Last reviewed: May 2026 | Written by the MplusX Editorial Team
📌 Key Takeaways
- In 2026, 7 primary resource categories exist for AMC MCQ preparation. No single candidate needs all of them.
- Tier 1 (Mandatory): MplusX QBank + John Murtagh + eTG. These three form the complete preparation stack.
- Tier 2 (Supplementary): AMEDEX in Month 3 for recall-focused practice.
- Avoid: UWorld, USMLE Step 2 QBanks, PLAB materials — actively harmful due to non-Australian clinical frameworks.
- Primary CTA: Start MplusX Free Trial — no card required. Compare it to everything else yourself.
When IMGs ask “what resources should I use for the AMC MCQ?” the answers in online groups are almost always wrong.
Not intentionally. Just incomplete.
You get a list of 12 different resources — some Australian, some not. Some updated, some from 2018. Some QBanks, some textbooks, some YouTube channels, some PDF recalls of unknown origin.
The candidate buys five things, uses three inconsistently, and enters the exam with a fragmented knowledge base formed from conflicting clinical frameworks.
This guide cuts through that. Here is every major resource category, what it is actually for, how it compares to the alternatives, and exactly where it fits in a structured 2026 preparation plan.
The Resource Landscape at a Glance
| Resource | Type | Australian Aligned | 2026 Currency | Best For | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MplusX | QBank + Mock | ✅ Yes | ✅ 2026 | Primary QBank — all phases | Tier 1 |
| John Murtagh | Textbook | ✅ Yes | ✅ Current ed. | Clinical reference | Tier 1 |
| eTG | Clinical guidelines | ✅ Yes | ✅ Live updates | Prescribing verification | Tier 1 |
| AMEDEX | QBank | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Partially | Supplementary Month 3 | Tier 2 |
| AMC MCQ recalls (unverified) | PDF/forum | ⚠️ Variable | ❌ Often outdated | Low — only verified sources | Avoid unverified |
| UWorld | QBank | ❌ No (US) | N/A | Nothing — wrong system | Avoid |
| RACGP guidelines | Clinical guidelines | ✅ Yes | ✅ Live updates | Ethics, preventive medicine | Tier 1 (supplement) |
Tier 1 Resources: Non-Negotiable
MplusX QBank
What it is: The largest dedicated AMC MCQ question bank — 5,500+ questions (4,000+ core clinical MCQs + 1,500+ verified recall-pattern questions), built on 2026 Australian clinical guidelines.
Why it is Tier 1:
- Every question is framed in the Australian clinical context — eTG antibiotic protocols, GPCCMP framework, RACGP preventive medicine, MyMedicare rules
- Explanations cite the specific guideline behind every correct answer — not a generic rationale
- Computer-Adaptive Testing (CAT) mock simulator replicates the Pearson VUE exam interface exactly
- Performance analytics dashboard tracks category accuracy, time-per-question, and mock score trends
- Available in flexible pricing tiers: 1-week ($100), 3-month (~$420), 6-month (~$620)
Limitations:
- Web-based only — no dedicated native app
- The 5,500+ question volume requires a structured phase plan to use effectively (volume without method produces limited improvement)
Who needs it: Every AMC MCQ candidate in 2026.
Access: member.mplusx.com
John Murtagh’s General Practice
What it is: The definitive Australian GP clinical reference text. Written by and for Australian general practitioners. Now in its eighth edition.
Why it is Tier 1:
- The AMC MCQ is written in the same clinical world as Murtagh — Australian GP presentations, Australian patient demographic context, Australian management approaches
- Strong on probabilistic thinking (“What is the most likely diagnosis in this context?”) — which directly mirrors the AMC question style
- Covers preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and population health through the Australian lens
How to use it correctly:
- Not as primary reading — as a clinical reference when an explanation points you to a specific condition or management principle
- After getting a question wrong about a specific condition → open Murtagh’s relevant chapter → read 2 pages → back to the QBank
Limitations: A single Murtagh edition is expensive. The e-book version through a library subscription or institutional access is more practical.
Who needs it: All candidates. Essential for General Medicine, GP presentations, and Population Health chapters.
eTG (Therapeutic Guidelines)
What it is: Australia’s authoritative clinical practice guidelines for prescribing. Updated continuously. The gold standard reference for drug selection, dosing, and treatment duration in Australian clinical practice.
Why it is Tier 1:
- Every prescribing question in the AMC MCQ is answered using eTG logic
- Drug choice, dose, duration, and contraindications — if it differs from what you trained with internationally, eTG is the definitive source
- Free access for most practitioners and trainees through state health department subscriptions; available via many Australian libraries
How to use it:
- After any wrong prescribing answer → verify in eTG immediately
- Do not rely solely on QBank explanations for antibiotic choice, dose, or duration — always check the eTG chapter once
Limitations: Dense clinical document — not designed as reading material, but as a lookup reference.
Tier 2 Resources: Valuable Supplements
AMEDEX
What it is: A dedicated Australian AMC MCQ preparation platform with a QBank of approximately 3,000 questions and an emphasis on recall-based preparation.
Where it fits: Reading about AMC MCQ exam guide might also be helpful.
- Best used in Month 3 of preparation as a supplementary recall practice resource
- Some candidates find AMEDEX’s question style provides useful variety after exhausting certain MplusX category questions
- The recall question focus makes it a reasonable supplementary tool for the final sprint
Limitations vs MplusX:
- Smaller question database (~3,000 vs MplusX’s 5,500+)
- Less consistent guideline currency in some sub-specialties
- No adaptive mock simulator equivalent to MplusX’s CAT interface
- UI and explanation depth is less comprehensive than MplusX in most categories
Verdict: Do not use AMEDEX as your primary QBank. Use it as a supplementary platform in Month 3 if you have budget for it after primary MplusX access. Most candidates do not need it at all.
MplusX QBank 5500+ questions
John Murtagh current edition
eTG Therapeutic Guidelines
RACGP Clinical Guidelines] T –> T2[TIER 2 — Supplementary
AMEDEX Month 3 only
AMC MCQ Candidate Guide
GPCCMP documentation] T –> TA[AVOID — Actively Harmful
UWorld — US clinical system
PLAB materials — UK system
Unverified PDF recalls]
style T1 fill:#166534,stroke:#fff,color:#fff style T2 fill:#0F2D5C,stroke:#fff,color:#fff style TA fill:#991B1B,stroke:#fff,color:#fff
Resources to Avoid: Why They Hurt Your Preparation
UWorld (USMLE Step 2 CK)
Why IMGs reach for it: UWorld is the gold standard QBank for US licensing. The explanations are famously detailed and the question quality is high. Many IMGs trained in US-oriented medical schools or have friends who used it for USMLE.
Why it actively harms AMC MCQ preparation:
The US clinical framework differs from the Australian framework in clinically significant ways:
- Drug choices: US first-line drugs frequently differ from eTG Australian first-line drugs (azithromycin vs amoxicillin for CAP, different anticoagulation agent preferences) Reading about MplusX review might also be helpful.
- Screening schedules: USPSTF guidelines differ from Australian national programmes (different ages, intervals, tests)
- Medico-legal framework: US HIPAA and state-by-state reporting laws are not relevant to Australian mandatory reporting obligations
- Consent framework: US consent law differs from Australian consent law in medico-legally tested ways
Spending 1,000 questions in UWorld trains you to think in the American clinical system. The AMC MCQ tests you in the Australian clinical system. These systems conflict on enough questions to cause measurable score harm.
Verdict: Do not use UWorld for AMC MCQ preparation. Cancel any existing subscription and reallocate that budget to MplusX.
Unverified AMC MCQ Recall PDFs
Why IMGs reach for them: The concept of seeing exactly what was in a previous sitting is immediately attractive. Recall PDFs circulate in IMG Telegram groups and WhatsApp communities with varying levels of claimed authenticity.
The problems:
- Unknown verification status: Who wrote these? Are they from actual sitting candidates? Have the answers been verified against current guidelines? Reading about MplusX vs AMEDEX might also be helpful.
- Outdated clinical content: A recall from 2022 may contain a correct answer that has since been superseded by updated eTG or RACGP guidelines. If you study the 2022 answer, you may confidently select the wrong answer in 2026.
- Legal and ethical risk: The AMC’s candidate agreement prohibits reproduction or disclosure of specific question content. Using or distributing unverified recalls may breach this agreement.
The MplusX alternative: The MplusX recall bank contains 1,500+ verified recall-pattern questions — questions built on historically tested clinical themes, verified against 2026 Australian guidelines, and written by clinical educators (not anonymously transcribed from memory). This is the safe, effective, legal alternative to PDF recalls.
Verdict: Do not use unverified PDF recalls. Use MplusX’s verified recall bank instead.
How to Build Your 2026 Resource Stack
If you have a 3-month preparation window:
| Phase | Primary Resource | Supplementary |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 (Foundation) | MplusX — category mode, core questions | Murtagh (reference when needed) |
| Month 2 (Consolidation) | MplusX — mixed mode, recalls begin | eTG (for every wrong prescribing Q) |
| Month 3 (Sprint) | MplusX — recalls 30% + full mocks | AMEDEX (optional supplementary) |
Total spend: MplusX 3-month (~$420) + Murtagh ($120 ebook or library) + eTG (free via health dept. or library). Total: ~$540 maximum.
Exam fee: $2,920.
Your resource stack costs 18.5% of one exam sitting. If it helps you pass in one attempt instead of two, it saves you $2,920 in retake fees plus months of additional preparation time.
MplusX — All 3 months
Primary QBank + CAT mock simulator] L1 –> L2[John Murtagh — Reference throughout
Chapter lookup after wrong answers] L2 –> L3[eTG Therapeutic Guidelines — Throughout
Verify every wrong prescribing answer] L3 –> L4[TIER 2 OPTIONAL
AMEDEX — Month 3 only, if budget allows] L4 –> L5[ACTIVELY AVOID
UWorld — US system, wrong framework
Unverified PDF recalls — outdated and risky
PLAB materials — UK system]
style L1 fill:#166534,stroke:#fff,color:#fff style L2 fill:#2A7D7B,stroke:#fff,color:#fff style L3 fill:#2A7D7B,stroke:#fff,color:#fff style L4 fill:#0F2D5C,stroke:#fff,color:#fff style L5 fill:#991B1B,stroke:#fff,color:#fff
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need AMEDEX if I already have MplusX?
No. MplusX contains more questions, more current guidelines, and a superior mock simulator. AMEDEX may provide useful question variety as a supplementary resource in Month 3, but it is not necessary. Candidates who use MplusX as their primary platform and follow a structured study plan do not need AMEDEX to pass.Can I use UWorld alongside MplusX for general clinical reasoning?
No. The risk of internalising US clinical framework answers (different drug choices, different screening protocols, different legal obligations) is not worth the benefit of any additional question exposure. Use MplusX for all QBank practice. Complement it with Australian references only.Is John Murtagh essential or can I skip it?
Murtagh is essential as a clinical reference — but not as primary reading. You do not need to read it cover to cover. Use it as a lookup reference when an explanation points to a condition or management principle that you want to understand more deeply. Without Murtagh (or an equivalent Australian clinical reference), your explanations exist without a full clinical context.Are there free resources that work for AMC MCQ prep?
eTG is free for most Australian healthcare practitioners and trainees via state health department subscriptions. RACGP clinical guidelines are freely accessible online. The AMC Candidate Information Guide is free on amc.org.au. Beyond these, quality paid resources (MplusX, Murtagh) are necessary for a structured preparation approach.References
- John Murtagh’s General Practice (8th Edition): Chapter 9: A safe diagnostic model, Page 208
- RACGP Red Book (10th edition): Chapter I: Introduction
- Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG): Clinical Prescribing Principles
Disclaimer: This article is written for AMC MCQ examination preparation and general informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Clinical decisions should always be based on individual patient assessment, current Australian Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG), and consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. MplusX is an exam preparation platform and is not a substitute for supervised clinical training.