AMC Clinical (Part 2 OSCE)

You rotate through 16 assessed stations and four rest stations. Each station gives two minutes of reading time followed by eight minutes of assessment time. Stations may use simulated patients or videotaped patient presentations, supported by charts, digital images and photographs. Rest stations give you a short break between assessed encounters.

Yes. To be eligible for the clinical examination you must have passed the AMC CAT MCQ examination. The clinical exam is a later stage of the Standard Pathway, so plan your study order around clearing the MCQ before you begin intensive OSCE-style practice and station rehearsal.

You complete 16 assessed stations including two pilot stations, but your overall result is determined by 14 scored stations. You pass by obtaining a pass score in 9 or more of the 14, and fail with 8 or less. Pilot stations normally do not count, though the Clinical Results Panel may substitute one if a non-pilot station has an issue.

A pilot station is a trial run used to evaluate the station's instructions, materials and overall process before it enters the main examination. Pilot stations are developed by a discipline writing group and approved by the Clinical Assessment Panel, and have no statistics from previous examinations. They are not normally part of your score.

Each station focuses on one predominant area: history taking, examination, diagnostic formulation, or management, counselling and education. Stations cover medical, surgical, women's health, paediatric and mental health presentations across community and hospital settings, so build practice across all four domains rather than favouring one.

The AMC does not publish a difficulty rating. Difficulty is best judged by the breadth of stations and the pass rule: you must clear 9 of 14 scored stations, so a few weak stations can be absorbed but a broad pattern of gaps cannot. Structured practice with feedback on each of the four assessment areas matters more than raw knowledge.

Results are available to download at 4.00pm on the Friday three weeks following your clinical examination. Sign into your AMC account, select AMC Examinations on your landing page, then Clinical Results, then the examination under the Details column. Each station's result reflects key steps, the relevant assessment domains and your overall performance.

The AMC does not publish a list of common failure modes, so treat this as sensible preparation rather than official guidance. Weaknesses usually show up as incomplete histories, unstructured examinations, premature diagnostic formulation, and counselling that ignores the patient's concerns. Practise each station under an eight-minute timer and get feedback on all four assessment areas.

You need a desktop or laptop running Windows 11 with administrator privileges, a screen of at least 14 inches, and a webcam at roughly eye level. Plug-in headphones with a microphone are compulsory, with a spare pair ready; wireless or Bluetooth headphones are not permitted. You must be alone in a distraction-free room with reliable high-speed internet.

Start with the clinical examination specifications, which set out format, content, required knowledge, skills and attitudes, topics and suggested reading. Then watch the candidate briefing video, work through the suggested reading list and review the Tips from Examiners. Build timed practice around the four assessment areas before attempting full-circuit rehearsals.