OSCE exam
An OSCE exam is a circuit of short, timed stations, each marked by an assessor against set criteria, and the exact format depends on which exam you sit. Station counts in the live exams we cover run from 10 to 16. Most exams give each station 7 to about 13 minutes, while NMC stations run from 6 to 21.
A typical exam day
- Arrive and check in. You show photo ID, and rules on phones, bags and notes are strict.
- Read the task. Most exams give reading time outside the room. AMC Clinical and the Australian nursing OSCE give 2 minutes.
- Enter and do the station. You speak to a simulated patient, a manikin or an assessor playing a colleague.
- Stop when told. When time is up the station ends, even if you are mid-sentence.
- Move on. The next task is waiting, and you start again with a clear head.
Some exams add rest stations, and some use written stations. The NMC OSCE for nurses includes written care planning, evidence and professional values stations.
Why each exam differs
- Number of stations. PLAB 2 has 16 and the New Zealand nursing OSCE has 10.
- Minutes. PEBC allows up to 7 and the Irish RCSI test gives 10.
- Pass rule. RCSI marks each competency competent or not and expects competent in every competency. AMC Clinical uses a global rating per station. Check your own exam's page for its rule.
- Location. Most are in person at named centres. Some can only be taken in one city.
Compare them side by side on what is OSCE.
What stays the same
Whatever the exam, assessors look for safe practice first. They expect you to introduce yourself, check who the patient is, explain what you are doing, and speak clearly. Most also mark how you hand over or document. A good routine is built on these habits, and the same habits are repeated in the OSCE tips and OSCE checklist pages.
To see station types, go to OSCE stations. Real exam papers and recalled questions are not on this site.
Common questions
What is the OSCE exam?
It is a practical exam made of timed stations. At each station you carry out a clinical task and an assessor marks you against set criteria.
How long is an OSCE exam?
It depends on the exam. The AMC Clinical station is 10 minutes, a PLAB 2 station is 8 minutes and a PEBC station is up to 7. The NMC says its nurse OSCE takes about 3 hours in all.
Are OSCE exam questions the same every time?
No. Banks of stations change, and bodies such as the NMC and RCSI say new stations are added over time.
Do I get feedback after an OSCE exam?
It varies. Some exams tell you which stations you failed, and some give a performance report. Check your exam's results page.
Practise every day until it feels routine.
One pass opens every exam on the site. From US$25 for 7 days, with no automatic renewal.
See passesSources
- NMC: OSCE for nurses and midwives
- NMC: OSCE information booklet for nurses
- GMC: what can you expect on the day
- AMC: Clinical Examination Specifications V8.3
- Nursing Council of New Zealand: IQN RN clinical competence handbook
- RCSI: overseas aptitude test, practical test
- PEBC: Part II of the Qualifying Examination
Checked 2026-11-06. Fees and rules change, so confirm them with the regulator before you book.