What Is the AMC MCQ?

The AMC MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) examination — formally known as the AMC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) — is the first of two examinations that overseas doctors must pass as part of the Standard Pathway to AHPRA registration in Australia. Passing the MCQ is a prerequisite for sitting the AMC Clinical Examination, making it the critical first hurdle in the examination process.

The AMC MCQ tests medical knowledge to the level expected of a newly qualified Australian medical graduate. It is not designed to test specialist knowledge or advanced subspecialty expertise — it assesses the broad range of medical knowledge that all doctors, regardless of specialty, are expected to possess. The examination has a strong focus on common Australian clinical scenarios, Australian clinical guidelines, patient safety, medical ethics, and medico-legal obligations under Australian law.

One of the most practically significant features of the AMC MCQ is that it is delivered at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide — including centres in the United Kingdom, India, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, and many other countries. This means you can sit the AMC MCQ without travelling to Australia, significantly reducing costs and complexity. You only need to be in Australia for the AMC Clinical Examination, which follows after the MCQ is passed.

The "computer adaptive" element of the examination means the difficulty level of each successive question is calibrated in real time based on your performance on the questions you have already answered. This adaptive mechanism allows the examination to efficiently determine your level of medical knowledge across the full ability range without requiring a fixed set of questions to be answered by every candidate.

Exam Format and Structure

Understanding the exam format precisely is important for planning your preparation and managing your time on the day. Here is a detailed breakdown:

  • Number of questions: 120 to 150 multiple choice questions. The exact number varies because the adaptive algorithm determines when it has gathered sufficient evidence to make a reliable pass/fail determination.
  • Question format: Single best answer (one correct answer out of four or five options). Questions are presented as clinical vignettes — typically a brief patient scenario followed by a clinical question — or as direct knowledge questions testing factual medical content.
  • No negative marking: There is no penalty for incorrect answers. You should always provide an answer, even if you are uncertain, as an omission guarantees zero marks on that question.
  • Total examination time: Approximately 3.5 hours. Time management is important — at an average of roughly 90 seconds per question, you must maintain a consistent pace throughout the examination.
  • Pass standard: Criterion-referenced — assessed against the defined standard of an Australian medical graduate at graduation. The pass mark is not a fixed percentage; it is set by the AMC based on the difficulty of the questions you have been presented with. Typically, candidates who perform at or above the Australian graduate standard pass. The result is reported as Pass or Fail only — no numerical score or percentage is released.
  • Resit rules: If you fail, you must wait a minimum of three months before resitting. You are permitted a maximum of four attempts. After four failed attempts, you must apply to the AMC for special consideration before being permitted a further attempt. The fee applies for each attempt.

Topics and Clinical Disciplines Covered

The AMC MCQ covers all major clinical disciplines. The breadth of coverage reflects the expectation that Australian medical graduates — and hence all doctors seeking registration — possess a comprehensive foundation of medical knowledge across all body systems and specialties. The following clinical areas are assessed:

  • Cardiology and cardiovascular surgery — ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease
  • Respiratory medicine — asthma, COPD, pneumonia, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, interstitial lung disease, pleural effusions
  • Gastroenterology and hepatology — IBD, IBS, peptic ulcer disease, coeliac disease, liver disease, hepatitis, colorectal cancer, acute abdomen
  • Nephrology and urology — acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, urinary tract infections, renal calculi, prostate disease
  • Neurology and neurosurgery — stroke, TIA, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, headache disorders, dementia, peripheral neuropathy
  • Haematology and oncology — anaemias, coagulation disorders, leukaemias, lymphomas, common solid cancers, palliative care principles
  • Endocrinology and metabolism — diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, pituitary disease, metabolic bone disease, dyslipidaemia
  • Rheumatology and immunology — rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, spondyloarthropathies, osteoarthritis, gout, vasculitis
  • Infectious diseases — sepsis, tropical infections, STIs, HIV, antimicrobial stewardship, vaccination, notifiable diseases
  • Dermatology — common skin conditions, melanoma and skin cancer, drug reactions, wound management
  • Psychiatry and mental health — depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, eating disorders, capacity assessment, Mental Health Act principles
  • Obstetrics and gynaecology — antenatal care, obstetric emergencies, labour and delivery, postnatal care, gynaecological cancers, menstrual disorders, menopause, contraception
  • Paediatrics and neonatology — childhood development, common childhood infections, neonatal conditions, immunisation schedule, child welfare, SIDS
  • Emergency medicine — resuscitation, major trauma, shock, toxicology, acute presentations requiring urgent assessment and management
  • Anaesthesia — perioperative assessment, airway management, sedation, pain management, post-operative complications
  • General surgery — acute appendicitis, bowel obstruction, hernias, breast disease, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, wound complications
  • Orthopaedics and musculoskeletal medicine — fractures, dislocations, osteoporosis, compartment syndrome, sports injuries, spinal disorders
  • Ophthalmology and ENT — acute eye emergencies, common vision disorders, hearing loss, sinusitis, head and neck cancers
  • General practice and preventive medicine — chronic disease management, cancer screening (breast, bowel, cervical), preventive health guidelines, health promotion, Medicare and the Australian healthcare system

Across all disciplines, the AMC MCQ places particular emphasis on: recognition and management of common conditions, application of Australian clinical guidelines (such as National Heart Foundation, Therapeutic Guidelines, Cancer Australia, and Diabetes Australia recommendations), patient safety and quality use of medicines, ethical principles in medical practice, and medico-legal obligations including mandatory reporting, consent, confidentiality, and the duty of care.

How to Book the Exam

  1. Ensure your AMC application is active — you must have an active AMC registration application underway and your EPIC verification must be complete (or at least substantially progressed — the AMC will advise exactly when you become eligible to book the MCQ). Do not attempt to book the exam before the AMC has confirmed your eligibility.
  2. Log in to your AMC account — access the AMC website (amc.org.au) with your practitioner account credentials and navigate to the MCQ examination booking section.
  3. Select your Pearson VUE test centre and date — the AMC will direct you to the Pearson VUE booking system. Search for available test centres near you. The exam is available year-round at most major Pearson VUE centres. Book 2 to 4 weeks in advance at a minimum — popular centres in high-demand locations (Mumbai, Manila, London, Johannesburg) book out weeks to months ahead, particularly around January to March and August to October.
  4. Pay the examination fee — the MCQ examination fee is approximately $2,880 AUD, paid at the time of booking. The fee is non-refundable if you do not attend or cancel within the required notice period. Check the AMC's cancellation policy carefully.
  5. Receive booking confirmation — you will receive confirmation from Pearson VUE with your exam date, time, test centre address, and instructions. Print or save this confirmation and read all instructions carefully.

Important practical note: bring two forms of identification to the test centre on exam day — one must be a current government-issued photo ID (such as your passport). The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your AMC booking. If your name on your ID differs in any way from your booking (different transliteration, nickname, title), contact Pearson VUE in advance to resolve this.

Preparation Strategies

The AMC MCQ is a challenging examination and requires a systematic, dedicated study program. Candidates who are not adequately prepared frequently underestimate its difficulty and focus. The following strategies are drawn from the experiences of successful candidates:

Recommended Study Duration

Most successful candidates dedicate 3 to 6 months of focused preparation for the AMC MCQ. The appropriate duration for you depends on your recency of medical training, how long you have been in clinical practice, your familiarity with Australian clinical guidelines, and your existing knowledge of the examination format. Candidates who have been in postgraduate specialist training for many years and away from general medicine may need the full 6 months or more. Recent graduates with broad general medical knowledge may prepare effectively in 3 months. Honest self-assessment is important — do not rush this phase.

Essential Study Resources

  • AMC Question Books (Volumes 1 and 2) — published by the AMC, these are the most authoritative preparation resource and contain sample questions representative of the exam style. Working through both volumes thoroughly should be the foundation of your preparation.
  • AMC-specific question banks — third-party question banks including AMC MCQ Bank, Pastest AMC, and similar platforms provide thousands of practice questions with detailed explanations. Regular question bank practice is the single most effective preparation strategy identified by successful candidates.
  • Standard medical textbooks — Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine and Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine remain valuable reference texts for filling knowledge gaps identified during question bank practice.
  • Australian-specific clinical resources — this is where many overseas doctors fall short. The exam expects knowledge of Australian clinical practice, not just generic medical knowledge. Essential Australian resources include: Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG Complete) — the standard Australian reference for drug treatment guidelines; MIMS Australia — Australian drug reference; articles from the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA); and guidelines from the National Heart Foundation of Australia, Diabetes Australia, Cancer Australia, and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

Study Techniques That Work

  • Question-first learning — rather than reading chapters then answering questions, attempt questions first, then review explanations and underlying concepts for every question whether you got it right or wrong. This approach is more efficient and embeds knowledge more durably.
  • Spaced repetition — use flashcard systems (Anki or similar) to review high-yield facts at optimal intervals. This is particularly effective for pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and diagnostic criteria.
  • Track your weak areas — most question bank platforms identify your weakest disciplines. Dedicate proportionally more time to areas where you perform consistently below average.
  • Peer study groups — studying with other IMG candidates preparing for the same exam provides motivation, shared knowledge, and practice in discussing clinical reasoning aloud.
  • Understand Australian drug names — many medications have different generic or brand names in Australia compared to other countries. Become familiar with Australian drug terminology to avoid confusion in exam questions.
  • Learn the Australian healthcare system context — understand Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the public hospital system, and the role of general practitioners as gatekeepers to specialist care. These concepts appear frequently in exam questions.

Exam Technique

  • Read the question stem and all answer options carefully before selecting. Do not jump to the first plausible answer.
  • Use elimination — identify and discard clearly incorrect answers first, then reason between remaining options.
  • Trust your clinical judgment for clinical vignettes. If you would investigate or treat a patient in a particular way based on sound clinical reasoning, that is usually the correct answer.
  • Manage your pace — aim for approximately 90 seconds per question. If you are stuck, make your best choice and move on. Do not let one question consume disproportionate time.
  • Never leave a question unanswered — there is no negative marking, so an educated guess is always better than no answer.

On Exam Day

Good logistics on exam day are important. Stress and disorganisation consume cognitive resources you need for the examination itself. Follow these practical guidelines:

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled start time. Pearson VUE centres have a check-in process that includes identity verification, biometric capture, and a security briefing. Late arrival can result in being denied entry.
  • Bring two forms of identification. Your primary ID must be a current, government-issued photo ID such as your passport. The secondary ID must include your name. Both must match the name on your booking exactly.
  • No study materials are permitted in the test room. All personal items including phones, wallets, watches, and bags are stored in a locker. The test centre provides scratch paper or an erasable notepad for working calculations during the exam.
  • Dress comfortably — test centre temperatures vary. Wearing layers allows you to adjust to the room temperature.
  • Short breaks are permitted between question sets — use these to have water, a light snack, and briefly clear your head. Do not use break time to consult any notes or devices.
  • Plan your route to the test centre in advance — locate the centre on a map the day before, confirm parking or public transport options, and aim to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled start.

After the Exam — Results and Next Steps

AMC MCQ results are typically available within a few business days of sitting the examination, accessible through your online AMC account. You will receive either a Pass or Fail outcome — no score or percentage is provided.

If you passed: congratulations — this is a major milestone. Log in to your AMC account and register for the next available AMC Clinical Examination session in Melbourne. Read our AMC Clinical Examination guide to begin planning your preparation. Note that sessions fill quickly — register as soon as the next session opens for booking, even before your formal preparation has started.

If you failed: you will receive a feedback report identifying your relative performance across clinical disciplines. Review this carefully to understand your areas of weakness. You must wait a minimum of three months before resitting. Use this period productively: restructure your study plan based on the feedback, work through additional question bank practice in weak areas, and ensure you have access to up-to-date Australian clinical guidelines. Candidates who fail the first attempt and approach the resit with a revised, targeted strategy typically perform significantly better on the second attempt.

After passing the MCQ, the next step is the Clinical Exam. Read our comprehensive AMC Clinical Examination guide to understand the OSCE format and start preparing. For full fee information including MCQ costs, visit the Registration Costs page.