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AMC MCQ Blueprint Breakdown 2026: Exactly What Each Specialty Covers
Last reviewed: May 2026 | Written by the MplusX Editorial Team
📌 Key Takeaways
– The AMC MCQ tests 6 specialty domains across 150 questions (120 scored, 30 unscored pilot items).
– General Medicine dominates — approximately 30% of scored marks. This is your highest-return study zone.
– No specialty is below 12.5% — which means ignoring any single domain costs you significant marks.
– Primary CTA: Download the Free AMC MCQ Blueprint Cheat Sheet PDF for a print-ready revision reference.
“What topics come up in the AMC MCQ?”
It is one of the most searched questions in every IMG preparation group. And for good reason.
Walk into an exam without knowing the blueprint and you are gambling. You might spend 6 weeks drilling rare surgical conditions only to find they represent 5 questions across 150. You might underestimate Public Health and Ethics — and lose 15 marks you could have gained with two focused weeks of study.
The blueprint is not a secret. The AMC publishes its specialty weightings. But most candidates have never sat down and actually mapped what those weightings mean in practice — how many questions per specialty, which topics are highest yield, and exactly where to prioritise their limited study hours.
That is what this article does.
The 6 Specialty Domains: Overview
The AMC MCQ examines candidates across six core clinical domains. Every question belongs to one of these categories.
| Specialty Domain | Approximate Weighting | Scored Questions (of 120) |
|---|---|---|
| General Medicine and General Practice | ~30% | ~36 questions |
| Surgery | ~20% | ~24 questions |
| Paediatrics and Child Health | ~12.5% | ~15 questions |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | ~12.5% | ~15 questions |
| Psychiatry and Mental Health | ~12.5% | ~15 questions |
| Population Health and Ethics | ~12.5% | ~15 questions |
These are approximate weightings. The AMC reserves the right to adjust distributions across sitting cycles without notice. However, the general proportions are consistent and well-established based on multiple candidate reports over recent years.
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.