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Overseas Aptitude Test


Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery

COVID-19: Update for applicants

11 August 2020

To contribute to frontline needs resulting from the current pandemic, capacity increased by over 40% for the 17 tests between March and August. From September, the Theory/MCQ will be on one day (Saturday) and the Practical/OSCEs on the following day (Sunday).

Request for test date change to be emailed by agent/prospective employer (or directly by applicant if no agent/prospective employer) to marianeary@rcsi.com. A postponement will result in the test being rescheduled to the last available test date listed in 'Provisional dates' on the apply page. Every step must be taken to avoid the need for a postponement.

To go on wait-list for earlier test date an applicant must have a visa and a flight ticket and have sufficient time to self-isolate for 14 days in Ireland.

The NMBI Candidate Registration Certificate (CRC) is no longer required to take the Aptitude Test.

Each applicant is individually and fully accountable for protecting themselves and others against COVID-19 and must adhere, at all times, to: coughing and sneezing etiquette; hand-hygiene; social-distancing; self-isolation/quarantine requirements; safe use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); and any other requirement as determined by The National Public Health Emergency Team (NEPHET). From 20 July safe face covering must be worn for both parts of the test. As a significant part of the OSCEs is based on oral communication by the applicant, please consider what form of safe face covering might best enhance you being heard and understood: face-visor/shield and/or mask. Please remember that the minimum two-metre social distancing requirement must still be maintained.

Some links
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Health Service Executive Ireland
Dr Toney Thomas - Infection Prevention
Dr Toney Thomas - Donning and Doffing PPE

Please note: Aspects pertaining to COVID-19 now form part of the Aptitude Test.

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. This NMBI decision letter must be in date on the day of your first attempt at the MCQ.

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.

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.

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.

Application should be made, without delay, for an entry visa. Supporting documents required may include your NMBI decision letter 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.

No later than 18 days prior to the test for which you are scheduled, you will receive a reminder email.

In order to secure your place on the test for this date, you must reply as per instructions in the reminder email. If a reply is not received by the due time and date, then the applicant is postponed to the test open at that time.

Results

Results of the theory test are issued via email by 9pm on the day of the test. If you are successful in the theory test, you are invited to the OSCEs/practical test. 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.

Future test dates

All future tests are provisional.

A number of factors resulting from COVID-19 have necessitated changes to the test, including the need for social distancing and the requirement to increase capacity during this emergency period.

To address such factors, each test between April and August 2020 may have up to four consecutive dates (Thursday to Sunday) and these dates will appear on the invitation email. Applicants need to be ready for any of the four days. However, by three days prior to their test, each applicant will be emailed their specific two days: one for MCQ and one for OSCEs.

Between September and December 2020, a maximum of eight tests are planned with the Theory/MCQ on one weekend and the Practical/OSCEs on the following weekend. The full timetable for the rest of 2020 is detailed below.

Request for test date change to be emailed by agent/prospective employer (or directly by applicant if no agent/prospective employer) to marianeary@rcsi.com. A postponement will result in the test being rescheduled to the last available test date listed in 'Provisional dates' below. Every step must be taken to avoid the need for a postponement.

To go on wait-list for earlier test date an applicant must have a visa and a flight ticket and have sufficient time to self-isolate for 14 days in Ireland.

To bring to test

  • Your passport
  • A photocopy of the photo page of your passport (black and white copy will suffice) with your six-digit NMBI reference number written on top right-hand side
  • Your reminder email and attachment
  • Your email detailing your specific dates and times
  • Two black pens
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Face covering
  • A uniform for the Practical/OSCE part

Provisional dates

Possible Theory/MCQ Possible Practical/OSCE Possible repeat Practical/OSCE
5 September  6 September 26 September
12 September 13 September  26 September
10 October 11 October 31 October
17 October  18 October 31 October
31 October 1 November 14 November
7 November  8 November 28 November
14 November 15 November 28 November
28 November 29 November  19 December
5 December 6 December 19 December
9 January 10 January 30 January
16 January 17 January 30 January
23 January 24 January 13 February
30 January 31 January 13 February
6 February 7 February 27 February
27 February 28 February
6 March (for postponements) 7 March

Queries

If you have any queries, please:

  • Carefully read all the sections on this website
  • Discuss your query with your agent (if you have one)
  • If you still have a query after reading the website and discussing with your agent, briefly put your query in an email to marianeary@rcsi.com ensuring to quote your NMBI six-digit reference number.