Terminology
area of need. An area in which the general population’s need for health care is not being met.
authorised translation service. A registered or sworn translator; their details must appear on each translated page.
CAT. Computer adaptive test—a form of computer-based test administration in which each candidate takes a unique, customised examination.
CAT MCQ examination authorisation. An AMC-issued document authorising an eligible applicant to schedule for one examination event covered in a 12-month period (authorisation period).
CAT MCQ examination event. One of a number of events within a 12-month authorisation period—you can choose to sit the CAT MCQ examination at only one of the events.
certificate of good standing (CGS). A certificate issued by the registering authority in the jurisdiction in which a candidate has been registered and practising that states whether the candidate has had any disciplinary actions or cases against them. The certificates expire six months from the date of issue unless otherwise stated on the certificate.
certificate of registration status (CRS). A certificate issued by the registering authority in the jurisdiction in which a candidate has been registered and practising stating whether the candidate has had any disciplinary actions or cases against them. The certificate expires six months from the date of issue unless otherwise stated on the certificate.
competent authority. An overseas assessment or accreditation body approved by the AMC as competent to assess basic medical education and clinical skills for registration or licensing purposes. See Table 1.
complete. The status the AMC gives to an application when it has received all documents —correctly witnessed and translated (where applicable)—listed on the application checklist/s.
ECFMG. Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.
EICS. ECFMG International Credentials Services.
eligible. An AMC-determined status given to Standard Pathway applicants whose applications have been assessed as complete. They are eligible to apply for an MCQ examination authorisation and schedule for the AMC examinations.
final qualification. Your ‘hang on the wall’ degree awarded at convocation.
full English translation. A word-for-word translation from the original language to English.
GMC. General Medical Council (UK).
incomplete. The status the AMC gives to an application when it has not received all documents—correctly witnessed and translated (where applicable)—listed on the checklist/s.
ineligible. An AMC-determined status given to Standard Pathway applicants who have not supplied the documentation required to assess their training and qualifications. They cannot apply for a CAT MCQ examination authorisation.
international medical graduate (IMG). A medical practitioner who has obtained a primary medical qualification from a training institution listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the Foundation for the Advancement of International Medical Education and Research or has completed additional postgraduate specialty training and is recognised as a specialist in the country that provided the training.
licence verification. A certificate issued by the registering authority in the jurisdiction in which a candidate has been registered and practising that states whether the candidate has had any disciplinary actions or cases against them. The certificate expires six months from the date of issue unless otherwise stated on the licence verification.
LMCC. Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada.
MCNZ. Medical Council of New Zealand.
NZREX. New Zealand Registration Examination.
pilot items. Non-scored items in the AMC CAT MCQ Examination used to test and calibrate new questions for possible use in future examinations.
PLAB. Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board.
statutory declaration. A written statement declared to be true in the presence of an authorised witness.
USMLE. United States Medical Licensing Examination.
WDoMS. World Directory of Medical Schools