Study Guides
Free notes and exam strategy to go with the Q-Bank — exam format, high-yield topics, and what to do after you pass.
About the AMC MCQ Examination
Understanding the structure, content, and requirements of the Australian Medical Council Multiple Choice Question examination. 9/28/2025 · 12 min read Tags: A…
You Passed AMC MCQ 1. Now What?
A scannable map of every legal route into Australian practice, the registration types that gate them, and the gotchas that quietly derail IMGs. 5/6/2026 · 12 m…
AMC MCQ Exam Format Explained: Everything You Need to Know
A deep dive into the Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) format, scoring system, and question types you will encounter. 11/23/2025 · 8 min read Tags: EXAM FORMAT, CA…
AMC MCQ Exam Preparation Resources
A comprehensive guide to the most important books, guidelines, and resources for AMC MCQ exam preparation, organized by exam domains. 9/28/2025 · 10 min read …
Becoming a Specialist in Australia (For IMGs)
How specialty training actually works in Australia, the three pathways for international medical graduates, and which one applies to you. 5/6/2026 · 13 min rea…
Complete Guide to Passing the AMC MCQ Exam
Your stepbystep blueprint to acing the Australian Medical Council exam and kickstarting your medical career down under. 9/28/2025 · 15 min read Tags: AMC MCQ,…
Pass the AMC MCQ Exam on Your First Attempt (2025 Guide)
Proven strategies, study schedules, and common pitfalls to avoid for firsttime success in the AMC MCQ examination. 11/23/2025 · 8 min read Tags: AMC MCQ, EXAM…
Pseudogout (CPPD) for AMC MCQ: High-Yield Clinical Guide
A highyield, examfocused clinical summary for diagnosing and managing CPPD crystal arthritis in the AMC MCQ. 3/2/2026 · 6 min read Tags: PSEUDOGOUT, CPPD, RHE…
Top 10 High-Yield Topics for AMC MCQ Exam 2025
Focus your study time on the most frequently tested conditions and topics across all six exam domains. 11/26/2025 · 10 min read Tags: HIGH YIELD, STUDY TOPICS…
Paedriatics
Paedriatics by age o neonate < 1 mth o infant 1 mth – 1 yr o toddle…
Respiratory problems
Respiratory problems stridor: o Croup (acute laryngotracheobronchitis). o Epiglotitis. o Inhaled foreig…
Digestive problems (Part 1 of 2)
Digestive problems (Part 1 of 2) baby vomits after the first and each feeding o tracheoesof. fistula becomes cyanotic o eso…
Digestive problems (Part 2 of 2)
Digestive problems (Part 2 of 2) o definition § < 3rd percentile or § drop 2 percentils o causes § organic • coel…
Immunisation
Immunisation immunisation schedule – additional notes from Neha + Murtagh – p. 79 o premature baby < 32 wks – additional HBV vaccine at 1 yrs …
Optimal time for surgery in children
Optimal time for surgery in children Murtagh 897 o squint 12 yrs, absolutely before 7 yrs (otherwise the lazy eye will b…
Cardiac problems
Cardiac problems cyanosis o central § heart § lung o peripheral heart malformations o The majo…
Urinary problems
Urinary problems enuresis o child with: § nocturnal enuresis: night wetting 5 (6) yrs (by age 5 the child should …
Orthopedics
Orthopedics urgent referal conditions in orthopedics: o Perthes o slipped capital femoral epiphysis o DDH …
Developmental problems
Developmental problems Puberty girls at age 10, boys at age 12. Girls usually complete puberty by ages 15–17, while boys usually complete puberty by ages 17 or…
Milestones
Milestones asked so far – Murtagh 866 o social smile: 2 mths (07 wks) o roll over from back to front position: 4 mths? …
Intoxications (Part 1 of 2)
Intoxications (Part 1 of 2) nicotine replacement therapy o absolute CI § pregnancy § breastfeeding …
Intoxications (Part 2 of 2)
Intoxications (Part 2 of 2) lead to violence or suicide This condition is distinct from delirium tremens since it develops and…
Substances accumulating in the body
Substances accumulating in the body lead poisoning (Pb) o Sx § microcytic hypochromic anemia, basophilic stippling of the red …
Antibiotics
Antibiotics A/B used in various conditions: o scabies § permethrin cream 5% or § benzyl benzoate 25% em…
Drugs and drug side effects (Part 1 of 2)
Drugs and drug side effects (Part 1 of 2) adverse drug reactions o dose related? § type A – dose related …
Drugs and drug side effects (Part 2 of 2)
Drugs and drug side effects (Part 2 of 2) o indic.: § diuretic • heart failure • HT § antiandrogen thiazides …
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants heparin o types § unfractioned § LMW (fractioned) o adm. IV or SC o…
Types of drugs by action (useful_medical.doc) (Part 1 of 2)
Types of drugs by action (usefulmedical.doc) (Part 1 of 2) antibiotics penicillin – 14% of Streptococcus pneumoniae is resistent to penicillin in Australi…
Types of drugs by action (useful_medical.doc) (Part 2 of 2)
Types of drugs by action (usefulmedical.doc) (Part 2 of 2) especially in severe cases of major depression. o These include: § Tertiary …
Pharmacology
Pharmacology pharmacology o pharmacodynamics = mec. of action of a drug § includes the concentrationeffect rship. o…
Pregnancy parameters
Pregnancy parameters implantation: o 5 days for fertilized egg o 10 days from ovulation don’t monitor baby up to 24 w…
Infections in pregnancy
Infections in pregnancy pregnancy doesn’t lower the woman’s resistance to inf.? o exception: poliomyelitis baby – immunoc…
Conditions in pregnancy (Part 1 of 4)
Conditions in pregnancy (Part 1 of 4) I. Early pregnancy o a. Bleeding § 1. ectopic pregnancy • MC …
Conditions in pregnancy (Part 2 of 4)
Conditions in pregnancy (Part 2 of 4) primiparae. Caesarean section. Submucous fibroids. History of placenta praevia. …
Conditions in pregnancy (Part 3 of 4)
Conditions in pregnancy (Part 3 of 4) ogive antidote Calcium Gluconate. § if convulsions occur…
Conditions in pregnancy (Part 4 of 4)
Conditions in pregnancy (Part 4 of 4) OGTT) • N=8 • 8 is abnormal then do OGTT (fasting) also do OGTT if high…
Postpartum pathology
Postpartum pathology postpartum haemorrhage o causes: § 1. MC cause = uterine atony • causes: …
Congenital anomalies
Congenital anomalies o eyes far from each other (wide palpebral fissure + wide philtrum + wide face): Down, chromosomal anomaly …
Antenatal care
Antenatal care o first antenatal checkup § confirm pregnancy § FBE § blood group, RH, Coombs test § blo…
Labor (Part 1 of 2)
Labor (Part 1 of 2) contractions: before 30 weeks: small localized contractions every 1 min + higher amplitude contraction every 3030 min after 30 weeks: more …
Labor (Part 2 of 2)
Labor (Part 2 of 2) o indic. § prolonged pregnancy 42 weeks § hypertensive disorders in pregnancy • pregn. induced HT …
Breast pathology (Part 1 of 2)
Breast pathology (Part 1 of 2) Mastalgia mastalgia o 3050 yrs (MC 3545 yrs) o causes …
Breast pathology (Part 2 of 2)
Breast pathology (Part 2 of 2) BRCA2 § personal Hx • Hx of breast CA including carcinoma of the other breast …
Contraception and OCP
Contraception and OCP ovulation o detect the time when it will occur § LH surge at midcycle – ovulation will occur in next 24 …
Menopause, HRT and osteoporosis
Menopause, HRT and osteoporosis menopause o age it occures at is § genetically determined § not infl. …
Amenorrhoea
Amenorrhoea primary amenorrhoea o types § sexually infantile • short stature Turner…
PCOS
PCOS PCOS POF Ovarian Menopause resistant syndr. FSH …
POF
POF o causes § autoimmune? § ran out of ovums? o types § < 12 mths of amenorrhoea • POF • resistant ovarian …
Bleeding
Bleeding menorrhagia o causes § general • thyroid dis. • liver dis. …
Dysmenorrhoea
Dysmenorrhoea o types § primary • common • often commencing 2 yrs after menarche, when ovulatory …
Vaginal discharge and infections & STI
Vaginal discharge and infections & STI vaginal pH N = 44.7 (acidic) Dx o pH o smears before initiating the…
Other vulvo-vaginal pathology
Other vulvovaginal pathology vaginal and vulvar formations o anterolat. wall § Wolffian duct cyst – within the vagina, subure…
Endometriosis and adenomyosis
Endometriosis and adenomyosis Endometriosis o 10% incidence. o Ectopically located endometrial tissue responds to sex hormones. …
Ovarian cysts and CA
Ovarian cysts and CA ruptured ovarian cyst o prior to ovulation, after coitus o 1525 years o types of cysts…
Endometrial CA
Endometrial CA o risk factors § anovulatory cycles § old age § obesity § nulliparity …
Cervical CA
Cervical CA o risk factors § all women who were sexually active § higher risk • early age of fi…
Uterovaginal (genital) prolapse
Uterovaginal (genital) prolapse o 50% of parous women o risk factors / causes § multiparity – after long second stage labor …
Urinary incontinence in women
Urinary incontinence in women o 9% o MC contributing factor = weakness of the pelvic floor muscles o causes: DIAPERS …
Other gynecological stuff
Other gynecological stuff septic shock in O & G – MC with E. coli MC complic. after major gynecological surgery = UTI sexual activity di…
Infertility
Infertility male infertility (Murtagh 11081110): o causes § I. decr. sperm prodution • c…
Trauma and fractures (Part 1 of 2)
Trauma and fractures (Part 1 of 2) General stuff most common causes of posttraumatic arterial thrombosis o 1. fracture of femur …
Trauma and fractures (Part 2 of 2)
Trauma and fractures (Part 2 of 2) Confirmed fracture without displacement or angulation: plaster from the midshaft of the forearm to the …
Bone pathology
Bone pathology osteosarcoma o primary – in adolescents: knee (in the metaphysis) o sec. – metastases o Sx …
Nerve roles
Nerve roles Cranial nerves o Only the first and the second pair emerge from the cerebrum; the remaining 10 pa…
Nerve non-traumatic pathology
Nerve nontraumatic pathology facial nerve paralysis o IDIOPATHIC § Bell’s Palsy § Recurrent Facial Pa…
Nerve traumatic pathology
Nerve traumatic pathology hand o brachial plexus C5T1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachialplexus § axillary nerve …
Motor neurone lesions and back pain
Motor neurone lesions and back pain o types: UMN LMN Weakness Ye…
Tremor
Tremor o types § resting – Parkinson § action or postural • essential tremor AD in 50% of cases …
Seizures
Seizures § types: • partial (nonconvulsive, no loss of consciousness) simple …
Syncope
Syncope o Transient loss of consciousness. § Associated with blurred vision, dizziness, sweating and loss of postural tone, f…
TIA
TIA o cerebral circ. Oxford 452 o origin § 80% carotid origin § 20% vertebrobasilar o Episodes of sudden transient focal neurological…
Stroke
Stroke o Due to a vascular disturbance producing a focal neurological deficit over 24 hours. o location § right handed = domin…
Brain haemorrhage
Brain haemorrhage EPIDURAL/EXTRADURAL HAEMATOMA: o sudden o in MVA o Neurosurgical emergency if mass effect. …
Meningitis
Meningitis o CAUSES: § Meningococcus. § Streptococcus pneumoniae. § Listeria monocytogenes (infants under 3 months, adul…
Headaches / migraine
Headaches / migraine Headache – see printout from Jay o Consider the serious or lifethreatening diagnoses first: § Meningitis. …
Raised ICP
Raised ICP o signs of raised ICP § deteriorating / LOC § deteriorating resp. pattern § HT with bradycardia …
Brain tumors
Brain tumors o children § predom. in the post. fossa § midline cerebellar mass = medulloblastoma • MC malig…
Coma and confusion
Coma and confusion Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) o eye 4 § 1 no response to pain § 2 – opens eye to pain …
Other neurological pathology
Other neurological pathology brain lobes fc. o parietal § types • dominant …
Dermatology
Dermatology dermatology o description § general outlook of patient § location and pattern of lesions …
Acute / infectious skin eruptions (Part 1 of 2)
Acute / infectious skin eruptions (Part 1 of 2) pityriases rosea o unknown cause (virus?) o salmon pink scaly eruption f…
Acute / infectious skin eruptions (Part 2 of 2)
Acute / infectious skin eruptions (Part 2 of 2) § vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head rather than at the periphery and become itchy, raw pockma…
Strepto pathology
Strepto pathology tonsilitis o causes § viral MC • redness with pain § bacterial …
Lumps and pigmented lesions
Lumps and pigmented lesions skin CA o prevention § most important: avoid sun exposure between 10 am – 4 pm § wear sunglasses…
Common skin conditions
Common skin conditions Urticaria (hives) o mainly affects the dermis o very itchy o by duration …
Hair disorders
Hair disorders tinea capitis o dermatophyte inf. o children only o from cats and dogs …
Nail problems
Nail problems Ingrowing toe nail /onychocryptosis: o Very common condition esp in adolescent boys. o May follow injury or deformity of n…
Skin ulcers
Skin ulcers skin ulcer – Murtagh 1195 o venous ulcerations (gravitational, stasis, varicose ulcers) MC § location …
TB
TB TB o triad: malaise + cough + wt. loss +/ erythema nodosum o exposure can give § primary TB …
Diarrhoea and traveller’s disease
Diarrhoea and traveller’s disease Food poisoning diarrhoea – Murtagh 470, Oxford 390 o staf. aureus 16 hrs o vi…
Other infectious diseases
Other infectious diseases ischaemic colitis o in elderly o perfusion problems e.g. after thrombosis Gas gangren…
Leukemias
Leukemias multiple myeloma (MM) o multiple myeloma cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsibl…
Other hematol. problems
Other hematol. problems myelofibrosis (oxford 350) o replacement of bone marrow with fibrotic tissue o 50 yrs …
Coagulation problems
Coagulation problems INR, PT APTT (intrinsic Platelets Bleeding time (extrinsic and common …
Anemia (Part 1 of 2)
Anemia (Part 1 of 2) iron studies – Murtagh table p. 146 o 1. serum iron o 2. transferrin (the major protein carrying the …
Anemia (Part 2 of 2)
Anemia (Part 2 of 2) § Sx • anemia • neurol. problems o subacute combined deg…
Jaundice and other biliary problems
Jaundice and other biliary problems Murtagh – table p. 622 bilirubin metabolism o old erythrocytes destroyed in the spleen heme is convert…
Liver pathology
Liver pathology types of hepatitis – table Murtagh p. 625 liver enzimes, ALP, etc. in various hepatic dis. – table Murtagh p. 622 he…
Pancreatic pathology
Pancreatic pathology acute pancreatitis o past Hx of gall stones, alcoholism o previous attacks o risk fact…
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain o pancreatitis – Hx or alcoholism or biliary stones § fever + epigastric pain + radiating to the back § no abd. si…
Dysphagia and oesophageal pathology
Dysphagia and oesophageal pathology o oesophageal rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) § sudden chest pain after prolonged vomiting in alcoholics …
Upper digestive haemorrhage
Upper digestive haemorrhage o Mortality: 510% related to age over 60 years, comorbid disease, shock and coagulopathy. o CAUSES:…
Dyspepsia and stomach pathology
Dyspepsia and stomach pathology stomach CA o risc factors § gastric resection 25 yrs before (CA on the gastric stump) …
Intestinal pathology (Part 1 of 2)
Intestinal pathology (Part 1 of 2) apendicitis o CLINICAL FEATURES: § Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation. …
Intestinal pathology (Part 2 of 2)
Intestinal pathology (Part 2 of 2) o Chronic impairment of GI motility. § colon: colonic ileus, Ogilvie syndrome § small intestine o Patie…
Scrotal swellings and hernias
Scrotal swellings and hernias testis size o 3.55.5 cm long § Klinefelter <= 2 cm o 23.5 wide …
Renal, urinary and male pathology (Part 1 of 2)
Renal, urinary and male pathology (Part 1 of 2) renal fc. o plasma urea o plasma creatinine o most accurate…
Renal, urinary and male pathology (Part 2 of 2)
Renal, urinary and male pathology (Part 2 of 2) Midstream specimen (MSU) Catheter specimen (CSU) § in women with failed …
Male pathology
Male pathology ED – Murtagh 1120 o causes § psychosocial – young § elderly • DM …
Electrolyte disturbances
Electrolyte disturbances electrolyte disorders oK § Normal: 3.55 mmol/l § usually intracellular …
ABG
ABG ABG – Oxford 684 o pH = 7.357.45 o paCO2 = 3545 mmHg o HCO3 = 2226 (2428) mmol/L (~25) …
Dehydration and burns
Dehydration and burns fluid compartments o intracel. o extracel. § intravasc. blood §…
Respiratory / lung pathology
Respiratory / lung pathology Lung volumes These values vary with the age and height of the person; the values that follow are fo…
Pneumonia
Pneumonia o types § round lesions with fluid level + pleural effusion + flulike sympt and dry cough = staph. …
Asthma
Asthma asthma o causes / triggers § inf. § allergies § cigarette smoke …
COPD
COPD COPD o Dx § FEV1/FEV • <70% after bronchodilator • < 80% predicted o Rx §…
PE
PE acute pulmonary oedema (APO) o cause: MI, etc. o Sx – dyspnea, etc. o Rx § O2 § CPAP, PEEP …
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax Spontaneous Traumatic Iatrogenic a. Normal thin tall = Tension pn. = a. Cent…
Pleural pathology
Pleural pathology pleural effusion o Sx § dullness on percution o Dx § pleur…
Lung CA
Lung CA lung CA o second MC CA in Aus., after nonmelanoma skin CA o most lethal CA in Aus. o prognosis a…
Cardiac pathology
Cardiac pathology infective endocarditis o causes § MC – strepto. viridans 50% (after dental work) § in IV dr…
Heart failure
Heart failure o types § left • tachypnoea, pleural effusion, crepitations/bilat. basal crackles, …
Cardiac arrhythmias
Cardiac arrhythmias arrhythmias o causes: § I Medications: Side effect. § II Exclude myocardial ischaemia fro…
MI
MI coronary ischemic syndr. o stable angina o acute coronary syndrome (ACS) § STEMI § NSTEACS …
ECG
ECG ECG o normal impulse conduction § sinoatrial node (right atrium) – 60100 beats/min § AV junction – delay, so A can contract…
Vascular pathology
Vascular pathology surgery indic. o carotid occlusion § 70% carotid occlusion § 6070% grey area …
Arterial pathology
Arterial pathology vasculary problems / surgery o arterial § risk factors • smoking …
Venous pathology
Venous pathology varicose veins o predispoz. factors § family Hx. § female § pregnancy …
Aortic pathology
Aortic pathology coarctation of the aorta o narrowing distal of ductus arteriosus and subclavian artery o male 2:1 …
HT (Part 1 of 2)
HT (Part 1 of 2) blood pressure regulation o autonomous nervous system baroreceptors are located in the left and right carotid s…
HT (Part 2 of 2)
HT (Part 2 of 2) o periph. vasc. dis. • examples: o nonselective § propranolol o selective for …
Dyslipidaemia
Dyslipidaemia hyperlipidaemia o risk factors for § coronary artery dis. • incr. LDL and dec…
Rheumatology
Rheumatology arthritis disorders: o simple analgezics – aspirin, paracetamol o NSAID, cyclooxygenase2 (COX2) specific inhibi…
Autoimmune diseases (Part 1 of 2)
Autoimmune diseases (Part 1 of 2) antibodies: Murtagh 284 o RF – RA, Sjogren o antiCCP RA o ANA – SLE, scl…
Autoimmune diseases (Part 2 of 2)
Autoimmune diseases (Part 2 of 2) § Clinical Diagnosis. § first test Dramatically increased ESR. § Increased CRP. § best test Temporal artery …
Myopathies
Myopathies proximal muscle weakness, cannot climb stair, cannot comb the hair, no neurol. problems = myopathy polymyositis/dermatomyosi…
Endocrinology
Endocrinology insulinoma o incr. insulin, proinsulin and Cpeptide levels o hypoglycemia improved by eating …
Hyperprolactinemia
Hyperprolactinemia o causes § physiol. –pregnancy, breastfeeding, intercourse, sleeping, stress § tumors • prol…
Adrenal glands pathology
Adrenal glands pathology adrenal glands o medulla (MSR) § produces catecholamines: epinephrine, norepinephrine …
Thyroid pathology
Thyroid pathology Murtagh – p. 221 – table for Sx Hypothyr. Hyperthyr. Risk factors …
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism Ca PO4 ALP PTH Multiple Incr. Incr. or N N N …
DM
DM Murtagh – 194 – Dx + 1320 Rx + Jay’s notes Sx o polyuria + polydipsia + wt. loss o lethargy o neuropathy …
Oral pathology
Oral pathology submand. vs. parotid gland pathology o angle of jaw § visible = submand. lesion • Dx …
Head and neck masses
Head and neck masses MIDLINE ANTERIOR POSTERIOR TRIANGLE TRIANGLE Thyroid nodul…
ENT
ENT uvula is shy (away from the lesion) and the tongue is bold (towards the lesion)
Laryngeal pathology
Laryngeal pathology laryngitis o acute § hoarseness § loss of voice o chronic …
Ear and hearing problems
Ear and hearing problems screening for hearing loss o 89 mths o school entry Audiologic Testing o…
Dizziness
Dizziness o can be with § central cause – brain, cerebellum • acoustic neuroma • MS • head…
Ophtalmology (Part 1 of 2)
Ophtalmology (Part 1 of 2) o normal left eye fundus Dx o vision § 6/4 § 6/5 …
Ophtalmology (Part 2 of 2)
Ophtalmology (Part 2 of 2) • central field loss (central scotoma) or peripheral circumferential blindness …
Emmergency medicine
Emmergency medicine emmergency situations rapid primary survey = assess ABCD (disability) E (exposure) o 1. Airway • secu…
CA metastases
CA metastases Murtagh p. 242243 1. lymphonodes o supraclav. nodes § right – 1. breast (women), lung (men) • a…
Genetic diseases
Genetic diseases inheritance patterns – Murtagh 167 o autosomal dominant AD – anatomy / morphol. defects = 50% of the …
Pain
Pain chronic pain management o pharm. § stepwise approach: • 1. Panadol on when required basi…
Radiology
Radiology xray o abd § erect § supine § chest – pneumonia in lower lung lobes, can cause abd. pain …
Other stuff
Other stuff treatment options o conservative symptomatic o medical o surgical o others planes o m…
Defense mechanisms
Defense mechanisms types: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defencemechanism o I. pathol. § 2. denial = avoid to become aware of so…
Personality disorders
Personality disorders o they were like this from the beginning, but can change / control it if they want o = maladaptive beha…
Types of disorders
Types of disorders o I. anxiety disorder § components • psychological comp. – always worried, hypervigilance, …
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia o very complicated, difficult to diagnose, takes a long time (45 long sessions) o point prevalence = 1% …
Mood disorders (Part 1 of 2)
Mood disorders (Part 1 of 2) o +/ psychotic symp. = reality check problems § delusions of sin, etc. o with risk of self harm, suicid…
Mood disorders (Part 2 of 2)
Mood disorders (Part 2 of 2) • Severe disruption of relationships, employment or finances. • everything incr. • ONSET: Acute or insi…
Dementia and mental retardation
Dementia and mental retardation o MMSE<24 o 1 in 10 over 65 years. o 1 in 5 over 80 years. o CAUSES: § D…
Behavioral emmergencies
Behavioral emmergencies o Situations where patients show behaviour that potentially places themselves or other people at risk of physical har…
Child psychiatry
Child psychiatry ADHD o boys 6:1 o 5 % of school age children o in 60% no complete recovery o cann…
Other conditions
Other conditions CBT o package of treatments, useful in many/most psychiatric disorders o indic. § chronic pa…
Ethics
Ethics mental health act (1986) + mental health regulations (2008) o only for mentally ill persons o consent is not required –…
Statistics
Statistics prevalence = total no. of old and new cases o point prevalence = measure of the proportion of population having the …
Normal values
Normal values Australia: (Murtagh – p. 148) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): normal < 20 mm/h (with OCP normal up to 2025 mm/h) elevated in inflamation a…