MCCQE Detailed Information

Overview of MCCQE

The MCCQE (Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination) is a national standardized exam that assesses the medical knowledge, clinical decision-making, and skills of candidates seeking medical licensure in Canada.

Registration and Eligibility

Before submitting an application for the examination, candidates must first register by creating an account on physiciansapply.ca.

Applicants must ensure that their medical degree and academic transcripts are verified through the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) as part of the eligibility process.

Upon successful verification, candidates receive a Medical Identification Number for Canada (MINC), which is essential for the next steps in the licensure process.

Exam Format and Schedule

As of 2021, the MCCQE comprises only one qualifying exam.

This is a computer-based examination consisting of 230 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), divided into:

Section 1: 115 questions — 2 hours and 40 minutes
Optional Break: 45 minutes
Section 2: 115 questions — 2 hours and 40 minutes

The exam is based on a blueprint that assesses your performance across two broad categories:

Dimensions of care, covering the spectrum of medical care
Physician activities, reflecting a physician’s scope of practice and behaviours

Each category has four domains, and each is assigned a specific content weighting on the exam:

Exam Sessions (2025):

April to May
August to September
October

Marking system: The exam is scored on a scale from 100 to 400. To pass, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 226.

Each candidate is allowed a maximum of four attempts to pass the exam

Recommended Study Resources for MCCQE

1. UWorld Step 2 CK

High-quality, exam-style questions with detailed explanations.
Excellent for building foundational knowledge, particularly in Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Psychiatry.
Uses an evidence-based learning approach.

Tip: Use Tutor Mode to learn effectively through the explanations provided after each question.

2. QBankMD

Fully updated to align with the 2025 MCCQE format and topics.
Offers a free trial, allowing you to explore the platform before subscribing.
Includes an AI tutor specifically trained on MCCQE1 content.
Over 3,000 questions with an adaptive learning system that identifies and targets your weak areas.
Designed by Canadian physicians who have successfully passed the MCCQE1.
Clean, modern user interface optimized for study efficiency.

Additional Resources

Toronto Notes 2022 – A comprehensive Canadian resource widely used for medical licensing exams.
Practice Exams from the MCC – Simulates the actual exam environment and helps with time management.

Note: You will not be able to schedule your exam date until your application has been accepted. Once accepted, you’ll have a 12-month eligibility window to take the exam through Prometric (in-person or remote). Scheduling opens approximately 5 months before the session start date.

Steps to Write the MCCQE

Create a physiciansapply.ca account: This portal is used for all applications, document submissions, and exam bookings.
Submit Required Documents:
- Proof of Identity (e.g., passport)
- Medical Degree — especially for international medical graduates
- Verification is done through ECFMG by MCC
Pay Fees: Application fee (~CAD 1,420) and source verification (~CAD 215 per document), subject to change.
Wait for Document Verification: Your medical degree must be source verified before scheduling the exam. This process can take several weeks to months, depending on your university. Once your application is accepted, you'll have a 12-month window to schedule and write the MCCQE Part I at a Prometric test centre or via remote proctoring. Exam appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduling typically opens about 5 months before the session start date.
Schedule the Exam: After approval, select your preferred date and location with Prometric during one of the three exam sessions (April–May, August–September, or October).
Prepare for the Exam: The MCCQE is a one-day computer-based exam. Format: You'll need IELTS later on, and keep in mind IELTS is valid for 2 years. Your IELTS should be valid when you apply for either CarMs or ready to practice program. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) – ~210 questions in 3.5 hours
Take the Exam: Bring your ID and confirmation documents. Arrive early and follow Prometric testing protocols.
Get Your Results: Results are typically released approximately 8 weeks after your exam. You need a minimum score of 226 (as of recent years) to pass.

Study Strategy for the MCCQE

1. Establish a Strong Clinical Foundation

Begin with UWorld Step 2 CK to solidify your understanding of essential medical disciplines, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Psychiatry. Prioritize high-yield topics that align with MCCQE content.

2. Shift to MCCQE-Focused Question Banks

Incorporate question banks specifically tailored to the MCCQE (such as QBankMD, CanadaQBank, or AceQBank) to address subjects like Public Health, OBGYN, Pediatrics, and Canadian healthcare guidelines—areas not fully covered by UWorld.

3. Utilize Official Practice Materials

Use the Medical Council of Canada’s official preparatory products for the most accurate exam simulation. While these are ideal for practice, complement them with third-party question banks to benefit from more detailed explanations.

4. Reinforce Ethics and Professionalism

Review key topics in Toronto Notes, particularly ethics and professional conduct. Also, explore the CMPA’s Ethics Guide for comprehensive insights into issues such as patient privacy, consent, and professional responsibilities in the Canadian healthcare system.

5. Simulate the Real Exam Experience

Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions to build mental stamina and become comfortable with the 6.5-hour exam format. This helps improve time management and test-day readiness.

What after MCCQE?

Canadian Residency (CaRMS match): Most residency programs prefer or require PR or citizenship, especially in provinces with limited IMG spots.

A few provinces (e.g., Ontario, Nova Scotia, British Columbia) sometimes accept visa trainees, but competition is much tougher.

Practice-ready assessment (PRA) programs: Some provinces offer PRA programs for IMGs, which may allow practice without a Canadian residency.

Most of these require PR or citizenship

NAC examination

What is the NAC Examination?

The NAC Examination is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

The exam tests the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for entrance into postgraduate training, or residency in Canada.

IMGs must take the NAC Examination to apply to the Canadian residency program with the Canadian Residency matching service (CaRMS).

Exam Format and Schedule

All candidates rotate through the same series of stations. The NAC Examination consists of 12 stations, 2 of which are pilot stations that will not count toward your final score.

In addition, there will be 2-3 wait stations, where there is no clinical scenario or task (and no score). Each station is 11 minutes long with 2 minutes between stations.

At each station, a brief written statement introduces a clinical problem and outlines your tasks (e.g., take a history, conduct and describe a physical examination). In each station, there is at least one standardized participant (an actor) and a physician examiner (that assesses your ability to handle your patient).

The NAC Examination cannot be taken in consecutive sessions(for example, a candidate who took the May 2024 NAC Examination will only be able to retake it in May 2025 or later).

Exam centres

The NAC Examination is held twice a year at a limited number of exam centres across Canada. During the application process, you will be asked to choose up to 3 exam centres in order of preference.

The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) will make every attempt to accommodate your centre preference(s) during the centre assignment process. You can change your preferences until the centre choice change deadline.

Candidates will receive a message in their physiciansapply.ca account approximately 6 weeks before the exam to confirm which exam centre they have been assigned.

Exam administrations are held twice a year, in the spring and fall.

Exam results

Your total NAC Examination score is reported on a scale from 500 to 700 with a pass score of 577.

A total score equal to or greater than the pass score is a pass, and a total score less than the pass score is a fail.

All candidates who meet or exceed the pass score will pass the NAC Examination regardless of how well other candidates perform.

Understanding the Scoring System

Examiners observe your interactions with standardized participants (SPs) and score your performance on each station according to a standardized scoring instrument that includes a checklist of tasks, answer key to oral questions, and rating scales that are designed to assess up to 7 competencies.

These competencies include:

History taking

Diagnosis

Management

Communication skills

Physical examination

Investigations

Data interpretation

Please note, the NAC is a requirement for the Clinical Assessment Program application. IMGs must complete the NAC prior to the CaRMS application deadline.

When do you give the MCCQE and NAC?

You can take the MCCQE and NAC OCSE in any order or together.

You don't have to pass one to appear in other. After you pass both your exams you can apply for residency in Canada through CaARMS.

How to apply for the NAC Examination

If you meet the NAC Examination eligibility requirements, you can apply for the exam through your physiciansapply.ca account.

Eligibility requirements

You must be a graduate from, or a student who is expected to complete all medical degree requirements within 12 months of the date of the exam from:

A medical school outside Canada or the U.S. that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and identified by a Canada Sponsor Note indicating it is an acceptable medical school in Canada

Exam attempts

You can take the NAC Examination a maximum of 3 times, regardless of if you passed or failed your previous attempt(s). Only your most recent result on the examination remains valid indefinitely and does not expire.

To keep a track of the dates, students are advised to keep a watch at the Medical Council of Canadas's website page

Additional Information

The MCCQE is a critical milestone for both Canadian and International medical graduates who wish to practice in Canada. It evaluates readiness for supervised clinical practice in the Canadian healthcare system.

Candidates should regularly check the official MCC website for updates on exam content, fees, and policies.