Understanding the NCK Exam Format can be challenging at times. If you are a KRCHN diploma graduate from KMTC or a private college, or a BScN graduate from university, the first question is usually simple: how many papers will I sit, how long are they, and what rules can get me disqualified? At ReviQuiz, we have gone through the latest Nursing Council of Kenya instructions for the 2026 and 2027 licensure examinations. This guide answers those questions in plain language. We separate what NCK has officially published from what candidates commonly report, so you prepare for the exam that actually exists in 2026 and The future.
Quick answer: NCK exam format at a glance
KRCHN and BScN candidates sit two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Each paper lasts two hours. Nursing Council Of KenyaNursing Council Of Kenya Both papers are written on the same day: Paper 1 from 9:00–11:00 a.m. and Paper 2 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. You take them on a computer through the Digi Proctor system at your designated NCK centre. You must attend the rehearsal in person, complete both mocks, and bring your National ID and NCK Exam Card.
Key takeaways
- 2 papers, 2 hours each, same day. This applies to both KRCHN (Basic) and BScN (official NCK schedule). Nursing Council Of KenyaNursing Council Of Kenya
- Computer-based and proctored. The exam runs on Digi Proctor at a designated examination centre. Remote sitting is only by written request approved by NCK.
- Rehearsal and both mocks are compulsory. If you miss them, you can be barred from the main exam. Nursing Council Of Kenya
- Question count and pass mark are not in current NCK documents. Commonly reported figures are 100 MCQs per paper and a 49.5% pass mark. Treat these as reported, not official. Medcrine, for example, states that “the exam is done in only two papers consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions each using an online proctoring platform known as Digi Proctor.”
- Next sittings: KRCHN on 12 November 2026 and BScN on 13 November 2026. After that, KRCHN on 20 May 2027 and BScN on 21 May 2027.
How many papers is the NCK exam for KRCHN and BScN?
Two. The NCK 2026–2027 schedule lists both “Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse – Basic [KRCHN B]” and “Bachelor of Science in Nursing [BScN]” as “Two Papers: Paper 1, Paper 2.”
- Other two-paper cadres: KRN, KRN/M, KRN/MH and BScM.
- One-paper cadres: Kenya Enrolled Nurse (KEN), Kenya Enrolled Midwife (KEM), KECHN and all higher diploma specialties.
Did the number of papers change in 2025 or 2026?
No. The 2025 schedule, the February–May 2026 annexure and the August 2026–May 2027 schedule all show two papers for KRCHN and BScN, each allotted two hours.
The big change came earlier. Before the COVID-19 period, candidates sat four papers over two examination days. NCK’s own Examination page describes these as “4 individual papers for basic cadres… administered over the course of three hours,” with “multiple-choice questions, short answer questions and long answer questions.” Medcrine likewise notes that “initially, candidates sat for four exam papers… over two examination days.” The shift to online, proctored, MCQ-based papers began around 2020–2021.
Heads-up: NCK’s own undated “Examination” web page still says the exam “consists of 4 individual papers for basic cadres… administered over the course of three hours.” nckenya That describes the old format, and the current official schedules supersede it. Ignore any blog or PDF that still tells you to prepare for four papers or essay questions.
Do higher diploma nurses sit the same format?
No. Higher diploma specialties sit one paper of two hours, usually on the first day of the sitting (for example, 11 November 2026). These include Critical Care (KRCCN), Nephrology, Trauma & Emergency, Neonatal, Peri-Operative and Oncology. Candidates commonly report about 100 MCQs, but NCK does not publish this number. See our Higher Diploma hub and the Higher Diploma Critical Care question bank.
KRCHN vs BScN: NCK exam format comparison table
| Feature | KRCHN (Basic, Diploma) | BScN (Degree) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of papers | 2 (Paper 1 & Paper 2) | 2 (Paper 1 & Paper 2) | Official (NCK 2026–27 schedule) Nursing Council Of Kenya |
| Duration per paper | 2 hours | 2 hours | Official |
| Session times | 9:00–11:00 a.m. & 2:00–4:00 p.m. | 9:00–11:00 a.m. & 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Official |
| Same day? | Yes (e.g., 12 Nov 2026) | Yes (e.g., 13 Nov 2026) | Official |
| Questions per paper | ~100 MCQs | ~100 MCQs | Widely reported, not in NCK documents |
| Time per question | ~72 seconds (if 100 MCQs) | ~72 seconds (if 100 MCQs) | Calculated |
| Question type | Multiple-choice (single best answer, scenario-based) | Multiple-choice (single best answer, scenario-based) | Candidate/prep-site reported |
| Delivery | Computer-based, Digi Proctor, designated centre | Computer-based, Digi Proctor, designated centre | Official |
| Pass mark | 49.5% reported | 49.5% reported | Unofficial source only |
| Exam fee | Ksh 8,000 per programme | Ksh 8,000 per programme | NCK Service Charter 2025 |
| Maximum resits | 4 | 4 | NCK Examination page (undated) |
| Internship before registration | Not required for KRCHN (B) | 1-year internship for basic BScN | NCK Registration page |
How long is each NCK paper and how much time do I get per question?
Each paper is two hours (120 minutes).If the paper has the widely reported 100 questions, you get about 72 seconds per question. A smart split looks like this:
| Phase | Time | Target |
|---|---|---|
| First pass | 0–85 min | Answer every question you know. Aim for about 50 seconds each. Flag anything that takes longer than 90 seconds. |
| Second pass | 85–110 min | Return to flagged questions. Eliminate two options and then choose. |
| Final check | 110–120 min | Make sure nothing is left blank. There is no known negative marking, but confirm this at rehearsal. |
Checkpoint rule: aim to reach about question 35 by minute 40 and about question 70 by minute 80. If you are behind, speed up on recall-type questions and keep extra time for the long clinical scenarios.
What is in NCK Paper 1 vs Paper 2?
NCK does not publish a Paper 1/Paper 2 blueprint. The table below shows what candidates and Kenyan revision platforms most commonly report. Sources disagree, especially on where midwifery and paediatrics fall, so use it as a revision guide, not an official syllabus. ReviQuiz
| Area | KRCHN Paper 1 | KRCHN Paper 2 | BScN Paper 1 | BScN Paper 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomy & physiology, microbiology | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Fundamentals of nursing | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Pharmacology | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Medical-surgical (adult) nursing | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Community health / PHC / KEPI | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Midwifery & reproductive health | Reported in both | Reported in both | ✔ (most reports) | |
| Paediatric nursing | Reported in both | Reported in both | ✔ (most reports) | |
| Mental health | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Leadership, management, ethics & law (Nurses Act) | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Research & evidence-based practice | ✔ | ✔ (heavier at BScN level) |
What this means for you:
- Paper 1 is the “clinical science” paper, built around medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology and fundamentals.
- Paper 2 is the “population and profession” paper, covering community health, reproductive health, leadership and research.
- Revise both evenly. Candidates report that questions are integrated, so a midwifery scenario can include a pharmacology item. ReviQuiz
Revise by paper with ReviQuiz question banks (Ksh 600 each, 500+ questions, 30 days’ access):
- KRCHN Paper 1 question bank · KRCHN Paper 2 question bank
- BScN Paper 1 question bank · BScN Paper 2 question bank
For topic-by-topic syllabus detail, read our NCK exam syllabus overview.
Is the NCK exam online or at a centre? How Digi Proctor works
The NCK licensure exam is computer-based and proctored through Digi Proctor.The official 2026–27 instructions say: “The exam shall be undertaken at the designated examination centre.”
Digi Proctor’s own NCK page describes a “Hybrid Test Mode – Where some candidates can take the test on Digiproctor from remote locations while others can take the test from designated Centres.” For the main exam, however, remote sitting has conditions:
- You must submit a written request with supporting documents at least two weeks before the rehearsal date.
- NCK may grant or deny the request.
What are the official Digi Proctor set-up steps?
From NCK’s “Online Test Setup Instructions” page:
- Log in to Digi Proctor with the username and password sent to your registered email.
- Add a profile picture using Chrome on a laptop or Android phone. It is checked against your existing photo.
- Find the test in My Test Library in your Digi Proctor Test Taker account.
- Install and open the Digi Proctor TestPad desktop application (Windows and macOS guides are provided).
- Enter the test with your unique test key, no earlier than 15 minutes before start time.
- Sit in good lighting against a clear background, with your face fully in frame. Online proctors can pause or terminate a test if something unusual is flagged.
What if my internet or power fails during the exam?
NCK’s official guidance: “In case you are disconnected during the test, you can re-enter the same within the test time via the same test key from the same or different device.” The clock does not stop, so tell the invigilator immediately and log back in fast. NCK lists support at +254 721 920 567 and support@nckenya.go.ke (available on test dates).
NCK exam rules: Digi Proctor do’s and don’ts checklist
These rules come from the NCK “Instructions and Schedules for 2026 and 2027 Licensure Examinations.” NCK states that failure to comply “may result in disqualification or other penalties.” nckenyaNursing Council Of Kenya
Do:
- Attend the rehearsal in person at your designated centre. Nursing Council Of Kenya Attendance means being physically present, taking the mock in the exam system, receiving your NCK Exam Card and signing the register.
- Complete both mock exams. Nursing Council Of Kenya
- Bring your National ID and NCK Exam Card. Without them there is no admission.
- Wear your school uniform or official nurse/midwife uniform if you trained in Kenya.
- Be seated one hour before each paper.
- Make sure only the exam application is open on your device before you start.
- If you need to change centre, do it at least three weeks before rehearsal.
- Notify NCK of any withdrawal within the published deadline.
Don’t:
- Arrive more than 30 minutes late. You will not be allowed to sit.
- Carry phones, iPads, smartwatches, earphones/earbuds, Bluetooth devices, notes or books into the room. A mouse is the only extra device allowed.
- Run any other app, browser or document in the background. NCK says the exam is terminated immediately if a restricted application is detected.
- Leave the exam environment or receive remote assistance. This leads to immediate disqualification.
- Cause any disturbance in or near the venue. It is treated as a serious irregularity. nckenya
What happens if you are caught in exam malpractice?
According to NCK, malpractice leads to:
- automatic cancellation of results for that cycle
- a one-year ban from sitting any NCK examination
- no refund of the exam fee
Common mistakes that get NCK candidates barred or disqualified
- Skipping a mock or the rehearsal because you “already know the system.” Both are compulsory.
- Leaving WhatsApp, Chrome or a PDF open in the background on a laptop.
- Forgetting the NCK Exam Card. It is issued at rehearsal, so keep it with your ID.
- Wearing casual clothes instead of uniform.
- Arriving late because of Nairobi or county traffic. The 30-minute cut-off is strict.
- Wearing a smartwatch or earbuds out of habit.
- Mismatched details. Candidates report delays when the name on the portal does not match the National ID exactly. (Candidate-reported.)
NCK exam-day timeline (KRCHN and BScN)
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day before | Rehearsal at your centre: mock in system, collect NCK Exam Card, sign register |
| 7:30 a.m. | Leave with ID, Exam Card and uniform on. No smartwatch or earbuds. |
| 8:00 a.m. | Seated at assigned computer (one hour before) |
| 8:45 a.m. | Test key entry window opens (15 minutes before start) |
| 9:00–11:00 a.m. | Paper 1 |
| 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Break. Eat, hydrate, avoid “post-mortem” group chats. |
| 1:00 p.m. | Seated again for Paper 2 |
| 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Paper 2 |
(The three-hour break is based on the official session times. The exact reporting routine at each centre may vary, so confirm at rehearsal.)
Practise in the real two-paper format
Build your 72-second rhythm with timed mocks and rationales. Pay by M-Pesa (Paystack and Pesapal also accepted).
- Basic (Ksh 1,500): 1,000+ MCQs, 2 mocks, 30 days — KRCHN Basic · BScN Basic
- Premium (Ksh 3,500): 2,500+ MCQs, 5 mocks, 60 days — KRCHN Premium · BScN Premium
- Pro (Ksh 5,000): 4,000+ MCQs, 8 mocks, 90 days — KRCHN Pro · BScN Pro
What is the NCK pass mark and how are results released?
Pass mark (reported, not confirmed in current NCK documents): third-party sources describe a pass mark of 49.5 with these bands:
- Distinction: 74.5–100
- Credit: 64.5–74.4
- Pass: 49.5–64.4
- Fail: below 49.5
The same sources describe two marking methods: “average” (fail means you resit all papers) and “minimum per paper” (fail means you resit only the papers you failed). No current NCK document confirms which applies. NCK’s official wording is only that candidates “must satisfy the Board of Examiners for each of the papers.”
Results: NCK releases results on the NCK Online Services Portal (osp.nckenya.go.ke) and announces them on its verified X account (@NCKenya).Official declaration dates:
- August 2026 sitting: 30 September 2026
- November 2026 sitting: 11 December 2026
- May 2027 sitting: 30 June 2027
How many times can you resit the NCK exam, and what does it cost?
- Maximum resits: 4 (NCK Examination page).
- Exam fee: Ksh 8,000 per programme (NCK Service Charter 2025, Revision 2). Older figures of Ksh 5,000, and Ksh 8,500 on some blogs, are outdated or unverified.
- Other NCK charges (Service Charter 2025):
- Indexing: Ksh 9,400 (diploma) or Ksh 9,550 (bachelor’s).
- After passing: registration Ksh 7,000 and initial licensure Ksh 1,500.
- Resit windows: NCK opened a special February 2026 re-sit for candidates who failed the August 2025 exam, with applications from 10 November to 31 December 2025.Otherwise, resitters should follow the regular schedule unless NCK announces another special window. See our NCK resit guide.
Who is eligible, and how do you register?
Your training institution submits you to NCK. You then complete your application and payment on the NCK Online Services Portal. NCK assesses eligibility based on your conduct and your academic and practical progress, and your programme must be NCK-approved. Step-by-step instructions are in our NCK registration guide.
NCK exam dates: November 2026 and May 2027
| Milestone | November 2026 | May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Application opens | 25 Aug 2026 | 21 Dec 2026 |
| Application deadline | 5 Oct 2026 | 16 Mar 2027 |
| Withdrawal deadline | 15 Oct 2026 | 15 Oct 2027 (as printed; likely a typo, so verify) |
| Mock 1 / Mock 2 | 19–23 Oct / 26–30 Oct 2026 | 19–23 Apr / 26–30 Apr 2027 |
| Rehearsal | 10 Nov 2026 | 18 May 2027 |
| KRCHN papers | 12 Nov 2026 | 20 May 2027 |
| BScN papers | 13 Nov 2026 | 21 May 2027 |
| Results | 11 Dec 2026 | 30 Jun 2027 |
Full calendar, centres and deadlines: NCK 2026 schedule guide and NCK exam centres by county
Frequently asked questions about the NCK exam format
1. How many papers does KRCHN sit in the NCK exam?
Two, Paper 1 and Paper 2, each two hours, on the same day.
2. How many papers does BScN sit?
Two, Paper 1 and Paper 2, each two hours, on the same day.
3. How many questions are in each NCK paper?
About 100 MCQs are widely reported, but NCK does not publish the number. Confirm at your mock.
4. How long is the NCK exam?
Two hours per paper, which is four hours of testing in total for KRCHN and BScN.
5. What time does the NCK exam start?
Morning papers start at 9:00 a.m. and afternoon papers at 2:00 p.m.Be seated one hour before.
6. Is the NCK exam done from home?
Not by default. It is sat at your designated centre on Digi Proctor. Remote sitting needs a written, documented request to NCK at least two weeks before rehearsal.
7. Can I miss the rehearsal if I did the mocks?
No. Rehearsal attendance is mandatory, and it is where you receive your NCK Exam Card.
8. What happens if Digi Proctor disconnects?
Re-enter within the test time using the same test key, from the same or another device. The timer keeps running.
9. What is the NCK pass mark?
49.5% is widely reported, but it is not stated in current NCK documents.
10. How many times can I resit NCK?
A maximum of four resits, according to NCK.
11. How much is the NCK exam fee?
Ksh 8,000 per programme (NCK Service Charter 2025).
12. What should I wear?
Your school uniform or official nurse/midwife uniform if you trained in Kenya.
13. When are the next NCK exams?
KRCHN on 12 November 2026 and BScN on 13 November 2026. The following sitting is 20–21 May 2027.
14. When are November 2026 results out?
11 December 2026, on osp.nckenya.go.ke.
15. Do BScN graduates do internship before or after the NCK exam?
Basic BScN graduates complete a one-year internship before registration, subject to passing the NCK exam.
Conclusion: know the format, then train for it
In 2026 the NCK licensure exam is two proctored, two-hour papers on one day for both KRCHN and BScN. The rules are strict: attend the rehearsal, complete both mocks, bring your ID and Exam Card, wear uniform, and keep nothing on your screen except the exam. The fastest way to reduce exam-day anxiety is to practise under the same conditions, answering timed MCQs in the Paper 1/Paper 2 split with rationales. That is exactly how ReviQuiz is built.
For the big picture, visit our complete NCK exam Kenya guide. Then pick your cadre: KRCHN revision or BScN revision. You can also read our KRCHN first-attempt guide and BScN Paper 1 & 2 guide.
Ready for the November 2026 NCK exam?
Choose the package that fits your timeline. Pay instantly with M-Pesa, and get access as soon as payment is confirmed. KRCHN: Basic Ksh 1,500 · Premium Ksh 3,500 · Pro Ksh 5,000
BScN: Basic Ksh 1,500 · Premium Ksh 3,500 · Pro Ksh 5,000 Only need one paper?
Official sources to bookmark (external links):
- NCK 2026–2027 Exam Instructions & Schedule (PDF): https://nckenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Examination-instructions-and-schedule-August-November-2026-May-2027.pdf
- NCK Online Test Setup Instructions (Digi Proctor): https://nckenya.com/nck-online-test-setup-instructions/
- NCK Service Charter 2025 (fees): https://nckenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NCK-Service-Charter-2025-Revision-2-eGP.pdf .
- NCK Registration & Licensing: https://nckenya.com/registration/
- Digi Proctor for NCK: https://www.digiproctor.com/nck
- NCK on X: https://x.com/NCKenya
- Ministry of Health Kenya: http://www.health.go.ke/
