A sample AMC MCQ question broken down

Broadly speaking, they come in one form:

-the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) format.

There is a brief case (maximum one-two paragraphs long), a lead in question, and a choice of five answers. They test all aspects of being a doctor, including history, examination, investigation, diagnosis, management and basic science.

There are common themes across all areas:

• The stems are brief, with only need-to-know information in
• There are no red herrings
• Each correct answer scores equally – there is no weighting
• There are no killer marks – if you don’t have a clue have a guess, because you cannot lose marks

Each stem is riddled with clues, because to be able to test applied clinical knowledge there need to be enough clues for you to work out the next step.

Let's work through a sample MCQ question together:

Kelly Maxwell, aged 22 years, presents with two days of urinary burning and stinging. She is well with no fever and has a past medical history of two urinary tract infections eight years ago. She is allergic to penicillin. What is the most appropriate next step?

The answer grid for this question appeared as follows...

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