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Overseas Aptitude Test


Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery

COVID-19 : Update for applicants

26 March 2020

A number of changes have just now been made to the April MCQ/Theory test dates. Please refer to the 'apply' page.
Scroll down the page and find 'All future test dates'.
If you plan to attend for the April test as allocated, then there is no need to contact us please. You will be contacted on an individual basis closer with your details to your test date. However, if you cannot attend the allocated April test date, then please immediately submit the necessary details via email to marianeary@rcsi.com. Please refer to the 'apply' page, scroll down and complete the details as indicated in change your test date'.
You MUST ensure you comply with all the requirements surrounding COVID-19 , including being 14 days in self-isolation if you recently entered Ireland.
Please fully discuss this update with your agent/prospective employer.

Some links
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Health Service Executive Ireland

At this point in time, all future test dates are going ahead as per revised scheduled. If there is any change then each applicant will be contacted.
Regarding the notice on the COVID-19 section of the RCSI website, stating '… all RCSI professional exams, scheduled to take place up to the end of August 2020 ... will not take place'  – Please note, this does not apply to the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for Overseas Nurses.

Application process

All future test dates are provisional.

When one test closes, the next one opens. A test typically opens approximately 3.5 months in advance to afford time to complete the necessary steps below.

Apply now

Submit various documents to the NMBI for a full regulatory assessment. Upon completion of the NMBI regulatory assessment, a decision letter* (which has an expiry date) is issued. One of the outcomes of the regulatory assessment may be that you have to undergo one of two compensation measures, one of which is the test.

Before you apply for a place on the test you are strongly encouraged to fully familiarise yourself with all of the information contained on these webpages. You should consider if you are: a) eligible to take the test; b) ready/prepared to take the test; and c) interested in taking the test.

*This decision letter must be in-date on the day of your theory test.

You will need to complete an online application and upload four documents with your application:

  • NMBI decision letter
  • Biog page of passport/ID
  • Recent photograph
  • Proof of payment

Your application is processed within three working days and you are contacted via email. If satisfactory, an invitation is sent for a place on the next available test.

To allow for the next steps to be met and to allow for travel and other arrangements, each test opens approximately 15 weeks in advance. Only one test is open at a time and as soon as one test closes the next one opens.

Please note

If you need to change your test date, please refer to the relevant section below.

Apply now

If you require it, application is made (without delay) for an Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) letter of approval. Provided all required documentation is submitted in a satisfactory manner this can take a minimum of four weeks. RCSI cannot answer any queries in relation to immigration requirements; please refer to immigration.

You will also need to apply to the NMBI for a Candidate Registration Certificate (CRC). An invitation – the email sent by RCSI with the invitation – to the test must be submitted with the application for the CRC to the NMBI. Provided all required documentation is submitted in a satisfactory manner this can take a minimum of two weeks. This CRC, which has an expiry date, must be in date for the duration of your test and therefore if, at any point, you request and get a change of date for the test, you must apply to the NMBI to request a date change in the CRC (again you must allow a minimum of two weeks). Details of the CRC are included in your NMBI decision letter; RCSI cannot answer any queries in relation to the CRC.

You must bring your NMBI CRC to the theory/MCQ part of the test. The CRC must be in paper format: either original or a clear photocopy (colour or black and white) – an electronic version of the CRC is not acceptable.

Application should be made, without delay, for an entry visa. Supporting documents required may include your NMBI decision letter and/or your NMBI CRC (both of which have an expiry date) and your AWS letter of approval. RCSI cannot answer queries in relation to immigration requirements, including employment needs, please refer to immigration. Provided all required documentation is submitted in a satisfactory manner this can take a minimum of eight weeks.

The week prior to the test for which you are scheduled (usually 10 days in advance), you will receive a reminder email. In order to secure your place on the test for this date, you must reply before 8am (GMT) on the Tuesday prior to the test.

You must be sure that you will attend before replying 'yes'. You must not reply 'yes' unless you have successfully completed steps 1-5. If a 'yes' reply is not received by the due date and time, the place will immediately be offered to another applicant on the waiting list. If a 'yes' reply is received after the closing date and time, you will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list and whereas every effort will be made to accommodate you, a place is not guaranteed.

You must print off your reminder email and bring with you to each part of the test.

Results

Results of the theory test are issued via email by 6pm on the day of the test. If you are successful in the theory test, you are invited to the OSCEs/practical test the following week. Unless specifically requested, you do not need to bring any documentation with you.

Results of OSCEs/practical test are issued via email by 2pm on the Tuesday following the test. If you pass then your results are sent to the NMBI, where you can then progress with your registration.

If either part of the test is failed on the first attempt, then a proposed date for the repeat is offered. If an applicant fails either part of the test on the second attempt, then the NMBI is informed.

Change your test date

Your NMBI decision letter must be in-date on the date of the theory test. Your NMBI CRC must reference the test and must be in-date for the duration of the test (both MCQ and OSCEs). The onus is on you to ensure that all details on the CRC are accurate.  

The onus is on you, the applicant, to ensure compliance with the NMBI requirements regarding documentation. Failure to comply may cause issues/delays in finalising your application for registration. All queries regarding the decision letter and the CRC should be made to the NMBI only (not RCSI). 

Deferral/postponement

If you cannot attend the allocated date, you (only) must complete the following and email to Maria Neary (the email must be copied (cc) to the agent and prospective employer.) You will be deferred to the test that is open at the time you were given the postponement.

  • What is your name?
  • What is your RCSI number?
  • What is your NMBI number?
  • Why do you want to defer?
  • If relevant, when does your entry visa expire?
  • Do you accept that you are not entitled to present for the MCQ/theory part of the test unless your NMBI decision letter is in-date?
  • Do you accept that you are not entitled to present for either part of the test (first and second attempt) unless your NMBI Candidate Registration Certificate (CRC) is in-date?
  • Have you copied your completed request to your agent/prospective employer/sponsor?
  • Have you discussed the situation with your agent/prospective employer/sponsor and are they in agreement with the requested move?

*Currently there is no extra charge for a deferral of a test date.

Request for an earlier test date/preponement

If you need an entry visa or other documentation to enter the country, do not apply for an earlier date unless you currently have all such documentation. You must upload a copy with your request for an earlier test date.

An earlier test date is not guaranteed. If a place does become available you will be notified by email. If you receive an offer of an earlier test date but do not accept it, you remain on the original list. However, if you accept the earlier offer but do not avail of it, you will be placed on the list that is open at that time.

If you are eligible and would like to be considered for an earlier date than that allocated, you (only) must complete the following and email to Maria Neary (the email must be copied (cc) to the agent and prospective employer.) 

  • What is your name?
  • What is your RCSI number?
  • What is your NMBI number?
  • Do you need an entry visa or other documentation to enter the country?
  • Do you currently have your entry visa or other documentation to enter the country?
  • Do you accept that you are not entitled to present for the MCQ/theory part of the test unless your NMBI decision letter is in-date?
  • Do you accept that you are not entitled to present for either part of the test (first and second attempt) unless your NMBI Candidate Registration Certificate (CRC) is in-date?
  • Have you copied your completed request to your agent/prospective employer/sponsor?
  • Have you discussed the situation with your agent/prospective employer/sponsor and are they in agreement with the requested move?
  • From which test do you wish to move?
  • To which test do you wish to move?
  • What is the latest date you could accept an invite to your preferred test?

*Currently there is no extra charge for a preponement (earlier) of a test date.

Withdrawal

If you wish to withdraw from the test you (only) must complete the following and email to Maria Neary (the email must be copied (cc) to the agent and prospective employer.)  

  • What is your name?
  • What is your RCSI number?
  • What is your NMBI number?
  • Why do you want to withdraw?
  • Have you discussed the situation with your sponsor/employer/recruitment agent?

All future test dates

Theory Practical
21/03/20 28/03/20 or 29/03/20 Rescheduled
(Repeat: 19/04/20)
28/03/20 04/04/20 or 05/04/20 Rescheduled
(Repeat: 19/04/20)
02/04/20 or 03/04/20
(changed from 01 April)
 04/04/20 or 05/04/20 In place of 21 and 28 March
(Repeat: 19/04/20)
17/04/20
(changed from 15 April)		 18/04/20
(Repeat: To be arranged)
19/04/20 – cancelled
Applicants will be rescheduled		 25/04/20 or 26/04/20 – cancelled
Applicants will be rescheduled
14/05/20 or 15/05/20
(changed from 10/05/20)
 16/05/20 or 17/05/20
(Repeat: To be arranged)
21/05/20 or 22/05/20
changed from 16/05/20)		 23/05/20 or 24/05/20
(Repeat: To be arranged)
06/06/20 13/06/20 or 14/06/20
(Repeat: 04/07/20)
13/06/20 20/06/20 or 21/06/20
(Repeat: 04/07/20)
20/06/20 27/06/20 or 28/06/20
(Repeat: 18/07/20)
27/06/20 05/07/20
(Repeat: 18/07/20)
04/07/20

11/07/20 or 12/07/20
(Repeat 08/08/20)
18/07/20 25/07/20 or 26/07/20
(Repeat: 08/08/20)
08/08/20 15/08/20 or 16/08/20
(Repeat: To be arranged)

Queries

Queries regarding the application process, including payment, should be made to Pamela Peppard. For all other queries pertaining to the test, please contact Maria Neary.