FAQ

However, as a robust understanding of Australian General Practice is expected from PESCI candidates, IME does provide courses that aim to orient IMGs to Australian Medical Practice. The following courses aim to provide a good foundation of knowledge that will be useful for PESCI:

General FAQ

How do I enrol in an IME course or program?	IME makes it simple to enrol into your desired course. Complete your enrolment in the 3 easy steps below: 1. Find your study area 2. Choose your course 3. Enrol Read our guide to enrolment here.
What is the history of IME?	The Institute of Medical Education (IME), formerly METC Institute, is an international organisation proudly founded in Australia and operated by specialist medical practitioners. IME currently provides high quality medical educational products and services in Australia and all over the world. You can read more about us here.
Who are the members of the IME Academic Faculty?	The Institute of Medical Education (IME) values the provision of exceptional education and academia. IME hand picks the members of our team to ensure we achieve excellence for our students. Each division within IME's portfolio is led by experienced professionals with an abundance of expertise and specialised knowledge within their teaching area. IME separates our team into four main divisions.
How do I pay for IME courses or programs?	The Institute of Medical Education's mission is to provide comprehensive and high quality medical education for an affordable price. IME offers flexible payment options for your convenience. Instalment options are also available for select courses. You can read more about our finance options here.
Are all courses and programs delivered online?	We know that you're busy. That's why we provide flexible delivery of our courses that is tailored to your needs. Our user-friendly and intuitive learning management system allows our students to study with peace of mind, connect with our support team and contact your tutor directly, no matter where you are. With live, online and in-person lectures and workshops, you received the best of all worlds under our flexible learning model.
Where is IME located?	IME is well versed in delivering quality education all over the world. Our head office is located on the Gold Coast, Australia.

PESCI FAQ

When is the next available PESCI date?	Please contact us directly for the current available interview dates.
Can I pay after submitting my documents?	In order to apply, first purchase your PESCI interview on the website then follow the link provided to submit your documents.
How long after my PESCI do I receive my result?	The PESCI report will be completed and submitted to the candidate within 14 business days.
Can I apply for two practice positions with one PESCI application?	Each PESCI interview is applicable to one job offer only.
I cannot attend my PESCI due to unforeseen circumstances. Can I apply for a refund?	Please see our cancellation terms and conditions here.
Can I swap my PESCI date?	An administration fee of $500 will apply for any further administration efforts that extend the usual PESCI process. This may include a request to change an already submitted PESCI application, or to reschedule the date & time of PESCI. Candidates are advised that they may only reschedule their PESCI once, and must provide notice in writing no less than 28 days prior to the interview. After this time, the cancellation policy will apply.
Where can I find the documents I need to fill out and submit my PESCI application?	You can find IME’s templates under Useful Resources here.
Is IME registered to provide PESCIs for all Australian states and territories?	Candidates from all states are eligible to apply.
Can I swap my in-person PESCI to a virtual interview (vice versa)?	Should you need to amend your Interview please contact the IME team on info@imemedical.com. Administration fees may apply.
Are PESCI results final or is there an avenue to contest the outcome?	Please, find our review and appeals policy here.
How is the PESCI structured and will it be the same if it was an in-person or virtual interview?	The in-person and virtual interviews are structured the same whether completing face-to-face in our Gold Coast QLD office or via Zoom.
Do I need to pass an English test before sitting PESCI?	This is not a requirement for your PESCI interview.
Can I submit my pre-filled documents or do I have to submit documents using the IME template?	All documents must be completed in our IME template.
Can I pay for my PESCI in instalments?	The interview fee is payable in full upon application.
I made a mistake on my application and only realised after my PESCI. Can this be fixed?	Please contact us directly to discuss this issue. Administration fees may apply.
How long does the PESCI application process take?	It may take up to ten business days to review your application, however if changes are required this may delay the approval of your application.
Does IME offer PESCI preparation courses?	As IME is an AMC accredited PESCI Provider, we do not provide formal PESCI Preparation courses ourself. However, as a robust understanding of Australian General Practice is expected from PESCI candidates, IME does provide courses that aim to orient IMGs to Australian Medical Practice. Find our courses that aim to provide a good foundation of knowledge that will be useful for PESCI here.

Pre-Medical Division FAQ

I am unsure if your Programs will get me into Medicine	If you are a student who approaches their studies with vigour and is willing to work hard to achieve your goals, then you are a great match for our preparation services. Our team has extensive experience in guiding students in their exam preparation, medical school applications, and interviews. Sometimes entry into Medicine occurs on the first attempt; however, more often than not, further attempts are required. Of course, sometimes students work very hard and still miss out on a place in Medicine as it is a competitive endeavour. In these cases, we continue to work with students to help them improve and to realise their goal of becoming a Doctor.
I am too old to study Medicine	The average age of the Australian medical student lies between 24–27, depending on the school. However, this is just an average and there are many students in their thirties, forties, and even later. It really is never too late to follow a career in Medicine!
I completed my last university degree over 5 years ago. I don't know if I am eligible for entry into medical school	GAMSAT is available to any person who has completed a Bachelor or an undergraduate honours degree, or who will be in the penultimate (second-last) or final year of study, at the time of sitting the test. At most medical schools, your degree must have been completed within 10 years of the projected medical degree commencement date. Applicants whose degree was completed outside the 10 year period must contact the relevant school for eligibility requirements.
I'm not smart enough to score well in the GAMSAT	Most people have the capacity to perform in GAMSAT and in a medical degree. The challenge for most lies in developing the necessary competencies for success in the GAMSAT and then applying these competencies. If you have completed an undergraduate degree with a GPA of > 5.5/7, you can achieve a competitive score in GAMSAT and enter Medicine. From this point, it is a matter of working hard to build proficiency in the domains of GAMSAT and applying your skills in the exam.
I don't have time to study for the GAMSAT	Do you have a spare four hours per week? If so, you have time to study for GAMSAT! All our GAMSAT courses can be completed with minimal impingement on your current work, study, or lifestyle commitments. Additionally, our Programs can be commenced at any time, and completed online from anywhere in the world.
My GPA is too low or not competitive enough	Provided you have a GPA of above 5.0 (on a 7.0 scale), you are eligible to enter most Australian postgraduate medical schools. However, there are implications for how universities use your GPA. Some universities use the GPA criteria as a hurdle: if you have a GPA > 5.0/7, you are eligible and the actual magnitude of your GPA from this point is irrelevant. For example, if you have a GPA of 5.2 and your friend has a GPA of 6.9, such schools would see you both as equal. Most other universities consider the magnitude of your GPA. They do this in combination with your GAMSAT score when making offers. Though the actual formula may vary, a common way to consider this is as follows. Say you have a GPA of 6.5, and your friend has a GPA of 6.0. If you both achieve a GAMSAT score of 70, your combined scores will be calculated according to the following: Your score = ((6.5/7) x 100) + GAMSAT score of 70 = 162.85 Your friend’s score = ((6/7) x 100) + GAMSAT score of 70 = 155.71 It is these combined scores that are used to rank candidates for interview. In general, to be competitive you should be aiming for a combined score above 155. Given the calculations above, it is also worth considering which type of school favours your GPA. In general, we suggest that those with a GPA in the range of 5.0–6.0 aim for schools that use the GPA criteria as a hurdle. Those with a GPA of > 6.0 will be more competitive in the schools which rank GPA, and in these cases the higher your GPA, the greater your combined score and with it the chance of an interview. It must be stressed however that those with a GPA < 6.0 are still capable of being competitive at a school which ranks GPA, especially where other criteria such as portfolios or rurality are involved.
Some medical schools require a portfolio of personal and community experience for admission. I doubt my portfolio is good enough for Medicine entry	Do not fall into the trap of believing you are not the ideal Medical student. In reality, you are just as qualified for entry into Medicine as the rest of the cohort. Write down all your accomplishments — whether big or small — and rank them in order of importance. Next, try to "sell yourself" — the key to a successful portfolio submission is persuasion. Try convincing the committee that the skills learnt from your experiences mirror those required of a medical professional. In addition, students enrolled in a GAMSAT or UCAT Program can liaise with a member of the IME Academic Faculty to develop a strong portfolio and will receive constructive feedback for improvement.
Your programs are expensive, I could just watch educational videos online for free	The IME Academic Faculty comprises a team of qualified and experienced tertiary educators. We offer intensive, detailed, and comprehensive one-stop resources. Once enrolled in the correct course or program, students will not require any further materials to prepare. Moreover, all student progress is tracked and support is always available. In addition to quality, our GAMSAT programs deliver time savings while you study by teaching you both what to study, and how to study it. In the long-term, we save you time and effort by helping you achieve your best score faster. Finally, it is important to consider the cost of not enrolling in a preparation course. For instance, delaying your progression into Medicine by a year or two subsequently delays your entry into the medical profession with a resultant downstream impact of hundreds-of-thousands of dollars of lost earnings. In this context, even the most comprehensive preparation programs like the GAMSAT Premier Program (course fee $5,997) seems a modest investment.
I don't have a background in science nor mathematics and I am sure I will score poorly in the GAMSAT because of this	The IME offers intensive and detailed resources for prerequisite GAMSAT science units. Our Academic Faculty comprises a team of experienced university educators who can guide your learning through personal tutorials and provide expert advice on areas of concern.
Are all classes online or will there also be in-person seminars	IME Pre-Medical programs are interactive and provide students with unlimited support. For ease of access, all courses and inclusions such as personal tutorials and Q&A Webinars can be completed online. We are currently based in the Gold Coast and also offer in-person tutorials to students at their convenience. Additionally, live Medicine Admissions Interview workshops are held in capital cities across Australia in preparation for Medicine/Dentistry interviews. Pending COVID-19 restrictions, live GAMSAT/UCAT workshops will also run on-site in the Gold Coast.
Does IME provide UCAT example questions and practice tests	The UCAT Consortium provide free example questions and practice tests representative of the live test on their website. The IME provides five personalised one-on-one tutorials with a member of our Academic Faculty and focuses classes on the five key domains of the UCAT exam. We also provide five, on-demand recorded lectures that teach students specific approaches to each of the question archetypes seen in the UCAT. It is recommended you use official UCAT material in conjunction with the IME UCAT Premier program to prepare for your test.

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What Is PESCI? The Complete Guide for International Medical Graduates

June 1, 2026

What is a PESCI assessment, and who needs one? This comprehensive guide explains the Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview (PESCI) for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking to work in Australian general...

${reading_time(` If you're an international medical graduate (IMG) navigating the Australian pathway to general practice, you've likely encountered the acronym PESCI and perhaps found the surrounding information patchy, contradictory, or simply hard to locate in one place. This guide sets out to change that. What PESCI Stands For PESCI stands for Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview. It is a standardised assessment process designed to evaluate whether an IMG is ready to enter supervised general practice in Australia. The PESCI assessment is not an examination of medical knowledge in the conventional sense. It is a structured, evidence-based process that assesses clinical reasoning, communication, and professional readiness within the Australian primary care context. Why the PESCI Assessment Exists Australia has a well-established framework for integrating IMGs into its medical workforce a framework designed to protect patients, support practitioners, and maintain the integrity of the healthcare system. IMGs bring diverse training, substantial clinical experience, and often highly specialised expertise. At the same time, Australian general practice operates within a specific regulatory, cultural, and systemic environment that differs from many other countries. The PESCI assessment exists to ensure that IMGs entering supervised GP practice are well-positioned to work effectively within that environment from day one. It is, in essence, a professional readiness assessment; not a test of whether you are a capable doctor, but an evaluation of how your capabilities translate into the Australian GP context. Who Needs to Complete a PESCI Assessment The PESCI assessment is generally required for IMGs seeking to work in Australian general practice under a supervised pathway. This may include doctors who: Have secured a supervised general practice position Are seeking registration that requires a PESCI assessment as part of the placement approval process Are entering Australian general practice before obtaining Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Specific eligibility requirements are determined by the Australian Medical Council (AMC), AHPRA, and relevant health authorities. ** Requirements can change over time. Always confirm your individual obligations directly with the AMC, AHPRA, your employer, and your placement organisation. What the PESCI Assessment Involves The PESCI is a structured interview conducted by an accredited PESCI provider. It is designed to be consistent, fair, and evidence-based across all candidates. The assessment typically evaluates: Clinical Reasoning in a GP Context How you approach undifferentiated presentations, manage diagnostic uncertainty, identify red flags, and prioritise patient care within the realities of general practice. Communication and Consultation Skills Your ability to communicate clearly, build rapport, explain diagnoses and management plans, and engage patients in shared decision-making within the Australian healthcare environment. Understanding of the Australian Healthcare System This includes familiarity with Medicare, referral pathways, specialist services, preventative care, after-hours arrangements, and the role of the GP as the coordinator of patient care. Professional and Ethical Practice How you navigate confidentiality, informed consent, mandatory reporting requirements, professional boundaries, and the expectations associated with medical registration in Australia. Cultural Safety and Health Equity Candidates are expected to demonstrate awareness of cultural safety principles, including the provision of respectful and equitable healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Australia's diverse communities. Because the interview follows a structured framework, all candidates are assessed against consistent criteria. This standardisation helps ensure fairness, transparency, and reliability across assessments. Who Conducts the PESCI Assessment? PESCI assessments are conducted by accredited PESCI providers — organisations formally approved to deliver assessments in accordance with AMC requirements. Accreditation is important because it ensures assessments are delivered consistently, objectively, and to nationally recognised standards. IME – Institute of Medical Education is an accredited PESCI provider and conducts PESCI assessments for eligible international medical graduates preparing to enter supervised general practice positions across Australia. How to Book a PESCI Assessment Booking a PESCI assessment is typically initiated after confirmation of a suitable supervised placement. The process generally involves: Confirmation of eligibility and placement details Selection of an accredited PESCI provider Submission of required documentation Scheduling of the assessment interview Completion of the PESCI assessment Receipt of the assessment outcome and reporting documentation Documentation requirements vary depending on the placement, employer, and regulatory requirements. Candidates should ensure all requested information is submitted within the required timeframe to avoid delays. How to Prepare for a PESCI Assessment Effective preparation focuses less on memorising facts and more on understanding how clinical practice operates within the Australian primary care environment. Areas commonly worth reviewing include: Australian general practice consultation models Management of common primary care presentations Patient-centred communication techniques Professional and ethical responsibilities Medicare and referral processes Cultural safety and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Preventative health and chronic disease management Candidates often benefit from practising structured clinical discussions and reflecting on how they would manage common GP scenarios in a safe, evidence-based manner. Common Misconceptions About PESCI "PESCI Is Just Another Medical Exam" Not exactly. While clinical knowledge is important, the assessment primarily evaluates how you apply your knowledge within the Australian general practice setting. "Experienced Doctors Don't Need to Prepare" Even highly experienced clinicians may be unfamiliar with aspects of Australian healthcare delivery, regulation, and cultural expectations. Preparation remains important regardless of previous experience. "The Interview Is Designed to Catch Candidates Out" The purpose of PESCI is not to create obstacles. It is designed to assess readiness for supervised practice and identify whether a doctor can work safely and effectively within the proposed position. Frequently Asked Questions Is PESCI the same as AMC examinations? No. AMC examinations assess broader medical competence, whereas PESCI focuses specifically on readiness for a particular supervised clinical role within Australia. How long does a PESCI assessment take? Assessment formats may vary between providers, but candidates should allow sufficient time for the interview itself as well as any required pre-assessment documentation processes. Can I complete PESCI before securing a position? In most cases, PESCI assessments are linked to a specific proposed placement and supervision arrangement. Requirements should be confirmed with your employer and the relevant regulatory bodies. What happens if I do not achieve a satisfactory outcome? The outcome process varies depending on the circumstances and applicable requirements. Candidates should discuss available options with their employer, and the PESCI provider. Final Thoughts For international medical graduates pursuing a career in Australian general practice, the PESCI assessment represents an important step in the transition to supervised practice. Understanding what the assessment evaluates and why it exists can make the process far less intimidating. Rather than viewing PESCI as a hurdle, it is more accurate to see it as a structured assessment of professional readiness, designed to support safe, effective, and culturally appropriate patient care within the Australian healthcare system. If you are preparing for a supervised GP placement and require a PESCI assessment, IME's experienced team can guide you through the process and help ensure your assessment is completed efficiently and professionally. Book PESCI today`)}

Requirements for graduate entry to Medicine, Dentistry & Optometry in 2024 for GAMSAT medical schools

April 19, 2023

IME provides four downloadable files for your convenience.

${reading_time(`IME provides four downloadable files for your convenience, including Medical School Application Dates, Australian Medical School Places, Current Australian Medical School Market, and Requirements for Entry into Australian Graduate Medical Schools. GAMSAT & Medical School Application Dates Current Australian Medical School Market GEMSAS & Non-GEMSAS Australian Medical School Places 2024 GEMSAS & Non-GEMSAS Australian Medical Schools That Require GAMSAT score `)}

Key Dates For 2023 — Postgraduate Medicine Entry In 2024

April 17, 2023

Overview of important GAMSAT and medical school application dates in 2023 for entry into Medicine in 2024 (for schools that require GAMSAT, only).

${reading_time(`Overview of important GAMSAT and medical school application dates in 2023 for entry into Medicine in 2024 (for schools that require GAMSAT, only). Calendar Month in 2023 Key Dates January Monday 30 January Standard registrations for March GAMSAT close February Friday 10 February Late registrations for March GAMSAT, preferences for test centres, and refund/deferral requests close From late February March GAMSAT admission ticket available March Saturday 18 – Wednesday 22 March GAMSAT testing window April Early April Admissions guides published for GEMSAS medical schools Monday 24 April Applications open for Doctor of Medicine & Doctor of Dental Medicine at University of Sydney May Early May September GAMSAT registrations open GEMSAS Medicine (and University of Melbourne Dentistry & Optometry) applications open Late-May March GAMSAT results available Monday 29 May Flinders University Doctor of Medicine applications open Wednesday 31 May GEMSAS Medicine (and University of Melbourne Dentistry) applications close June Thursday 08 June Applications close for Doctor of Medicine & Doctor of Dental Medicine at University of Sydney Friday 26 June Applications close for Doctor of Medicine at Flinders University July Tuesday 11 July Standard registrations for September GAMSAT close Friday 21 July Late registrations for September GAMSAT, preferences for test centres, and refund/deferral requests close Monday 31 July University of Melbourne Optometry applications close August Mid-late August Interview offers released for Flinders University Late August September GAMSAT admission ticket available September Early September Offers of interviews for GEMSAS medical schools are released and are held throughout September/October Thursday 07 September Offers for Doctor of Medicine at University of Sydney are released Friday 08 – Tuesday 12 September GAMSAT testing window Thursday 14 September Offers for Doctor of Dental Medicine at University of Sydney are released Monday 18 September – Friday 29 September Interviews held for Flinders University October GEMSAS medical school interviews continue throughout October Late October Flinders University offers released November Offers for GEMSAS Medicine and University of Melbourne Dentistry & Optometry are released Mid-November September GAMSAT results available December Additional offers made throughout December 2023 and January 2024 to fill vacancies `)}

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