AMC Part 1 Syllabus
Introduction
The AMC Part 1 syllabus defines the clinical knowledge expected from International Medical Graduates seeking medical registration in Australia. The exam is designed to test how candidates apply medical knowledge to real patient scenarios rather than simply recalling isolated facts.
The AMC Part 1 examination uses clinical case-based multiple-choice questions that simulate situations encountered in Australian healthcare settings. Candidates are expected to interpret symptoms, analyse investigation results, and choose appropriate management decisions consistent with safe medical practice.
Rather than organising the syllabus around traditional academic subjects, the AMC structures the exam according to six patient groups. These groups represent the most common types of patients encountered in hospitals, emergency departments, and general practice.
Understanding how these domains are structured is essential when planning your preparation strategy.
What the AMC Part 1 Tests
The AMC Part 1 exam is built around clinical decision-making. Each question presents a short clinical vignette that requires candidates to apply knowledge in context.
Even topics rooted in basic science — such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, or pathology — appear within patient scenarios rather than as standalone theoretical questions.
Every question is also classified under one of three clinician tasks:
- Data Gathering — selecting appropriate history questions, examinations, or investigations
- Data Interpretation & Synthesis — interpreting results, identifying diagnoses, and assessing risk
- Management — selecting treatment, referral pathways, counselling, or follow-up care
The AMC also publishes the Anthology of Medical Conditions, which lists over 130 clinical presentations expected to fall within exam scope. If a condition appears in the Anthology, it may appear in the examination.
Core Subject Areas
The AMC syllabus is organised around six patient groups. Each group represents a major clinical domain within the exam blueprint.
Medicine and Clinical Sciences
This is the largest component of the exam, falling under the Adult Health — Medicine patient group (~30% weighting).
It reflects the wide range of medical conditions commonly encountered in Australian clinical practice, particularly in hospital medicine and general practice.
Major topic areas include:
- Cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, valvular disease)
- Respiratory medicine (asthma, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, lung cancer)
- Gastroenterology and hepatology (peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis)
- Endocrinology (diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal disease, calcium disorders)
- Nephrology (acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, electrolyte abnormalities)
- Neurology (stroke, seizures, headache syndromes, dementia, neuropathy)
- Haematology and oncology (anaemia, clotting disorders, leukaemia, lymphoma, solid tumours)
- Infectious diseases (common infections, tuberculosis, HIV, antibiotic selection)
- Rheumatology (rheumatoid arthritis, gout, autoimmune disorders)
- Dermatology (skin cancers, eczema, psoriasis, common rashes)
Because of its weighting, this domain usually requires the largest portion of study time.
Surgery and Perioperative Care
The Adult Health — Surgery patient group represents approximately 20% of the exam.
Questions often focus on identifying surgical conditions, recognising emergencies, and understanding perioperative management.
Common topics include:
- Acute abdomen and surgical emergencies
- Trauma and fracture management
- Preoperative assessment and postoperative complications
- Hernias and abdominal wall conditions
- Gallbladder and biliary disease
- Urological conditions (renal colic, haematuria, testicular torsion)
- Vascular disease (peripheral vascular disease, aneurysms)
- Breast disease and breast lump evaluation
Many questions also test recognition of situations requiring urgent surgical referral.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
The Women's Health patient group accounts for approximately 12.5% of the exam.
It includes both obstetric and gynaecological presentations.
Important topics include:
- Antenatal care and pregnancy screening
- Complications of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, ectopic pregnancy)
- Labour and delivery management
- Postpartum complications such as postpartum haemorrhage
- Menstrual disorders and abnormal uterine bleeding
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis
- Cervical screening and cervical pathology
- Ovarian cysts and ovarian malignancy
- Contraception and family planning
- Menopause and hormone therapy
These questions often test clinical management decisions in obstetric emergencies.
Paediatrics
The Child Health patient group also accounts for approximately 12.5% of the exam.
It focuses on medical conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents.
Important areas include:
- Growth and developmental milestones
- Childhood infections
- Vaccination schedules and the Australian National Immunisation Program
- Neonatal conditions such as jaundice
- Respiratory illness in children
- Paediatric emergencies including meningitis and febrile seizures
- Congenital disorders
- Child safeguarding and non-accidental injury recognition
Candidates are expected to recognise serious illness in children and apply age-appropriate management.
Mental Health
Mental health questions represent approximately 12.5% of the exam and test recognition and management of common psychiatric conditions.
Topics commonly tested include:
- Major depressive disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia and psychosis
- Suicide risk assessment
- Substance use disorders
- Delirium versus dementia
- Psychopharmacology (SSRIs, SNRIs, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers)
These questions often involve assessing risk and selecting safe treatment strategies.
Basic Sciences
Basic sciences are not tested as a separate patient group. Instead, they are integrated into clinical questions across all domains.
Candidates should have a working understanding of:
- Anatomy relevant to clinical presentations
- Physiology of major organ systems
- Pathology and pathophysiology of disease processes
- Pharmacology of common medications
- Microbiology of common pathogens
For example, a pharmacology concept may appear within a question asking for the most appropriate treatment for a patient with hypertension or infection.
Because of this integration, understanding mechanisms is essential for answering clinical questions correctly.
Topic Weighting
The AMC blueprint divides the exam into six patient groups with approximate weightings.
| Patient Group | Approximate Weighting |
|---|---|
| Adult Health — Medicine | ~30% |
| Adult Health — Surgery | ~20% |
| Women's Health (Obs & Gyn) | ~12.5% |
| Child Health | ~12.5% |
| Mental Health | ~12.5% |
| Population Health & Ethics | ~12.5% |
Population Health & Ethics covers areas such as:
- epidemiology and screening programs
- public health principles
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
- medico-legal issues
- ethical decision-making
- professionalism
These topics are often presented within clinical scenarios, such as consent issues, reporting requirements, or screening eligibility.
Basic sciences are integrated throughout the exam and are not weighted separately.
How to Use This Syllabus
A common mistake among candidates is attempting to study every topic equally. The AMC blueprint provides a better strategy.
Use the syllabus to guide your preparation by:
-
Identifying weak areas first
Begin with a diagnostic assessment across the six patient groups to identify where improvement is needed. -
Allocating time according to exam weighting
Adult Health — Medicine represents the largest portion of the exam and should receive proportionally more study time. -
Tracking your coverage systematically
Create a structured study schedule that ensures each patient group is covered before the exam.
For a time-based framework built around this syllabus, use the 6-Month Study Plan or the 3-Month Study Plan if you have more available study hours.
For exam format and scoring details, see the Exam Guide.
For study methods and preparation strategy, see the Preparation Strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the AMC publish an official syllabus?
Yes. The AMC publishes an MCQ examination blueprint on their website (amc.org.au). It outlines topic areas and approximate weightings. Always use it as your primary reference.
Which subjects are most important for AMC Part 1?
Medicine and clinical sciences (internal medicine) carries the highest weighting. Prioritise cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and neurological conditions.
Are basic science questions common?
Basic sciences are tested in applied clinical contexts rather than as standalone recall questions. You need to understand mechanisms to answer clinical vignettes correctly.
Is the AMC Part 1 syllabus the same as the AMC Part 2?
No. AMC Part 1 is a written knowledge examination. AMC Part 2 is a clinical OSCE. The domains overlap, but the format and depth of assessment differ significantly.