AMC Exam for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) 2026–2027: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Fees, Syllabus, Preparation & Australia Registration Guide

AMC Exam for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) is one of the major pathways for overseas-trained doctors who want to pursue medical registration and practise in Australia. The Australian Medical Council (AMC) assesses the medical knowledge and clinical skills of eligible international medical graduates through its Standard Pathway.

This guide explains the AMC pathway, eligibility, document verification, AMC CAT MCQ, Clinical Examination, WBA, fees, preparation strategy and the pathway towards medical registration in Australia.

What Is the AMC Exam?

The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is involved in assessing International Medical Graduates who seek registration pathways in Australia.

The AMC Standard Pathway is designed for IMGs who have an eligible overseas medical qualification and are seeking general registration but are not eligible for the Competent Authority Pathway.

The AMC itself conducts the assessment process; medical registration is ultimately handled by the Medical Board of Australia.

Under the Standard Pathway, candidates need to complete the required AMC assessments to obtain an AMC Certificate.

Who Needs the AMC Pathway?

The AMC Standard Pathway may be relevant to International Medical Graduates who:

• Completed their primary medical qualification outside Australia.
• Have an eligible medical degree and medical school.
• Want to pursue general registration in Australia.
• Are not eligible for another registration pathway such as the Competent Authority Pathway.

Eligibility depends on factors including the medical school, qualification title and graduation year. Candidates should check their individual eligibility through the AMC before committing to the examination pathway.

AMC Standard Pathway: Step-by-Step

The exact registration requirements after the AMC assessment can depend on the candidate’s circumstances and the requirements of the Medical Board/Ahpra.

AMC Account and Portfolio

Eligible candidates generally begin by creating an AMC account and establishing the required AMC portfolio.

The portfolio is used to manage information related to the candidate’s qualifications, verification and AMC assessment pathway.

Primary Source Verification of Medical Qualification

International medical graduates must have their primary medical qualification appropriately verified.

The AMC states that the medical degree needs to go through the required verification process, with verification involving the appropriate external credential-verification process and the issuing medical institution.

Before starting the process, candidates should confirm that their medical school, qualification title and graduation year are eligible.

AMC CAT MCQ Examination

The AMC CAT MCQ Examination is the major computer-based written assessment in the Standard Pathway.

AMC describes it as a computer-administered, fully integrated multiple-choice examination delivered in a single 3.5-hour session.

AMC MCQ Exam Pattern

The AMC states that all 150 scored items are expected to be completed.

AMC MCQ Syllabus

The examination assesses essential medical knowledge relevant to safe clinical practice. Major areas include:

• General Practice
• Internal Medicine
• Paediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Surgery
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Questions may assess disease processes, clinical examination, diagnosis, investigation, therapy and management.

What Type of Knowledge Is Tested?

• Clinical diagnosis
• Differential diagnosis
• Investigation selection
• Interpretation of clinical information
• Initial management
• Definitive management principles
• Emergency medicine concepts
• Preventive and community medicine concepts
• Communication and culturally safe practice

AMC MCQ Pass Standard: 2026 Update

There is an important 2026 update for candidates.

The AMC announced a slight increase in the MCQ pass standard from 2026. Candidate performance continues to be reported on a 0–500 scale, with the pass mark described as 250, while the updated cut score is integrated into this scale.

This means candidates preparing for the 2026–2027 examination should use the latest AMC examination specifications rather than relying only on older preparation advice.

AMC MCQ Preparation App

The AMC introduced a free MCQ preparation app in 2025. According to the AMC, it contains practice questions with feedback and remains available to candidates scheduling an MCQ examination in 2026.

Candidates should also review the official AMC MCQ Examination Specifications because it explains the examination format, content and preparation guidance.

How to Prepare for AMC MCQ

A structured preparation strategy is generally more useful than simply solving large numbers of questions.

Step 1: Understand the AMC Blueprint

Start with the official examination specifications and understand what the AMC expects from an IMG.

Step 2: Strengthen Clinical Concepts

Focus on understanding diagnosis and management rather than memorising isolated facts.

Step 3: Build a Question Bank Routine

Practise clinical MCQs regularly. After each question, review why the correct option is correct and why the other options are less appropriate.

Step 4: Focus on Australian Clinical Practice

Australian clinical guidelines, terminology and healthcare principles may differ from those used in the country where you completed medical school. Understanding Australian practice is therefore important.

Step 5: Practise Time Management

With 150 questions in a 3.5-hour examination, candidates need to develop an efficient approach to reading clinical stems and selecting the best answer.

AMC Clinical Examination

After passing the AMC CAT MCQ, eligible candidates may proceed to the AMC Clinical Examination, unless they pursue an approved alternative such as the WBA pathway.

The AMC Clinical Examination assesses clinical skills in medicine, surgery, women’s health, paediatrics and mental health. It also assesses communication with patients, families and other healthcare professionals.

Clinical Exam Structure

The examination comprises 16 assessed stations and four rest stations. Stations are 10 minutes long, consisting of reading time followed by assessment time.

The AMC also states that 14 scored stations determine the overall pass/fail result, while two stations are pilot stations.

Clinical Examination Domains

• History taking
• Physical examination
• Diagnostic formulation
• Management
• Counselling
• Patient education
• Communication skills

AMC Clinical Examination Fee

Current AMC-listed fees include:

• In-person Clinical Examination: AUD $3,000
• Online Clinical Examination: AUD $3,400

These reduced fees have applied since July 2025.

What Is Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA)?

Workplace-Based Assessment is an alternative assessment option to the AMC Clinical Examination for eligible candidates.

The WBA program assesses a doctor’s clinical knowledge and performance in an approved workplace over a period of approximately 6–12 months.

Importantly, candidates must have passed the AMC CAT MCQ and obtained the relevant Medical Board registration required to work in an approved clinical position before entering an AMC-accredited WBA program.

AMC Fees 2026

These are AMC-listed fees and do not represent the complete cost of moving to or working in Australia. Candidates may also have expenses related to credential verification, English-language testing, travel, accommodation, preparation resources and registration.

How Much Money Should an IMG Budget?

There is no single fixed total because the cost depends on the candidate’s pathway, preparation, travel and registration circumstances.

For a Standard Pathway candidate, the major AMC assessment fees alone can add up to several thousand Australian dollars. Therefore, candidates should prepare a realistic financial plan before starting.

AMC Exam vs PLAB

AMC and PLAB should not be considered interchangeable examinations. They belong to different national registration systems and have different eligibility, assessment and registration requirements.

AMC Pathway for Bangladeshi Doctors

For a Bangladeshi medical graduate considering Australia, the first step should be checking whether the medical school and primary medical qualification meet the AMC requirements.

A sensible preparation sequence is:

1. Check medical school and qualification eligibility.
2. Create the required AMC account.
3. Establish the AMC portfolio.
4. Complete primary source verification requirements.
5. Meet applicable English-language requirements.
6. Apply for AMC CAT MCQ authorisation.
7. Prepare and sit the AMC CAT MCQ.
8. After passing, proceed to the appropriate clinical assessment route.
9. Obtain the AMC Certificate when all required assessments are completed.
10. Proceed with the Medical Board of Australia/Ahpra registration process.

How Long Does the AMC Pathway Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline.

The overall duration depends on:

• Credential verification time
• English-language requirements
• MCQ preparation time
• Availability of examination places
• Clinical examination scheduling
• WBA availability, if applicable
• Registration requirements
• Individual employment and immigration circumstances

Therefore, candidates should avoid websites or agents promising a guaranteed registration timeline.

AMC Clinical Exam Preparation Tips

• Practise structured history taking.
• Use a systematic physical examination approach.
• Practise explaining diagnoses clearly.
• Develop safe management plans.
• Practise counselling and patient education.
• Improve communication with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Review Australian clinical practice and terminology.
• Practise timed stations with colleagues.
• Review official AMC clinical examination specifications.

The AMC specifically recommends reviewing the Clinical Examination Specifications, briefing materials, suggested reading list and examiner tips.

Common Mistakes Made by IMGs

1. Starting preparation without checking eligibility.
2. Relying only on old AMC information.
3. Ignoring Australian clinical practice.
4. Memorising MCQ answers without understanding the clinical reasoning.
5. Underestimating communication skills for the clinical examination.
6. Not planning the financial cost of multiple stages.
7. Assuming passing AMC automatically means immediate unrestricted registration.

Does Passing AMC Mean You Can Immediately Work as a Doctor in Australia?

No. Passing the required AMC assessments and obtaining the AMC Certificate is an important milestone, but it is not itself the same as being granted medical registration.

The AMC states that the AMC Certificate enables an eligible candidate to apply for registration with the Medical Board of Australia. Registration is handled through the relevant Australian registration process.

What Happens After the AMC Certificate?

After completing the required Standard Pathway assessments and obtaining the AMC Certificate, the candidate can proceed with the relevant application for registration with the Medical Board of Australia.

Additional requirements may apply depending on the candidate’s circumstances, including English-language proficiency, recency of practice, criminal history checks, professional references, supervised practice and other registration requirements.

AMC 2026–2027: Important Things to Remember

Frequently Asked Questions About AMC Exam

What does AMC stand for?

AMC stands for Australian Medical Council.

What is AMC CAT MCQ?

It is the computer-administered multiple-choice examination used in the AMC Standard Pathway for eligible International Medical Graduates.

How many questions are in the AMC MCQ?

The examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions with five response options and one correct response.

How long is the AMC MCQ?

The examination is conducted in one 3.5-hour session.

What comes after AMC MCQ?

After passing AMC CAT MCQ, candidates can proceed to the AMC Clinical Examination or, where eligible, an AMC-accredited WBA pathway.

Is AMC Clinical Examination compulsory?

Not necessarily. The Standard Pathway allows the AMC Clinical Examination or an eligible AMC-accredited Workplace-Based Assessment pathway.

How much is the AMC MCQ fee?

The current AMC-listed CAT MCQ authorisation fee is AUD $2,920.

How much is the AMC Clinical Examination?

The current fee is AUD $3,000 for the in-person examination and AUD $3,400 for the online examination.

Is AMC the same as PLAB?

No. AMC is associated with the Australian medical registration pathway, whereas PLAB is part of the UK GMC pathway.

Can Bangladeshi doctors take the AMC pathway?

Eligible Bangladeshi medical graduates may pursue the AMC Standard Pathway if their medical qualification, medical school and other requirements meet the applicable criteria.

Final Advice for International Medical Graduates

The AMC pathway can be a demanding but structured route for eligible International Medical Graduates who want to build a medical career in Australia.

The most important strategy is to avoid treating the AMC as simply another MCQ examination. The pathway involves credential verification, medical knowledge assessment, clinical skills assessment and eventually the Australian medical registration process.

For 2026–2027 candidates, always use the latest AMC examination specifications and official fee information because examination standards, scheduling arrangements and fees can change.

Official Sources

• Australian Medical Council – Standard Pathway
• Australian Medical Council – AMC CAT MCQ Examination
• Australian Medical Council – Clinical Examination
• Australian Medical Council – Fees and Charges
• Australian Medical Council – AMC Certificate

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. AMC examination rules, fees, scheduling, eligibility criteria and Australian medical registration requirements can change. Candidates should confirm the latest information directly with the Australian Medical Council and the Medical Board of Australia before applying.