NMC updates make passing the IELTS exam easier!

Are you a healthcare professional seeking to register as a nurse or midwife in the UK? We have exciting news! Passing your IELTS exam just got easier.

The NMC English language requirement changes announced in 2022 launched on the 8 February and you can now benefit with a little more support and greater flexibility with taking and passing your IELTS exam.

Before we begin, we have an exciting offer for you today in celebration of these changes. Get 10% off your dream IELTS preparation course with code ‘IELTSNURSE10’ for 10% off today. NMC changes when combined with a course with us as premium preparation providers will have you living your dream life as a nurse in the UK no time. Browse our courses here and use code ‘IELTSNURSE10’ for 10% off today. Offer applies for a limited time only, so don’t miss out!

Ok, now let’s dive into how NMC changes impact you!

Changes to combining scores

Firstly, it’s important to note that the NMC’s English language minimum score requirements for the IELTS have not changed; you will still need a minimum band score of 6.5 in writing and band score 7 in speaking, listening and reading in at least one test.

However, if you don’t pass the first time, you can resit and combine scores from two test certificates and this is where the good news applies as the minimum scores accepted by the NMC when clubbing have changed making it easier to pass.

You will now be able to combine scores from tests in which you have scored a half band score below each of the required scores. So, that means you can score a 6.5 for Listening, Reading and Speaking, and 6 for Writing and still use that test to combine band scores.

Let’s take a look at some examples below:

Results clubbed to achieve a pass:

	Test 1	Test 2
IELTS Listening	6.5	7
IELTS Reading	6.5	7
IELTS Writing	6	6.5
IELTS Speaking	7	6.5

As you can see in each test they scored the required band score in one test and a band score that was half-grade lower in the other. When combined, you will have the score that you need!

Results that would not achieve a pass:

	Test 1	Test 2
IELTS Listening	6.5	6.5
IELTS Reading	6	7
IELTS Writing	6	6.5
IELTS Speaking	7	6.5

As you can see in Reading in test 1 the band score of 6 is a whole grade lower than the minimum requirement. In listening they have also achieved a 6.5 in both tests and therefore did not achieve the required band score of 7 in at least one test. Therefore these results could not be clubbed.

Wait, that’s not all. The period in which you can take and combine IELTS exam results has been extended from 6 to 12 months. You will now have an extra 6 months to book and prepare for your next IELTS test if at first you don’t succeed. While more time to study is certainly good newS, we recommend you give yourself the absolute best chance to pass first time or the next time round and invest in your IELTS preparation with a premium preparation provider like us. You can get 10% off your dream IELTS preparation course with code ‘IELTSNURSE10’ here.

Allowing for supporting evidence
The second change is the NMC has also begun accepting supporting information from employers as supplementary evidence of English language proficiency. For now, this applies to people who trained in English in a country where English is not a majority spoken language and who have worked for their employer for at least 12 months within the last two years, in a health and social care setting in the UK. You can find out lots more about the evidence requirements for this supporting evidence on the NMC website.

Are there any further changes coming?

Yes, later this year, the NMC will also start accepting employer-supporting information from people who have scored below the required IELTS band score in just one of the sections. In 2023, the NMC will also make changes to automate this part of the application process to ensure you and your employers can provide your supporting information online. We’ll keep you updated when any new changes come into effect.