If you are a medical graduate or a student, you must surely be wondering about the possible career options for you and must also be considering various countries wherein you can build a successful medical career. The good news is that indeed, there are many career options available across the globe, and as such, great fortune awaits you. Among the many options available, the USA (USMLE) and Australia (AMC) are among the top considerations for building a good career in medicine.
Let’s look at both in detail and then have a sound comparison between the two:
- USMLE: The Gateway to the American Dream
The United States Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE, is a standardized test series that assesses the medical knowledge and skills of international/foreign medical graduates. The USMLE is a three-step examination, and each step is designed to evaluate different aspects of medical competency.
Step 1: This initial step tests your understanding of the basic sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and microbiology. It is usually taken after the second year of medical school.
Step 2: This step is divided into two components: clinical knowledge (CK) and clinical skills (CS). CK assesses your clinical knowledge, while CS evaluates your practical skills in a clinical setting.
Step 3: The final step focuses on assessing your ability to apply medical knowledge and understanding to patient care. It includes multiple-choice questions and computer-based case simulations.
The USMLE is widely recognized and accepted throughout the United States, and success in this examination opens doors to numerous residency and fellowship programs, ultimately leading to a medical license to practice in the United States.
- AMC: The route to Australia
The Australian Medical Council, or AMC, is the governing body responsible for assessing the qualifications and competence of international medical graduates (IMGs) in Australia. The pathway for IMGs in Australia is slightly different from the one in the USA. The Australian pathway consists of multiple steps.
The AMC (Australian Medical Council) pathway is a series of steps that international medical graduates (IMGs) need to follow to become eligible for medical practice in Australia. The pathway consists of various assessments and exams to ensure that IMGs meet the required standards of medical practice in the country.
The examination consists of two parts:
- AMC Part 1 Exam:
- The AMC Part 1 Exam is the first step in the assessment process for IMGs. It is a computer-based multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination that assesses your knowledge of the medical sciences and clinical reasoning. This exam is designed to evaluate your understanding of the foundational principles of medicine and your ability to apply this knowledge to clinical scenarios.
- The AMC Part 1 Exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover a wide range of medical topics, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and clinical reasoning. The questions may be based on common clinical presentations and scenarios.
- The Part 1 Exam is usually administered outside of Australia and can be taken at authorized test centers in various countries.
- It’s important to prepare thoroughly for this exam, as it is a critical step in demonstrating your medical knowledge and competence to practice in Australia.
- AMC Part 2 Clinical Exam:
- The AMC Part 2 Clinical Exam is the second part of the assessment process and focuses on your clinical skills and communication abilities. It is a practical examination that assesses your clinical competence and ability to interact with patients.
- The Part 2 Clinical Exam typically takes place in Australia and involves several Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations. In these stations, you will encounter standardized patients and be evaluated on various clinical skills and competencies, such as history-taking, physical examination, communication, and problem-solving.
- The examination assesses your ability to perform clinical tasks and communicate effectively in a clinical setting, simulating real-life patient encounters.
- IMGs are expected to demonstrate professionalism, clinical knowledge, and the ability to provide safe and effective patient care during the Part 2 Clinical Exam.
Now let’s look at both exams for key differences and considerations:
1) Eligibility: Before going for any exam, it is important to know and fulfil the eligibility criteria.
USMLE: The IMG must be a student or graduate of a medical school that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) as satisfying ECFMG eligibility standards.
AMC: The IMG must have a medical degree from an AMC-accredited medical school or from a medical school listed in WDOMS.
2) Exam format: Every exam has a specific format that is tailored according to the requirements of the exam, and as such, these exams also have certain formats, and one should be well acquainted with them before going for any of the exams.
USMLE: There are two exams: USMLE Step 1, Step 2, CK, and Step 3.
Step 1: An 8-hour test with seven 60-minute blocks of multiple-choice questions (no more than 40 questions per block); 280 total items
Step 2: A 9-hour test with 8 60-minute blocks of multiple-choice questions (no more than 40 questions per block); 318 total items
Step 3: This step includes multiple-choice questions and computer-based case simulations to assess your ability to apply medical knowledge and understanding to patient care.
AMC: There are two exams: the AMC CAT MCQ Examination and the AMC Clinical Examiner.
Computer Adaptive Test (CAT): A computer-based test lasting 3.5 hours and consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions
Clinical Examiner: An OSCE with 16 stations (14 of which are assessed) and four 10-minute rest stops.
3) Grading and score:We know how important grades and scores are when it comes to qualifying for any exam, and as such, the grades and scores determine the future prospects of a certain attempt. Both of these exams have their own system of grading
Step 1 of the USMLE is stated as pass or fail, but steps 2 and 3 require a minimum passing score of 209 and 198, respectively.
AMC: A minimum passing score of 250 out of 500 is required for the CAT test. To pass the clinical test, you must complete 10 of the 14 stations.
4) Number of attempts: Certain exams have a limited number of attempts. However, for some, the number of attempts can be unlimited.
USMLE: Four attempts per STEP are allowed.
AMC: There is no limit on the number of attempts allowed.
5) English Language Proficiency: As we know, English is the primary language in both of these countries; therefore, one should meet certain requirements in English proficiency before applying for these exams.
USMLE:To fulfil the English proficiency requirement for USMLE, candidates must score 350 in each listening, reading, and speaking skill and 300 in writing in the Occupational English Test (OET) or overall set scores in English language proficiency exams such as TOEFL or IELTS. Specific score thresholds can, however, vary.
AMC:In order to fulfil the english proficiency requirement for AMC, Candidates must obtain a minimum score of ‘B’ in each component of Occupational English Test (OET) or an overall IELTS score of 7.0
6) Exam fee: Fee is an important factor that one considers when going for any exam, especially international exams, where fees can be much higher than national-level exams.
USMLE: STEP 1 fee is around $985 (INR ~82,000/-). STEP 2 costs around $985 (INR ~82,000/-) ECFMG certification also costs $160 (INR 13,000/-)
AMC: CAT MCQ examination costs AU$2,920 (INR ~1,60,000/-) and Clinical examination costs around AU$4,130 (INR ~2,26,400/-)
7) Exam dates: It is important to know the date of the exam and the frequency of the exam to plan your preparation accordingly.
USMLE: Both exams are held around the year, except on the first week of January and major holidays.
AMC: The exams are held on multiple dates in a year. Most probably the third week of each month.
8) Job prospects refer to a person’s potential ability to get a particular job. It also refers to the probability of future success in a position or career.
USMLE: After USMLE and ECFMG certification, all physicians must undergo a US residency before practicing.
AMC: After AMC, physicians must be offered an employment letter, after which they can apply for conditional registration.
9) Earning Potential: It is one of the important determinants of the job one chooses and the place of work. Therefore, a good-earning job becomes more desirable.
USMLE: One can earn a median salary of around ₹12,000,000–₹18,000,000.
AMC: One can expect a median salary of around ₹9,000,000–₹16,000,000.
To know more in detail you can check out this link.
Therefore, considering all the facts, I would say the choice between USMLE and AMC is a crucial one for aspiring medical professionals. Your decision should be guided by your career goals, desired location of practice, and personal circumstances. Regardless of your choice, dedicated preparation and a commitment to excellence are key to success in either pathway. Both USMLE and AMC are vital steps toward realizing your dream of practicing medicine in the United States or Australia.
