The AMC assessment process is divided into two main components. The first is a computer-based Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) examination delivered as a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT), which runs for approximately three and a half hours. This exam assesses a candidate’s foundational and applied clinical knowledge across a broad range of medical disciplines, including medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, and public health. The adaptive format adjusts the difficulty of questions in real time based on the candidate’s responses, allowing for a more precise evaluation of their overall competence.

Candidates who successfully pass the MCQ component proceed to the second stage, the AMC Clinical Examination. This practical assessment evaluates a doctor’s ability to apply medical knowledge in real-world clinical scenarios. It focuses on essential clinical skills such as taking patient histories, performing physical examinations, communicating effectively with patients and colleagues, formulating differential diagnoses, and developing appropriate management plans. Together, these two components ensure that IMGs possess the clinical reasoning, communication skills, and professional capabilities necessary to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centred care within the Australian healthcare system.