OSCE Frequently Asked Questions

OSCE stands for Objective Structured Clinical Examination. It is a practical assessment used to evaluate healthcare professionals’ clinical competence through a series of timed stations.

The OSCE is a hands-on clinical exam where candidates rotate through multiple timed stations, each testing different clinical skills such as patient assessment, communication, practical procedures, and emergency response.

OSCE is taken by international nurses seeking NMC registration, international doctors taking PLAB 2, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals seeking UK registration.

The NMC OSCE is the practical registration exam that internationally educated nurses must pass to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council register and practise as a registered nurse in the UK.

The NMC OSCE consists of 10 stations: 4 APIE stations (Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation), 2 silent skills stations, and 4 paired scenario stations. You have up to 17 minutes per station.

PLAB 2 is the second part of the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test. It is an OSCE-style practical exam that international medical graduates must pass to demonstrate they can practise safely as a doctor in the UK.

PLAB 2 consists of 18 stations, each lasting 8 minutes. There are also 2 rest stations. The exam lasts approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes including breaks.

To pass the NMC OSCE, you must achieve the pass mark set for each individual station. There is no overall percentage pass mark. You must pass all stations to pass the exam.

The PLAB 2 pass mark is set using the borderline regression method, which varies slightly between exam sessions. The General Medical Council (GMC) determines the pass mark based on examiner judgements.

For the NMC OSCE, you have three attempts to pass. If you fail three times, you must complete additional remedial training before attempting again. For PLAB 2, you have four attempts.

Common OSCE station types include: history taking, physical examination, clinical procedure, emergency scenario, communication skills, prescription review, data interpretation, and counselling stations.

APIE stands for Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. It is a four-part nursing station where you assess a patient, plan care, carry out a clinical skill, and evaluate your interventions.

You can book the NMC OSCE through one of the approved test centres in the UK: Oxford Brookes University, Ulster University, or the University of Northampton. You must receive eligibility from the NMC first.

You can book PLAB 2 through your GMC Online account. You must have passed PLAB 1 first. PLAB 2 is held in Manchester, UK, and you should book well in advance as slots fill quickly.

Bring your passport, appointment confirmation, clean professional uniform (if required), and a watch. Do not bring phones, bags, or study materials into the examination area.

NMC OSCE results are typically released within 5 working days. PLAB 2 results are released within 3 weeks of the exam date. You will receive an email notification.

The NMC OSCE costs £794 for your first attempt. Re-sit fees are £397 for a partial re-sit (failed stations only) and £794 for a full re-sit.

PLAB 2 costs £905 as of 2025. This is separate from the PLAB 1 fee of £255. You must also factor in travel and accommodation costs for Manchester.

Attend an OSCE preparation course, practise clinical skills regularly, do mock OSCEs, study UK clinical guidelines (NICE), improve communication skills, and use Anglotec AI’s free OSCE preparation tools with practice scenarios.

After passing the NMC OSCE, you can complete your NMC registration and start working as a registered nurse. After passing PLAB 2, you can apply for full GMC registration with a licence to practise medicine in the UK.