Paramedic Council competence assessment programme

Exam at a glance

Questions

not published

Duration

not published

Pass mark

not published

Sections

Theory and skills assessments, final simulation at AUT Auckland

Exam type

Written and oral/practical

Language

English

Authority

Paramedic Council

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 12 modules · 370 questions · Last updated: 30 October 2026

1. 01Airway and respiratory emergencies35 questions · 9.5 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: anatomy of the respiratory tract
   • Foundations: alveoli and gas exchange
   • Foundations: mechanics and control of breathing
   • Foundations: ABCDE approach and airway basics
   • Foundations: life-threatening chest emergencies
   • Foundations: shock, burns and sepsis

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   At a restaurant, a conscious 58-year-old man is clutching his throat, cannot speak or cough and is making high-pitched sounds. A paramedic is on scene. What is the most appropriate first action?

   AGive up to five sharp back blows between the shoulder bladesBSweep the mouth with a finger without lookingCLay him supine and give abdominal thrustsDGive sips of water to wash the food down

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

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Patient assessment and clinical reasoning35 questions · 9.5 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: ABCDE approach and airway basics
   • Foundations: life-threatening chest emergencies
   • Foundations: shock, burns and sepsis

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A man in his 40s has a deep laceration to the thigh from a chainsaw. Blood is spurting and pooling on the ground. He is conscious and speaking in full sentences. The scene is safe. What is the first priority?

   AOpen the airway with a jaw thrust and insert an oropharyngeal airwayBAssess the Glasgow Coma Scale and pupil responsesCApply a tourniquet or firm direct pressure to stop the bleedingDAttach the monitor and record a full set of vital signs

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

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Cardiovascular emergencies and resuscitation54 questions · 14.6 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: anatomy of the heart
   • Foundations: conduction system and cardiac cycle
   • Foundations: circulation and blood vessels

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 58-year-old man collapses at a bowling club. He is unresponsive and not breathing normally. A bystander has started chest compressions, and you arrive and take over. Which compression technique is consistent with ANZCOR guidance for an adult?

   ARate of 60 to 80 per minute, compressing about 2 cm to avoid rib fractureBRate of 100 to 120 per minute, compressing about one third of chest depth with full recoilCRate of 140 to 160 per minute, compressing about half of chest depthDRate of 100 to 120 per minute, compressing about 2 to 3 cm and resting on the chest between

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

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Cultural safety and health equity22 questions · 5.9 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A paramedic student is asked to explain the definition of cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples used by Ahpra and the National Boards. Which statement is most accurate?

   ACare from a practitioner who has completed cultural awareness training and knows local customsBIdentical care for every patient regardless of background, so that no bias can enterCCare judged safe by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, free of racism and respectful of identityDCare delivered only by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners in every setting

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

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Medical and neurological emergencies35 questions · 9.5 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: spinal cord tracts and the cranial nerves
   • Foundations: the circle of Willis and intracranial haemorrhage

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 30-year-old man with epilepsy is having a generalised tonic–clonic seizure that has lasted 6 minutes. His airway is positioned, oxygen is running, his blood glucose level is 5.5 mmol/L, and no IV access has been obtained. What is the most appropriate treatment?

   AIntramuscular midazolamBWait a further 5 minutes to see if the seizure stopsCPlace a bite block between his teeth to protect his tongueDGive an intravenous antiepileptic loading dose of phenytoin on scene

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

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Mental health and behavioural emergencies20 questions · 5.4 % of the bank
7. 07Obstetric and paediatric emergencies28 questions · 7.6 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: female pelvic anatomy
   • Foundations: placenta, pregnancy physiology and fetal circulation
   • Foundations: labour and the fetal skull
   • Foundations: the newborn and the transition after birth
   • Foundations: growth and development
   • Foundations: the child's airway, vital signs and resuscitation
8. 08Older people, palliative and community care18 questions · 4.9 % of the bank
9. 09Pharmacology and medicine administration28 questions · 7.6 % of the bank
10. 10Professional practice, ethics and law35 questions · 9.5 % of the bank
11. 11Scene safety, infection control and clinical handover25 questions · 6.8 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: hand-rub technique and personal protective equipment
12. 12Trauma and environmental emergencies35 questions · 9.5 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: ABCDE approach and airway basics
    • Foundations: life-threatening chest emergencies
    • Foundations: shock, burns and sepsis

What you get

• Question bank with a detailed explanation for every answer
• Timed mock exams in the real exam format, with score report by topic
• Personal study plan up to your exam date and review of weak topics
• AI tutor that explains any question in plain words
• One account for the app (iPhone, iPad) and the browser
• AI oral examiner for practising the oral or practical part

From registration to licence

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

1. Check eligibility and collect your documents (degree, experience, good standing).
2. Create an account with Paramedic Council 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.

Frequently asked questions