Canadian Exams
Current Examinations
There are currently two examinations required for IMGs to apply for Canadian Residency. The MCCQE 1 and the NAC.
Both Exams are usually taken at some point between the July and September leading into Final Year.
More information on the entire Canadian Application process can be found here.
Although the MCCQE used to be split into multiple parts, the MCC has recently stopped offering or requiring part 2. As such, this is the only part of the MCCQE that is needed.
As per mcc.ca:
"The MCCQE Part I is a one-day, computer-based test. You are allowed up to four hours in the morning session to complete 210 Multiple-Choice Questions. You are allowed up to three and a half hours in the afternoon session for the Clinical Decision-Making component, which consists of 38 cases with short-menu and short-answer write-in questions."
Note that you CANNOT book this exam whenever you want; instead, 5 separate two week periods are offered. Most students go for the July option, although any option is doable as long as the exam is written in time for the CaRMS application. We strongly recommend double-checking the writing periods and planning appropriately, which can be found here.
Here is an example of the dates that could be offered from 2023:
Jan 25 - Feb 22
April 12 - May 24
Aug 23 - Sept 20
Sept 1 - Sept 22
Oct 18 - Nov 8
More information on resources can be found here.
The NAC is the second component required for a Canadian Residency application. It is a series of OSCE stations done ONLY IN-PERSON IN CANADA. It is usually taken in September or October of Final Year. Each station is 11 minutes long, with 2 minutes of break time in-between.
From mcc.ca:
"An OSCE includes a series of stations where you are presented with typical clinical scenarios. It includes problems in:
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Medicine
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Surgery
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Pediatrics
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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Psychiatry
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Preventive Medicine and Public Health"
This exam is offered in both English and French. There are various testing sites around Canada; Have a look at the MCC website for more information about a centre near you.
More information on resources can be found here.
