If you are an Indian medical graduate planning to practise medicine in Australia, you may be wondering what the AMC Exam is and how it fits into the Australian medical registration process. The Australian Medical Council (AMC) assesses international medical graduates (IMGs) through the Standard Pathway for those seeking general registration in Australia.
For guidance on the complete pathway, including exam preparation and registration planning, you can also refer to our AMC Exam Coaching Center in India page.
The AMC pathway is not just one examination. Under the Standard Pathway, eligible IMGs generally complete the AMC CAT MCQ Examination and then either the AMC Clinical Examination or an AMC-accredited Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) programme.
What Is the AMC Exam?
The AMC Exam is part of the assessment process used for international medical graduates who want to obtain general registration in Australia through the Standard Pathway.
The assessment is designed to check whether an IMG has medical knowledge, clinical skills and professional abilities comparable with those expected of Australian medical graduates entering internships.
The main assessment options are:
- AMC CAT MCQ Examination
- AMC Clinical Examination
- AMC-accredited Workplace Based Assessment (WBA)
The CAT MCQ is required before proceeding to the clinical examination or WBA pathway.
AMC Exam Eligibility
AMC eligibility depends on your medical qualification, verification requirements and the registration pathway applicable to your circumstances.
Indian medical graduates should first check whether their primary medical qualification can be accepted for the relevant Australian registration pathway.
The process normally involves:
- Creating an AMC account
- Providing qualification information
- Primary source verification of the medical qualification
- Completing the required AMC portfolio steps
- Applying for the relevant examination
- Meeting Medical Board of Australia registration requirements
It is important to check eligibility before paying examination fees because assessment and registration requirements are separate parts of the overall process.
AMC CAT MCQ Examination
The AMC CAT MCQ is the computer-based written assessment of medical knowledge.
The current examination contains 150 multiple-choice questions and is delivered in a 3.5-hour session. Each question has five answer options with one correct response.
The examination covers areas such as:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Clinical examination and diagnosis
- Investigation and management
- Population health and professional practice
AMC CAT MCQ Exam Pattern
The CAT format means that the difficulty of questions can adapt according to a candidate’s responses. The examination assesses medical knowledge and its application to common clinical situations.
Candidates should therefore prepare for clinical reasoning rather than relying only on memorising facts.
The AMC has also introduced a free preparation resource containing practice questions for candidates scheduling an MCQ examination.
AMC CAT MCQ Fees
The AMC currently lists the CAT MCQ examination fee at AUD $2,920.
This is only one part of the overall cost. Indian medical graduates should also consider expenses related to primary source verification, document processing, travel where applicable, preparation resources, clinical assessment and registration.
Fees can change, so candidates should confirm the current amount with the AMC before making payment.
AMC Clinical Examination
After passing the AMC CAT MCQ, eligible candidates can proceed to the AMC Clinical Examination.
The clinical examination assesses practical clinical skills, communication and clinical reasoning. It covers areas including:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Women’s health
- Pediatrics
- Mental health
- History taking
- Physical examination
- Diagnostic formulation
- Management and counselling
The current examination consists of 16 assessed stations and four rest stations. Each station is 10 minutes, including two minutes of reading time and eight minutes of assessment time.
AMC Clinical Exam Fees
The current AMC fee is
- AUD $3,000 for the in-person Clinical Examination
- AUD $3,400 for the online clinical examination
Candidates should check the latest AMC fee schedule because charges and examination arrangements may change.
AMC WBA Pathway
The AMC WBA pathway is an alternative to the clinical examination for eligible candidates.
Workplace-based assessment takes place in an approved clinical workplace and assesses the candidate’s performance in a real healthcare environment.
However, WBA is not simply another way to skip the AMC process. Candidates must first meet the relevant requirements, pass the AMC CAT MCQ and obtain the registration required to work in an approved clinical position for the WBA program.
Availability also depends on individual WBA providers and their selection requirements.
AMC Exam Registration Process
The AMC registration process can be easier to manage when completed in the correct order.
A typical pathway includes:
- Create an AMC candidate account.
- Submit your medical qualification details.
- Complete primary source verification requirements.
- Establish your AMC portfolio.
- Apply for CAT MCQ authorization.
- Book and pass the AMC CAT MCQ.
- Choose the clinical examination or an eligible WBA pathway.
- Complete the required assessment.
- Receive the AMC certificate after meeting the applicable requirements.
- Continue with Medical Board of Australia registration requirements.
The exact steps can vary depending on your circumstances and the registration pathway available to you.
AMC Certificate & Medical Registration
Passing the required AMC assessments does not automatically mean that you are already registered to practise medicine in Australia.
For the Standard Pathway, the AMC certificate is issued after the required assessment process has been completed and primary source verification requirements have been satisfied.
The AMC certificate allows an eligible candidate to apply for registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
Medical registration is therefore a separate step that should be planned alongside AMC preparation.
AMC Exam Preparation
Successful preparation should cover both medical knowledge and exam technique.
For the CAT MCQ, focus on:
- Common clinical presentations
- Differential diagnosis
- Investigation and interpretation
- Treatment and management
- Australian clinical practice
- Time management
- Practice questions
- Reviewing mistakes systematically
For the clinical examination, preparation should include history taking, examination techniques, clinical reasoning, communication, counselling and structured station practice.
A practical preparation plan should be based on your current level, target examination and available study time rather than simply following a fixed number of study hours.
AMC Exam Dates and Scheduling
AMC examination dates and scheduling arrangements can change throughout the year.
The CAT MCQ is delivered through Pearson VUE, while clinical examination scheduling is managed through the AMC’s systems.
For the clinical examination, availability can be highly competitive. Candidates should monitor AMC announcements and scheduling windows instead of assuming that a preferred month will always be available.
The AMC has also indicated that examination capacity is being increased, with further scheduling information released periodically.
Why Indian Medical Graduates Should Plan Early
The AMC pathway involves more than preparing for an examination. Document verification, eligibility, exam booking, preparation, clinical assessment and registration can all affect the overall timeline.
A common practical mistake is to focus only on the MCQ and think about the Clinical Examination or WBA later.
A better approach is to understand the complete pathway first, then create a realistic plan for documents, examinations, finances and registration.
Final Thoughts
The AMC pathway provides a structured route for eligible international medical graduates seeking general registration in Australia. For Indian doctors, understanding the difference between the CAT MCQ, Clinical Examination, WBA and AMC certificate is important before starting the process.
Requirements, fees and scheduling arrangements can change, so candidates should always verify current information with the Australian Medical Council and the Medical Board of Australia.
MediBridge Education Consultants provides guidance for Indian medical graduates on AMC exam planning, preparation and the broader overseas medical registration pathway.
FAQs
1. What is the AMC Exam for Indian medical graduates?
The AMC Exam is part of Australia’s assessment pathway for eligible international medical graduates seeking general registration through the Standard Pathway. It involves the AMC CAT MCQ and either the clinical examination or an approved workplace-based assessment pathway.
2. What is the AMC CAT MCQ Exam Pattern?
The AMC CAT MCQ contains 150 multiple-choice questions and is completed in a 3.5-hour session. Questions assess medical knowledge and clinical application across major areas such as medicine, surgery, paediatrics, psychiatry and women’s health.
3. How much are AMC CAT MCQ Fees in 2026?
The current AMC CAT MCQ fee is AUD $2,920. This does not represent the complete cost of the Australian registration pathway. Candidates should also budget for verification, preparation, clinical assessment, travel and registration-related expenses where applicable.
4. What is the AMC Clinical Exam?
The AMC Clinical Examination assesses practical clinical skills, communication and clinical reasoning. It currently includes 16 assessed stations and four rest stations, with stations covering areas such as medicine, surgery, women’s health, paediatrics and mental health.
5. Can Indian doctors choose the AMC WBA Pathway?
Eligible international medical graduates can use an AMC-accredited Workplace Based Assessment pathway instead of the Clinical Examination. Candidates must first pass the AMC CAT MCQ and meet the requirements for registration and employment in an approved clinical position.
6. What happens after passing the AMC Exam?
After completing the required AMC assessments and primary source verification, an eligible candidate can receive the AMC certificate. The certificate allows the candidate to apply for registration with the Medical Board of Australia, subject to its separate registration requirements.
7. How should Indian medical graduates prepare for the AMC Exam?
Preparation should combine medical knowledge, clinical reasoning and examination practice. CAT MCQ preparation should focus on common clinical presentations, diagnosis, investigation and management, while clinical examination preparation should include communication, history taking and practical clinical skills.
