Should I study new topics in my final week before the AMC?

No. The final week should focus exclusively on consolidating what you already know. Starting new topics risks creating anxiety and confusion without meaningfully adding to your exam score. Review high-yield material, practise time management, and ensure you are well-rested.

How many practice questions should I do in the final week?

Do one full 150-question mock exam on Day 7, one or two 75-question half-exams mid-week, and then taper to light practice (30-50 questions) in the final 2 days. The focus should be on reviewing incorrect answers and reinforcing weak areas, not accumulating more questions.

What should I do the night before the AMC exam?

Minimal to no study. Confirm your exam logistics (ID, venue location, timing), prepare clothes and breakfast, and go to bed early aiming for 8+ hours of sleep. Cramming the night before is counterproductive — your brain needs rest to consolidate the months of preparation you have already done.

What drug doses must I know for the AMC MCQ?

Key emergency doses include: adrenaline 0.5mg IM for anaphylaxis, aspirin 300mg for ACS, salbutamol 8-12 puffs via spacer for acute asthma, GTN 300-600mcg sublingual, and naloxone 400mcg IV for opioid overdose. Also know eTG first-line treatments for common conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, asthma, COPD, depression, and community-acquired pneumonia.

What emergency protocols should I review before the AMC MCQ?

Focus on ACS (aspirin, ECG, troponin, PCI vs thrombolysis), anaphylaxis (adrenaline IM first), DKA (fluids, insulin, potassium), PE (Wells score, D-dimer, CTPA, anticoagulation), status epilepticus (benzodiazepines, then phenytoin/levetiracetam), and meningitis (do not delay antibiotics, ceftriaxone IV). Know the initial steps for each.

What Australian-specific topics appear on the AMC MCQ?

Key Australian topics include: eTG first-line drug recommendations, national screening programs (breast, cervical, bowel cancer), immunisation schedules, AHPRA registration and mandatory reporting obligations, Medicare/PBS authority prescriptions, fitness to drive guidelines (Austroads), and notifiable diseases. These are tested specifically because the AMC assesses readiness for Australian practice.

How should I manage anxiety in the final week before the AMC?

Some nervousness is normal and can improve performance. Manage excessive anxiety with 4-7-8 breathing exercises, regular physical exercise (20-30 minutes daily), limiting caffeine, maintaining consistent sleep (7-8 hours), and avoiding online forums where candidates share anxiety-provoking comparisons. Remember that the exam can be retaken and thousands of IMGs pass every year.

What happens on AMC exam day at Pearson VUE?

Arrive 30 minutes early with two forms of ID (passport + driver's licence ideal). You will undergo biometric verification and store personal items in a locker. Scratch paper is provided. The exam is 150 questions over 3.5 hours in CAT format — you cannot go back to previous questions. Results are released approximately 3 weeks after the exam window as pass/fail only.

Last-Minute AMC MCQ Revision: What to Review in Your Final Week

You have been preparing for months. Now, with just one week until your AMC MCQ exam, every study hour matters more than ever. But this final week is not about cramming new information — it is about consolidation, confidence-building, and strategic review of the material you have already learned.

This guide provides a detailed day-by-day plan for your final week, including must-know drug doses, emergency protocols, red flags by system, and Australian-specific topics that frequently appear on the AMC MCQ.

The Final Week Philosophy: Consolidation, Not New Learning

The most important principle for your last week is this: you are not trying to learn new topics. You are reinforcing what you already know and ensuring your most important knowledge is fresh and accessible on exam day.

Research on memory consolidation shows that sleep plays a critical role in transferring short-term memories into long-term storage. Candidates who maintain good sleep in their final week consistently outperform those who sacrifice sleep for extra study hours. Aim for 7-8 hours every night this week — non-negotiable.

What to DO in your final week:

Review high-yield topics you have already studied
Reinforce key facts, drug doses, and clinical algorithms
Complete 1-2 timed practice sessions to maintain exam readiness
Review your error log — your personalised summary of difficult topics
Rest, eat well, and prepare mentally

What NOT to do:

Start any new topic from scratch — it will create anxiety without adding meaningful exam marks
Cram excessively — diminishing returns set in after 4-5 hours of focused study per day
Do excessive practice questions — this week is about review, not volume
Exhaust yourself — you need mental energy for exam day
Read online forums about the exam — they increase anxiety without helping preparation

Day-by-Day Final Week Plan

Day 7 (One Week Out): Diagnostic Assessment

Morning (3 hours): Complete a full-length mock exam — 150 questions, 3.5 hours, strict timing, no breaks. Use the GdayDoctor Exam Mode to simulate the real CAT format.

Afternoon (2 hours): Review every incorrect answer thoroughly. Categorise your errors by topic and type (knowledge gap, misread question, second-guessed, time pressure). This analysis tells you exactly where to focus for the remaining 6 days.

Evening: Light activity, early bed. You have your roadmap for the week.

Day 6: Review Your Weakest Topic (Area 1)

Identify your weakest topic from the Day 7 mock analysis. For most candidates, this is one of the major medicine subspecialties (cardiology, respiratory, endocrinology) or a less-studied area like psychiatry or public health.

Morning (2-3 hours): Focused review of this topic using your notes, audio lectures, and eTG guidelines. Focus on the 20% of content that appears in 80% of questions — first-line treatments, key investigations, red flags.

Afternoon (1-2 hours): Complete 30-50 topic-specific practice questions. Review explanations for any you get wrong.

Evening: Review your error log entries for this topic. Rest.

Day 5: Review Your Weakest Topics (Areas 2 and 3)

Morning (2-3 hours): Review your second weakest topic using the same approach as Day 6.

Afternoon (2 hours): Review your third weakest topic. Complete 25-30 practice questions mixing both topics.

Evening: Light review of flash cards or summary notes. Rest.

Day 4: Timed Half-Exam Simulation

Morning (2 hours): Complete a timed 75-question practice set — this simulates the first half of the real exam and takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

Afternoon (1-2 hours): Review all incorrect answers. Note any recurring patterns in your errors.

Evening: Review the must-know drug doses and emergency protocols listed below. These are guaranteed to appear on the exam.

Day 3: High-Yield Review Day

This is your most important review day. Focus on the material that appears most frequently on the AMC MCQ.

Morning (2-3 hours): Review must-know drug doses, emergency protocols, and red flags (see detailed lists below).

Afternoon (1-2 hours): Review Australian-specific topics — eTG first-line treatments, screening programs, immunisation schedules, Medicare/PBS, AHPRA obligations, mandatory reporting, fitness to drive guidelines.

Evening: Second timed 75-question half-exam if you have the energy. Otherwise, light review and rest.

Day 2: Light Review and Logistics

Morning (1-2 hours): Quick-fire review of your error log — focus only on the key learning points, not the full explanations. Review summary notes or flash cards.

Afternoon: Prepare exam logistics:

Confirm your Pearson VUE booking (date, time, venue address)
Check you have two valid forms of ID (passport + driver's licence ideal)
Plan your route to the test centre — do a practice drive if possible
Prepare clothes, water bottle, snacks
Check venue policies on permitted items

Evening: Light activity. No study after 6pm. Early to bed.

Day 1 (Night Before): Rest and Mental Preparation

Morning: If you feel the need to study, limit it to 30 minutes of light review — flip through your summary notes or listen to one audio lecture on a topic you want fresh in your mind.

Afternoon: Relaxation activities — exercise, walk, watch something enjoyable. Your brain needs rest to consolidate everything you have studied.

Evening:

Check ID and booking confirmation one final time
Set two alarms
Prepare breakfast items
Bed by 9-10pm — aim for 8+ hours of sleep
If you struggle to sleep, that is normal. Lying quietly with eyes closed still provides rest.

Exam Day Morning

Wake with plenty of time — no rushing
Eat a balanced breakfast with protein and complex carbs (avoid heavy or unfamiliar food)
Light caffeine if that is your normal routine — do not change habits on exam day
Arrive at Pearson VUE 30 minutes early
Use the bathroom before check-in
During check-in: biometric verification, locker for personal items, scratch paper provided
Take 3 deep breaths before clicking "Start"

Must-Know Drug Doses for AMC MCQ

These drug doses and protocols appear repeatedly on the AMC MCQ. Know them cold.

Emergency Medications

Drug	Indication	Dose
Adrenaline (anaphylaxis)	Anaphylaxis	0.5 mg IM (1:1000) — repeat every 5 min
Adrenaline (cardiac arrest)	Cardiac arrest	1 mg IV (1:10,000) every 3-5 min
Aspirin (ACS)	Acute coronary syndrome	300 mg loading, then 100 mg daily
GTN	Angina / ACS	300-600 mcg sublingual, repeat every 5 min (max 3 doses)
Salbutamol (acute asthma)	Acute asthma	8-12 puffs via spacer, or 5 mg nebulised
Morphine	Acute pain / ACS	2.5-5 mg IV titrated to effect
Naloxone	Opioid overdose	400 mcg IV, repeat every 2-3 min
Diazepam (status epilepticus)	Status epilepticus	5-10 mg IV (or midazolam 10 mg IM/buccal)
Hydrocortisone (adrenal crisis)	Adrenal crisis	100 mg IV stat

Common First-Line Medications (per eTG)

Condition	First-Line Treatment	Key Notes
Hypertension (uncomplicated)	ACEi/ARB, CCB, or thiazide	Choice depends on comorbidities
Heart failure (HFrEF)	ACEi + beta-blocker + diuretic	Start ACEi first, add BB when stable
Atrial fibrillation (rate control)	Beta-blocker or rate-limiting CCB	Avoid CCB in heart failure
Type 2 diabetes	Metformin	Start if HbA1c above target despite lifestyle
Community-acquired pneumonia	Amoxicillin 1g TDS (mild)	Add doxycycline if atypical suspected
UTI (uncomplicated)	Trimethoprim or cefalexin	3-day course in women
Depression	SSRI (escitalopram, sertraline)	4-6 weeks for full effect
Asthma (Step 1-2)	SABA prn, then low-dose ICS	Never SABA-only long-term
COPD (stable)	LAMA or LABA, then combination	Add ICS only if frequent exacerbations
GORD	PPI (omeprazole, esomeprazole)	4-8 week course, then step down
Gout (acute)	Colchicine or NSAID	Avoid allopurinol in acute attack

Emergency Protocols Checklist

For each of these emergencies, know the initial assessment and management steps:

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

MONA is no longer recommended as a blanket approach — assess individually
Aspirin 300 mg immediately
GTN sublingual (if SBP >90)
Oxygen only if SpO2 <93%
Morphine for ongoing pain
12-lead ECG within 10 minutes
Troponin, FBC, UEC, coags
STEMI: urgent PCI or thrombolysis | NSTEMI/UA: risk stratify

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Clinical probability (Wells score)
D-dimer if low probability
CTPA if high probability or positive D-dimer
Anticoagulation: LMWH then DOAC (rivaroxaban or apixaban)
Massive PE with haemodynamic instability: thrombolysis

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

IV normal saline — aggressive fluid resuscitation (1L/hr initially)
IV insulin infusion (0.1 units/kg/hr)
Potassium replacement (add to fluids when K+ <5.5)
Monitor glucose hourly, K+ every 2 hours
Switch to subcutaneous insulin when eating, gap closed, pH >7.3

Anaphylaxis

Remove trigger if possible
Adrenaline 0.5 mg IM (anterolateral thigh) — this is the FIRST treatment
Lay patient flat, elevate legs (unless breathing difficulty)
Oxygen high flow
IV access, IV fluids
Repeat adrenaline every 5 minutes if no improvement
Observe 4-6 hours minimum

Status Epilepticus

Airway, breathing, oxygen
Midazolam 10 mg IM/buccal (or diazepam 10 mg IV)
If seizures continue after 5 min: repeat benzodiazepine
If still seizing: phenytoin/levetiracetam IV loading
Check BSL — treat hypoglycaemia

Meningitis (Suspected)

Do not delay antibiotics for investigation
Ceftriaxone 2g IV immediately (+ dexamethasone if bacterial suspected)
Blood cultures before antibiotics if possible (but do not delay)
LP when safe — check for raised ICP signs first
Notify public health (notifiable disease)

Red Flags by System

The AMC MCQ frequently tests your ability to identify red flag symptoms. These are the critical ones:

Headache Red Flags

Thunderclap onset (subarachnoid haemorrhage)
Worst headache of life
Fever + neck stiffness (meningitis)
Papilloedema (raised ICP)
New headache >50 years (temporal arteritis — check ESR, start prednisolone urgently)
Headache with focal neurological signs

Back Pain Red Flags

Saddle anaesthesia (cauda equina — surgical emergency)
Bilateral leg weakness or urinary retention
Age <20 or >55 with new onset
History of malignancy (spinal metastases)
Fever (discitis, epidural abscess)
Night pain unrelieved by rest

Chest Pain Red Flags

Tearing pain radiating to back (aortic dissection)
Associated with syncope or haemodynamic instability
ECG changes (STEMI)
Unilateral leg swelling + pleuritic pain (PE)
Pain with fever and productive cough (pneumonia with complications)

Abdominal Pain Red Flags

Rigid abdomen / peritonism (perforation — surgical emergency)
Pain out of proportion to examination (mesenteric ischaemia)
Haematemesis or melaena (upper GI bleed)
Pulsatile abdominal mass (ruptured AAA)
Fever + RUQ pain + jaundice (Charcot's triad — cholangitis)

Australian-Specific Topics to Review

The AMC MCQ specifically tests knowledge of Australian healthcare. Do not neglect these topics:

eTG First-Line Drugs

The electronic Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG) is the gold standard prescribing reference in Australia. AMC questions expect you to know eTG first-line recommendations, which may differ from WHO or other international guidelines.

Screening Programs (National)

Breast cancer: Mammogram every 2 years, ages 50-74
Cervical cancer: HPV test every 5 years, ages 25-74 (changed from Pap smear)
Bowel cancer: iFOBT every 2 years, ages 50-74
Abdominal aortic aneurysm: One-time ultrasound for men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked (not a formal national program but frequently tested)

Immunisation Schedule (Adult)

Influenza: Annual for 65+, pregnancy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 6 months+, chronic disease
Pneumococcal: 70+ (13-valent then 23-valent)
Shingles (zoster): 65+ (Shingrix preferred)
COVID-19: As per current ATAGI recommendations
dTpa: Pregnancy (each pregnancy, 20-32 weeks)

Medicare, PBS, and AHPRA

AHPRA registration: $1,058/year (2025/26)
Mandatory reporting obligations: know when you must report a colleague (impairment, sexual misconduct, intoxication while practising, significant departure from standards)
Fitness to drive: know the Austroads guidelines — who to report and when
PBS: understand the concept of authority prescriptions and why certain drugs are restricted

Notifiable Diseases

Know the key nationally notifiable conditions: measles, meningococcal disease, tuberculosis, hepatitis (A, B, C), HIV, influenza (lab confirmed), pertussis, and food-borne outbreaks. States may have additional requirements.

What NOT to Do in the Final Week

Do Not Start New Topics

If you have not studied ophthalmology or ENT in your preparation, do not start now. A superficial 2-hour review of a new topic will not yield exam marks and will consume time better spent consolidating topics you already know.

Do Not Cram Past Midnight

Sleep is when your brain consolidates memories. Every hour of sleep you sacrifice for cramming actually reduces your exam performance the next day. This is not motivational advice — it is neuroscience.

Do Not Change Your Routine

Exam week is not the time to try a new diet, new supplements, or new study techniques. Stick with what has worked for you during your preparation.

Do Not Compare Yourself to Others

Online forums and study groups can become toxic in the final week, with candidates sharing how many questions they have done or how high they are scoring. Everyone's preparation journey is different. Focus on your own plan.

Managing Pre-Exam Anxiety

Some nervousness before the AMC MCQ is normal and even beneficial — moderate anxiety sharpens focus and improves performance. However, excessive anxiety can impair concentration and decision-making.

Practical Anxiety Management

4-7-8 breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Repeat 4 times. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system.
Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense and release each muscle group from toes to head
Physical exercise: 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise daily reduces cortisol levels
Limit caffeine: Excessive caffeine amplifies anxiety symptoms
Perspective: The AMC MCQ can be retaken. Thousands of IMGs pass every year. You have prepared — trust your knowledge.

After the Exam

Immediately After

Resist the urge to discuss specific questions with other candidates — you cannot change your answers, and comparing notes only increases anxiety
Treat yourself to something enjoyable — you have earned it
Results are typically released approximately 3 weeks after the exam window closes
Results are pass/fail only — no score breakdown is provided

While Waiting for Results

Take a genuine break from AMC study (at least 1 week)
If you plan to sit the AMC Clinical Exam next, begin light research into the format: 16 assessed stations + 4 rest stations, 2 minutes reading time + 8 minutes performance per station, pass mark is 9/14 stations
The Clinical exam fee is $3,000 in-person or $3,400 online

For more on high-yield topic prioritisation, see our AMC MCQ High-Yield Topics Guide. For question practice strategy, see How to Use Practice Questions Effectively.

Final Practice Before Exam Day — GdayDoctor Practice Suite

You have put in the work. This final week is about sharpening the blade, not forging a new one. Trust your preparation and approach the exam with confidence.