Multiple-Choice Question Examinations

The AMC multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination assesses the medical knowledge of IMGs whose basic medical qualifications are not recognised by the Medical Board of Australia. The MCQ examination forms the first assessment component of the AMC pathway and all IMGs are required to pass the MCQ examination in order progress on the pathway towards receiving an AMC Certificate and registration.

The MCQ examination focuses on basic and applied medical knowledge across a wide range of topics and disciplines. IMGs are required to demonstrate:

• understanding of the disease process
• competency in clinical examination, diagnosis, investigation, therapy and management skills
• an ability to exercise judgment and reasoning in distinguishing between the correct diagnosis and plausible alternatives, and
• the capacity to take a patient’s history, conduct a physical examination, formulate diagnostic and management plans, and communicate with patients, their families and other health workers.

The MCQ examination is delivered as a Computer-Based Adaptive Test. The examination is a test of the principles and practice of medicine in the fields of Adult Health – Medicine, Adult Health – Surgery, Women’s Health – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Child Health, Mental Health, and Population Health & Ethics. The multiple-choice questions reflect common clinical conditions in the Australian community. In order to achieve a satisfactory level of performance, a candidate will require a knowledge of pathogenesis, clinical features, investigative findings, differential diagnosis, management and treatment.

In the 2018-19 reporting period a total of 2,487 MCQ examinations were conducted by the AMC in Australia or in one of 90 controlled examination facilities internationally. This was consistent with numbers for the previous year.

Of that number 1,794 IMGs were presenting for the first time. The number of first time IMGs and those undertaking retests was consistent with the previous year.

A total of 1,558 IMGs passed the examination and qualified to proceed to the AMC clinical examination.