AMC Part 1 MCQ Exam: Smart Strategies for IMGs in 2025

The AMC Part 1 Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Exam is often the first formal hurdle for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) on the road to Australian registration.

And while thousands sit this exam each year, many candidates feel overwhelmed by:

• The vast syllabus
• The subtle tricks in clinical reasoning
• The pressure to ‘study everything’

But there’s a better way. At PassGP, we teach you how to think like an examiner - not just cram facts.

“This isn’t a content exam. It’s a clinical thinking exam,” says A/Prof George Eskander, Chief Examiner at PassGP and former AMC Clinical Examiner.
“Those who pass aren’t the ones who know the most - they’re the ones who apply knowledge in context.”

What Is the AMC MCQ Exam?

• 150 questions, computer-delivered
• Single-best-answer (SBA) format
• Covers medicine, surgery, paediatrics, O&G, psychiatry, and public health
• Pass mark typically 65%, but subject to equating

You get 3.5 hours - and only one scheduled break.

 Smart Strategies to Succeed

1. Focus on High-Yield Topics First

Prioritise:

• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath
• Paediatrics milestones
• Public health (e.g. vaccinations, screening)
• Psychiatry and risk management

Avoid deep-diving into rare conditions before you’ve mastered these.

2. Think Like an Intern in Australia

AMC MCQ is grounded in safe, supervised practice. That means:

• What would you do on the ward in a public hospital?
• What’s safest - not flashiest?
• What would AHPRA expect?

Choose options that reflect:

• Patient-centred care
• Escalation and senior support
• Clear differentials and safe investigations

3. Avoid the Trap of Overthinking

Many IMGs fail not due to lack of knowledge - but due to:

• Misreading the question
• Overthinking common presentations
• Choosing theoretically correct, but clinically unsafe answers

Tip from A/Prof Eskander:

“Always ask: what’s the most logical next step for a safe intern under AHPRA in Australia?”

4. Master the Art of Elimination

Every question has:

• 1 best answer
• 1 plausible distractor
• 2-3 poor choices

You should be able to rule out at least two. If not, stop and reread the stem - not the options.

5. Practise with Real Exam Format Questions

A common mistake is using non-Australian resources or flashcards that don’t mimic exam reasoning.

At PassGP, we build our AMC MCQ bank with:

• Australian-first guidelines
• Clinical logic that matches the exam
• Feedback by former AMC examiners

 Our 1,500+ AMC MCQs include:

• Immediate answers and explanations
• Distractor rationales
• Access anytime via the mobile app

Final Tips from A/Prof Eskander

• Don’t study in isolation. Join a platform where you can ask, practise, and refine your approach.
• Do timed mock exams. Train your brain to perform under pressure.
• Focus on how to think, not just what to memorise.

Ready to Start?

Join thousands of IMGs already using PassGP to prepare smarter for the AMC Part 1 Exam.

Start your free trial today at PassGP.au
 Get 1:1 feedback from educators who understand both AHPRA and AMC standards
Use your mobile to study on the go - any time, any device