Format at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 230 multiple choice in two sections of 115, including unscored pilot questions |
| Time | 2 hours 40 minutes per section (about 83 seconds a question), optional 45-minute break; 6.5-hour appointment |
| Delivery | Prometric test centres in Canada and over 70 countries; no remote option |
| Sessions | Four a year (2027: January, April-June, August-September, October) |
| Scoring | 300 to 600 scale; pass score 439 |
| Fee (2026) | C$1,500 |
| Attempts | Maximum 4; a one-year wait before the fourth |
The blueprint
Weights are from the MCC's test specifications for the MCCQE Part I blueprint. Every question sits in one dimension of care and one physician activity, and the content comes from the MCC Examination Objectives, organized under the CanMEDS roles.
| Category | Domain | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions of care | Health promotion and illness prevention | 20% ± 5 |
| Acute | 35% ± 5 | |
| Chronic | 30% ± 5 | |
| Psychosocial aspects | 15% ± 5 | |
| Physician activities | Assessment and diagnosis | 45% ± 5 |
| Management | 35% ± 5 | |
| Communication | 10% ± 5 | |
| Professional behaviours | 10% ± 5 |
How scoring works
Each question is scored right or wrong, then the MCC uses a Rasch model that accounts for question difficulty to convert your performance to the 300 to 600 scale. A total of 439 or more is a pass, regardless of how other candidates do. Your Statement of Results shows your total score and the pass score; the Supplemental Information Report gives subscores. Results arrive about 4 weeks after the session ends (5 weeks for April).
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free MCCQE practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Pacing
About 83 seconds a question. You can flag and return within a section, so make a first pass, flag anything slow and come back. Once you submit a section you can't return to it, and unanswered questions are marked incorrect, so leave a few minutes to answer every flagged item.
A 16-week plan
- Weeks 1-4: internal medicine by clinical presentation, with daily flashcards.
- Weeks 5-7: surgery, emergency medicine and Canadian decision rules.
- Weeks 8-11: pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry.
- Weeks 12-13: population health (CTFPHC, NACI, biostatistics) and ethics and law; first full timed mock (two sections of 115).
- Weeks 14-16: clear your mistakes bank, take a second full mock, then light review in the last two days.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MCCQE the same as the MCCQE Part I?
Yes. The MCC renamed the MCCQE Part I to the MCCQE; there is no longer a Part II.
Does the MCCQE still have clinical decision-making cases?
No. Since 2025, critical knowledge and clinical decision-making are both assessed with multiple-choice questions.
What is the MCCQE pass score?
439 on a scale of 300 to 600.
How many times can I take the MCCQE?
Up to 4 times. After a third attempt you must wait 1 year from your result before the fourth.
Can I write the MCCQE at home?
No. Remotely proctored appointments are no longer offered; you sit it at a Prometric test centre.
Official sources
Practice tests for these certifications
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. the Medical Council of Canada rules change; confirm with the Medical Council of Canada before you apply.
