As of 2019, all CaRMS candidates, including IMGs, can apply directly to the MCCQE Part I without first having to take the MCCEE. Candidates whose application has been accepted are able to schedule their exam appointment online.

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There are more opportunities for candidates to take the MCCQE Part I, with the exam being offered four times in 2019 and up to five times annually as of 2020. The exam is delivered in Canada and internationally in over 80 countries through our vendor, Prometric. Prometric is an internationally recognized firm with more than 20 years of experience in exam development and administration for professional sectors. The change to Prometric ensures broad access for candidates to take the MCCQE Part I. 

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What is the MCCQE Part I?

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The MCCQE Part I is a summative examination that assesses the critical medical knowledge and clinical decision-making ability of a candidate at a level expected of a medical student who is completing their medical degree in Canada. The examination is based on the MCC Objectives, which are organized under the CanMEDS roles. Candidates graduating and completing the MCCQE Part I normally enter supervised practice. Aside from formal accreditation processes of the undergraduate and postgraduate education programs, the MCCQE Part I is the only national standard for medical schools across Canada and, therefore, is administered at the end of medical school.

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The MCCQE Part I is a one-day, computer-based test. You are allowed up to four hours in the morning session to complete 210 Multiple-Choice Questions. You are allowed up to three and a half hours in the afternoon session for the Clinical Decision-Making component, which consists of 38 cases with short-menu and short-answer write-in questions.

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The exam is based on a blueprint that assesses your performance across two broad categories:

• Dimensions of care, covering the spectrum of medical care

• Physician activities, reflecting a physician’s scope of practice and behaviours.

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How do I take the MCCQE Part I?

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You can apply for the MCCQE Part I through your physiciansapply.ca account. If you do not already have an account, you can create one at the site and follow the steps after you log into the portal. Once you have paid your application fee, your MCCQE Part I application will be reviewed. Once approved, you will receive a message through your physiciansapply account.

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Below is a timeline for the 2022 CaRMS R-1 Main Residency Match.

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If you want to apply for the 2022 Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) R-1 Main Residency Match and provide results for both the MCCQE Part I and the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination, you can choose to take the NAC exam and the MCCQE Part I in the order that you prefer.

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For students graduating in Spring 2022, the timing to apply and take both of these exams for the match process is as follows:

• You will be able to apply for the MCCQE Part I 15 months from the date you are expected to fully complete all medical degree requirements (graduation date)

• If you are graduating in Spring 2022, you can apply to take the MCCQE Part I on a date between April to November 2021. The September 2021 session is the last session for you to take the MCCQE Part I if you wish to provide your results in time for file review for the 2022 R-1 first iteration match.

• You must also apply for the October 2021 NAC Examination in Spring 2021

• Results from the October 2021 NAC Examination will be provided in time for the CaRMS application process for the 2020 R-1 Residency Match

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For more information, check out the Medical Council of Canada

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