We invite you to consult the FAQ which addresses several questions we have received from candidates and stakeholders on the NAC exam.
NAC exam – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Regretfully, we are no longer able to administer the NAC exam in March 2021. We apologize for the disruption this has caused candidates.
As soon as details on future exam options are confirmed, the MCC will inform candidates and stakeholders, and work directly with candidates to transfer their exam application to a future session. If a candidate prefers to withdraw their application, they will receive a full refund.
A successful NAC exam delivery
On September 12 and 13, over 1,200 candidates completed the National Assessment Collaboration Examination at 11 centres and with physical distancing and other personal protective measures, as per the guidelines set by local public health authorities. We would like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation in ensuring the safe administration of this exam.
The health and safety of our candidates and all involved in our exams remains our priority during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NAC Examination
You must take the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination if you want to apply to a Canadian residency program.
For information on the NAC Examination eligibility requirements, visit the Application and eligibility page.
What is the NAC Examination?
The NAC Examination is a one-day exam that assesses your readiness to enter a Canadian residency program. It is a national, standardized examination that tests the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for entrance into postgraduate training in Canada.
OSCE station description
The NAC Examination is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). It consists of a series of stations where you are presented typical clinical scenarios. For a given administration, all candidates rotate through the same series of stations. Each station is 11 minutes long with two minutes between stations.
At each station, a brief written statement introduces a clinical problem and outlines your tasks (e.g., take a history, describe a physical examination, etc.). In each station, there is at least one Standardized Patient (SP) and a Physician Examiner (PE).
An OSCE includes a series of stations where you are presented with typical clinical scenarios. It includes problems in:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Psychiatry
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health
You are rated by physician examiners on up to seven different competencies per station. These competencies include:
- Quality of history taking
- Diagnosis
- Management
- Communication skills
- Physical examination
- Investigations
- Data interpretation
Click here for the full definition of each of these competencies.
You can take the NAC Examination in English or French at designated centres.
To find out how to prepare for the NAC Examination, including common mistakes that candidates make, and to learn more about the exam objectives, visit our NAC Examination preparation resources page.
Why should I take the NAC Examination?
The NAC Examination is required to apply to a Canadian residency program. The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) accepts NAC Examination results as part of match application packages.
The NAC Examination is not required to obtain the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada, and a pass does not guarantee a residency training position in Canada.
How do I take the NAC Examination?
You can apply to the NAC Examination during designated application periods through your physiciansapply.ca account. Your results will be accepted by residency programs directors regardless of where you take the exam. You do not have to take the examination in the province where you will be applying for residency.
Examination at a glance
Please find below information on the next NAC exam.
| Deferred: March 2021 NAC Examination |
|---|
Proposed future NAC exam dates and centres
Please find below information on the proposed future NAC exam dates and centres.
| Exam session | Examination centres* | |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 11, 2021 | Alta. Alta. B.C. Man. Ont. Ont. Ont. Ont. Que. Sask. |
Calgary (English) Edmonton (English) Vancouver (English) Winnipeg (English) London (English) Ottawa (English) Sudbury (English) Toronto (English) Montreal (English) Saskatoon (English) |
| Sunday, September 12, 2021 | Alta. Alta. Man. N.S. Ont. Ont. Ont. Que. Sask. |
Calgary (English) Edmonton (English) Winnipeg (English) Halifax (English) London (English) Ottawa (English ) Toronto (English) Montreal (English and French) Saskatoon (English) |
*The centres are subject to change.
For information regarding centre assignment, please visit the Centre selection page.
Results are available approximately 10 weeks after the exam date. See Results for more information.