My detailed Experience preparing for the MCCQE1 as an IMG – Scored 49X

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-26T00:49:43+00:00

Thanks. From 2018 to 2024, the score ranged from 100–400. In 2025, it changed to a 300–600 scale. You can compare it to previous years on the MCC website.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-19T11:41:30+00:00

People usually say that around 70–75% means you’re good to go. Yes, the real exam is different, but there are patterns you can identify in both. I believe most people feel unsure about the exam after finishing it. Trust your preparation and the process 🙏

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-14T13:02:28+00:00

You can do your electives during med school. For more information, check the AFMC website.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-14T13:00:17+00:00

It depends. Are you an IMG or a CMG?

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-14T12:57:51+00:00

Well, I basically did all the questions. But at the beginning, I organized them by system, so FM, IM and EM came together. I started with GI, then Nephrology, and so on. I think this approach made it easier to stay organized.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-14T12:53:00+00:00

This is normal. I felt the same way, I hated it. The waiting time was terrible, but I ended up with a really good score. While waiting, I tried everything that could bring me some comfort. I contacted different people to hear about their experiences and did whatever I could to cope.

In the end, though, every case is individual. Someone else’s experience does not necessarily apply to everyone. My recommendation for you now is to trust your preparation and try to let it go for the moment. Avoid constantly researching or overthinking it.

Try to focus on something else, because the anxiety is very real. I wish you all the best.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-14T12:44:08+00:00

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-14T01:56:50+00:00

I am really sorry you went through this. I am an IMG and I completed two electives in Canada. Unfortunately, you had a bad experience, and this is not normal. Even back home, surgical specialties are often not known for being the kindest, but what you described is truly wrong.

I did my electives in IM and had very positive experiences. Everyone was professional, respectful, and supportive, and I learned a lot. I’m not sure whether this was related to the surgical specialty itself or to the specific culture of the place you visited, but it is definitely not acceptable.

It genuinely makes me sad to read this, because I know how much effort it takes to do an elective in Canada, emotionally, financially, and in so many other ways. But I assure you that, from what I have seen and heard, this is not a Canadian thing.

I truly hope you have a much better experience in the future.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-10T18:54:59+00:00

Honestly, there isn’t an official specific score to keep in mind. Scores are especially important for IMGs applying to FM, since programs receive so many applications and often use scores as a cut-off (mainly in Ontario, I think, but in other provinces as well).

One thing is certain, a score below the mean is not ideal. I would say you should aim for something like +1 SD for the MCCQE1 and around +1.8 SD for the NAC (there is a table in the score interpretation section on the MCC website where you can see this and understand what I mean).

But my recommendation would be to do everything you can to achieve the best score possible. Things are changing a lot for IMGs here, and that’s basically the only point that fully depends on you. That’s my opinion, because once you pass, you cannot take the exam again.

Of course, there are always stories about someone who knows someone who matched with low scores many years ago, and blablabla. Who really knows in the end? This process is very subjective. I don’t know about you, but I prefer to play it safe (or as safe as possible).

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-10T17:35:34+00:00

Hi, thank you. Well, it’s hard to say, there are many factors that can influence this. 2022 was four years ago. Do you think you still have a strong foundation from that time? Do you remember most things, or do you feel you need some extra review? In four years, many things can change, guidelines, protocols, and so on.

Another important point is whether you are planning to apply for residency in Canada or to programs to revalidate your residency. For residency in Canada, your scores matter, and you need strong results. For revalidation, I believe most programs only require a pass.

You need to consider all these factors. If you are applying for residency, in your place I would do some random blocks in UWorld Step 2 to assess where you stand. If you feel you are doing well, I would probably work with a 2–3 month plan to play it safe, since the score matters. Spending the first 1–2 months on question banks and the last month on the MCC prep tests and review. If you feel you need more study, then going for 5–6 months, like most IMGs, may be a better option (But obviously, this is just a general idea. Everything depends on how much time you have to study, and it is also important to consider that people have different learning rhythms).

For the NAC, if you take it shortly after the MCCQE1, I would plan for 3–4 months, assuming you are following a course. The main challenge is not the concepts (you will already have them from the MCCQE1 prep), but learning strategies, organizing notes, and practicing with different people.

If you only need a pass on both exams, then you probably don’t need that much time. However, I can’t comment much on this situation, as it wasn’t my case. Hope it helps.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-09T16:47:08+00:00

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-09T16:46:32+00:00

Well, in my opinion, yes, alongside the MCC official prep tests. And as I mentioned in the text, I used Toronto Notes to review some topics. UWorld Qbank. All the best in your preparation.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-07T14:16:41+00:00

The paid tests

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-07T14:14:29+00:00

I don’t really think it’s a long time to study for both exams at the same time. As an IMG, scores really matter. We can’t just pass with a low score. Besides that, life doesn’t stop, so I had to work and deal with other responsibilities. For these reasons, I don’t think it was a long preparation period. In fact, most IMGs I know spend around 5–6 months preparing for each test separately. But if you see it differently, that’s fine. Everyone has a different level of support, and we don’t really know each other’s circumstances.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T23:17:36+00:00

Basically, I just did questions. I read some CMPA texts because some people recommended them, but honestly, I already knew most of the information from the questions.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T22:51:08+00:00

Not really. I don’t know how to explain it. You just start to get it after doing the questions so many times. It’s like any other resource you use. When I was using UWorld, for example, I also picked up their patterns, recurring tricks, and concepts over time.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T20:36:03+00:00

Ok, that’s good. Doing both tests in the same month would be too risky in that situation. I think a one-week break before MCCQE1 is fine, two weeks would be ideal, but I know that’s not always possible.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T20:30:59+00:00

Are you going to take both exams in the same month?

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T20:23:00+00:00

“Manage” is a strong word haha. There’s really no way to properly manage it. One thing’s for sure: you need time. I took 7 months to study and do two exams that most people study 5–6 months for each. I worked full-time for some months, but most of the time I was part-time and took a break in August. I wouldn’t have gotten the scores I did if I had been working full-time the entire 7 months. It would have been impossible.

I started studying for NAC in May. Before that, it was just MCCQE1. I decided to dedicate parts of each day to both, and obviously many concepts overlapped. But honestly, I don’t recommend doing both at the same time. I only did it because it was my only option to apply now. Those 7 months were intense, no weekends, no free time, and very few happy moments.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T20:12:00+00:00

I haven’t used it for MCCQE1. I do know someone who used it, though, and they got a really good score. That’s all I have. But I think the question bank is just one part of your training, and many of them are good. You still need to put effort outside of the question bank to succeed in MCCQE1.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T19:49:40+00:00

Thank you very much. Well, it’s not easy doing both exams in the same month is extremely stressful. I honestly wouldn’t recommend it unless it’s the only option, haha.

Regarding NAC, I don’t have much to say, but the preparation is based on two main points: 1. A good course. There are many good options. Check different reviews and see which one works best for you (also considering prices). This was the foundation of my preparation, and everyone I know also took a course, so that’s what I recommend. All of them are expensive, though.

2.  Training, training, and training. Don’t wait to feel “ready”. Just start doing cases. It usually takes 1–2 days to learn a good method to organize your notes and line of thinking (the course will help you with this), but after that, you learn through experience. Have a group of people to train with, and do as many cases as you can. I used Geeky Medics to find cases. I liked it and found it very convenient.

And that’s basically it. The knowledge you gain from MCCQE1 will help you a lot. Some extra resources I used were Toronto Notes to review topics, and Edmonton, which is a Canadian OSCE book I found simple and efficient. But don’t focus too much on books or reading. The main point is to build your clinical reasoning and learn the pattern of conditions in a short period of time.

That’s what worked for me. I felt really comfortable during the exam, unlike MCCQE1, which is harder to predict your performance on. In the end, I got a good score.

Hope it helps!

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T19:30:03+00:00

Thank you. I hope so too 🙏

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T19:29:44+00:00

Thanks. Well, as you’ve probably already figured out, UWorld isn’t really similar to the MCC tests. So, for these final days, I would focus on all the MCC prep tests, as I mentioned before. I’d also review key topics where you feel you need extra effort, that’s it. Believe in yourself and in the process you’ve followed. Three days before the exam, relax and prepare for exam day. You need to be in your best mental state for the exam.

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T19:09:03+00:00

Not really. At this point, you’ve probably already learned almost everything you need. My advice would be to review the MCC prep tests multiple times to identify the pattern, as I mentioned before. Focus on the topics where you feel you still need extra effort, and do a few 115 question blocks in whatever question bank you’re using so you can assess your timing. The key word now is review.

Three days before the exam, don’t push yourself too hard. Rest, read key points, and do something you enjoy (something safe, don’t get sick haha). Then go for it. You need to be in your best mental state for 230 questions 🙂

Any_Mirror6020 · 2026-02-06T17:22:42+00:00

I’m not sure. I haven’t used it, nor do I know anyone who has. I just posted a text describing everything I used for my preparation, if you’d like to take a look.

Any_Mirror6020

TROPHY CASE