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Important: Exam dates, fees and policies can change. Verify time-sensitive details on the official Medical Council of Canada website.
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NAC OSCE preparation

NAC OSCE structure and format

Understand the station circuit, timing, scoring framework, results process and practical exam-day sequence before you begin clinical preparation.

Standard examination circuit

Total stations12
Operational stations10 stations contribute to the final score
Pilot stations2 unscored stations; candidates are not told which ones
Station time11 minutes
Transition time2 minutes between stations
DeliveryIn-person, half-day Objective Structured Clinical Examination
Administration patternUsually spring and fall sessions
Approach every station as operational. Pilot stations are indistinguishable during the circuit.

What happens at a station

  1. Read the candidate instructions outside the room.
  2. Identify the task, setting, patient role and required outputs.
  3. Enter, introduce yourself, confirm identity and obtain permission.
  4. Complete the focused history, examination, counselling or management task.
  5. Summarize, answer examiner questions when included and close safely.
  6. Move when the signal sounds; do not carry the previous station into the next one.
Two-minute transition: Reset your posture, read the verbs in the task, choose a framework and identify the single most dangerous diagnosis before entering.

Scoring overview

The operational stations are combined into a total score. Station scoring can include key clinical actions, responses to oral prompts and global ratings of performance. The reported total score uses a scale from 500 to 700. The established pass score is 577.

Assessment and diagnosis represent the largest part of the blueprint, with management and communication also contributing. Strong rapport does not replace incomplete assessment or unsafe reasoning.

Read the scoring guide

Results

The MCC states that results are generally released approximately eight weeks after the final day of a session. Always use the official results page for current timelines and policies.

Current fees and dates

Fees, withdrawal charges, application windows, assigned centres and session dates can change. This site intentionally links to the live MCC pages rather than presenting old dates as permanent information.

Official schedulingOfficial fees

Exam-day preparation

  • Read the current candidate guide in full.
  • Confirm identification and arrival requirements.
  • Plan transportation to the assigned centre.
  • Practise station entry and exit signals.
  • Use neutral, respectful language with standardized participants.
  • Do not discuss secure examination content.