AMC Part 1 Exam Guide

Introduction

The AMC Part 1 — formally called the AMC CAT MCQ Examination — is a computer-adaptive, multiple-choice exam that every IMG on the Standard Pathway must pass before progressing to the AMC Part 2 clinical examination or entering a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) program. This guide explains the exam's structure, question format, and scoring so you know exactly what you are sitting.

For detailed scoring and pass mark information, see Pass Rate & Scoring. For what happens at the test centre — identification, timing, and rules — see the Exam Day Guide. For the full topic breakdown, see the AMC Part 1 Syllabus; for how to study effectively, read the Preparation Strategy. If you have not yet checked whether you qualify, see Eligibility Requirements.

Exam Structure

The AMC Part 1 consists of 150 multiple-choice questions delivered as a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) over approximately 3.5 hours. The exam is conducted at Pearson VUE testing centres worldwide — the same network used by many international medical and professional examinations.

Of the 150 questions, 120 are scored items and 30 are unscored pilot items. The AMC uses pilot questions to develop and validate future exam content. You will not know which questions are scored and which are pilot — they appear identical, and every question should be treated with equal seriousness.

Each question is an A-type MCQ: a clinical scenario followed by a question stem with five answer options. You select the single best answer. There is no negative marking.

Because the exam is computer-adaptive, the difficulty of each question adjusts based on your performance up to that point. If you answer correctly, the next question may be harder; if you answer incorrectly, it may be easier. This also means you cannot skip a question, and once you submit an answer you cannot go back. For a deeper explanation of how computer-adaptive testing works and what it means for your exam experience, see CAT Format Explained.

To sit the exam, you first apply for an authorisation through your AMC account. The authorisation is valid for 12 months, during which you schedule a specific date and venue through Pearson VUE.

Results are reported on a 0–500 scale and are available at 4:00 pm on the Friday three weeks after your examination event, accessed through your AMC online account. For a detailed explanation of how scoring works, the pass mark, and how to interpret your result, see Pass Rate & Scoring.

Question Format

Every question on the AMC Part 1 is built around a clinical scenario. You are presented with a patient — their history, examination findings, or investigation results — and asked to identify the single most appropriate response from five options. The exam is testing applied clinical reasoning, not isolated factual recall.

The AMC classifies every question under one of three clinician tasks:

• Data Gathering — selecting the right history questions, examination techniques, or investigations for a given clinical presentation
• Data Interpretation & Synthesis — forming a differential diagnosis, interpreting results, or stratifying risk based on the clinical information provided
• Management — choosing the correct treatment, counselling approach, referral pathway, or follow-up plan

This classification matters because it tells you what the question is actually asking. A scenario about chest pain might test whether you can choose the right investigation (Data Gathering), identify the diagnosis from an ECG (Data Interpretation), or select the correct initial management (Management). Recognising the task type quickly helps you focus your reasoning under time pressure.

The clinical content spans six patient groups, with Adult Health — Medicine and Surgery carrying the greatest combined weighting. For a complete breakdown of what each patient group covers and how to prioritise your study, see the AMC Part 1 Syllabus.

With 150 questions in approximately 3.5 hours, you have roughly 1 minute and 24 seconds per question. Since you cannot return to previous questions, you need to commit to each answer and move forward. Practising under timed, exam-like conditions is the most reliable way to build this discipline — the Question Bank page explains how to use exam-style practice effectively.

Preparation Tips

For a complete preparation framework — including how to structure each phase of study and how to use practice questions effectively — see the dedicated guides:

• AMC Part 1 Preparation Strategy — the recommended approach to studying for this exam
• 6-Month Study Plan — a structured week-by-week schedule for most candidates
• 3-Month Study Plan — a compressed schedule for candidates with limited preparation time
• Common Preparation Mistakes — errors that set many candidates back, most of which are avoidable with early awareness
• Question Bank — exam-style MCQ practice with performance tracking

The AMC itself provides several official resources that should be treated as essential references. These include the free MCQ Preparation App (210 practice questions developed in partnership with eMedici), the MCQ Examination Specifications booklet, and the Anthology of Medical Conditions — a collection of 130+ clinical presentations that forms the core framework of the exam. Start with these before adding third-party materials.