What if I Fail an OSCE? What to Expect & Succeed

What If I Fail an OSCE?

If the thought of failing an OSCE makes you feel sick – you’re definitely not alone. OSCEs are high-stakes assessments, and even confident student nurses sometimes don’t pass on the first attempt. But failing an OSCE isn’t the end of the world, it’s a step in the process, and in most cases there are clear, structured options for retaking and moving forward.

This blog breaks down what actually happens if you fail an OSCE in the UK. I will take you through university-based re-sits so you know what to expect and can focus on passing next time.

What if I Fail an OSCE | Shift Happens with Sian

First: You’ll Get Feedback… And It Matters!

You will usually find your OSCE results uploaded on your university’s VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). You’ll usually receive:

A pass result if you’ve met the standard in all stations

Or a fail result with written feedback indicating which stations or competencies you didn’t pass

This feedback isn’t overly detailed, it’s a brief explanation of where you didn’t meet the competence standard. This feedback is designed to help you prepare for a resit, so don’t ignore it even if it feels short. Look for the themes if there were a few stations that didn’t get that pass. For example, if not gaining consent was a theme, you need to look at your introduction speech.

Try: “Hello, my name is Sian, I am a student nurse, I want to check your blood pressure, is that okay with you?” If you say this every time and insert whatever skill you want consent for, you are doing to get that tick for consent.

Feedback usually states things like infection prevention not adhered to, communication mot clear, safety not maintained. These are the themes you can focus on practicing ready for your next attempt.

Watch Next: Top 10 OSCE Mistakes and how to avoid them on my YouTube channel

Resits: You Usually Only Repeat The Stations You Failed

In many UK assessment processes – especially for regulatory OSCEs like the NMC Test of Competence – if you fail, you don’t normally have to retake the whole exam. Instead:

You can only resit the stations you failed rather than repeating the entire OSCE

This can make preparation more focused because you know exactly which skills or scenarios you need to work on

For university course OSCEs, similar principles often apply. This is that you usually resit only the failed component rather than repeating every station but the exact rules can vary by institution. Always check your course handbook or assessment policy.

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How Many Attempts Can You Have?

For the NMC Test of Competence OSCE — which student nurses trained outside the UK sit for registration — the rules are quite clear:

You can take the OSCE up to three times as part of your application

You must wait at least 10 days between attempts unless you choose a longer period for preparation

If you do not pass by the third attempt, your OSCE application will close, and you’ll need to wait six months before starting a new application and retake all stations

For university-based OSCEs, the number of resit opportunities can vary. Some courses allow only one resit before referral to an Academic Progress committee. Make sure you understand your own university’s rules.

Download your FREE OSCE Exam Checklist!

Fees & Logistics (For NMC OSCE)

If you’re sitting the NMC’s Test of Competence OSCE:

Resits usually come with a fee -typically around half the original cost for a resit (i.e., failed stations only) and full price if you failed most stations

You must sit your resit at the same test centre where you took your first attempt

For university OSCEs, fees usually aren’t charged for internal resits. However, you may need to pay for extra tuition, resit booking, or reassessment documentation depending on your institution’s policy. At universities, if you fail an OSCE you need to pass before you go out on placement; this delay may mean deferring placement modules. As a consequence, this could mean delayed graduation.

For more information on NMC Test of Competence see the NMC website.

University Programme Rules (Internal Resits)

In many UK nursing degrees, OSCEs form part of mandatory assessments:

If you fail an OSCE on the first attempt, you’ll typically be offered a resit opportunity.

If you fail a resit, the ways universities handle this differ:

Some may let you try again within a defined period

Some programmes may require you to repeat the year or the module

Others will refer you to an academic progression panel to decide next steps

Because these rules vary, you should always:

Check your course handbook

Talk to your academic assessor or personal tutor

Understand your appeals options if there’s been a process error

Failing an OSCE doesn’t automatically mean academic failure. Most universities build in fair resit opportunities. Unfortunately, missing deadlines or not engaging with feedback can affect your progression.

Next Read: NCLEX Vs NMC OSCE – What you need to know

Appeals & Special Circumstances

If you believe something unfair or incorrect happened during your OSCE, for example, administrative error or an irregularity in marking, most institutions and the NMC have formal appeals processes you can use.

Appeals are not for academic disagreement (e.g., “I think I should have passed”) but are appropriate where:

The exam process was not followed correctly

There was procedural irregularity

You had a legitimate special circumstance (e.g., documented health issue) on the day

Always seek formal advice early from your practice assessor, placement lead, or academic tutor if you’re considering an appeal. It’s wise to look over the appeals and extenuating circumstances policies at your university – even if you think you will never need them.

Check out my YouTube channel for condition walk throughs, clinical placement tips and nursing survival tips!

Emotional Reality and Next Steps

Failing an OSCE can feel devastating, especially if you’ve worked so hard. Many students do not pass on the first try, and plenty succeed on the second or third attempt with the right planning and preparation.

Here’s what you can do to succeed:

Review the feedback carefully

Practice with mock stations or study partners

Focus on the specific stations you failed

Use supervision and support from tutors or mentors

Manage nerves and build resilience

Failing doesn’t make you a failure. Use it as feedback to tell you where to focus before your next attempt.

Make sure you’re putting your mental health and wellbeing first in this stressful situation. You need my Nursing Wellbeing Journal for weekly and monthly wellbeing check-ins to keep burnout at bay.

Final Reassurance

Whether you’re on a university programme or going through the NMC OSCE as part of registration, failing an OSCE doesn’t mean the end.
There are structured paths to resit, learn, improve, and succeed, often with multiple chances and clear guidance. What matters most is how you use that feedback to get ready for your next try.

Don’t forget to:

Download your FREE OSCE Checklist

Watch my YouTube video on 10 Common OSCE Mistakes Student Nurses Make

Check out my Nurse in Progress Book Series

What If I Fail an OSCE? Retakes, Resits, and What Actually Happens Next: