What's next?
Have you been grappling with this question as your internship comes to a close?
Are you standing at crossroads, surrounded by possibilities yet unsure which path to take?
Take a deep breath — you're not alone, and your next step starts here! We’re here to guide you towards clarity, confidence, and a future full of potential! Every great journey begins with a moment of uncertainty — and that’s where growth happens.
Believe in your potential, and let this be the start of something incredible. Don't worry — we've got you covered!
As you approach the end of your internship, it's common to feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty of what lies ahead. The anxiety can be consuming, especially when you have no one to turn to for guidance and every possible path seems unclear.
Don’t worry—you’re not alone. We've all been there. That’s exactly why we created this website: to help young doctors like you navigate the many career pathways available after completing your undergraduation.
Our goal is to provide clarity before you dive into preparing for the numerous exams expected of you. Here, you’ll find detailed information about each path—how long it takes, what it demands, and the costs involved—so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
PLAB (UK)
PLAB/UKMLA -Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board now called UKMLA
PLAB is a medical licensing exam to practice in the United Kingdom, consisting of two parts—PLAB 1 AND PLAB 2
The pathway to PLAB has 2 steps
1. PLAB 1
2. PLAB 2
IELTS standing for International English Language Testing System (refer to IELTS page for more information)
The IELTS criteria for PLAB 1, is a minimum overall score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each section that is reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The IELTS exam you are expected to take is the ACADEMIC IELTS.
Candidates should ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria, including holding a primary medical qualification accepted by the GMC prior.
USMLE (USA)
The USMLE is a multi-step exam to become a registered doctor and to be able to join residency programs in the US.
The exams are aimed to gauge your prowess in basic sciences, clinical subjects, and clinical skills.
The exams are divided into 3 parts - Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3
USMLE also requires you to clear a standardized English language exam for foreign nationals.
It is also preferred if you take up clinical observerships and rotations in the US prior to applying to residency programs which helps boost your application.
The most well-known resources for preparing are the First Aid series for each step, UWorld, Kaplan, and many more e-learning platforms that provide test series, study materials, and other resources to prepare.
AMC (Australia)
The AMC exam is a qualifying exam required to practice medicine in Australia.
Like every other major country, Australia also requires you to pass the IELTS /OET to get licensed aside from passing the above-mentioned exams.
You must hold a valid medical degree from a recognised medical institute as per the records of the WDOMS (the list is available on the AMC Website)
You must create an ECFMG account and get your profile verified and notarized prior to applying for the exam.
Once the ECFMG account is created, an account must be created on the AMC website linking the candidate's details from the ECFMG Website
There are three options to apply for an Australian medical license -
1. Standard pathway
2. WBA pathway
3. Competent Authority Pathway
MCCQE & NAC (Canada)
The MCCQE stands for Medical Council of Canada and is a qualifying examination that focuses on the medical knowledge, clinical decision-making, and skills of candidates seeking medical licensure in Canada.
The exam consists of 230 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided into two sections. Candidates are allowed up to two hours and forty minutes for each section with a 45-minute optional break in between.
Candidates need to create an account on physiciansapply.ca and verify their medical degree and transcripts through the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) prior to applying for the exam.
Upon successful verification, you receive a Medical Identification Number for Canada (MINC), which is essential for the subsequent steps.
The NAC Examination
NAC stands for The National Assessment Collaboration and is a national exam that assesses your readiness to enter a Canadian residency program
It is a half-day Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) consisting of 12 stations.
Exam administrations are held twice a year, in the spring and fall.
NZREX (New Zealand)
New Zealand requires you to clear only one exam of their medical council.
There is a considerable amount of paperwork to complete before applying—fill two forms, create an MCNZ account, and submit documents.
You must also have passed one of the following:
1. PLAB 1
2. AMC 1
3. USMLE 1 & 2
Under certain conditions, clearing all levels of those exams may allow bypassing the NZREX.
EMREE (The Emirates)
The Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Examination (EMREE) is required for candidates applying to residency programs in the UAE.
The exam includes 120 MCQs covering core disciplines, to be completed in 3 hours. No negative marking.
Eligibility:
1. Final-year medical student, intern, or graduate (within the last 5 years)
2. Recognized medical degree from an accredited institution
3. No more than 5 years of clinical gap
IELTS
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System, used for work, study, or migration to English-speaking countries.
It tests 4 areas:
a) Listening
b) Reading
c) Writing
d) Speaking
Listening, Reading, Writing happen on the same day (2 hr 40 min). Speaking may be on the same day or within a week before/after.
