The EU Aptitude Test has been developed to enable Nurses and Midwives who trained in the EU to provide evidence of having met the requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for entry to the UK register of Nurses and Midwives.

The EU Aptitude test is designed to assess your theoretical and practical knowledge against the standards of entry to the NMC register. The test is constructed around proficiencies and requirements of the NMC for entry to the register as set out in the NMC (2004) Standards of proficiency for pre-registration nursing education or NMC (2009) Standards for Pre-registration Midwifery Education.

There are separate tests for adult nursing, mental health nursing, children’s nursing and for Midwives, each addressing different aspects of knowledge applied to practice, but the structure for each is similar consisting of four assessments.

Aptitude Test elements

The four test elements that make up the EU Aptitude Test are:

1. Multiple Choice Question paper 1 (MCQ1)
2. Multiple Choice Question paper 2 (MCQ2)
3. Short Answer Question Paper (SAQ)
4. Practical Examination (OSCE)

Please note that you might not need to take all elements of the test. The NMC will advise you on the deficit within your decision letter. At point of registration, The University will advise you on which elements of the test that you will need to take and pass in order to register as a nurse or midwife in the UK.

Testing will be offered over a two-day period four times a year and you can choose which date is most suitable for you. You will need to pass the test elements in order, to proceed to the next part of the test. Tests can be taken on separate occasions. Please note that a maximum of two tests can be taken in one day. All elements of the test must be sat and passed within two years of your decision letter from the NMC to enable you to be eligible for entry to the UK register.

Learn more about the skills you will gain.

EU Aptitude Test Costs

Registration fee – £125
MCQ1 fee – £80
MCQ2 fee – £80
SAQ fee – £115
OSCE fee (four stations) – £590

The cost of the EU Aptitude Test is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. If you wish to rearrange your test date you are required to notify the University by emailing ctc@northampton.ac.uk with a minimum of 14 days notice of your original booked test date. If you notify us after this time, you will be required to book a new test date with a full payment.

For further information please download our refund, cancellation and substitution policy.

If you choose to take an adaptation programme, you should contact the University of West England (UWE) who are approved to run the EU adaptation programme.

We are aware that some organisations and consultancies are offering preparation training sessions for candidates for the EU Aptitude Test. Please be aware that by attending these courses you do so at your own discretion. These training sessions are not endorsed or approved by either the University of Northampton or the NMC and could prepare you inaccurately for any element of the testing process.

To understand our processes please download the candidate journey process map.