CaRMS Language Proficiency for IMGs: Which Proof You Need
Short answer: CaRMS requires proof of language proficiency from international medical graduates (IMGs) unless they meet its exemption. The exemption covers IMGs who completed their basic medical education and patient care experience in one of 23 listed countries, and it applies only to programs in Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, […]
NAC Exam Day: What to Bring and How the Day Runs
By Dr. Bilal Akil, MD — Emergency Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University · founder of mccQbank The National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination is a half-day OSCE, but you will spend about five hours at the centre, and much of what goes wrong has nothing to do with medicine: a watch on […]
MCCQE and NAC Test Accommodations: How to Request Them
By Dr. Bilal Akil, MD — Emergency Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University · founder of mccQbank The short answer: If you need extra testing time, extra break time, assistive equipment or a personal item such as a breast pump on exam day, the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) can change how […]
NAC Exam Eligibility and Application: Who Can Apply and How
By Dr. Bilal Akil, MD — Emergency Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University · founder of mccQbank The NAC Examination is the clinical exam that stands between most international medical graduates and a CaRMS application. It is easy to lose a session on paperwork: the application window for each session is only […]
CaRMS 2027 Timeline for IMGs: Every R-1 Date and Deadline
By Dr. Bilal Akil, MD — Emergency Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University · founder of mccQbank The short answer: To take part as an IMG you must, among other things, have written and passed the NAC Examination and the MCCQE (formerly MCCQE Part I), with some provincial exceptions (CaRMS eligibility criteria). […]
CaRMS and NRMP in the Same Year: Can You Apply to Both?
By Dr. Bilal Akil, MD — Emergency Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University · founder of mccQbank Short answer: yes. You can register for the CaRMS R-1 Main Residency Match and the NRMP Main Residency Match in the same year, and both organizations have written rules for exactly that case. But you […]
Writing the MCCQE Before You Graduate: A Guide for Canadians Abroad
Can you write the MCCQE before you graduate from a school abroad? Yes. The eligibility rules, the Sponsor Note, the NAC and a timeline for CaRMS.
Practice Ready Assessment in Canada: 9 Provincial Programs
Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) in Canada: the 9 provincial programs compared, with the exams they require (MCCQE, NAC, TDM) and return of service.
Returning to Canada After Medical School Abroad: Guide 2026
Canadians who study medicine abroad return via CaRMS as IMGs: 2026 match rates by region (Oceania 76.3%, Central America/Caribbean 36.6%) and exams.
MCCQE vs USMLE Step 2 CK: Which One an IMG Should Write
MCCQE vs USMLE Step 2 CK for IMGs: which one leads to a CaRMS or US residency, pass marks (439 vs 218), first-time pass rates, fees and which to write.