.

NMC: CBT information booklet for nurses (PDF) ↗Part A resit fee and booking →

Practising for Part A

The official numeracy practice tests have the same 15 questions and 30 minutes as the real Part A. Adult nursing has three numeracy papers to practise on, and every other field, midwifery and nursing associates have one each.

The NMC’s adult nursing reading list includes Nursing Calculations by Gatford and Phillips (ninth edition, Elsevier) among its books for purchase.

The official NMC practice tests →NMC: Adult nursing reading list (PDF) ↗
Sources: NMC · Pearson VUE and 4 more. Checked November 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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