Clinical Examination

Change to Pass Requirement for the Clinical Examination

Following an extensive review, the AMC has changed the pass requirement for the AMC clinical exam from 10 out of 14 stations to 9 out of 14 stations. This change takes effect from 21 March 2024. This means that any candidate who has passed 9 out 14 stations from this date will have the pass mark reflected in their AMC Candidate Account and results feedback.

This change will not be applied to AMC clinical exam results prior to 21 March 2024.

The change in the pass requirement is part of our continuous review of assessment to ensure that we maintain the highest possible standards in line with international benchmarks. We recognise that international medical graduates play a critical role in the health care of Australian communities. We are committed to ensuring that we have timely, efficient and effective systems for assessing international medical graduates who are seeking to practise medicine in Australia.

If you have any queries please contact the Clinical team at clinical@amc.org.au. For further clarification regarding the pass requirements please refer to Clinical Specifications on our website.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the clinical examination you must have passed the AMC CAT MCQ examination. 

Clinical examination structure

The examination comprises 16 assessed stations and four rest stations. 

During the examination, you will rotate through these stations and undertake a variety of clinical tasks.  

Stations are of 10 minutes duration comprising: 

• two minutes reading time, and  
• eight minutes assessment time. 

Stations may use simulated patients, or videotaped patient presentations.  

Other relevant materials, such as charts, digital images and photographs may also be used in the examination. 

Assessment criteria

Stations assess clinical skills relating to presentations of medical, surgical, women’s health, paediatrics and mental health.  

The assessments cover both community and hospital settings. 

Each station focuses on one of four predominant assessment areas, being either: 

1. history taking 
2. examination 
3. diagnostic formulation 
4. management/counselling/education. 

Examples of material that could be included in the stations can be found in the Clinical Examination Specifications. 

Preparing for the clinical examination 

To prepare for the clinical examination it is recommended that you: 

1. Familiarise yourself with the Clinical Examination Specifications

The Clinical Examination Specifications document contains guidelines and specifications to assist candidates for the AMC Clinical Examination.

The guidelines contain information about: 

• the format and content of the examination 
• the levels of clinical knowledge, skills and attitudes required to satisfy the requirements of the examination 
• the areas and topics covered in the examination 
• preparing for the examination 
• suggested reading lists for the examination. 

2. Watch the candidate briefing video 

3. Review the suggested reading list for the clinical examination

4. Tips from Examiners

Bridging courses

The AMC provides information about bridging courses to assist candidates but does not endorse or accredit individual bridging programs.  

 The bridging course listing on the AMC website is provided as an information service only. It is the candidate’s responsibility to check that the information is correct, and that the aims of the course match the candidate’s requirements. 

Indigenous Health

We recommend you visit the AMC Indigenous Health webpage to learn about the commitment of the AMC to promoting Indigenous Health by ensuring culturally safe practice to improve health outcomes.

Scheduling for clinical examination

September-November Clinical Scheduling

Information is now available for scheduling a September -November Clinical Examination placement.

Please click below for more information regarding the process, scheduling timeline and clinical examination dates.

Please note: there is a limited number of positions available on each examination. Positions are offered on a first-come first-served basis.

Candidates must pay the examination fee in order to secure a placement.

If you require assistance or have questions regarding the scheduling process, please use the AMC’s Contact Form.

Clinical Examinations – Online 

Candidate briefing video
The candidate briefing video provides information about the: 

1. examination structure 
2. examination stations 
3. allowable and prohibited materials. 

It is recommended that you watch this video prior to attending the clinical examination. 

Report time
You must be logged into the designated link by the time specified for the examination. 

Use of mobile phones during the examination
For the AMC to communicate with you in the event of a technical issue, you are permitted to have your mobile phone switched to silent in the same room. You are required to show the invigilator that your phone is switched to silent, with the vibration function off. Only one phone is permitted. 

Technology requirements
You must comply with the following technology requirements: 

Desktop or laptop
The device used to undertake the examination must be either a desktop or laptop computer.  

• Tablets and mobile devices cannot be used 
• You need to ensure you have administrator privileges on the device to enable software installation 

Windows 11 operating system
The device must be running the Windows 11 operating system.  

• This can be PC, or an Apple computer set up to dual-boot into Windows 10/11 
• OS X is not supported 

Screen size
The screen size for your device must be a minimum of 14 inches. 

Webcam
A webcam must be used and positioned at roughly eye level. 

Headphones
Use of headphones is compulsory. These must be plug-in headphones with a microphone.  

• Wireless or Bluetooth headphones are not permitted due to risks of battery failure and poor-quality audio connection.  
• You must have a second pair of headphones ready in case there are technology issues with your first pair.  
• Failure to wear headphones will result in you being unable to continue with your examination.

Internet connection
There must be a reliable, high speed internet connection available in the examination location. 

Room setup
You must be the only person in the examination room, and it must be free of distractions for entire examination period. 

If you are unable to comply with these requirements, you will not be permitted to sit the online clinical examination. 

Refer to the Clinical Examination Specifications for further information.  

Clinical Examination pass requirements

The 16 assessed stations include two pilot stations. A pilot station serves as a trial or test run to evaluate the station’s instructions, materials, and the overall process. Pilot stations help identify any issues, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments before incorporating them into the main clinical examination. 

Pilot stations: 

• have been developed by a discipline writing group and approved by the Clinical Assessment Panel for pilot status 
• have no statistics from previous examinations. 

 Pilot stations may also be stations requiring trialling for administrative purposes including stations with special operational and technology requirements. 

Your overall examination result (pass or fail) will be determined by 14 scored stations.  

Usually, the scored stations will not include either of the two pilot stations, but if there is an issue with one or two of the non-pilot stations the Clinical Results Panel may determine that one or both of the pilot stations will be substituted. If this occurs the candidate’s result will still be determined on the basis of 14 stations.  

Over the 14 stations candidates will be graded as pass or fail, as follows: 

• Pass – obtain a pass score of 9 or more of the 14 assessed stations 
• Fail – obtain a pass score in 8 or less of the 14 assessed stations 

Clinical Examination results 

You can download your clinical examination results by logging onto your AMC candidate account.  

Your results will be available to download at 4.00pm on the Friday, three weeks following your clinical examination.  

To access your clinical examination results: 

1. Log onto your AMC candidate account 
2. Select AMC Examinations 
3. Select Clinical Results (at the top of the menu list) 
4. Select the examination under the Details column 

In each station, the examiner is required to determine a global rating for that station. The overall result for each station is based on:  

• key steps relating to the station 
• the relevant assessment domains for each station. 
• an assessment of the overall performance of the candidate in that station.  

 The overall result of the clinical examination is based on the number of individual stations passed. 

For candidates with a pass result, refer to the AMC certificates. 

Conduct of candidates 

It is expected that during the examination, you will: 

• comply with the Clinical Examination Specifications
• conduct yourself in a courteous manner in all contact with examination staff, employees and stakeholders of the AMC and other candidates.  
• comply with all instructions of the clinical examination staff.  

Failure to do so will constitute a breach of examination procedures and may lead to one or more of the following: 

• your result not being awarded or withdrawn. 
• being excluded from the examination.  
• being refused the opportunity to sit future examinations. 

If you cross professional boundaries while undertaking the clinical examination you may be guilty of professional misconduct and may be subject to disciplinary action by regulatory authorities. 

Withdrawal from the clinical examination 

To withdraw from a clinical examination after it has been scheduled you must submit a Clinical Examination Withdrawal Notification form. 

Refunds of the examination fees are only provided in exceptional circumstances and decided by the AMC Chief Executive Officer or nominee. Personal circumstances, such as minor illness or travel arrangements are not considered to be exceptional circumstances that warrant a refund of examination fees. 

To request a refund an application must be made in writing along with a Medical Certificate or Statutory Declaration. Any refund granted will incur an administrative fee. 

Unsatisfactory results and irregular behaviour

Any attempt to circumvent the objectives or processes of the examination, the reliability of your assessment or the security of the examination or examination content, may: 

1. produce examination results which cannot be confidently accepted as reflecting your true ability 
2. compromise the integrity and security of the clinical examination and examination content, and/or 
3. detract from or impede the AMC purpose of protecting the health of Australian patients and communities. 

For full details of the process refer to the Clinical Examination Specifications.

Fees

Fees for clinical examinations are payable when an examination session is scheduled. Payment can only be made by credit card – either Mastercard or Visa. 

COVID safety 

Where clinical examinations are held in person, the AMC COVID Safe Workplace Policy applies.  

 The policy applies to any person who enters the NTC including, but not limited to, staff, contractors, visitors and exam participants. 

This policy also outlines vaccination requirements for those visiting the NTC. Find out more in the AMC COVID Safe Workplace Policy.