By Fortu West International
August 30, 2026
3–4 minutes read
Are You Ready for the Assessment Charts in Your NMC OSCE?
Preparing for the NMC OSCE often means spending hours practising clinical procedures, communication and patient interaction. But there is another skill that should not be overlooked: using clinical assessment and scoring tools correctly.
In an assessment station, you may need to collect patient information, record observations, calculate a score and decide what the findings mean.
The chart may look straightforward, but a small calculation error or failure to recognise an abnormal result can affect your performance.
Five important assessment tools to understand are:
- NEWS2 – National Early Warning Score 2
- GCS – Glasgow Coma Scale
- 6CIT – Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test
- MUST – Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool
- 2-Level Wells Score – DVT assessment
Let’s break them down in a simple way.
NEWS2: Your Tool for Recognising Deterioration
A patient’s condition can change quickly. NEWS2 provides a structured method for recognising possible clinical deterioration.
It combines several physiological measurements into a score.
NEWS2 includes:
- Respiratory rate
- Oxygen saturation
- Whether the patient is receiving oxygen
- Temperature
- Systolic blood pressure
- Pulse
- Level of consciousness
Each observation is scored, and the individual scores are added together.
What should an OSCE candidate do?
Don’t simply calculate the number.
You should demonstrate that you can:
Measure → Record → Calculate → Recognise → Escalate
If the patient’s observations indicate deterioration, explain what you would do next in accordance with the relevant clinical policy or escalation pathway.
Quick reminder
Before moving on from a NEWS2 chart, check:
Have I recorded everything? Have I calculated correctly? Have I recognised anything abnormal?
GCS: Essential for Neurological Assessment
The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to assess a patient’s level of consciousness.
It is especially relevant to scenarios involving neurological changes, head injury or reduced consciousness.
GCS has three components:
E – Eye Opening
Assess the patient’s eye-opening response.
V – Verbal Response
Assess the patient’s verbal response and level of orientation.
M – Motor Response
Assess the patient’s motor response.
The three components are combined to determine the total score.
Don’t record only the total
Where the chart requires it, document the individual components:
Eye + Verbal + Motor = Total
This demonstrates that the assessment has been completed systematically.
Subdural haematoma scenario?
A neurological assessment involving GCS may be relevant in a subdural haematoma scenario because consciousness and neurological status need to be assessed. The exact chart provided depends on the examination scenario.
6CIT: Assessing Possible Cognitive Impairment
The Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test is a short cognitive screening tool.
It can be used to identify possible difficulties with areas such as orientation, memory and attention.
In an OSCE scenario, the patient may present with confusion, memory difficulties or changes in cognitive function.
Remember this important distinction
6CIT is a screening assessment—not a diagnosis.
A concerning score indicates that further assessment may be required; it should not be treated as confirmation of a specific condition.
Your approach matters
While performing the assessment:
- Explain what you are doing.
- Communicate respectfully.
- Ask the questions according to the assessment.
- Record responses accurately.
- Calculate the score carefully.
- Communicate concerns appropriately.
The way you interact with the patient is just as important as completing the chart.
MUST: Don’t Overlook Nutritional Risk
Nutrition is an important part of holistic nursing care.
The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) helps identify adults who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.
The assessment considers:
- BMI
- Unplanned weight loss
- Acute disease effect
Remember the five steps
1. BMI score
Determine the patient’s BMI and identify the corresponding score.
2. Weight-loss score
Assess relevant unplanned weight loss and apply the appropriate score.
3. Acute disease effect
Consider whether the acute disease criterion applies.
4. Overall score
Add the applicable scores.
5. Management plan
Identify the risk category and follow the appropriate management recommendations.
Common OSCE errors
Candidates may lose marks by:
- Missing a section.
- Calculating BMI incorrectly.
- Forgetting weight loss.
- Ignoring the acute disease component.
- Adding scores incorrectly.
- Failing to recognise the final risk category.
A simple solution
Don’t rush.
Move through MUST from Step 1 to Step 5 and check your calculations before interpreting the result.
Wells Score: Assessing the Likelihood of DVT
The 2-Level Wells Score is a clinical prediction tool used when assessing the likelihood of deep vein thrombosis.
The result places the patient into one of two categories:
DVT likely
or
DVT unlikely
The score helps guide the clinical pathway but does not independently confirm DVT.
How to approach the chart
Read the scenario carefully and review each criterion.
Then:
- Identify applicable criteria.
- Award the appropriate points.
- Calculate the total.
- Interpret the category.
- Communicate and escalate concerns appropriately.
Avoid assumptions
This is particularly important with Wells scoring.
Only use information supported by the scenario and assessment findings. Never add points simply because you believe a criterion might apply.
One Scenario, More Than One Assessment Tool?
Sometimes a patient scenario may require more than one type of assessment.
For example, a patient presenting with possible malnutrition may require nutritional assessment using MUST, while physiological observations may also be relevant to NEWS2 depending on the scenario.
Therefore, don’t try to memorise a rigid “one scenario = one chart” rule.
Instead, understand why each assessment tool is used and what information it provides.
The OSCE Assessment Chart Formula
When you receive an assessment chart, use this six-step formula:
1. READ
Read the scenario and instructions carefully.
2. ASSESS
Collect the required information systematically.
3. DOCUMENT
Record the findings in the correct areas.
4. CALCULATE
Work through the scoring system carefully.
5. INTERPRET
Understand what the final result indicates.
6. ESCALATE
Communicate significant findings and take appropriate action according to the relevant clinical pathway.
This structured approach can help prevent you from focusing only on the paperwork.
7 Mistakes to Avoid During Assessment Stations
1. Rushing
Speed should never come at the expense of accuracy.
2. Incomplete charts
Check every required field before finishing.
3. Incorrect calculations
Always double-check totals.
4. Poor handwriting
Documentation must be clear and legible.
5. Ignoring abnormal findings
Recognise when a result requires attention.
6. Forgetting communication
Clinical findings should be communicated appropriately when escalation is required.
7. Guessing information
Use the information available in the scenario. Never invent findings.
How Can You Practise These Charts?
The best preparation is repeated practice with realistic scenarios.
For every practice case, ask yourself:
What is the patient problem?
Which assessment tool is relevant?
What information do I need?
How do I calculate the score?
What does the score mean?
What action should I take?
This turns chart practice from simple memorisation into clinical reasoning.
Final Takeaway
The NMC OSCE is about demonstrating safe and professional nursing practice—not simply remembering clinical scores.
Understanding NEWS2, GCS, 6CIT, MUST and the 2-Level Wells Score can help you approach assessment stations more confidently.
Remember:
NEWS2 = Deterioration
GCS = Consciousness
6CIT = Cognitive screening
MUST = Nutritional risk
Wells = DVT likelihood
Most importantly, don’t stop when you have calculated the score.
Assess the patient. Record accurately. Interpret the findings. Communicate concerns. Escalate safely.
With consistent practice and a structured approach, you can make assessment charts a strength rather than a source of stress during your NMC OSCE preparation.
Prepare with Fortu West International
Your OSCE preparation should combine clinical knowledge, practical skills, documentation practice and confidence-building.
Fortu West International — helping internationally educated nurses prepare for their journey towards UK registration.
