Are you planning to take the Australian Medical Council (AMC) examination in 2027? There is an update that may affect international medical graduates (IMGs) decisions about which examination date to attend.
The AMCs latest published examination schedule indicates that the MCQ examination events listed from February 2027 have four listed exam dates (per event window) in comparison to the six-day windows for the October and November 2026 events. The first listed event of 2027, for example, runs from the 15th to the 18th of February 2027. Candidates should consult the calendar carefully and make sure they book the preferred slots early.
As a healthcare professional, I believe that understanding examination schedules is just as important as preparing academically. A well-planned study strategy can help you feel prepared, but securing a suitable examination date and venue is another essential step in your journey towards practising medicine in Australia.
In this blog I will explain what changes have been made between the 2026 schedule and the latest examination calendar, list the upcoming dates and provide useful tips to avoid any last-minute examination booking issues.
What Is the Latest AMC Examination Update for 2027?
The new AMC CAT MCQ examination calendar introduces a change to the number of listed examination dates.
In the October and November 2026 events the AMC schedule indicates that the examination will run from Monday through to Saturday providing candidates with a six-day date window as usual.
The calendar published from February 2027 on the other hand lists four examination dates per monthly event typically from Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday.
Here is what you should know:
- Earlier schedule: October 2026 event runs from the 12th to the 17th October and the November 2026 event runs from the 16th to the 21st November.
- Latest 2027 schedule: The first listed event runs from the 15th to the 18th of February 2027 followed by monthly events with four listed examination dates.
- Booking note: Examination places at some venues are limited and follow a first-come first-served basis.
- What to do: Check the examination calendar and book your examination date as soon as you receive your Pearson VUE authorisation email.
The published examination calendar therefore reveals a change to the length of the listed examination windows. Candidates should not assume, however that this change alone confirms that the AMC can examine candidates or that every test centre has fewer available seats. The actual number of appointments will depend on the venues and their availability.
AMC Examination Dates 2026 vs 2027: What Has Changed?
The clearest way to understand the update is to compare the earlier examination events with the latest published schedule.
| Detail | Earlier schedule: 2026 | Latest schedule: 2027 |
| October examination event | 12–17 October 2026 | 11–14 October 2027 |
| November examination event | 16–21 November 2026 | November 2027 dates not yet listed on the reviewed calendar |
| First listed examination event | October and November events are available in the 2026 calendar. | 15–18 February 2027 |
| Listed dates per event window | Six days in October and November 2026 | Four days per published event window from February through October |
| Scheduling approach | Book through Pearson VUE after authorisation | Book through Pearson VUE after authorisation |
| Availability | Depends on the venue and available seats | Depends on the venue and available seats |
The comparison reflects the information on the AMC calendar as of 12 October 2026.
1. The first listed 2027 event begins in February
Candidates intending to sit the AMC MCQ examination at the beginning of 2027 should take special note of the events listed for February.
The published calendar does not list a January 2027 examination event. The first listed examination window therefore runs from the 15th to the 18th of February 2027 with a scheduling closing date of the 25th of January 2027. Results scheduled for the 12th of March 2027.
This information is crucial for candidates who originally intended to sit the examination in January as they may need to update their schedules.
2. Examination windows now have four listed dates
The October and November 2026 events each include six examination dates in their event windows. The published February 2027 event on the other hand indicates four dates.
It is important to remember that a listed window of dates means that candidates should plan to book earlier if they have a preferred test centre, date or travel itinerary.
Remember that the listed event dates represent the published window, than an indication that every candidate can select every date at every venue. Pearson VUE controls the appointment scheduling and confirms the actual availability of seats.
3. Monthly examinations continue in the published 2027 calendar
The latest calendar lists examination events from February 2027 to October 2027. Although the dates vary from month to month candidates have opportunities within this timeframe to plan their examination.
Do not assume, however that the pattern of the published months will apply to any months beyond those listed. Make sure to keep an eye on the calendar in case of any further updates.
If you are planning to take the AMC examination in 2027, understanding the exam schedule is just one part of your journey. You also need the right preparation strategy and a clear understanding of the pathway towards Australian medical registration. Explore Academically's AMC Exam Preparation Course to learn about the available preparation support, MCQ practice and learning resources.
Complete AMC MCQ Examination Schedule for 2027
Candidates should use the following table as a guide for the examination dates, scheduling closing dates and results schedules for 2027.
| Month | Published examination dates | Scheduling closes | Results scheduled |
| February | 15–18 February | 25 January 2027 | 12 March 2027 |
| March | 15–18 March | 22 February 2027 | 9 April 2027 |
| April | 13–16 April | 22 March 2027 | 7 May 2027 |
| May | 17–20 May | 26 April 2027 | 11 June 2027 |
| June | 15–18 June | 24 May 2027 | 9 July 2027 |
| July | 12–15 July | 21 June 2027 | 6 August 2027 |
| August | 16–19 August | 26 July 2027 | 10 September 2027 |
| September | 13–16 September | 23 August 2027 | 8 October 2027 |
| October | 11–14 October | 20 September 2027 | 5 November 2027 |
Why Should You Book Your AMC Examination Slot Early?
Finding out your examination month is one thing. However you also need to make sure that you have an appointment at AMC examination venue that suits you on a date that works with your revision schedule.
Certain venues for AMC examination have limited number of seats and that these are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Candidates should therefore aim to book as soon as possible within their authorisation window with four key reasons in particular:
1. Your preferred venue may have limited availability
Certain international medical graduates (IMGs) may prefer a particular Pearson VUE test centre when it comes to the venue where they sit the examination.
This choice could be informed by a range of factors including the location and the travel arrangements involved. You should therefore keep in mind that waiting to book your appointment could limit your options.
By booking early, you give yourself a better chance of securing the venue of your choice, although it is important to remember that early booking does not guarantee either your preferred date or venue.
2. You need time to organise travel
IMG candidates may need to make travel arrangements to reach the examination venue particularly if this is located in a different city or country.
Early scheduling therefore becomes a consideration as you plan your travel itinerary. Avoid making non-refundable travel commitments until your examination booking and venue details are confirmed.
3. You can align your preparation with a realistic deadline
Having a confirm examination date can be an important motivator as you revise for the AMC examination.
For example, if you intend to sit the February 2027 examination you should work backwards from the date of the examination. Leave enough time to revisit any weak areas of your clinical knowledge. It is not enough to select the available event. You must choose a realistic event date and book a venue that will suit your schedule.
Therefore, my recommendation is to work on two priorities together: secure your examination slot early and follow a structured AMC preparation plan. Do not let booking arrangements become a last-minute source of stress when you could be using that time to focus on clinical learning.
4. Missing the scheduling deadline can have serious consequences
The AMC permits candidates to change their examination event or venue before the event's closing date, subject to seat availability.
However, the organisation does not accept rescheduling or withdrawal requests after this date. The AMC publishes a warning notice on its website reminding candidates of the importance of making any withdrawal or rescheduling requests before the closing date.
Failure to do so will result in the loss of the authorisation and payment with no refund available.
How to Book Your AMC Examination Slot for 2027
The booking process involves different stages and candidates should take the time to review the necessary steps in order to avoid any last-minute issues.
Do not wait until you have completed every final revision session to think about scheduling. Understand your authorisation and available booking options early enough to plan responsibly.
Final Takeaway: Plan Your AMC Examination Early for 2027
The latest AMC MCQ examination calendar highlights an important scheduling difference: the six-day examination windows listed for October and November 2026 are followed by four-date windows in the currently published schedule from February 2027 onwards.
The first listed 2027 event is scheduled for 15–18 February, with scheduling closing on 25 January 2027. Candidates should monitor the official AMC calendar, confirm their venue availability and book promptly after receiving Pearson VUE authorisation.
Remember, early booking does not guarantee a specific seat, but it helps you act while appointments are available. Combine that with a realistic preparation timetable and regular revision to make your examination planning more manageable.
Even though the latest schedule can create confusion with preparation, Academically's experts are always there for you to guide through the process entirely and make your AMC journey easy.
