The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is an important step for internationally educated nurses who want to register and work as nurses in the United Kingdom. The examination assesses a candidate’s ability to demonstrate safe clinical practice, communicate effectively with patients, make appropriate clinical decisions, and deliver person centred care.
Preparing for the NMC OSCE requires a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, effective communication, accurate documentation, and time management. Although many candidates pass their first attempt, some may find certain stations challenging and need to take a resit examination.
Failing one or more stations can be disappointing, particularly for candidates who have invested considerable time, effort, and money in their preparation. However, an unsuccessful attempt does not mean that you cannot achieve your goal. Instead, it provides an opportunity to identify weaknesses, improve your clinical performance, and prepare more effectively for the next examination.
The key to passing an NMC OSCE resit is understanding why you lost marks, correcting your mistakes, and practising according to the applicable marking criteria.
At Mentor Merlin, we understand the challenges candidates may face during OSCE preparation. This guide explains the resit process, important examination considerations, common reasons for failure, and practical strategies to help you approach your resit with greater confidence.
1. Understanding the NMC OSCE Resit Process
The NMC OSCE is structured around different stations designed to assess clinical competence and professional practice. Depending on the examination requirements, candidates will be assessed on clinical skills, patient assessment, care planning, professional values, and evidence-based practice.
If you are unsuccessful in one or more stations, the resit process provides an opportunity to demonstrate the required competence in the relevant areas.
Candidates have to resit the stations they have failed rather than repeating the entire examination. This allows them to concentrate their preparation on the specific areas that require improvement.
For example, imagine that a candidate completes the examination but is unsuccessful in two clinical skills stations. The candidate should carefully review the feedback for those stations, identify the missed assessment criteria, and practise the relevant procedures until they can perform them safely and confidently.
Rather than repeating every station, targeted preparation helps candidates focus on their actual learning needs.
Important points about the resit examination
- Candidates may need to resit only the stations they did not pass.
- Preparation should reflect the applicable NMC OSCE marking criteria.
- Candidates should review the feedback received after their previous attempt.
- Practice should focus on improving the specific areas where performance was unsuccessful.
Why targeted preparation matters
One common mistake is preparing for a resit in exactly the same way as the first attempt, without identifying what went wrong.
If you failed because you omitted essential steps during a clinical procedure, repeatedly reading the procedure may not be sufficient. You need to practise performing the complete procedure and verbalising the relevant actions.
Similarly, if you struggled with an APIE station because your care plan lacked clear priorities, your revision should focus on assessment findings, clinical reasoning, appropriate interventions, and evaluation.
Your preparation should answer three questions:
- Which station or assessment criteria did I fail?
- Why did I lose marks?
- What specific changes will I make before my next attempt?
Answering these questions provides a practical starting point for a more focused revision plan.
2. Understanding Your NMC OSCE Results
Receiving your OSCE results can be an anxious experience. Candidates naturally want to know whether they have passed and what they should do next.
The test centres email candidates their results within five working days of the examination. It also explains that candidates receive further information depending on whether they pass or fail.
What happens if you pass?
If you pass your OSCE, you should receive information explaining the next steps in your registration process.
Read the email carefully and follow the instructions provided. Passing the OSCE is an important achievement, but you should ensure that you complete any remaining registration requirements applicable to your circumstances.
Continue to maintain your professional knowledge and clinical skills as you progress towards registration.
What happens if you fail?
If you are unsuccessful, the feedback should help you understand which stations and assessment elements require improvement.
Instead of becoming discouraged, use the report as a learning resource.
For example, feedback may indicate that you did not complete a required safety check, failed to communicate an important finding, omitted a documentation requirement, or did not complete a station within the allocated time.
Each finding should become a specific learning objective.
Consider creating a table like this:
| Area requiring improvement | Possible reason | Action before the resit |
| Clinical procedure | Essential steps were omitted | Practise the complete procedure using the marking criteria |
| Communication | Explanations were unclear | Practise patient-friendly explanations and active listening |
| Documentation | Important information was missing | Complete timed documentation exercises |
| Time management | The station was unfinished | Practise under examination conditions |
| Clinical reasoning | Priorities were not clearly identified | Revise assessment findings and appropriate interventions |
This approach turns general feedback into an actionable revision plan.
Remember: your feedback report is not simply a record of failure. It is a guide to what you need to improve.
3. NMC OSCE Resit Guidelines: What Candidates Should Understand
Candidate can take the OSCE a maximum of three times as part of your application, but you need to wait at least 10 days between each sitting. If you do not pass your OSCE on your third attempt, your application will close and you’ll need to start a new application if you want to register. You must wait at least six months before you sit the OSCE again and retake the 10 stations.
Why understanding the rules matters
Candidates should understand the applicable examination requirements before making financial and study commitments.
Confirm the following:
- The stations you are required to resit.
- The procedure for booking a resit.
- The applicable examination fees.
- The permitted number of attempts.
- Any waiting period between examinations.
- The deadline or conditions applicable to your application.
- The documents or confirmation required before attending.
Having accurate information helps you plan your preparation without unnecessary confusion.
Avoid booking before you are ready
It can be tempting to book the earliest available examination date because you want to complete your registration as quickly as possible.
However, booking a resit without addressing the reasons for your previous failure may lead to another unsuccessful attempt.
Before booking, assess whether you can consistently perform the required stations under timed conditions.
You should be able to explain the procedure, demonstrate the essential steps, communicate professionally, and complete the relevant documentation.
If you are still making the same mistakes during practice, spend more time correcting them before your next attempt.
4. Review Your Feedback Report Before Starting Revision
One of the most important steps in resit preparation is carefully reviewing your previous examination feedback.
Candidates sometimes make the mistake of immediately restarting their revision without examining the reason for their unsuccessful result.
This can lead to repeated errors because the underlying problem has not been addressed.
How to analyse your feedback
Step 1: Identify the unsuccessful stations
Write down every station you need to resit. Keep the list specific so that you can organise your study time effectively.
Step 2: Identify the assessment elements requiring improvement
Read the feedback carefully and determine which parts of your performance need attention.
For example, your weakness might involve a clinical technique, communication, documentation, assessment, prioritisation, or time management.
Step 3: Revisit the relevant marking criteria
Use the applicable marking criteria as your revision checklist.
Review each requirement and determine whether you can explain and demonstrate it confidently.
Step 4: Practise the station
Perform the station repeatedly under realistic conditions. If possible, ask a mentor or colleague to observe you and identify missed steps.
Step 5: Reassess your performance
After practising, compare your performance against the same criteria.
Do not consider the station ready simply because you completed it once. You should be able to repeat the essential actions consistently.
Turn mistakes into learning opportunities
Suppose your feedback indicates that your documentation was incomplete.
Your revision should not stop at reading examples of good documentation. Practise documenting the relevant findings within the allocated time, checking that the information is clear, accurate, and complete.
If your feedback concerns communication, practise explaining procedures to another person as though they were the patient.
If you struggled with clinical reasoning, work on interpreting the scenario, identifying the main concerns, and explaining the rationale for your proposed actions.
The goal is not merely to remember what you did wrong. The goal is to demonstrate that you have corrected it.
5. Practise with Mock Exams
Mock examinations are valuable because they help candidates become familiar with the demands of timed clinical assessment.
Practising a station while reading notes is different from completing it independently under examination conditions.
During the real examination, you must listen to instructions, interpret the scenario, organise your actions, communicate appropriately, demonstrate clinical competence, and manage your time.
Mock exams allow you to practise these responsibilities together.
How to make mock exams effective
Choose a station that you need to improve and recreate the examination environment as closely as possible.
Use the appropriate equipment and follow the station instructions.
Set a timer according to the current examination requirements.
Complete the station without repeatedly stopping to check your notes.
After finishing, review your performance against the marking criteria.
Identify the steps you missed, the actions that took too long, and the explanations that were unclear.
Then repeat the station after addressing those weaknesses.
Practise with a mentor or colleague
If possible, ask someone familiar with the relevant clinical procedures to observe your practice.
An observer may identify mistakes that you do not notice yourself, such as missing a safety check, failing to explain an action, or overlooking a documentation requirement.
Request specific feedback rather than asking only whether your performance was good.
Useful questions include:
- Did I complete the required steps?
- Was my communication clear and professional?
- Did I miss any important safety checks?
- Was my documentation accurate and complete?
- Did I finish within the allocated time?
- Which areas should I practise again?
Use the answers to guide your next practice session.
Why repeated practice matters
Repeated practice helps you become more familiar with the station structure and reduces the likelihood of forgetting essential actions under pressure.
However, repetition is most useful when it includes feedback and correction.
Repeating an incorrect technique without identifying the mistake can reinforce the wrong approach.
Therefore, follow a cycle of practice, feedback, correction, and reassessment.
6. Improve Your Communication Skills
Communication is an essential part of safe nursing practice and an important element of OSCE performance.
Candidates may understand a procedure but still struggle to demonstrate their competence if they fail to explain their actions or communicate appropriately with the patient.
Effective communication helps patients understand their care, express concerns, ask questions, and participate in decisions.
Use clear and professional language
Explain procedures in language that patients can understand.
Avoid unnecessary medical terminology. If a clinical term is necessary, explain what it means.
For example, rather than immediately using a technical expression without explanation, describe the procedure in simple terms and explain what the patient can expect.
Before beginning, explain the purpose of the procedure and obtain consent as required.
During the procedure, provide relevant explanations and check the patient’s comfort.
Practise active listening
Communication is not limited to speaking.
Listen carefully to the patient’s responses and allow them to express their concerns.
If a patient raises a question, respond appropriately rather than continuing automatically with the procedure.
Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues, and maintain a respectful manner throughout.
Avoid memorised communication that sounds unnatural
Learning useful phrases can help you feel prepared, but communication should remain relevant to the scenario.
Do not recite a long explanation that does not address the patient’s actual concern.
Instead, explain what is necessary, respond to questions, and adapt your approach to the situation.
Your aim is to demonstrate safe, respectful, patient-centred communication.
7. Develop Better Time Management
Time management is one of the most common challenges candidates experience during OSCE examinations.
Candidates may know the correct procedure but spend too long on one part of the station and fail to complete the remaining requirements.
Others may rush because they are anxious, leading to omissions and errors.
Effective time management means completing the required assessment or procedure efficiently without compromising safety.
Practise with a timer
During each mock examination, use the time limit applicable to that station.
Practise beginning promptly, following a logical sequence, and avoiding unnecessary repetition.
Review how long you spend on different parts of the task.
If you consistently spend too much time on one section, identify why.
For example, you may be giving unnecessarily lengthy explanations, repeatedly checking the same information, or struggling to remember the sequence of actions.
Address the specific problem rather than simply trying to work faster.
Learn the marking criteria thoroughly
Familiarity with the marking criteria helps you recognise the requirements of a station and organise your actions.
However, do not confuse efficient performance with skipping essential steps.
Patient identification, relevant safety checks, consent, infection prevention, and other required actions must not be omitted merely to save time.
The correct approach is to practise until you can complete the required steps confidently and in an organised manner.
Improve your verbalisation
Verbalisation means explaining your actions and clinical reasoning clearly when appropriate.
Practising verbalisation helps you organise your thoughts and communicate your understanding.
For example, during a clinical assessment, you should be able to explain relevant findings, identify concerns, and state when escalation is required.
During a practical skill, verbalise the relevant checks and actions without adding unnecessary commentary.
Good verbalisation should be clear, relevant, and purposeful.
Avoid rushing at the end
Candidates sometimes spend too long at the beginning of a station and have insufficient time for documentation or final safety checks.
Practise the complete station, including its final requirements.
If documentation forms part of the assessment, include it in every mock examination rather than treating it as an optional extra.
8. Common Reasons Candidates Fail an NMC OSCE Resit
Understanding common reasons for failure can help candidates prepare more effectively.
Five key issues: insufficient preparation, poor time management, incorrect procedures, weak communication, and failure to act on previous feedback.
1. Lack of preparation
Some candidates rely mainly on reading notes and watching demonstrations without performing the procedures themselves.
Although theoretical revision is important, practical stations require practical competence.
How to improve: Perform the relevant skills repeatedly, use the applicable marking criteria, and practise under timed conditions.
2. Poor time management
Candidates may fail to complete a station because they spend too much time on individual tasks.
This can also happen when they are unfamiliar with the procedure or become distracted by anxiety.
How to improve: Use a timer during practice, follow a logical sequence, and identify unnecessary delays.
3. Incorrect clinical procedures
Missing an essential step or performing a procedure incorrectly may affect patient safety and examination performance.
How to improve: Revise the correct procedure and practise each required step. Pay particular attention to safety checks and any actions highlighted in your previous feedback.
4. Weak communication
Candidates may struggle to explain procedures, respond to patient concerns, or communicate their clinical reasoning.
How to improve: Practise with another person and explain your actions in clear, professional language. Focus on communication that is relevant to the patient and scenario.
5. Failure to act on feedback
A candidate may repeat the same mistakes during a resit if they do not address the weaknesses identified previously.
How to improve: Turn every relevant feedback point into a learning objective and reassess your performance after further practice.
Other preparation challenges
Candidates may also find it difficult to organise revision across multiple stations, remember documentation requirements, or remain calm when a task does not go as expected.
These challenges can often be addressed through a structured revision plan, realistic mock examinations, and focused feedback.
The important point is to identify the actual problem rather than assuming that every unsuccessful attempt has the same cause.
9. How to Create an Effective NMC OSCE Resit Study Plan
A structured study plan helps you use your preparation time effectively.
Instead of revising randomly, divide your available time according to the stations you need to resit and the areas requiring improvement.
Step 1: List your resit stations
Start by identifying the stations you are required to repeat.
Keep your preparation focused on the applicable examination requirements while reviewing any connected knowledge necessary to perform those stations safely.
Step 2: Rank your weaknesses
Identify the areas in which you lack confidence or have previously lost marks.
You may find that one station requires substantial practical work while another mainly requires better time management or documentation.
Give additional practice time to the areas that need it most.
Step 3: Set daily objectives
Set clear and achievable objectives for each revision session.
For example:
- Review the marking criteria for one clinical skill.
- Perform the procedure twice under timed conditions.
- Practise explaining the procedure to a patient.
- Complete the required documentation.
- Ask a mentor to assess your performance.
- Repeat the station after correcting identified mistakes.
Specific objectives make it easier to measure progress.
Step 4: Include regular mock examinations
Mock examinations should form part of your preparation rather than being reserved for the final day.
Regular practice helps you identify persistent problems early enough to correct them.
Step 5: Track your progress
Maintain a simple record of your performance. Do not mark a station as ready simply because you have practised it. Use your performance against the relevant criteria to decide whether more work is needed.
10. Practical Tips for the Day of Your Resit Examination
Preparation does not end when you finish your revision. How you organise yourself on examination day can also influence your experience.
Before leaving for the examination
Check your booking confirmation and the instructions supplied by your test centre.
Confirm the examination location, reporting time, identification requirements, and any other information you have been asked to provide.
Allow sufficient time for travel so that avoidable delays do not increase your anxiety.
Before entering a station
Listen carefully to the instructions and read the scenario.
Identify the task you are expected to complete and pay attention to the information provided.
Avoid making assumptions that are not supported by the scenario.
During the station
Remain professional and patient-centred.
Follow the applicable marking criteria, communicate appropriately, and complete the required safety checks.
If you feel nervous, pause briefly, organise your thoughts, and continue in a structured manner.
Do not allow one difficult moment to distract you from the rest of the station.
After completing a station
If you believe you made a mistake, avoid allowing that concern to affect your performance in subsequent stations.
Focus on the task in front of you.
You cannot change what has already happened, but you can continue demonstrating your competence in the remaining examination.
11. Managing Anxiety Before an OSCE Resit
It is normal to feel nervous before a resit, especially if your first attempt was unsuccessful.
However, excessive worry can make it more difficult to recall information, concentrate on instructions, and manage your time.
A practical way to build confidence is to prepare thoroughly and become familiar with the examination environment.
Replace worry with preparation
Instead of repeatedly thinking about what might go wrong, identify what you can do to improve your performance.
If you are worried about forgetting a procedure, practise it again using the marking criteria.
If you are worried about time, complete a timed mock examination.
If you are worried about communication, practise explaining your actions to a colleague.
This approach turns general anxiety into specific actions.
Recognise your progress
Keep a record of improvements, including procedures you can now complete independently and areas where your communication has become clearer.
Recognising progress can help you develop a more balanced view of your preparation.
Avoid comparing yourself with other candidates
Every candidate has different strengths and weaknesses.
Another candidate’s revision schedule may not suit your needs.
Focus on your own feedback, the applicable examination requirements, and the progress you make through consistent practice.
Confidence is most useful when it is supported by preparation, self-awareness, and the ability to demonstrate safe clinical practice.
12. How Mentor Merlin Can Support Your NMC OSCE Preparation
Preparing for a resit can feel challenging, particularly when you are unsure how to address the areas where you previously lost marks.
Structured training can help you organise your revision, practise relevant procedures, and improve your understanding of examination expectations.
At Mentor Merlin, our aim is to help candidates prepare systematically for the NMC OSCE and recognise common mistakes that may affect their performance.
Focused clinical skills practice
Practical sessions allow candidates to practise procedures and identify areas requiring improvement.
Using the applicable marking criteria during practice helps candidates understand what they need to demonstrate.
Verbalisation practice
Verbalisation is an important part of preparing to explain your actions and clinical reasoning clearly.
Practising with a mentor can help you identify gaps in your explanations and improve your ability to communicate in a structured manner.
Time management
Timed practice helps candidates become familiar with completing stations within the allocated time.
It also highlights where unnecessary delays occur and which parts of a procedure require more revision.
Preparation using relevant updates
Candidates should remain informed about applicable examination updates and ensure that their study materials reflect the requirements relevant to their examination.
Mentor Merlin aims to support candidates by sharing relevant NMC OSCE updates and incorporating applicable changes into preparation.
Building confidence through structured preparation
Our goal is to help candidates develop the knowledge, practical skills, and communication abilities needed for their examination.
With focused revision, regular practice, and appropriate feedback, you can approach your resit with a clearer understanding of what you need to demonstrate.
Conclusion: Turn Your NMC OSCE Resit into an Opportunity to Improve
Failing an NMC OSCE station can be disappointing, but it does not have to define your journey towards becoming a registered nurse in the UK.
A resit provides an opportunity to review your performance, recognise weaknesses, and demonstrate the improvements you have made.
The most effective preparation begins with understanding your feedback. Identify the stations you need to repeat, review the applicable marking criteria, and practise the relevant procedures under realistic examination conditions.
Pay particular attention to patient safety, communication, documentation, clinical reasoning, and time management. Make sure that you practise the complete station rather than concentrating only on isolated tasks.
You should also remain informed about applicable examination updates and verify current resit requirements with your test centre and the relevant NMC guidance.
Above all, remember that successful preparation requires more than memorising steps. You must be able to demonstrate safe, organised, and patient-centred nursing practice.
At Mentor Merlin, we aim to help candidates prepare with confidence through structured training, focused practice, and relevant OSCE updates.
Learn from your previous attempt, practise with purpose, correct your mistakes, and approach your resit with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NMC OSCE Resit
Q1. Do I need to repeat the entire OSCE if I fail one station?
Candidates resit only the stations they failed.
Q2. How long should I prepare before taking my resit?
Minimum 10 days gap required for resitting, however rather than choosing a date based only on convenience, assess whether you can consistently complete the required stations under examination conditions.
Q3. Should I read the feedback report after failing?
Yes. Reviewing your feedback is one of the most useful steps you can take after an unsuccessful attempt. Use it to identify weaknesses and develop a focused revision plan.
Q4. Why should I practise under timed conditions?
Timed practice helps you become familiar with the demands of the examination and identify areas where you lose time.
Q5. How can I improve my confidence before the resit?
Build confidence through preparation rather than relying on reassurance alone.
Practise the required stations, complete mock examinations, review your progress, and address weaknesses before your examination date.
Worth A Try
Read our recent blog – “NMC OSCE 2026: New Adult Nursing Professional Values Scenarios From 26 October – Complete Preparation Guide” – to ensure your journey stays on track.
Why Wait? Just Merlin It!
Stay tuned to Mentor Merlin for further NMC OSCE updates, preparation guidance and exam-focused resources.
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