Work skills test · NEWS2 and dosing
Check core nursing skills, from NEWS2 to dose calculation, before you appoint
Candidates work through clinical instructions, NEWS2 and dosing, and prescription checks against a medication key, with fictional patients and wards. The report shows an overall score band, section results, and speed and accuracy. Assessor and Candidate versions are available.
See what candidates see
36 questions in 30 minutes covering clinical instructions, NEWS2 and dose calculation, and prescription checks.
Every candidate gets clear instructions and examples before the test starts. To try the full test yourself, ask us for a free trial.
What the Nursing Comprehension Test measures
The Nursing Comprehension Test measures core nursing skills: understanding written clinical instructions, applying the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), calculating medicine doses and checking prescriptions against a medication key. All patients, staff and wards are fictional.
Clinical instructions
Reading a doctor's email about medication changes, monitoring and escalation, and deciding what it does and does not say.
NEWS2 and clinical response
Scoring a patient's observations against the NEWS2 chart and choosing the response the score requires.
Dose calculation
Working out the volume to give from the prescribed dose and the ward stock strength.
Prescription checks
Spotting a wrong dose, frequency or indication against the ward medication key.
Why organisations choose Viewpoint work skills tests
Real tasks, not self-report
Candidates show what they can actually do, rather than telling you what they think they can do.
Scored automatically
Every answer is scored the same way, with no marking for you to do.
Built for the role
Tasks reflect the work people really do in the job, so results speak directly to performance.
Clear reports
Clear results for recruiters, and supportive feedback for candidates.
Reports that do the work for you
The report shows the candidate's overall score and score band (Very Low to Very High), results for each of the three sections, and speed and accuracy. It comes in two versions: an Assessor Report with interview questions, and a Candidate Report with no scores and practical development advice.
View sample
Assessor Report
For recruiters and hiring managers
- Score band from Very Low to Very High
- Speed and accuracy
- Interview questions to explore the result
View sample
Candidate Report
For the person who took it
- Constructive feedback in plain English
- No scores shown
- Practical suggestions for development
Who it’s for
The test is designed for nursing selection and development with adult patients.
Nursing applicants
Assess clinical instructions, NEWS2 and dose calculation during selection.
Registered nurses
Review prescription checking and dosing skills as part of ongoing development.
Associates and students
Use for development, with supportive advice and no scores in the Candidate Report.
How it works
- 1
Invite
Send candidates their link. They can take the test wherever suits them.
- 2
Practise, then take the test
Candidates read the instructions and try the format before the test starts.
- 3
Get the results
Results are ready as soon as the candidate finishes, so you can act straight away.
At a glance
- 36 questions, completed in 30 minutes
- Three sections of 12: Clinical instructions, NEWS2 and dosing, Prescription checks
- The NEWS2 chart and medication key are shown as tables with the questions that use them
- Calculator allowed; no penalty for wrong answers
- Eight parallel versions; 5 untimed practice questions with feedback
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Know NEWS2
Make sure you're familiar with the NEWS2 chart and the clinical responses, including the single-score-of-3 trigger.
Write down your working
For dose calculations, note the dose, the stock strength and your answer before choosing.
Check line by line
In prescription checks, compare dose, frequency and indication separately.
Use only what's written
In clinical instructions, "Cannot tell" is right when the email doesn't settle the statement.
See the Nursing Comprehension Test for yourself
Try it and see the reports your team would receive. Contact us for a free trial or a demonstration of the platform.
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