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Overseas Aptitude Test


Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery

COVID-19: Update for applicants

26 June 2020

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 contribute to frontline needs resulting from the current pandemic, capacity has increased by over 40% per test and there are currently 15 tests planned between April and August. Each test 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, three days prior to their test, each applicant will be emailed their specific two days: one for MCQ and one for OSCEs.

You can go on a wait list for an earlier test date only if you are currently in Ireland and will have completed your 14 days self-isolation before the test date or if you have an entry visa; plus you have a flight ticket; plus you will have completed your 14 days self-isolation before the test date.

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 available on the website.

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

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.

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.

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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.

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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 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.

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.

If you would like to go on a wait list for an earlier test date, and you have all the required documents including your entry visa and flight ticket and you have sufficient time to self-isolate, you should contact your agent/sponsor, who in turn will contact marianeary@rcsi.com (only applicants who do not have an agent/prospective employer should directly email if a test date change is necessary). When/if a place becomes available, it will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis. If you need a later test date, then you will be placed on the test date that is open at that time of your request. Request for a postponement must be made via your agent/prospective employer. Please note if an applicant does not have an agent/prospective employer and a date change is needed, then an email should be sent directly to marianeary@rcsi.com.

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
  • A uniform for the Practical/OSCE part

Provisional dates

  • 4-5 July (repeats 24 July)
  • 9-12 July (repeats 24 July)
  • 16-19 July (repeats 7 August)
  • 23-26 July (repeats 7 August)
  • 6-9 August (repeats 28 August)
  • 13-16 August (repeats 28 August)
  • 20-23 August (repeats 11 September)
  • 27-30 August (repeats 11 September)
  • 5 September (MCQ) & 12 September (OSCE)
  • 6 September (MCQ) & 13 September (OSCE)
  • 10 October (MCQ) & 17 October (OSCE)
  • 11 October (MCQ) & 18 October (OSCE)
  • 7 November (MCQ) & 14 November (OSCE)
  • 8 November (MCQ) & 15 November (OSCE)
  • 28 November (MCQ) & 5 December (OSCE)
  • 29 November (MCQ) & 6 December (OSCE)

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.