What Strong AMC Candidates Do Well: Insights from a Former College Examiner

Having spent over a decade a National and Chief Examiner, I’ve been fortunate to witness not only the common missteps — but also the qualities that consistently stood out in strong candidates. These are the doctors who, regardless of whether they passed with a narrow margin or flying colours, left a lasting impression for all the right reasons.

If you’re preparing for the exam, here are a few habits and behaviours worth cultivating — because they reflect what real-world, safe, and effective medical practice looks like.

(1) They Make It a Conversation, not a Performance 

Strong candidates engage naturally — they listen, respond, and speak with clarity. They don't recite memorised phrases or race through rehearsed checklists. Instead, they connect with the patient (or actor) and the examiner, showing they can think on their feet and adapt to the clinical context.

The tone is calm, professional, and warm — not robotic or theatrical.

(2) They Prioritise and Structure Their Thoughts 

When presented with a problem, good candidates don’t panic. They pause (briefly), consider what's most important, and respond with a structured approach: 

- What is the most likely diagnosis? 

- What are the top differentials? 

- What needs to happen next?

This kind of clinical prioritisation is exactly what you’d do in real life. And it shows maturity and judgement.

(3) They Use Clear, Professional Language 

Strong candidates explain things accurately and appropriately — both in medical and lay terms, depending on the situation. They know when to say “hypertension” and when to say, “high blood pressure.” They avoid slang or overly technical jargon and aim to educate the patient while maintaining respect and empathy.

(4) They Tailor Management to the Specific Case 

Rather than listing a generalised treatment plan, good candidates adjust their management based on the patient’s age, comorbidities, and context. They might say, “Because this patient is elderly and on anticoagulants, I’d be cautious about...” — and that’s exactly the kind of clinical reasoning that gets rewarded.

They don’t overcomplicate unnecessarily, but they do show they’ve thought it through.

(5) They Practise Like They’re Already a Doctor in Australia 

The best-performing candidates walk into the room already acting like the sort of doctor we’d want working alongside us. They’re respectful. They’re aware of cultural sensitivities. They practise within a safe scope. And they communicate as part of a healthcare team.

It’s not about perfection — it’s about professionalism.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not About ‘Tricking’ the Examiner 

There’s no secret script, no one-size-fits-all checklist that guarantees success. But there is a mindset: Be safe. Be sensible. Be structured. Treat the case like a real patient interaction and show us how you’d handle it in the real world — with clarity, empathy, and logic.

If you can do that, the marks tend to take care of themselves.