AMC examinations (Standard Pathway)
The AMC examinations are set at the level of attainment of medical knowledge, clinical skills and attitudes required of newly qualified graduates of Australian medical schools who are about to begin intern training.
They consist of a computer adaptive test (CAT) multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination, and either an AMC Clinical examination or Workplace based assessment. Your examination status must be recorded as “Eligible” to be able to proceed with the AMC examinations process (refer to flowchart below):
The AMC CAT MCQ Examination tests knowledge of the principles and practice of medicine in the fields of general practice, internal medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, and obstetrics and gynaecology.
The AMC Clinical Examination assesses clinical skills in medicine, surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics and psychiatry. It also assesses ability to communicate with patients, their families and other health workers.
The AMC Workplace-Based Assessment – before applying for a WBA program directly to a WBA provider, you must have passed the AMC CAT MCQ Examination and granted registration by the Medical Board of Australia in order to be employed in an approved clinical position for WBA.
You must pass the AMC CAT MCQ Examination before you can apply for either the AMC Clinical Examination or Workplace based assessment.
Workplace based assessment (Standard Pathway)
Some IMGs in the Standard Pathway can have their clinical skills and knowledge assessed in the workplace by AMC-accredited providers as an alternative to the AMC Clinical Examination. However, the program currently has limited availability, with a range of assessment programs available. The AMC is not responsible for securing employment for workplace based assessment.
Workplace based assessment of your performance in everyday clinical practice in the Australian healthcare setting tracks your progress in integrating clinical knowledge and skills as a basis for safe and effective clinical judgments and decision making. It also assesses how well you deal with patients and whether you work productively in a team of healthcare professionals.
The content and the assessment standard of accredited workplace based assessment programs are approved by the AMC and overseen by members of the AMC Board of Examiners, who ensure that the format and content of the assessments are consistent with the required standard.
The assessment methods for workplace based assessment programs are rigorous and structured. Disciplines covered include medicine and surgery; obstetrics and gynaecology; paediatrics; and psychiatry.
Eligibility
Before you can take part in a workplace based performance assessment, you must have passed the AMC CAT MCQ Examination and been granted limited registration by the Medical Board of Australia. You need limited registration to be employed in an approved clinical position for workplace based assessment.
MCQ Examination
The AMC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) MCQ Examination is a computer-administered fully integrated multi-choice question examination delivered in one 3.5-hour session in examination centres worldwide.
The examination consists of 150 A-type MCQs (one correct response from five options) It focuses on essential medical knowledge involving understanding of the disease process; clinical examination and diagnosis; and investigation, therapy and management.
You are expected to complete all 150 items. Failure to complete all 150 scored items in the examination may lead to insufficient information for a reliable determination of your ability and therefore a result on the AMC adaptive scale. The examination result is recorded as ‘Fail —Insufficient data to obtain result’.
How to apply for the MCQ examination
You apply to the AMC for authorisation to schedule for a MCQ examination event, either online or by requesting a paper form. You will be issued with a 12-month authorisation to schedule for one MCQ examination event covered in that 12-month period.
MCQ examination venues
Pearson VUE conduct the CAT MCQ examination on behalf of the Australian Medical Council (AMC). AMC CAT MCQ examination events are held at various venues in Australia and other countries. The Pearson VUE test centres which administer AMC CAT MCQ examinations have been selected based on the high security standards which are enforced.
Clinical Examination
Structure of the clinical examination
The AMC clinical examination is an integrated multidisciplinary structured clinical assessment.
The examination comprises 16 assessed stations and 4 rest stations. It is administered either online via a video conferencing format at a location organised by the candidate, or when health restrictions allow, at the National Test Centre in Melbourne (NTC).
Candidates will rotate through a series of stations and will undertake a variety of clinical tasks. All candidates in a clinical examination session will be assessed against the same stations.
Most stations are of 10 minutes duration (comprising two minutes reading time, and eight minutes assessment time).
Stations may use actual patients, simulated patients, or videotaped patient presentations. Other relevant materials, such as charts, digital images and photographs may also be used in the examination.
Pre-requisites for the clinical examination
Candidates must have passed the MCQ examination before being eligible to proceed to the clinical examination.
Clinical Exam Technology requirements
The following technology requirements MUST be strictly complied with, in order to be eligible to take the online clinical examination and for the examination to work properly, should candidates NOT comply with these requirements, they will NOT be permitted to sit for the examination.
-
The device used to undertake the examination must be either a desktop or laptop computer. Tablets and mobile devices cannot be used. Candidates need to ensure they have administrator privileges on their device to enable software installation.
-
The computer must be running the Windows 10 operating system. This can be PC, or an Apple computer set up to dual-boot into Windows 10. OS X is not supported.
-
Screen size needs to be a minimum of 14 inches.
-
A webcam positioned at roughly eye level.
-
Headphone use is compulsory. Candidates must have a 2nd pair of headphones in the event that the first pair experience technology issues. Plug-in headphones / earphones with a microphone are required. Wireless or Bluetooth headphones are not permitted due to risks of battery failure and poor quality audio connection. Failure to wear headphones will result in the Candidate being withdrawn on the day of the examination.
-
Reliable, high speed internet connection.
-
Must have a room available with only themselves being present in the room during the examination and ensure that it is free of distractions for the whole examination.
English language proficiency
The Medical Board of Australia requires international medical graduates to provide proof of English language proficiency for all registration categories unless it has granted an exemption. Therefore, all applicants are advised to make arrangements to obtain that proof before they apply under any of the assessment pathways.
English language proficiency is a requirement of the Medical Board of Australia, not of the AMC. Therefore, the Medical Board is the body responsible for granting exemptions from its requirement.
For more information, click here.