NMBA midwifery MCQ examination

Exam at a glance

Questions

180

Duration

180 minutes

Pass mark

70 %

Sections

180 questions, 3 hours, Aspeq centres or remote invigilation; 70 % overall and 70 % in the safety questions

Exam type

Written

Language

English

Authority

NMBA

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 12 modules · 299 questions · Last updated: 30 October 2026

1. 01Medical and obstetric complications in pregnancy30 questions · 10 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A woman at 38 weeks of gestation with preeclampsia has a tonic-clonic seizure on the ward. Which action should the midwife take first?

   AInsert a padded object between her teeth to prevent tongue bitingBPerform a vaginal examination to see whether birth is imminentCTake a history of the seizure from her partner before actingDCall for urgent help, protect her from injury and position her on her left side as the convulsion ends

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Antenatal care and screening25 questions · 8.4 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: female pelvic anatomy
   • Foundations: placenta, pregnancy physiology and fetal circulation
   • Foundations: labour and the fetal skull

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A woman at 26 weeks has not had a pertussis-containing vaccine in this pregnancy. Her last dTpa was 4 years ago, as an adult. She asks whether she needs another. What is the best advice?

   AIt is not needed, because a dose within the last 5 years provides protection for the babyBIt is better to wait until after the birth, because dTpa is unsafe before 36 weeksCA dTpa dose is recommended in every pregnancy, so offer it now regardless of previous dosesDA pertussis antibody level should be measured first, and vaccination given only if it is low

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Cultural safety and woman-centred care18 questions · 6 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A midwife is preparing a teaching session on cultural safety in maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. According to the Ahpra definition, who determines whether care is culturally safe?

   AThe midwife, based on completion of cultural awareness trainingBAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communitiesCThe health service, based on its accreditation outcomesDThe Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, through audit of practice

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Lactation and infant feeding21 questions · 7 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: the menstrual cycle in the ovary, endometrium and cervix
   • Foundations: breast anatomy and lymphatic drainage

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A healthy term baby is born vaginally to a woman who plans to breastfeed. Apgar scores are 9 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minutes. Which approach to the first hour after birth is most appropriate?

   AKeep the baby in uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with the mother until the first feed is complete, and defer routine proceduresBDry and wrap the baby, complete weighing and measuring, then hand the baby to the mother after 30 minutesCPlace the baby under a radiant warmer for the first hour to maintain temperature, then offer the first breastfeedDBathe the baby soon after birth to remove vernix and blood, then start skin-to-skin contact with the mother

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Fetal wellbeing assessment and cardiotocography20 questions · 6.7 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: female pelvic anatomy
   • Foundations: placenta, pregnancy physiology and fetal circulation
   • Foundations: labour and the fetal skull

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A woman at 34 weeks telephones the maternity unit at 1400 to report that her baby has moved less than usual since this morning. What advice is most appropriate?

   AAttend the maternity unit today for assessment, including a CTGBDrink something cold, lie on her side and count movements for two hours before decidingCWait until tomorrow morning and attend only if movements are still reducedDMention the change at her next scheduled antenatal appointment in two days

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Normal labour and birth29 questions · 9.7 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: female pelvic anatomy
   • Foundations: placenta, pregnancy physiology and fetal circulation
   • Foundations: labour and the fetal skull
7. 07Medication safety and calculations in midwifery18 questions · 6 % of the bank
8. 08Perinatal mental health and psychosocial risk18 questions · 6 % of the bank
9. 09Newborn care, adaptation and resuscitation25 questions · 8.4 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: the newborn and the transition after birth
   • Foundations: growth and development
   • Foundations: the child's airway, vital signs and resuscitation
10. 10Obstetric emergencies and intrapartum complications51 questions · 17.1 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: female pelvic anatomy
    • Foundations: placenta, pregnancy physiology and fetal circulation
    • Foundations: labour and the fetal skull
11. 11Postnatal care of the woman22 questions · 7.4 % of the bank
12. 12Professional practice, scope and legal framework22 questions · 7.4 % of the bank

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From registration to licence

The usual steps with NMBA. Details can change; check the current rules with NMBA before you register.

1. Check eligibility and collect your documents (degree, experience, good standing).
2. Create an account with NMBA and submit the application.
3. Receive the exam eligibility and book a date with the test centre.
4. Sit the exam. Results usually come within days.
5. After passing: complete licensing (for example primary source verification) and receive your licence.

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