You have confirmed you need to sit the AMC exams. Now the real work begins. The AMC Part 1 — formally called the CAT MCQ Exam — is the written knowledge test that every Standard Pathway IMG must pass before they can progress to the clinical exam and, eventually, registration. This post covers exactly what the exam looks like, what it tests, and how to prepare for it effectively.
The exam at a glance
The exam is delivered via Pearson VUE testing centres, available both within Australia and at international locations. You can book your preferred date up to 12 months in advance, giving you significant flexibility in planning your preparation timeline.
What is a Computer Adaptive Test?
The AMC MCQ is not a standard linear exam. It is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) — meaning the exam adapts to your performance in real time. Every candidate receives a unique, personalised paper.
Your first question is chosen randomly from the item bank with no assumptions about your level.
If you answer correctly, the next question increases in difficulty. If you answer incorrectly, the next question is slightly easier.
After every answer, the computer recalculates your estimated ability score based on all responses so far.
At least 50% of questions come from a bank of previously calibrated items. The remaining are new, unscored pilot questions.
All 150 questions must be completed. Leaving questions unanswered risks a “Fail — insufficient data” result regardless of your score on completed items.
Because the exam adapts, you cannot skip questions or go back and change answers in the traditional sense. Never leave a question blank — make your best guess and move on. Time management matters enormously in a CAT format.
The scoring system
Your result is reported on a scale of 0 to 500, with the pass mark set at 250. This pass mark is deliberately calibrated to the level of knowledge expected from a final-year Australian medical student about to begin their intern year — not a specialist, not a professor. A competent, safe, graduating doctor.
Each candidate also receives a personalised performance transcript showing their results by content area, so if you fail, you know exactly where to focus your revision before resitting.
What does the exam actually test?
The MCQ is not about rote learning textbook facts. The AMC is explicit that the exam tests clinical reasoning and judgement — your ability to think like a doctor, not recite like a student. Questions are built around real clinical scenarios and will ask you to distinguish between a correct diagnosis and plausible alternatives.
Every question has five answer options with one correct answer. Questions may include images, ECGs, X-rays, and other visual material. The core content areas are:
How questions are weighted
The AMC distributes questions across patient groups and clinical disciplines. Adult health and general practice make up the largest share of the paper:
The majority of questions are based on common conditions in the Australian community. This means tropical diseases and conditions rare in Australia carry far less weight than cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, mental health, and skin conditions — all of which are highly prevalent in the Australian population.
← Previous: Who Is Eligible for the AMC — and Who Gets a Pass?
How to Book the AMC Part 1 Exam as an IMG
Booking the AMC MCQ is not a single click — it is a multi-step process that spans several weeks and involves three separate organisations: the AMC itself, ECFMG (via the EPIC/MyInterHealth system), and Pearson VUE. Here is the exact sequence, step by step.
Create Your AMC Candidate Account
Your first action is to create a Candidate Account on the official AMC portal at amc.org.au. This account is the foundation of your entire application — everything else is built on top of it.
- Register on the AMC website with your personal details
- You will receive your unique AMC Candidate ID upon registration
- Keep this ID safe — you will need it for every future step
Complete EPIC Verification of Your Medical Degree
This is Primary Source Verification (PSV) — the AMC requires independent confirmation of your medical qualifications directly from your university. This is handled through the ECFMG EPIC / MyInterHealth system.
- Create your account at myinterhealth.org (formerly ECFMG EPIC)
- Have your documents notarised online through the platform
- Upload your primary medical degree (MBBS, MD, or equivalent)
- ECFMG contacts your university directly for primary source verification
- Once verified, send the report to AMC via the EPIC portal — this step is mandatory
This is the slowest step in the entire process — verification can take 2 to 8 weeks depending on how quickly your university responds. Start this as early as possible, ideally on the same day you create your AMC account.
Apply for Your AMC Portfolio (Standard Pathway)
Once your EPIC verification is in progress or complete, you can apply for your AMC Portfolio — this is where the AMC formally assesses your eligibility for the Standard Pathway.
- Log into your AMC account and begin the Portfolio application
- Upload supporting documents: PMDC registration, internship certificate, passport, and any other required credentials
- Pay the application fee (approximately AU$500)
- AMC reviews your eligibility and either approves or requests further documents
You do not need to wait for EPIC to fully complete before starting your Portfolio application — the two processes can run in parallel to save time.
Apply for AMC Part 1 Authorisation
After your AMC Portfolio is approved, you apply for MCQ Exam Authorisation. This is what grants you the official permission to sit the AMC Part 1.
- Submit your authorisation application through your AMC account
- AMC reviews and approves your request — typically within 1 to 3 weeks
- Once approved, you receive a 12-month booking window — this is your window to schedule and sit the exam
Pay the Exam Fee & Activate Pearson VUE Access
After authorisation, you pay the exam fee directly through the AMC portal. This fee covers your exam sitting and cannot be refunded once processed.
- Pay AU$2,920 via credit or debit card on the AMC website
- Your Pearson VUE candidate account is activated automatically after payment
- You can now log into Pearson VUE and see available exam dates and test centres
Important: You cannot view or access available exam dates on Pearson VUE until the fee has been paid. Do not expect to browse slots before completing this step.
Book Your Exam Slot via Pearson VUE
Log into Pearson VUE and book your preferred exam date and location. You have flexibility here — within your 12-month window, you can reschedule as many times as you need at no additional cost.
- The exam runs from February to November each year on selective dates
- You can book up to 12 months in advance
- Reschedule as many times as needed within your 12-month authorisation period
If you are based in Pakistan, you can sit the AMC MCQ without travelling to Australia. Pearson VUE has centres in:
Total Cost Summary
| Step | What you are paying for | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | AMC Candidate Account creation | Free |
| Step 2 | ECFMG EPIC Primary Source Verification (per credential) | ~$110 USD |
| Step 3 | AMC Portfolio application (Standard Pathway eligibility) | ~AU$500 |
| Step 4 | MCQ Authorisation application | Included |
| Step 5 | AMC Part 1 MCQ Exam sitting fee | AU$2,920 |
| Estimated Total (AMC Part 1 only) | ~AU$3,500+ | |
From creating your AMC account to sitting the exam, the process typically takes 3 to 5 months minimum — mostly due to the EPIC verification wait. The earlier you start Steps 1 and 2, the sooner you can get into exam preparation mode with a confirmed date on the calendar.
FAQs
❓ Q1 : What is the passing score for the AMC MCQ exam?
The AMC MCQ exam has a highest score of 500, and any score above 250 is considered a pass. The passing standard is set at the level expected of graduating medical students in Australia, and the AMC reviews this periodically through benchmarking exercises with representatives from Australian medical schools. Results are typically released around four weeks after the exam date. Academically
❓ Q2: What happens if I need to reschedule or cancel my booking?
Candidates may change or cancel their exam date or venue selection up to 21 days before the scheduled examination date, provided a seat is available at the preferred venue. If you do not cancel or reschedule within that window, your authorization and payment will be forfeited. For candidates affected by circumstances beyond their control, support options — including rescheduling considerations — are available through the AMC. Pearson VUE
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