Purpose of the Exams
Eligibility and Registration Outcomes
AMC Clinical Exam
- IMGs must pass the AMC MCQ exam before becoming eligible for the AMC Clinical Exam.
- Passing the AMC Clinical Exam is essential for obtaining general registration in Australia.
- General registration allows doctors to practice independently in various roles and locations across Australia.
PESCI
- IMGs must pass the AMC MCQ exam to be eligible for PESCI.
- IMGs should have three years of experience.
- PESCI is for IMGs applying for limited registration, typically linked to a specific job offer. PESCI grants limited registration, meaning doctors can only work in the specific role they were assessed for without general registration.
Assessment Structure and Format
AMC Clinical Exam
Format: The AMC Clinical Exam is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) comprising 16 scenarios. These scenarios test a doctor’s clinical decision-making, communication skills, and procedural abilities across disciplines like medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics, and psychiatry.
Focus: The exam tests general clinical skills applicable across various settings, ensuring that IMGs can deliver patient care that aligns with Australian standards. It evaluates patient history-taking, physical examinations, diagnosis, management, and communication skills.
PESCI
Format: PESCI is a structured clinical interview conducted by a panel. The panel assesses the IMG’s clinical and professional skills based on role-play scenarios, case discussions, and questions about the job they are applying for.
Focus: It assesses whether the IMG is suitable for a specific job, focusing on their ability to handle real-life clinical situations in the environment they will be working in. It’s less about general medical competence and more about job-specific performance.
Costs
AMC Clinical Exam: The AMC Clinical Exam costs around AUD 4,391, not including preparation resources or travel expenses for the exam location.
PESCI: PESCI fees range from AUD 2,000 to AUD 4,000, depending on the provider. This can be more cost-effective for doctors who have a clear job offer.
Job Flexibility and Career Opportunities
AMC Clinical Exam
Passing the AMC Clinical Exam allows IMGs to apply for general registration, offering more career flexibility. Doctors can apply for various roles in public hospitals, private practices, and other healthcare settings across Australia.
With general registration, doctors are not tied to a specific job and can practice independently, which opens up long-term career growth and broader job opportunities.
PESCI
PESCI leads to limited registration tied to the specific position for which the IMG was assessed. This means the doctor must work under supervision and can only practice in the role they were hired for.
While PESCI allows for quicker employment, especially in workforce shortage areas, it does not provide the same job flexibility as the AMC Clinical pathway. Further assessments may be needed to obtain general registration later.
Which Path Should You Choose?
AMC Clinical Pathway: If you seek long-term career opportunities and independence in Australia, the AMC Clinical pathway is the way to go. While it may take longer and require more comprehensive preparation, passing the AMC Clinicals allows for broader job opportunities and career mobility across the country.
If you choose this, enrol in the best AMC Clinical Preparation Course to pass the AMC 2 on the first attempt.
PESCI Pathway: If you have already secured a job offer in a specific role and want to start working quickly, the PESCI pathway may be the better choice. However, it limits your ability to move freely between jobs, and further steps will be needed for general registration in the future.
Read More About the Complete Guide To The Pre-employment Structured Clinical Interview (PESCI) for IMGs
Criteria | AMC Clinical Exam | PESCI |
| Purpose | Assesses general clinical skills for medical practice in Australia | Evaluates suitability for a specific job role in Australia |
| Eligibility | Requires passing AMC Part 1 (MCQ) | Requires passing AMC Part 1 (MCQ), having 3 years of work experience and a job offer in Australia |
| Structure | 16 OSCE scenarios covering multiple disciplines | Interview with role-play and job-specific cases |
| Focus | Tests overall clinical competency | Focuses on role-specific skills |
| Cost | AUD 4,391 | AUD 2,000 to AUD 4,000 |
| Job Flexibility | Broad job options across Australia | Limited to the assessed role |
| Best For | IMGs seeking career flexibility in Australia | IMGs with a secured job looking for quick entry |
Final Words
Both the AMC Clinical and PESCI exams are crucial assessments for IMGs aspiring to practice in Australia, but they serve different purposes.
The AMC Clinical Exam is a more comprehensive test of general medical competency, leading to broader job opportunities and general registration. On the other hand, PESCI is job-specific and provides a quicker route to limited registration for a particular role.
Choosing the correct pathway depends on your career goals, job offers, and long-term plans in Australia. Fill out this form for free one-on-one counselling with our expert.
