NHS Healthcare Assistant
Band 2–3 HCA Preparation
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Where can I practise NHS Healthcare Assistant for free?
PassNova offers free NHS Healthcare Assistant practice — 200 exam-style questions and 6 timed 25-question practice tests with a clear explanation for every answer. It's 100% free with no sign-up, works on any device, and covers the NHS Healthcare Assistant syllabus topic by topic. Updated for 2026.
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Jobs and roles this helps you get
Practice for the literacy, numeracy and values-based questions used in NHS support-role recruitment.
Healthcare assistant
Standard employer requirementEntry routes ask for GCSEs including English and maths, or equivalent, plus enhanced background checks.
National Careers ServiceNursing assistant / nursing auxiliary
Standard employer requirementAlternative titles for the same NHS support role.
National Careers ServiceSupport worker
Standard employer requirementA related support role with the same entry expectations.
National Careers ServiceRequirements are checked against the National Careers Service, the relevant regulator or the awarding body — follow each source for the current rules.
How you'll get exam-ready
Built to get you exam-ready
Instant, worked explanations
Every question — right or wrong — comes with a clear explanation, so you learn the why, not just the what.
Timed practice tests
Sit timed 25-question tests against an indicative pass mark, so working to the clock feels familiar.
A live readiness scoreFree + Premium
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Every question and every practice test for NHS Healthcare Assistant is free to practise. A free account just saves your progress — Premium is entirely optional.
Start practising free →- ✓All 200 questions across every topic
- ✓All 6 timed practice tests
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NHS Healthcare Assistant: the skills you need
A Healthcare Assistant (HCA) supports nurses and other clinicians in NHS hospitals, GP surgeries and the community. There isn't one single national HCA exam — instead, recruitment and apprenticeships commonly check that you have the numeracy and literacy the role needs, and new staff complete the Care Certificate once in post.
Numeracy and literacy assessments
Many NHS trusts and Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeships ask you to pass a short numeracy and literacy assessment as part of recruitment, usually around Functional Skills Level 1–2. Numeracy covers the everyday calculations a carer uses — measurements, fluid balance, percentages, fractions and reading charts. Literacy covers clear reading, writing and record-keeping.
The Care Certificate
Once you start, new HCAs work through the Care Certificate — 16 standards covering duty of care, safeguarding, infection prevention, communication, privacy and dignity, basic life support and more. PassNova also has a free Care Certificate course.
How to prepare
PassNova's NHS Healthcare Assistant practice rebuilds the numeracy and literacy skills these assessments test, with a clear explanation for every answer so you can fix the gaps before your assessment day — 100% free, no sign-up. Always check the exact requirements with the trust you are applying to.
NHS Healthcare Assistant on one page
A quick-glance summary of the high-yield points — free to save, print or share.
Where the real exam comes from
PassNova is independent practice — you sit the official NHS Healthcare Assistant with the body that runs it.
External official sites — fees and booking are handled by the provider, not PassNova.
PassNova is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS.
NHS Healthcare Assistant: your questions answered
Is there an exam to become an NHS Healthcare Assistant?
There isn't one single national HCA exam. Most NHS trusts and Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeships check your numeracy and literacy as part of recruitment, and new staff complete the Care Certificate once in post.
What is the NHS numeracy and literacy test?
A short assessment, usually around Functional Skills Level 1–2, used in HCA recruitment. Numeracy covers measurements, fluid balance, percentages, fractions and reading charts; literacy covers clear reading, writing and record-keeping.
What is the Care Certificate?
A set of 16 standards new healthcare and care staff complete once in post — duty of care, safeguarding, infection prevention, communication, privacy and dignity, basic life support and more. PassNova has a free Care Certificate course too.
How should I prepare for an NHS Healthcare Assistant assessment?
Practise the numeracy and literacy skills the assessment tests until you are confident, and check the exact requirements with the trust you are applying to. PassNova's free practice covers both, with an explanation for every answer.
Is PassNova's NHS Healthcare Assistant practice free?
Yes — it's 100% free with no sign-up, with a clear explanation for every answer so you can target your weak spots before your assessment.
What jobs can I do with NHS Healthcare Assistant?
Practice for the literacy, numeracy and values-based questions used in NHS support-role recruitment. Healthcare assistant: Entry routes ask for GCSEs including English and maths, or equivalent, plus enhanced background checks. Nursing assistant / nursing auxiliary: Alternative titles for the same NHS support role. Support worker: A related support role with the same entry expectations.
Is PassNova's NHS Healthcare Assistant practice free?
Yes — NHS Healthcare Assistant practice on PassNova is 100% free. There's no paywall and no sign-up needed to start. A free account is optional and only saves your progress and badges.
Do I need an account or have to pay?
No. You can start practising NHS Healthcare Assistant instantly with no account, no email and no card. 104 courses are fully free; every Premium question bank has a free 15-question taster.
How many NHS Healthcare Assistant practice questions does PassNova have?
PassNova has 200 exam-style NHS Healthcare Assistant questions and 6 timed 25-question practice tests, each with a clear explanation, plus topic-by-topic study mode.
Is the NHS Healthcare Assistant practice up to date for 2026?
Yes — PassNova's NHS Healthcare Assistant question bank is reviewed and kept current for 2026.
Ready to pass your NHS Healthcare Assistant?
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