AMC vs PLAB 2: Key Differences for IMGs
Deciding between Australia and the UK? Here is how the AMC Clinical Exam and PLAB 2 compare on format, guidelines, cost and pathway, so you can choose with clear eyes.
If you are an international medical graduate weighing up Australia versus the UK, the exam is often where the decision becomes concrete. AMC vs PLAB is really a question about two countries, two registration systems, and two clinical contexts, with the OSCE itself being only part of the picture. This guide compares them clearly so you can decide with your eyes open.
For the detail on each, see our guides to the AMC clinical exam explained and how to pass PLAB 2, plus the AMC Clinical hub and PLAB 2 hub.
Country and registration
The fundamental difference is destination. The AMC Clinical Exam sits within the Standard Pathway for registration in Australia, overseen by the Australian Medical Council. PLAB 2 is run by the General Medical Council for registration in the UK. Your choice should follow where you want to live and work, including visa and job-market realities, not the exam itself.
AMC vs PLAB: exam format
Both are OSCEs: timed circuits of stations with simulated patients and examiners, rewarding safe, structured, patient-centred consultations. The specifics differ. PLAB 2 has 18 stations (16 clinical and 2 rest), each 8 minutes. The AMC Clinical Exam uses around 20 stations including rest and some pilot stations, judged by global rating with no averaging across stations. Always confirm the current format for each on the GMC and AMC websites.
Guidelines and clinical context (the big one)
This is where preparation genuinely diverges and where candidates must not cut corners:
- AMC: management must reflect Australian practice, grounded in the RACGP and Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG), with attention to cultural safety and the PBS.
- PLAB 2: management must reflect UK practice, grounded in NICE, CKS and the BNF.
Your communication and consultation skills transfer between the two, but the management content does not. Never mix guidelines: an Australian answer in a PLAB 2 station, or vice versa, can be marked unsafe.
Cost and pathway
The exams have different fees, and the wider pathways (earlier-stage exams, registration steps, supervised practice and visa routes) differ between the countries. Factor in the total cost and time of the whole pathway, not just the OSCE fee, when comparing. Check the official AMC and GMC pages for current fees and requirements.
How to choose
- Decide on the country first based on career, lifestyle, family and visa options.
- Map the full pathway for that country, including all exams and registration steps.
- Compare total cost and time, not just the clinical exam.
- Then prepare for the right exam, using only that country's guidelines.
Preparing for either
Whichever you choose, the method is similar: drill structured, timed consultations out loud and get feedback by domain. Realistic AI voice patients let you rehearse for either exam, as long as you consciously use the correct country's guidelines for management.
Final thoughts
AMC vs PLAB comes down to where you want to practise, with two OSCEs that share a philosophy but differ in format and, crucially, in the guidelines they expect. Decide the country, map the whole pathway, compare true cost and time, and then prepare for that exam in its own clinical context. Explore both on the AMC Clinical hub and PLAB 2 hub.
This article is general exam-preparation guidance, not clinical advice. Always follow each exam's national guidelines (RACGP and eTG for the AMC; NICE, CKS and BNF for PLAB 2) and confirm exam details with the relevant body.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the AMC and PLAB 2?
Both are OSCE-style clinical exams for international medical graduates, but the AMC Clinical Exam is for registration in Australia and uses Australian guidelines, while PLAB 2 is for the UK and uses UK guidelines. The format, scoring details and context differ.
Is the AMC harder than PLAB 2?
Neither is universally harder. Difficulty depends on which clinical context you already know. Both reward safe, structured, patient-centred consultations, and the main challenge for most candidates is adapting to the relevant country's guidelines and consultation style.
Can I use the same preparation for AMC and PLAB 2?
The consultation and communication skills transfer well, but the management content does not. You must use Australian guidelines for the AMC and UK guidelines for PLAB 2, and never mix them.
Should I do the AMC or PLAB 2?
Choose based on where you want to live and work, the registration pathway and visa options in each country, and cost. The exam should follow your career and life decision, not the other way around.
This article is educational content for OSCE exam preparation and does not replace professional clinical judgement or local guidelines. Management, prescribing, and guideline references cite named sources for each jurisdiction — always confirm against the current official guidance before acting. Last reviewed 10 June 2026 by MedRevisions Clinical Team.
MedRevisions Team
OSCE educators & NHS-experienced clinicians
NHS-experienced doctors and medical educators dedicated to helping candidates pass their OSCE exams. All clinical content is reviewed by the MedRevisions Clinical Team before publication.