PLAB vs USMLE vs AMC: Which Medical Exam Should You Take?

The Big Decision for International Medical Graduates

If you're an international medical graduate (IMG), choosing which country to practice in — and which licensing exam to take — is one of the most important career decisions you'll make. This guide compares the three most popular pathways: PLAB (UK), USMLE (US), and AMC (Australia).

PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board)

Overview

PLAB is the pathway for IMGs to practice medicine in the United Kingdom. It's administered by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Structure

PLAB 1:

• 180 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions
• 3 hours
• Computer-based
• Pass mark: ~65% (varies by sitting)
• Cost: £268

PLAB 2:

• 16 OSCE stations
• 8 minutes per station
• Tests clinical and communication skills
• Cost: £907

Difficulty Level

PLAB 1 is considered moderate in difficulty. The questions are clinical scenario-based and test applied knowledge. PLAB 2 requires strong communication skills and clinical competence.

Career Prospects

• NHS salary for Foundation Year 1: £32,000-£37,000
• Consultant salary: £93,000-£126,000
• Clear career progression pathway
• Work-life balance generally good

USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)

Overview

USMLE is the three-step licensing exam for practicing medicine in the United States. It's widely considered the most rigorous medical licensing pathway.

Structure

Step 1:

• Up to 280 MCQs over 7 blocks
• 8 hours
• Tests basic science knowledge
• Pass/Fail (as of January 2022)

Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge):

• Up to 318 MCQs over 8 blocks
• 9 hours
• Tests clinical knowledge
• Scored (important for residency applications)

Step 3:

• 412 MCQs + 13 Computer-based Case Simulations
• 2 days
• Tests independent practice readiness

Difficulty Level

USMLE is considered the most difficult of the three pathways. Step 1 alone requires 3-6 months of dedicated full-time study. The breadth and depth of knowledge tested is significantly greater than PLAB or AMC.

Career Prospects

• Resident salary: $60,000-$75,000
• Attending physician salary: $250,000-$500,000+
• Highest earning potential of the three countries
• Extremely competitive residency match process for IMGs

AMC (Australian Medical Council)

Overview

The AMC exam is the pathway for IMGs to practice in Australia. It offers a balanced approach between PLAB and USMLE.

Structure

AMC CAT (Computer Adaptive Test):

• 150 MCQs
• 3.5 hours
• Computer-based
• Tests applied medical knowledge
• Cost: AUD $3,330

AMC Clinical Exam:

• 16 OSCE stations
• Tests clinical skills and communication
• Cost: AUD $3,890

Difficulty Level

AMC is considered moderate to difficult. The MCQ component is more challenging than PLAB 1 but less demanding than USMLE Step 2 CK. The clinical exam is comparable to PLAB 2.

Career Prospects

• Intern salary: AUD $75,000-$85,000
• Specialist salary: AUD $200,000-$400,000+
• Excellent work-life balance
• Growing demand for doctors, especially in rural areas

Side-by-Side Comparison

Here's a quick comparison of the key factors:

Difficulty: USMLE > AMC > PLAB

Cost (total): USMLE ($4,000+) > AMC ($7,000+) > PLAB ($1,500+)

Study time: USMLE (12-18 months) > AMC (6-12 months) > PLAB (3-6 months)

Earning potential: US > Australia > UK

Work-life balance: Australia > UK > US

Visa pathway: Australia > UK > US

Competition: US > UK > Australia

Which Should You Choose?

Choose PLAB if:

• You want the fastest pathway to practice
• You value work-life balance
• You're comfortable with NHS salary levels
• You want a clear, structured career progression
• English is your strong suit (communication is heavily tested)

Choose USMLE if:

• You want the highest earning potential
• You're willing to invest significant time and money
• You're academically strong and competitive
• You're okay with a challenging residency match process
• You want access to cutting-edge medical research and technology

Choose AMC if:

• You want a balance of earning potential and lifestyle
• You're interested in practicing in Australia or New Zealand
• You want a relatively straightforward visa pathway
• You prefer a moderate difficulty level
• You value outdoor lifestyle and quality of life

Preparation Strategy

Regardless of which exam you choose, the preparation strategy is similar:

1. Start with a diagnostic test to assess your baseline
2. Create a structured study plan with daily targets
3. Use question banks — practice questions are the single most important resource
4. Join study groups for accountability and knowledge sharing
5. Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions
6. Review weak areas systematically using spaced repetition

---

Practice for PLAB, USMLE, or AMC with AI-generated questions on Mok.ai. Get realistic mock exams with instant scoring and detailed explanations for every question.