How to prepare

College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia

NCAS > How to prepare

How to prepare

NCAS is reopening for assessments again! Click HERE for more details.

The following resources are provided to help you prepare for the NCAS CBA and SLA/OA assessments.The following should not be considered an exhaustive list of all resources available for use in preparing for the assessments.

Please Note: Independent, private organizations may offer NCAS preparation courses. NCAS has not reviewed, approved or endorsed any of these programmes, and cannot attest as to whether or not they will help your performance on the NCAS assessment.


To learn more about the assessment format and what to expect on assessment day: Computer-based Assessment Simulation Lab Assessment Oral Assessment
NCAS Orientation Videos To help you prepare, NCAS has created two orientation videos. We urge you to watch them! We developed the videos to give you a better understanding of what you can expect when you go to complete the simulation lab and oral assessment (SLA/OA). The NCAS SLA/OA Procedures video tells you what you can expect on assessment day. It provides an overview of the rules and procedures you'll be expected to follow. The NCAS SLA/OA Equipment for LPNs, RNs, and RPNs video is aimed specifically at those taking the RN, LPN or RPN assessment. It shows you the physical set up of the rooms at Langara College's Nursing Simulation Centre, as well as the materials, supplies and equipment you may see during your assessment. The NCAS SLA/OA Equipment for HCAs video is aimed at those being assessed as a health care assistant and is aimed at familiarizing you with the materials, supplies and equipment HCAs may see during that assessment.
NCAS Blueprint One way to prepare is to become familiar with the kinds of competencies we are evaluating by examining the NCAS Blueprint, which outlines the content assessed in all three assessments: the CBA, the SLA and the OA. This content focuses on the competencies that an entry-level nurse is required to possess in order to practice safely and effectively in a Canadian health care setting. The NCAS Blueprint contains the following important information: The complete list of competencies that candidates will be assessed on based on the nursing roles or professions they have chosen A description of the competency categories that make up the competency framework Essential elements that are covered in the assessment: Workplace setting Life span categories Client health status Critical entry to practice competencies
Computer Based Assessment (CBA) Sample CBA Questions The following are sample CBA questions for each nursing or health care aide profession: HCA Sample CBA Questions.pdf LPN Sample CBA Questions.pdf RN Sample CBA Questions.pdf RPN Sample CBA Questions.pdf
Simulation Lab Assessment (SLA) SLA Nursing Charts It is a good idea to become familiar with the kinds of documents you may encounter in each station of the simulation lab. Review the templates of the forms that may be used during the simulation, and that will be found in the chart. Once you enter the simulation room, you will have five minutes to read the chart. You may make notes (paper will be provided). Sample Charts - HCA Sample Charts - LPN RN RPN
Nursing in Canada Entry-Level Competencies The following are entry level competencies for each nursing or health care aide profession: HCA entry-level competencies LPN entry-level competencies RN entry-level competencies RPN entry-level competencies Orientation to the Canadian Health Care System, Culture and Context This course is designed for internationally educated health professionals who are in the process of becoming licensed in Canada. It is offered two times per year. This course will provide learners with a deepened understanding of the Canadian health care system, what Canadian patients expect from their health care providers, and how to communicate with patients and caregivers. Please note that NCAS has not endorsed this course and cannot attest as to whether or not this course will help your performance on the NCAS assessment. Essential Skills Profile - 3413 Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates Essential Skills Profiles describe how workers in this occupation use each of the nine essential skills: reading, document use, writing, numeracy, oral communication, thinking, digital technology (originally, computer use), working with others and continuous learning. Free online assessments can be taken with a goal of developing and building skills levels in the foundational areas of reading, document use and numeracy. Requisite Skills and Abilities to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in B.C. This resource identifies the desired and achievable level of requisite skills and abilities expected of LPNs in B.C. Profile of a Newly Graduated Registered Nurse This document describes the profile of a newly graduated registered nurse in Canada. Requisite Skills and Abilities to Become a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in B.C. Those contemplating a career in psychiatric nursing should review Requisite Skills and Abilities to Become a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in B.C., which provides information about the basic skills and abilities required of psychiatric nursing students to complete their education and attain entry-level competencies.
Textbook Resources The following list represents a variety of educational resources for each nursing or health care aide profession. HCA Resources RN Resources LPN Resources RPN Resources

To learn more about the assessment format and what to expect on assessment day:

NCAS Orientation Videos

To help you prepare, NCAS has created two orientation videos. We urge you to watch them!

We developed the videos to give you a better understanding of what you can expect when you go to complete the simulation lab and oral assessment (SLA/OA).

The NCAS SLA/OA Procedures video tells you what you can expect on assessment day. It provides an overview of the rules and procedures you'll be expected to follow.

The NCAS SLA/OA Equipment for LPNs, RNs, and RPNs video is aimed specifically at those taking the RN, LPN or RPN assessment. It shows you the physical set up of the rooms at Langara College's Nursing Simulation Centre, as well as the materials, supplies and equipment you may see during your assessment.

The NCAS SLA/OA Equipment for HCAs video is aimed at those being assessed as a health care assistant and is aimed at familiarizing you with the materials, supplies and equipment HCAs may see during that assessment.

NCAS Blueprint

One way to prepare is to become familiar with the kinds of competencies we are evaluating by examining the NCAS Blueprint, which outlines the content assessed in all three assessments: the CBA, the SLA and the OA. This content focuses on the competencies that an entry-level nurse is required to possess in order to practice safely and effectively in a Canadian health care setting.

The NCAS Blueprint contains the following important information:

The complete list of competencies that candidates will be assessed on based on the nursing roles or professions they have chosen
A description of the competency categories that make up the competency framework

Essential elements that are covered in the assessment:

Workplace setting
Life span categories
Client health status
Critical entry to practice competencies

Computer Based Assessment (CBA)

Sample CBA Questions

The following are sample CBA questions for each nursing or health care aide profession:

Simulation Lab Assessment (SLA)

SLA Nursing Charts

It is a good idea to become familiar with the kinds of documents you may encounter in each station of the simulation lab. Review the templates of the forms that may be used during the simulation, and that will be found in the chart. Once you enter the simulation room, you will have five minutes to read the chart. You may make notes (paper will be provided).

Sample Charts - HCA 
Sample Charts - LPN RN RPN

Nursing in Canada

Entry-Level Competencies

The following are entry level competencies for each nursing or health care aide profession:

Orientation to the Canadian Health Care System, Culture and Context

This course is designed for internationally educated health professionals who are in the process of becoming licensed in Canada. It is offered two times per year. This course will provide learners with a deepened understanding of the Canadian health care system, what Canadian patients expect from their health care providers, and how to communicate with patients and caregivers. Please note that NCAS has not endorsed this course and cannot attest as to whether or not this course will help your performance on the NCAS assessment.

Essential Skills Profile - 3413 Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates

Essential Skills Profiles describe how workers in this occupation use each of the nine essential skills: reading, document use, writing, numeracy, oral communication, thinking, digital technology (originally, computer use), working with others and continuous learning. Free online assessments can be taken with a goal of developing and building skills levels in the foundational areas of reading, document use and numeracy.

Requisite Skills and Abilities to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in B.C.

This resource identifies the desired and achievable level of requisite skills and abilities expected of LPNs in B.C.

Profile of a Newly Graduated Registered Nurse

This document describes the profile of a newly graduated registered nurse in Canada.

Requisite Skills and Abilities to Become a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in B.C.

Those contemplating a career in psychiatric nursing should review Requisite Skills and Abilities to Become a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in B.C., which provides information about the basic skills and abilities required of psychiatric nursing students to complete their education and attain entry-level competencies.

Textbook Resources

The following list represents a variety of educational resources for each nursing or health care aide profession.

​The following resources are provided to help you prepare for the NCAS CBA and SLA/OA assessments​​.​The following should not be considered an exhaustive list of all resources available for use in preparing for the assessments.​​

​To learn more about the assessment format and what to expect on assessment day:

NCAS​ Orientation Videos