Mastering the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s CBT: Your Ultimate Guide to Success

So you’re a nurse or midwife looking to get registered or re-registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council here in the UK, right? Well, one of the big hurdles you’ve got to get over is passing the computer-based test, called the CBT.

This exam is no walk in the park – it puts your nursing and midwifery knowledge and skills to the test. And with how quickly things change in healthcare these days, you can’t just wing it. You’ve got to prepare properly.

That’s where this guide comes in. This blog will share all the latest tips, tricks, and resources to help get you ready to ace the CBT in 2024. We’ll go over exactly what format the test uses, the best study strategies to use, and what materials are most useful – the whole nine yards.

By the time we’re done here, you’ll feel confident and prepared to knock that CBT right out of the park! Sound good? Alright, let’s get started then!

The Format of the CBT Exam 

First, you need to know how the CBT is structured:

Part A: Numeracy 

•   30 minutes
•   15 questions

Part B: Clinical

• 2 hours, 30 minutes  
• 100 questions about nursing or midwifery

The timing may seem difficult but breaking it into parts can help you feel more prepared.

Making Your Study Plan

The first step to studying properly is making a plan that works for you and how you learn best. So start by doing a little self-evaluation – what topics are you feeling pretty confident about, and which ones do you need to spend extra time on? Focusing your efforts on those weaker areas is going to give you the biggest boost.

Next, map out a study schedule that can realistically fit around your job, family life, and all your other responsibilities. Don’t even think about trying to cram everything in at the last minute. That’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, break it up into shorter, regular study sessions over a longer period. That’s going to help all the info sink in and stick with you.

Oh, and don’t forget to schedule breaks too! Studying non-stop is just going to burn you out before you know it. Make sure you pencil in some “you” time to recharge those minds. Maybe watch an episode of your favourite show, go for a walk, or whatever helps you relax and reset. Getting some space from the books is important.

Managing Your Time for the Test

Time management is super important for this CBT exam. You’ve got to pace yourself properly so you can get through both sections before time runs out. The best way to practice this is by doing some timed practice questions.

You’ll also want to get comfortable with strategies like identifying the high-value questions to focus on first. And knowing when to skip the real brain-busters temporarily so you can come back to them later if you have time. The goal is to answer as many questions as possible within the time limit.

It’s kind of like when you’re taking a road trip and need to make it to your destination by a certain time. You don’t want to get stuck going down too many side roads or getting sidetracked. You need to stay on track and make efficient progress to reach your goal on time.

Study Techniques That Work

Using effective study strategies can seriously boost your learning and retention. We would recommend active methods like making flashcards and summarising topics in your own words – way better than just reading passively.

Also, space out your reviewing by going over previous stuff again across intervals. Do practice questions to test yourself. Use visuals like diagrams and charts. Maybe even form a little study group to learn together.

Finding Quality Study Materials

Using legit, up-to-date materials matched to the current NMC exam is crucial. Invest in things like nursing textbooks, online prep courses, practice question banks – any solid resources you can get your hands on.

The NMC’s official study guides are an obvious choice. You can also look at prep courses from respected companies, educational apps, and chat forums for tips from past test-takers. Just double check everything lines up with the NMC’s latest standards.

Using Technology to Study Better

Technology can be a huge help for streamlining your studies nowadays. Things like note-taking apps to keep it organised, flashcard apps for reviewing on the go, and sites with practice quizzes.

Video call study groups are great for remote collaboration. Or productivity apps to minimise distractions. Just don’t go full robot mode – mix in some old-school paper and pen studying too.

Taking Care of Yourself

Look, prepping for a huge exam like this is inevitably going to be stressful at times. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your overall well-being throughout.

Schedule relaxing activities regularly – meditation, yoga, whatever chills you out. Prioritise getting proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise. And don’t be afraid to take a break if you need one! Overworking isn’t going to help.

If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, talk to friends, family, a counsellor – or anyone in your support squad. Your mental health has to come first.

Celebrating Progress to Stay Motivated

Studying for months on end can easily start feeling like a grind. That’s why you’ve got to celebrate the little wins along the way! It’ll keep your confidence up and help you stay motivated.

Set small, achievable goals to work towards, and treat yourself to something nice when you hit them. Visualise yourself nailing that CBT. Share your progress with loved ones for some encouraging words.

And don’t forget to pause every once in a while and give yourself some credit for how far you’ve already come in this whole process. Think about all the knowledge and skills you’ve managed to cram into that brilliant brain of yours so far. Recognising and appreciating your progress is going to re-energise you and motivate you to keep pushing forward.

Because at the end of the day, you’ve got this! Preparing for a huge exam like the CBT can feel like a marathon at times. It’s a long hard slog. But if you stick to the study strategies we’ve discussed, make sure to take care of yourself physically and mentally, and keep that positive mindset going, you are going to cross that finish line in 2024 no problem!

Just take it one step at a time. Put in the hard work, but also celebrate the little wins along the way. Before you know it, exam day will be here and you’ll be feeling confident and ready to knock it out of the park in 2024.

At Tijus Academy, our expert instructors provide tailored CBT preparation to ensure your success. Join us and unlock your full potential with our proven coaching methods!