The AMC Clinical Exam: What International Medical Graduates Need to Know

If you're an international medical graduate (IMG) aiming to work in Australia, understanding the AMC Clinical Examination is a key step in the Standard Pathway for general medical registration.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the structure, content, registration process, venue options, scoring, and what to expect on the day.

What is the AMC Clinical Exam?

The AMC Clinical Examination assesses whether international doctors meet the same clinical standards as final-year Australian medical students before they begin internship.

It’s designed to evaluate core competencies including:

• History-taking
• Physical examination
• Diagnostic reasoning
• Management planning
• Communication and patient interaction

Eligibility

To sit the AMC Clinical Examination, candidates must first pass the AMC CAT MCQ Exam.

Structure of the AMC Clinical Exam

The exam follows an integrated, multidisciplinary format to simulate real-world clinical practice.

Exam Format

• 20 stations in total: 16 assessed stations + 4 rest stations
• Time per station: 10 minutes
• 2 minutes to read the scenario
• 8 minutes for assessment

Candidates rotate through scenarios that may include simulated patients, charts, video recordings, or digital images, covering both hospital and community-based care.

What’s Assessed?

Each station focuses on one of four core clinical domains:

1. History Taking – e.g. evaluating a patient with chest pain
2. Physical Examination – e.g. examining for suspected vascular disease
3. Diagnostic Formulation – e.g. interpreting lab or imaging results
4. Management, Counselling & Education – e.g. providing asthma inhaler advice

Example Scenarios:

• Interviewing a carer about a child’s illness
• Diagnosing a skin lesion
• Educating a patient on weight management strategies

Rest Stations

Candidates receive four rest stations spaced throughout the exam. These are supervised and not scored, offering a short break between clinical tasks.

Registration Process

Register via the AMC Candidate Portal. Key points:

• You can only apply for one clinical exam at a time.
• Results from any previous exam must be received before registering again.
• If you appeal an exam result, you must wait until the outcome before reapplying.

Exam Delivery: In-Person & Online

The exam is available both in-person in Australia and online via video conferencing:

• Online Format: Virtual clinical stations assessed by examiners via video
• In-Person Format: Held at approved locations in Australia using standardised patients

Scoring and Pass Criteria

• 14 of the 16 clinical stations are scored
• 2 pilot stations are non-assessed but may be used if technical issues arise
• To pass, candidates must successfully complete at least 9 out of the 14 assessed stations

There’s no limit to how many times you can sit the clinical exam.

Fees and Charges

For the latest breakdown of AMC fees, visit the AMC website here.

Need Support With the AMC Process?

At Globe Healthcare, we guide IMGs through every step of the AMC process – from MCQ and clinical exams to AHPRA registration and securing your ideal job in Australia.

Whether you're based in the UK, already in Australia, or returning after time overseas, we’re here to help. Contact our team today and take the next step toward practising medicine in Australia.