NMC Quality Assurance for the Test of Competence (CBT and OSCE) of the Future Nurse Standards of proficiency necessary for all fields of nursing practice

The Test of Competence Assurance Advisory Group (AAG)

The AAG will provide independent advice to the NMC as to the appropriateness of the Test and the extent to which it meets its objectives. It will comprise clinical, education and standards expertise and representation from the patient perspective. They will do this by meeting regularly throughout the year, providing an essential monitoring and advisory service to the NMC and the suppliers involved in this service provision.

Key responsibilities of AAG will be to:

Receive and consider relevant test and candidate information, performance and assurance reports regarding the design, development and delivery of the Test to advise the NMC as to the extent to which the Test is meeting its objective.

Provide recommendations to the NMC on development of the Test to ensure that the examination is set and delivered at the appropriate standard and is reflective of current practice.

Support improving consistency between test sites and monitor inter-rate reliability.

Provide independent oversight of the test of competence examination outcomes to ensure it is delivered fairly and consistently within agreed processes and timeframes.

Monitor and assess the outcomes of appeals and complaints to identify learning and opportunities for improvement to the design, delivery and assessment of the Test. The AAG will also advise on the fairness and impartiality of the appeals processes in place and make recommendations as required.

Review reports and updates from our Test partners to monitor implementation of recommendations and where necessary issue improvement notices under the contracts with our Test partners.

Scope of Services

The QA Partner will provide the necessary assurance to the NMC around all aspects of the test design and delivery of the test by our OSCE and CBT delivery partners, by carrying out a set of appropriate checks which include, but are not limited to:

Design

The governance processes and controls in place and adopted by Alpha Plus are appropriate and robust

The appropriate methodology and approach have been adopted to write test content, trial it and pilot the test fully before it is introduced into the live environment

The correct controls are in place to monitor test performance and take action to remedy any poor performing stations /questions where it is appropriate to do so

A robust framework is in place to maintain the security and integrity of the examination

Delivery

The correct equipment is in place at all sites and the application of it is consistent

The appropriate processes are in place for test examiners to run the OSCE stations fairly and consistently within, and across, all test sites

Moderation activity and processes are fair and consistent within, and across, all test sites

Processes regarding appeals and complaints for both OSCE and...

Additional information: Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No