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E X A M I N AT I O N
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
A u s t r a l i a n M e d i c a l C o u n c i l
“The purpose of the Australian Medical Council is to ensure that standards of education, training
and assessment of the medical profession promote and protect the health of the Australian Community.”
“The purpose of the Australian Medical Council is to ensure that standards of education,
training and assessment of the medical profession promote and protect the health of the
Australian community.”
© September 2008
Edition 7 – First Printing
Copyright for this publication rests with the Australian Medical Council Limited
Email: amc@amc.org.au
Home page: www.amc.org.au
Telephone: 02 6270 9777
Facsimile: 02 6270 9799
AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL COUNCIL
L I M I T E D
IMPORTANT NOTE
As the information contained in this booklet replaces that in previous editions of the Examination Specifications
Booklet, candidates are advised to study this booklet closely before presenting for AMC examinations.
Candidates should note that the AMC is not involved in the administration of Medicare. Any questions
concerning the restrictions on Medicare Provider Numbers applying to international medical graduates
should be directed to the General Practice Branch of the Australian Government Department of Health and
Ageing. Nor is the AMC involved directly in aspects of registration to practise, which are the responsibility of
state and territory medical practitioner boards/councils.
Examination requirements may change. All matters concerning the AMC examination, including any
changes in the format and content or associated procedures, will be conveyed to candidates in writing by the
Secretariat. Candidates are recommended to regularly check the AMC website for updates.
STATEMENT ON PRIVACY
The AMC is required to observe the provisions of the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 (effective
from 21 December 2001) which sets out the requirements for the collection and use of personal information
collected before and after that date.
Each of the application forms required by the AMC includes a statement relating to the AMC’s privacy
procedures. Each must be signed by the applicant to give formal consent for the AMC to collect and hold
personal information.
If the consent is not provided, the AMC will not be able to process the application.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................1
FORMAT ...............................................................................................................................2
MCQ examination ........................................................................................................2
APPENDIX A ..................................................................................................... 19
APPENDIX B..................................................................................................... 22
APPENDIX D..................................................................................................... 36
MISCELLANEOUS .............................................................................................................38
JOURNALS .........................................................................................................................39
Guidelines and 1
specifications
INTRODUCTION
These guidelines and specifications have been prepared to assist
candidates for the Australian Medical Council (AMC) examination. The
guidelines contain information about:
• the format and content of the AMC Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)
examination
• levels of clinical knowledge, skills and attitudes required to satisfy the
requirements of the examination
• the requirements and format of the MCQ examination
• the areas and topics covered in the examination
• preparing for the AMC examination
• sample question items for the MCQ examination
• suggested reading lists for the examination.
Candidates should study these guidelines in conjunction with the current
AMC publication Application Procedures and Requirements for the
AMC Examination, which sets out the formal procedures for the AMC
examination.
FORMAT
MCQ EXAMINATION
The AMC MCQ examination is an integrated examination over a total of
7 hours, consisting of 300 questions covering a range of conditions in the
broad disciplines of:
• paediatrics
• medicine
• obstetrics and gynaecology
• psychiatry
• surgery.
Candidates are required to attain a pass standard in the MCQ examination
in order to proceed to the clinical examination. The AMC is not able to
provide individual supplementary MCQ examinations to candidates who
fail to meet the pass standard.
The MCQ 3
examination
Medicine 78 questions
Obstetrics and Gynaecology 35 questions
Paediatrics 43 question
Psychiatry 24 questions
Surgery 60 questions
TOTAL SCORED 240 questions
Non-scored questions 60 questions
• The 60 non-scored questions are used to test and calibrate new
questions, which may be used in future examinations, but will not be
counted towards the overall score of the candidate.
• A total of 80 questions within the 240 scored questions (e.g.
approximately one-third of the questions) in the examination are
‘mastery’ questions which are individually identified to candidates
throughout the examination. APPENDIX B. The ‘mastery’ questions
are defined as key or critical issue questions which are regarded as
critical to the safety or clinical outcome or threat to life for the patient,
or are based upon important common conditions and one of:
A. Related to life threatening illness; or
B. Critical to safe practice (includes professionalism); or
C. Successful clinical outcome; or
D. Important aspects of public health.
• Part 1 and Part 2 are administered over one day.
500 500
400 400
Individual candidate’s result Individual candidate’s result in the
in the 240 scored questions 80 mastery questions
100 100
SCORING OF ANSWERS
The MCQ examination is marked by a national independent educational
testing centre on behalf of the AMC.
The scoring system for the MCQ examination (Type A questions) is:
Correct response = SCORED
Incorrect response = NIL SCORE
Each question has a correct response. Marks are not deducted for incorrect
answers.
A candidate must present for and attempt both Part 1 and Part 2 in order to
obtain an overall result in the MCQ examination. A candidate who does not
attempt both Part 1 and Part 2 will be considered to have failed to satisfy
the MCQ examination requirements of obtaining a result.
Each candidate receives a computer-generated transcript of their results
and feedback on their performance in the MCQ examination.
A sample of the model used is set out in FIGURE 1 (this model is a
representative sample only).
The feedback model classifies all questions in terms of both the Functions/
Processes that apply to all Systems, such as diagnostic findings,
management and prognosis, as well as the individual Systems and Regions
in which the conditions present, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, etc.
The headings under Functions/Processes refer to the headings in the
major textbooks, such as Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine.
CANDIDATE NUMBER
Each AMC candidate has been given a unique identification number to
assist in the processing of their results and to minimise the possibility of
error. The candidate number is the same as the AMC file or reference
number.
REVIEW OF TOPICS
The MCQ examination is a comprehensive examination of medical
knowledge and practice. The AMC recommends that candidates undertake
a thorough review of the major topics covered in the examination.
Candidates may find it useful to review the major textbooks in the key
clinical disciplines. To assist candidates, the AMC has prepared a list of
the major textbooks in common use in Australian medical schools, which
is set out in APPENDIX D.
Please note that some of the textbooks listed in APPENDIX D are
intended to provide background reading on key topics and contain a
great deal of reference material. The questions in the MCQ examination
are oriented towards the more common clinical applications, differential
diagnosis and therapeutics. Accordingly, care should be taken when using
major reference type textbooks for revision. Many candidates find it more
useful to undertake a comprehensive review of medical journals, such
as Australian Family Physician, Current Therapeutics, Australian
Prescriber or any of the other journals in general practice medicine. These
journals contain useful review articles and summaries of the identification,
treatment and management of the more common clinical conditions in the
Australian community.
10 MCQ examination
specifications
CHANGE OF VENUE
A change in venue is not accepted after the examination closing date.
A fee is payable if a candidate wishes to change the nominated venue for
the examination prior to the examination closing date.
WITHDRAWAL FEES
A withdrawal fee is incurred if a candidate elects to withdraw from an MCQ
examination for which the candidate has been scheduled. A withdrawal
is not accepted via telephone or email. An AMC MCQ withdrawal form,
which is available through the AMC website, must be submitted to the AMC
Secretariat. The AMC will refund the examination fee, less the withdrawal
fee (for administrative costs), when:
• the MCQ withdrawal form is received before the close of business on
the closing date for the examination;
• the MCQ withdrawal form is received after the close of business on
the closing date, and acceptable certified evidence is submitted. If a
candidate withdraws from an MCQ examination after the closing date,
the candidate must submit evidence of severe illness or pressing
domestic circumstances, in the form of a doctor’s certificate or
statutory declaration.
If the candidate does not attend an examination session, the candidate
cannot claim a refund of the examination fee. Examination fees cannot be
transferred from one MCQ examination to another.
The MCQ 13
examination
MCQ RESULTS
500 500
400 400
Individual candidate’s result Individual candidate’s result in the
in the 240 scored questions 80 mastery questions
100 100
The ‘mastery’ questions are defined as key or critical issue questions which are regarded as critical to the safety or
clinical outcome or threat to life for the patient, or are based upon important common conditions and 1 of:
o Related to life threatening illness; or
o Critical to safe practice (includes professionalism); or
o Successful clinical outcome; or
o Important aspects of public health.
DISTRIBUTION OF CANDIDATE RESULTS
For comparison purposes the distribution of candidate results overall and in mastery questions is shown in
the shaded areas of the AMC scale.
16 MCQ examination
specifications
PERFORMANCE & FEEDBACK CLASSIFICATIONS FOR SCORED ITEMS AMC (Series) MCQ EXAMINATION
In order to provide the maximum feedback to candidates, all scored questions in the MCQ examination have
been classified in terms of both the Functions/Processes that apply to all systems, such as Natural History,
Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic Findings, Management and Prognosis, as well as the individual Systems and
Regions in which the conditions present. The headings under Functions/Processes refer to the headings in the
major textbooks such as HARRISON.
CANDIDATE NUMBER:
PERFORMANCE BY SUBJECT:
SUBJECT NUMBER OF QUESTIONS NUMBER CORRECT
MEDICINE 78 XX
OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY 35 XX
PAEDIATRICS 43 XX
PSYCHIATRY 24 XX
SURGERY 60 XX
FEEDBACK BY SYSTEMS/REGIONS FOR NON MASTERY AND NUMBER NUMBER OF NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
MASTERY ITEMS OF NON NON MASTERY MASTERY
MASTERY MASTERY SCORED ITEMS
SCORED ITEMS ITEMS CORRECT
ITEMS CORRECT
INTEGUMENT/DERMATOLOGY XX X XX X
HEAD & NECK/EYE/ENT XX X XX -
NERVOUS SYSTEM/NEUROLOGY XX XX XX X
MUSCULOSKELETAL/ORTHOPAEDICS/RHEUMATOLOGY XX X XX X
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM/HEART/VESSELS XX XX XX X
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM/LUNGS/CHEST WALL XX X XX X
GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM/ABDOMEN/ABDOMINAL WALL XX XX XX X
BREAST/ENDOCRINE SYSTEM XX XX XX X
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM/ OBSTETRICS/ XX XX XX X
GYNAECOLOGY
HAEMOPOIETIC SYSTEM/HAEMATOLOGY/BLOOD/ BLOOD XX X XX X
PRODUCTS
RENAL SYSTEM/UROLOGY/MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM XX X XX X
MENTAL STATE/INTELLECTUAL FUNCTION/BEHAVIOURAL XX X XX X
PROBLEMS
MAJOR PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS/DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE XX XX XX X
NORMAL AND ABNORMAL DEVELOPMENT/CHILD HEALTH/ XX X XX X
PAEDIATRICS
NUTRITION/METABOLISM/HOMEOSTASIS XX X - -
INFECTIOUS DISEASES XX X XX -
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY XX X - -
CLINICAL ONCOLOGY XX X XX -
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY XX X - -
CRITICAL CARE/ANAESTHESIA/EMERGENCY MEDICINE XX X XX X
GENERAL PRACTICE/PUBLIC HEALTH - - XX X
This examination performance feedback is provided as a reference for performance in each of the questions, as classified in Systems
and Regions. This information is to be used as a review of performance [across the classifications] for preparation for future
examinations. The number of questions scored correctly is used to determine the AMC score for each MCQ examination but does not
convert directly to the score on the AMC scale overall and the AMC scale for mastery items.
General information 17
GENERAL INFORMATION
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
It is important that candidates advise the AMC promptly of each change
of address and/or telephone number. This will ensure that contact can be
made quickly with candidates as the occasion arises to notify examination
venue changes, rule or eligibility changes, or to confirm information
provided by the candidate on his or her application forms.
Please advise on any changes using the change of address form which
can be obtained by contacting the AMC. The change of address form is
also available on the AMC website (www.amc.org.au).
When advising of a change of address in writing, please include the
following details:
• candidate number
• full name
• previous address
• new address
• candidate signature
• consent to collection of information form – attached to letter and
signed by candidate.
Under the provisions of the Commonwealth Privacy Amendment (Private
Sector) Act 2000 (effective from 21 December 2001), the AMC is unable
to accept changes of address or other candidate details taken over the
telephone or submitted by email.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Candidates are advised to study carefully the current edition of the
AMC publication Information Booklet for Candidates Application and
Procedures and Requirements for the AMC Examination concerning
examination procedures and requirements. If a candidate is in doubt about
any aspect of the AMC examination, he/she should contact the AMC.
APPENDIX A
SKILLS
Graduates completing basic medical education should have developed
the following skills:
APPENDIX B
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
This appendix contains sample question items which reflect the format and
structure of questions to be used in the MCQ examination. The sample
questions are provided as a representative sample only.
For the MCQ examination there will be a total of 300 questions:
• 150 questions in Part 1 and
• 150 questions in Part 2.
MASTERY QUESTIONS
The ‘mastery’ questions are defined as key or critical issue questions which
are regarded as critical to the safety or clinical outcome or threat to life for
the patient, or are based upon important common conditions and one of:
Note: In the sample MCQ examination
questions, 24 of the 38 questions have • related to life-threatening illness; or
been identified as mastery questions in • critical to safe practice (includes professionalism); or
order to provide a sample of this type
• successful clinical outcome; or
of question. In the AMC MCQ exami-
nation a total of 80 of the scored 240 • important aspects of public health.
questions will be identified as mastery These ‘mastery’ questions are individually identified in the examination
questions. with an asterisk (*).
PHOTOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS
In the AMC MCQ examination photographic questions may be included in
both Part 1 and Part 2.
Appendix B 23
1.* A lipoma
A. is a premalignant condition.
B. is always subcutaneous.
C. often occurs in the scrotum.
D. cannot be tethered to the skin.
E. is usually lobulated.
15. The most common cause of dementia in people over the age of
65 in Australia is
A. Alzheimer disease.
B. alcoholism.
C. multi-infarct encephalopathy.
D. Parkinson disease.
E. hypertensive cerebro-vascular disease.
16. Which one of the following best describes the daily intake of
potassium required by a normal adult?
A. 5 mmol.
B. 25 mmol.
C. 55 mmol.
D. 155 mmol.
E. 30 g.
Appendix B 27
18. The most frequent type of cancer found in women involves the
A. cervix.
B. uterine fundus.
C. ovary.
D. mammary gland.
E. vulva.
22.* In a patient who has suffered persistent asthma over several weeks,
the effect of the therapy is best indicated by
A. relief of dyspnoea.
B. absence of rhonchi
C. arterial blood gas analysis.
D. tests of ventilatory function.
E. exercise capacity.
26. Which one of the following regimens would be the most appropriate
initial management of a cirrhotic patient with marked ascites and
peripheral oedema?
A. Ascitic tap and intravenous albumin replacement.
B. Cautious use of frusemide.
C. High protein diet and a thiazide diuretic.
D. Bed rest, strict salt restriction and spironolactone.
E. A combination of frusemide and spironolactone.
1 E 20 D
2 C 21 C
3 E 22 D
4 B 23 B
5 D 24 A
6 A 25 D
7 B 26 D
8 C 27 A
9 D 28 A
10 E 29 D
11 D 30 C
12 C 31 C
13 D 32 E
14 D 33 D
15 A 34 B
16 C 35 E
17 B 36 A
18 D 37 D
19 E 38 B
Appendix C 35
APPENDIX C
APPENDIX D
Essential Reading
Suggested Textbooks
There are many medical textbooks available, and most of them are of high
standard. They range from quite short texts, which cover essential knowledge,
to long and comprehensive treatises which most people use as reference
books. The AMC has drawn up the following list as a guide to some useful
texts. They are not intended as prescribed reading.
AMC examinations are set on the latest editions of the recommended
textbooks. It is up to the AMC candidate to obtain the latest information.
Material contained in previous editions of the recommended textbooks,
or other unspecified textbooks, may not be correct and will not be used to
determine the result of AMC examinations.
American Psychiatric Association. DSM-IV-TR: Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edn text revision. American Psychiatric
Association, Washington DC, 2000. ISBN-0890420254 (paperback); ISBN-
0890420246 (hardback). http://www.psych.org
Bloch S, Singh BS, editors. Foundations of clinical psychiatry, 3rd edn.
Carlton South, Vic: Melbourne University Press; 2007.
ISBN: 0-522-85320-X http://www.mup.com.au
Braunwald, E. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 15th edn. McGraw-
Hill, New York, 2001.
ISBN-0070072744 (hardcover). ISBN-0079136869 (hardcover, 2 volume
set).
ISBN-0071374795 (CD-ROM) http://www.bookstore.mcgraw-hill.com
Burkitt HG, Quick CRG. Essential surgery: problems, diagnosis and
management, 3rd edn. London: Churchill Livingstone Inc; 2002.
ISBN-0443063753. http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com
Devitt P, Barker J, Mitchell J and Hamilton-Craig C. Clinical Problems In
General Medicine, 2nd edn. Churchill Livingstone, 2003,
ISBN-0443073236. www.elsevier.com.au
Gelder M, Lopez-Ibor JJ, Andreasen N. The New Oxford Textbook of
Psychiatry, Oxford University Press, 2003.
ISBN-10: 0198528108 (paperback).
http://mnemosyne.oup-usa.org/medical
Goldbloom R, Paediatric Clinical Skills, 3rd edn, Churchill Livingstone, 2002.
ISBN-0721694756.
Boon NA, Colledge N, Hunter JA, Walker B, editors. Davidson’s Principles
and Practice of Medicine, 20th edn. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2006.
ISBN: 0443100578. http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com
Healey PM, Jacobson EJ. Common medical diagnoses: an algorithmic
approach, 4th edn. WB Saunders, 2006. ISBN: 1416025421
http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com
Kinirons M, Ellis H. French’s Index of Differential Diagnosis — an A–Z,
14th edn, Hodder Arnold 2005 ISBN-139780340810475.
http://www.hoddereducation.com
Lau L. Imaging Guidelines, 4th edn. The Royal Australian and New Zealand
College of Radiologists, Melbourne, 2001. ISBN 0959285415.
http://www.ranzcr.edu.au
Lissauer T, Clayden G, Illustrated Textbook of Paediatrics, 3rd edn. Mosby,
2007. ISBN-10: 0723433976
Llewellyn-Jones D. Fundamentals of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Mosby,
London 2004, 8th edn ISBN 0723433291. http://www.mosby.com
38 MCQ examination
specifications
Morris PJ, Wood, WC. Oxford Textbook of Surgery, 2nd edn. Oxford
University Press, New York, 2001. ISBN 0192628844 (three volume set).
http://mnemosyne.oup-usa.org/medical
Murtagh J. General Practice, 3rd edn. Hardcover. McGraw Hill Australia
2003. ISBN-10: 0074711776 http://www.bookstore.mcgraw-hill.com
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The Australian
Immunisation Handbook, 8th edn. Australian Government Printing
Service 2003. ISBN 0642822042
http://immunise.health.gov.au/handbook.htm
Robinson MJ, Roberton DM. Practical Paediatrics, 5th edn. Churchill
Livingstone, Melbourne, 2003. ISBN 044307139X.
http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com
Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne, Vic.). Paediatric Handbook,
7th edn. Blackwell Science Asia, Melbourne, 2004. ISBN 086793431X
http://www.blacksci.co.uk/australi/books.htm
Talley NJ, O’Connor S. Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to
Physical Diagnosis. 5th edn. Churchill Livingstone, 2001.
ISBN-10: 0729537625, http://www.maclennanpetty.com.au
Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD, Benz EJ Jr (eds). Oxford Textbook of
Medicine, 4th edn. Oxford University Press, New York, 2005.
ISBN-10: 0198569785 (set of 3). http://mnemosyne.oup-usa.org/medical
Miscellaneous
Therapeutic Guidelines from Therapeutic Guidelines Limited, North
Melbourne, Vic. http://www.tg.com.au
Therapeutic Guidelines: Analgesic, version 5, 2007
Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic, version 13, 2006
Therapeutic Guidelines: Cardiovascular, version 4, 2003
Therapeutic Guidelines: Dermatology, version 2, 2004
Therapeutic Guidelines: Endocrinology, version 3, 2004
Therapeutic Guidelines: Gastrointestinal, version 4, 2006
Therapeutic Guidelines: Neurology, version 3, 2007
Therapeutic Guidelines: Oral and Dental, version 1, 2007
Therapeutic Guidelines: Palliative Care, version 2, 2005
Therapeutic Guidelines: Psychotropic, version 5, 2003
Therapeutic Guidelines: Respiratory, version 3, 2005
Therapeutic Guidelines: Rheumatology, version 1, 2006
Management Guidelines: Developmental Disability, version 2, 2005
Manual of Use and Interpretation of Pathology Tests, 2nd edn. The Royal
College of Pathologists of Australasia, 1997. ISBN 0959335528. 3rd edn,
2002. ISBN 0646409646. This edition available on CD-ROM or online
only. http://www.rcpa.edu.au
MIMS Australia. St Leonards, NSW. MediMedia Australia Pty Limited.
Subscriptions: ISSN 10355723 (MIMS Australia Bi-monthly), ISSN 0725-
4709 (MIMS Australia Annual), ABNRID 000012656851 (eMIMS – CD-
ROM or MIMS on PDA (personal digital assistant)).
http://www.mims.com.au
Appendix D 39
Journals
In addition to the major texts, journals should be read selectively, using
editorials, annotations and review articles. The following journals are
suggested as source material:
Australian Family Physician
www.racgp.org.au/publications
Australian Prescriber
www.ustralianprescriber.com
British Medical Journal
www.bmj.com
British Journal of Hospital Medicine
http://www.hospitalmedicine.co.uk
Current Therapeutics
http://www.ctonline.com.au
Lancet
www.thelancet.com
Medical Journal of Australia
www.mja.com.au
New England Journal of Medicine
http://www.content.nejm.org