How to Pass the NCK Licensure Exam
Passing the NCK licensure exam is less about cramming more facts and more about practising the right way. Start by understanding the format, then revise with a method that matches how you will be tested.
Know the format first
The licensure exam is computer-based and sat at a designated examination centre. Basic and degree cadres such as KRCHN and BScN sit two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, while most post-basic specialties sit a single paper. Each paper runs for two hours and is made up of multiple-choice questions.
The questions span the full NCK subject range, from medical-surgical nursing and midwifery to community health, mental health and research. You cannot rely on a few strong subjects. Every paper must be passed on its own.
What is the pass mark?
The NCK does not publish a single fixed pass-mark percentage. Results are determined by the Board of Examiners, and you must satisfy the board in each paper. The practical takeaway is to aim to pass every paper comfortably rather than counting on a strong paper to carry a weak one.
The revision strategy that works
Build your revision around how the exam actually tests you:
- Practise real past-paper questions first. Recognition in a quiz is not the same as recall under pressure.
- Read the explanation for every question, especially the ones you got right, so you learn why the other options are wrong.
- Use spaced repetition: short, frequent reviews beat one long cram session.
- Track your weak topics and spend most of your time there.
- Do timed multiple-choice sets so pace and technique become automatic.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass mark for the NCK exam?
The Nursing Council of Kenya does not publish a single fixed pass mark. Results are set by the Board of Examiners and you must satisfy the board in each paper, so aim to pass every paper on its own merits.
How is the NCK licensure exam structured?
Basic and degree cadres such as KRCHN and BScN sit two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, while most post-basic specialties sit one. It is a computer-based exam at a designated centre, each paper runs for two hours with multiple-choice questions, and you must pass every paper on its own.