AMC Exam Syllabus and Format Explained Clearly
The AMC exam doesn’t care how many years you’ve practised. It doesn’t care which medical school you attended or which country you trained in. It has one question: are you ready to practise medicine safely in Australia? Everything about its structure – the subjects, the weightings, the clinicals, it is built around answering that question.
And the best way to answer it confidently? Start by understanding exactly what the exam looks like.
About the AMC Exam
The Australian Medical Council (AMC) exam has two parts. Part 1 tests your medical knowledge on paper. Part 2 tests whether you can actually use that knowledge in front of a patient. You need to pass both (in that order) before you can apply for general registration in Australia.
Here’s how each one works.
Part 1: The Written Exam
150 single best answer questions. 3.5 hours. Passing score is 250 out of 500.
It’s computer-based and available at Pearson VUE centres globally, so no travel to Australia required for this one.
Each question gives you a clinical scenario and five answer options. The questions test reasoning, not memorisation. You need to think through the scenario, not just spot a keyword.
Part 2: The Clinical Exam (OSCE)
14 stations. 10 minutes each. You need to pass 9 out of 14.
Held in person at AMC centres in Australia only.
Each station is a different scenario – history taking, physical examination, breaking bad news, counselling, or managing an emergency. Some use actors, some use real patients.
The examiners watch how you communicate, how you reason, and whether you’re safe. Ten minutes goes very fast.
Preparing only from books isn’t enough here. Part 2 is a performance, and it takes practice.
What the Syllabus Covers
Six subject areas. Each has a set weighting.
Adult Health (Medicine) – 30%. The biggest section. Cardiology, respiratory, endocrinology, neurology, gastro, renal, infectious diseases.
Adult Health (Surgery) – 20%. Surgical presentations, acute abdomen, trauma, orthopaedics, peri-operative care.
Women’s Health – 12.5%. Antenatal care, labour, postpartum complications, gynaecological conditions.
Child Health – 12.5%. Paediatrics, neonatal care, development, immunisation, common childhood illnesses.
Mental Health – 12.5%. Psychiatry across all ages, substance use, and Australian mental health legal frameworks.
Population Health and Ethics – 12.5%. Epidemiology, preventive medicine, medical ethics, Australian public health policy.
Medicine and Surgery together make up 50% of the paper. Your study time should reflect that.
Who is the AMC exam actually for?
The AMC exam pathway is for internationally trained doctors whose primary medical qualification is not recognised by Australian authorities. If your degree is from a country with a competent authority agreement like the UK, Ireland, Canada, or New Zealand, you may be eligible for a faster route. Worth checking before you commit to this pathway.
What Happens After You Pass Both Parts?
Passing both parts means you’re eligible to apply for general registration with AHPRA but you’re not quite at the finish line yet.
Most doctors enter a supervised practice period first. This means working under an experienced Australian-registered doctor for a set period, typically in a recognised position at an approved hospital or clinic.
Once supervised practice is completed satisfactorily, you can apply for unconditional general registration and from there, you’re free to practise independently anywhere in Australia. If you are struggling to find the right jobs, you should check out Jobslly.
Final Thought
The AMC exam is demanding but it’s not unpredictable. The format is fixed, the weightings are published, and the expectations are clear. Doctors who do well aren’t necessarily the most experienced ones. They’re the ones who respected the process, prepared smartly, and walked in knowing exactly what to expect.
Now you do too.
