AMC MCQ Exam Dates 2026 — Booking Windows & Pearson VUE Schedule

The AMC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) MCQ runs year-round through Pearson VUE — but you cannot book months ahead. Registration windows typically open only weeks before each sitting, and popular slots vanish in days. The winning move in 2026 is knowing your window and having eligibility sorted before it opens.

When can you sit the AMC MCQ in 2026?

The AMC MCQ is available throughout 2026 via Pearson VUE testing centres across Australia and select international locations. Unlike fixed-date paper exams, CAT runs on demand — but that does not mean unlimited availability. The busiest windows fill first:

• January–February — the post-holiday rush
• May–June — the mid-year peak
• September–October — the spring attempt window

Your exact options depend on which Pearson VUE centre you choose and when you register. Always confirm dates and pricing against the current schedule on the official AMC website.

How the 2026 booking window works

1. Decide your target month (e.g. “I want to sit in June 2026”)
2. Watch for the registration window — it typically opens only weeks before the sitting
3. Log into your AMC portal and select your Pearson VUE centre
4. Book your seat within days — popular slots vanish quickly

Pro tip: set a calendar reminder for when registration windows typically open. Miss the window and you are waiting for the next one — which can push your whole timeline back a quarter.

Pearson VUE testing centres for 2026

Pearson VUE runs the CAT MCQ across major Australian cities — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide — plus select international centres whose availability varies year to year. Overseas candidates should confirm their local centre’s 2026 schedule early; some international locations have limited seats per sitting.

Study timeline: work backwards from your target date

Use the free AMC timeline planner to map your own dates, but here is the baseline shape for a June 2026 sitting:

Most IMGs study 3–6 months before attempting the MCQ. Start earlier if English is not your first language or your medical training finished more than five years ago. For the trap patterns that catch first-time sitters, see AMC MCQ tips and the 16-week study plan.

Before you book: check your eligibility

Not every IMG can sit the AMC MCQ immediately. You will need:

• A primary medical qualification from a recognised institution
• English language proficiency — compare IELTS vs OET for which suits you
• Awareness of recency of practice rules for later registration — see AHPRA recency requirements

Unsure where you stand? The free eligibility checker clears it up in about two minutes — before you invest months of prep.

Fees and payment for 2026

Once your window opens you pay the MCQ fee through the AMC portal, card payment at booking. Fees change between cycles — check the current fee schedule on the AMC website, and use the AMC fee calculator to budget the full pathway (MCQ, clinical, English test, AHPRA) rather than one exam at a time.

Planning both MCQ and Clinical in 2026

The AMC pathway has two parts, and you must pass the MCQ before sitting the Clinical exam. If you want both inside 2026: book the MCQ in an early window, allow for results, then register for Clinical later in the year — realistically many candidates land Clinical in 2027. See Clinical exam preparation for that timeline.

High-volume candidate cohorts

Candidates from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UK and the US make up the largest AMC cohorts — if you are in one of them, expect the busiest booking windows and register the day yours opens. Country-specific guides: India, Pakistan, Philippines.

Once you have booked

1. Save your confirmation email and Pearson VUE booking reference
2. Track your progress on the AMC checklist
3. Start prep immediately — the weeks between booking and sitting go fast

FAQ

Got questions about your specific 2026 timeline? Ask the free AI mentor — it will build a personalised plan from your background. Or join the IMG community on Telegram for the daily MCQ and booking-window reminders.