AMC Exam Dates 2026: Complete Schedule & Registration Guide for International Medical Graduates

Planning your AMC exam schedule is a critical step in your journey to practising medicine in Australia. Whether you are preparing for the MCQ Computer Adaptive Test or the Clinical examination, understanding the available dates, registration process, and scheduling strategies can make a significant difference in your preparation and outcomes.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about AMC exam dates in 2026, including the MCQ CAT schedule, Clinical examination dates, how to register step-by-step, rescheduling policies, and strategic tips for choosing the best exam date based on your preparation timeline and visa situation. We also cover what to bring on exam day, how results are delivered, and how to plan your entire AMC pathway timeline from first exam to AHPRA registration.

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AMC MCQ CAT Exam: Available Year-Round at Pearson VUE

How the MCQ CAT Scheduling Works

Unlike traditional exam sessions with fixed monthly dates, the AMC MCQ is now delivered as a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide. This means the exam is available year-round on any day that your chosen Pearson VUE centre is open.

Here is how the process works:

1. You apply to the AMC and receive your 12-month authorisation (fee: $2,920)
2. You create an account with Pearson VUE and link it to your AMC authorisation
3. You search for available test centres, dates, and times at pearsonvue.com/amc
4. You select your preferred appointment and confirm the booking
5. You can reschedule without penalty up until the Pearson VUE cancellation deadline (typically 24-48 hours before your appointment, depending on the centre)

The key advantage of the year-round CAT format is scheduling flexibility. You are not locked into a specific exam window or forced to wait for the next available session. You can sit the exam whenever you feel genuinely ready, at whichever Pearson VUE centre is most convenient for your location.

Important: Your 12-month authorisation begins on the date the AMC grants it, not the date you schedule your exam. If your authorisation expires before you sit the exam, you lose your fee and must reapply.

Pearson VUE Test Centre Locations

Pearson VUE operates hundreds of professional test centres across every continent. Popular locations for AMC candidates include:

Australia: Sydney (multiple centres), Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Darwin, Newcastle, Geelong, Townsville India: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kochi, Jaipur United Kingdom: London (multiple centres), Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff Middle East: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, Kuwait City, Muscat, Amman Southeast Asia: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Colombo Africa: Nairobi, Lagos, Cairo, Johannesburg, Accra, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam

You can search for your nearest test centre and check real-time seat availability at pearsonvue.com/amc. The website shows available dates and times for each centre, updated in real time as bookings are made and cancelled.

Tips for Securing Your Preferred MCQ Date

• Book 4-6 weeks in advance to guarantee your preferred date and location. Last-minute bookings are possible but risky at high-demand centres.
• Major city centres (Sydney CBD, Melbourne CBD, London, Dubai) tend to book out fastest. If your preferred date is unavailable, check suburban or regional centres within driving distance.
• Weekday appointments are generally easier to secure than weekends. Tuesday through Thursday tend to have the best availability.
• Regional centres often have immediate availability even when capital city centres are booked out. For example, candidates in Sydney might find earlier availability at Newcastle or Wollongong.
• Check for cancellations — other candidates frequently reschedule, so dates that were previously full may become available. Check the Pearson VUE site regularly if your preferred date was initially unavailable.

MCQ Results Timeline

After sitting your MCQ exam, your results are processed and released according to a predictable schedule:

• Processing time: approximately 3 weeks after your exam date
• Release day: typically Friday at 4pm AEST
• Delivery method: available through the AMC online portal; you receive an email notification
• Score report contents: overall score on the 0-500 scale (pass mark: 250), performance breakdown by clinical domain, and a pass or fail determination

If you pass the MCQ, you can immediately begin preparing for and applying to sit the Clinical examination. If you do not pass, you will need to apply for a new 12-month authorisation (another $2,920) before attempting again. There is no limit on the number of attempts, but each requires a new authorisation and fee.

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AMC Clinical Examination Dates 2026

The Clinical examination operates on a fundamentally different schedule from the MCQ. Rather than year-round availability at test centres worldwide, Clinical exam placements are released in blocks by the AMC, and candidates must apply for specific dates.

In-Person Clinical Exam at NTC Melbourne

In-person Clinical examinations are conducted at the National Test Centre (NTC) in Melbourne, Victoria. The exam consists of 16 stations (14 scored stations plus 2 rest stations), with each station lasting 8 minutes. You rotate through the stations, encountering a mix of history taking, counselling, examination, and procedural scenarios with trained simulated patients and examiners.

2026 in-person scheduling status:

Period	Status	Details
January - April 2026	Completed	Results released
May - August 2026	Full	All placements allocated
September - December 2026	Not yet released	Expected to open late June 2026

In-person placements are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis when each block is released. Demand consistently exceeds supply, and placements for popular date blocks can fill within days or even hours of opening. To maximise your chances of securing a placement:

• Set a reminder for late June 2026 to check the AMC portal daily
• Have your payment details ready so you can complete the booking immediately
• Check the AMC website and social media for announcements about the exact release date
• Be flexible on specific dates within the September-December block — if your first-choice date is taken, accept any available date rather than waiting for the next block

Online Clinical Exam Dates

The online Clinical examination uses the same 16-station format conducted via a secure video platform. Online placements are released separately from in-person placements and prioritise candidates in rural and remote areas of Australia who may have difficulty travelling to Melbourne.

Confirmed 2026 online dates:

Dates	Status
Wednesday 27 May 2026	Accepting applications (priority: rural/remote IMGs)
Thursday 28 May 2026	Accepting applications (priority: rural/remote IMGs)
Additional 2026 online dates	To be announced by the AMC

The online format costs $3,400 (compared to $3,000 for in-person), reflecting the additional technology infrastructure and logistics involved. However, it eliminates the need to travel to Melbourne, which can be a significant saving for candidates based outside Victoria.

Online Clinical Exam Technical Requirements

If you choose or are allocated the online format, you must meet these technical requirements:

• Internet connection: minimum 10 Mbps upload and download speed; a wired Ethernet connection is strongly recommended over WiFi
• Webcam: HD quality (720p minimum), positioned at eye level, with good lighting on your face
• Microphone: clear audio quality; a headset with built-in microphone is preferred to reduce echo and background noise
• Room: quiet, private, well-lit room with no other people present; no interruptions permitted during the exam
• Computer: the AMC will provide specific software and browser requirements before your exam date
• Backup internet: have a mobile hotspot available in case your primary connection fails during the exam

The AMC conducts a mandatory pre-exam technical check several days before the exam to verify your setup meets all requirements. If your setup fails the check, you may need to find an alternative location or be rescheduled.

Important: Technical failures during the exam (such as internet dropping out) may result in the affected station being voided. While the AMC will attempt to accommodate genuine technical issues, prevention is far better than remediation. Test your setup thoroughly before the pre-exam check.

Clinical Exam Pass Mark

As of March 2024, the Clinical examination pass mark is 9 out of 14 stations (previously 10 out of 14). This change was implemented following a review of the standard-setting methodology and represents a meaningful reduction in the pass threshold.

Each station is graded independently by the examiner using a structured marking guide. The pass or fail determination for each station is made using a borderline regression method, which compares your performance against the expected standard for a minimally competent practitioner.

Clinical exam results are released approximately 3 weeks after the exam date, following the same Friday 4pm AEST pattern as the MCQ.

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How to Register for Your AMC Exams: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create an AMC Account and Verify Your Identity

Create an account on the AMC online portal at amc.org.au. You will need to provide:

• Valid email address (this will be your primary contact for all AMC communications)
• Passport details (full legal name as shown on your passport)
• Primary medical qualification details (university, country, year of graduation)
• English language test results (IELTS, OET, or PTE) or proof of exemption
• Passport-style photograph

The AMC will verify your identity and qualifications. This process may involve contacting your medical school or verification bodies (such as ECFMG/EPIC) to confirm your degree.

Step 2: Apply for MCQ Authorisation and Pay the Fee

Submit your MCQ authorisation application through the AMC portal with:

• All required identity and qualification documents
• English language proficiency evidence meeting the minimum requirements
• Payment of the $2,920 authorisation fee (credit card, debit card, bank transfer, or BPAY)

Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks, though it can be longer during peak periods or if additional document verification is required. The AMC may request supplementary documentation — respond promptly to avoid delays.

Step 3: Schedule Your MCQ via Pearson VUE

Once your authorisation is granted, you receive a notification from the AMC and can schedule your exam:

1. Create a Pearson VUE account at pearsonvue.com/amc (if you do not already have one)
2. Link your AMC authorisation to your Pearson VUE account using your AMC candidate number
3. Search for available test centres, dates, and times
4. Select your preferred appointment and confirm the booking
5. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details, test centre address, and reporting time

Step 4: Exam Day — What to Bring and Expect

On the day of your MCQ exam:

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early — late arrivals may be turned away and counted as a no-show
• Bring two forms of identification:
  • Primary ID (with photo and signature): valid passport, driver's licence, or national identity card
  • Secondary ID (with signature): credit or debit card, or additional government-issued ID
  • All documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations
• Biometric verification: expect signature capture and a photograph at the test centre for identity verification
• Personal items: all personal items (phone, bag, watch, notes) must be stored in a locker provided by the test centre. You cannot access them during the exam.
• Exam format: 150 multiple-choice questions over 3.5 hours in Computer Adaptive Test format. The difficulty of questions adjusts based on your performance.

Step 5: After Passing the MCQ — Apply for Clinical Exam Placement

After receiving your MCQ pass result:

1. Log into the AMC portal
2. Check the Clinical examination schedule for available placement blocks
3. Apply for your preferred format (in-person at $3,000 or online at $3,400)
4. Pay the Clinical examination fee
5. Begin dedicated Clinical exam preparation (allow 3-6 months)

Step 6: After Passing Both Exams — Apply to AHPRA

Once you have passed both the MCQ and Clinical examinations:

1. Apply to AHPRA for provisional or general registration through ahpra.gov.au
2. Pay the application fee (~$720) and first annual registration fee ($1,058, or $908 in NSW)
3. Processing takes approximately 4-8 weeks
4. Once registered, you can commence supervised medical practice in Australia

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Rescheduling and Cancellation Policies

MCQ Rescheduling (through Pearson VUE)

Action	Policy
Reschedule before Pearson VUE deadline (24-48 hours before exam)	Free — no penalty, unlimited reschedules
Reschedule after Pearson VUE deadline	May incur a fee or the appointment may be forfeited
Cancel MCQ authorisation through AMC (before expiry)	$1,460 cancellation fee retained by AMC; ~$1,460 refunded
Cancel after AMC authorisation expires	No refund available
No-show on exam day	Counted as your attempt — no refund, authorisation used

Clinical Exam Rescheduling

Action	Policy
Withdraw before the AMC closing date for your placement	Partial refund may apply — contact AMC directly
Withdraw after the closing date	Requires exceptional circumstances with supporting documentation
Medical emergency on or before exam day	Submit a medical certificate within 7 days for AMC review
No-show without prior notification	Counted as an attempt — no refund

Key advice: Always communicate with the AMC as early as possible if you need to change your plans. The earlier you notify them, the more options are typically available. Do not simply fail to attend — a no-show is treated as a used attempt with no refund.

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Strategic Tips for Choosing the Best Exam Date

1. Work Backwards from Your Target Start Date in Australia

If you have a target date for beginning supervised medical practice in Australia, plan your exam timeline in reverse:

Step	Typical Duration	Working Backwards
AHPRA registration processing	4-8 weeks	Latest: 2 months before start
Clinical exam results	3 weeks	Latest: 3 months before start
Clinical exam preparation	3-6 months	Latest: 6-9 months before start
MCQ results	3 weeks	Latest: 9-10 months before start
MCQ preparation	3-6 months	Start: 12-16 months before target

Example timeline: If you want to start work in January 2027, you should ideally begin MCQ preparation by September 2025, sit the MCQ by March 2026, pass the Clinical by September 2026, and apply to AHPRA by October 2026.

2. Consider Your Visa Timeline Carefully

For IMGs applying for Australian visas, coordinating your exam schedule with your immigration timeline is essential to avoid costly delays:

• Employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482): Some employers require AMC certification before they can nominate you. Confirm requirements with your prospective employer.
• Skilled migration visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491): You may need a positive skills assessment from the AMC before lodging your visa application. The AMC's skills assessment process is separate from the exam pathway.
• Visa processing times: Skilled migration visas can take 3-18 months to process. Plan your exam schedule so that you have your results before you need them for visa purposes.
• Bridging visas: If you are in Australia on a bridging visa, check your work rights and whether you can commence supervised practice while your substantive visa is being processed.

3. Avoid Peak Demand Periods If Possible

Certain months see higher demand for both MCQ and Clinical exam appointments:

• January-March: Candidates with authorisations granted in the previous year often rush to sit before their 12-month window closes
• September-November: Candidates aiming to secure hospital positions starting in the February intake

If you have flexibility, scheduling during April-August may give you better Pearson VUE centre availability and potentially a quieter testing environment.

4. Allow Adequate Buffer Between MCQ and Clinical

Do not rush into the Clinical exam immediately after receiving MCQ results. The two exams require fundamentally different preparation:

• MCQ: Knowledge-based — multiple choice questions testing recall, diagnosis, investigation, and management
• Clinical: Skills-based — face-to-face OSCE stations testing communication, history taking, physical examination, counselling, and procedural skills

Most successful candidates allow 3-6 months of dedicated Clinical preparation after passing the MCQ. With Clinical pass rates historically around 21-24%, adequate preparation is essential. Rushing into the Clinical underprepared wastes both your fee ($3,000-$3,400) and a placement spot.

5. Have a Backup Plan for Scheduling

If your preferred MCQ date is unavailable at your nearest Pearson VUE centre:

• Check other centres within reasonable travelling distance
• Check other dates in the same week or the following week
• Consider sitting at a centre in a different city or country if you have travel flexibility
• Monitor for cancellations by checking the Pearson VUE website regularly — released spots are immediately available for booking

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Frequently Asked Questions

See the FAQ section below for quick answers to common questions about AMC exam scheduling and dates.

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Related reading:

• AMC Exam Fees 2025-2026: Complete Cost Breakdown
• AMC MCQ Pass Standard Changes 2026

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Information current as of April 2026. Exam dates and availability are subject to change. Always verify on the official AMC website and Pearson VUE before making commitments or payments.