It has been a privilege for me to get know people from around the world trough my blog. Recently, one of my reader informed me that she just passed her AMC-MCQ. I asked her if I can ask her some questions and share her experience with us, and she said "yes". So I sent her email and she has been generously answered all my questions.

I hope it will be useful for those who still preparing for the exam.
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Dear P.R (I am using initials for privacy reason)

Below are some questions that I have regarding your experience.

​Firstly, can you tell me a little about yourself and your medical background?
I am an IMG from the Philippines. I got my degree in 2014 and finished a year medical internship the following year. In 2016, I decided to move to New Zealand. 

How long did you need to prepare for the exam and can you tell me a little about your study plan?
Honestly, I didnt have a study plan. I began preparing for it two months prior my scheduled exam. I made it a point that I am reading at least 1 topic or answering at least 50 questions per day during my 2-month preparation.

What were the difficulties you faced during the preparation, and how did you overcome them?
I think since I am preparing on my own (self study) the greatest challenge was procastination. There were days that I was very lazy and everytime I'd read I almost fell asleep. 
Because of this, I made sure that I was pumped up with coffee and in a place that has a good ambience for studying. I also played music to keep me awake.

What were materials you used, that you found useful?
What I found very useful was the AMC blue book. I used it to familiarise myself on how the questions are asked. AMC questions are very different from what I'm used to. I also answered recall questions. For the topics that I did not understand, I referred back to Murtagh's.

If you do not mind me asking, how many times did you sit the AMC MCQ, and what led you to success?
I was not successful on my first attempt. It shattered my confidence and said to myself that maybe I am not good enough for this.
I am not sure on how I regained my confidence back. One day I said to myself that I need to be doing something for me to be able to move forward. So I scheduled my next exam and that was it - no turning back. With God's grace, I passed.

Is there anything that you regret doing in term of your preparation?
I think if I prepared more seriously and had a study schedule that I strictly followed, the outcome would have been better. 

Finally, what is your suggestion,or tips for those who are preparing for the exam?
-First would be to book for the exam. If you have booked your exam, you will prepare more seriously.
-Second, dont be afraid to ask questions about the things you are unsure of. There are a lot of online groups who are willing to help to answer your queries. Like Imelda, I used to asked her a lot of questions about AMC and about practising medicine in New Zealand. She provides very useful information and I really appreciate her for doing this.
-Third, familiarise yourself with the form of questions in AMC-MCQ. Read the blue book and answer recall questions. When in doubt, always consult John Murtagh's.
-Lastly, pray. As I am Catholic, I prayed to God that He would prepare my mind and body for this exam. I prayed and asked Him to be with me throughout this journey. 
   
Congratulation again on passing the AMC MCQ, and thank you so much for dedicating your time answering questions about your preparation and exam experience to help others that will go on the same path. Good luck on your NZREX, I look forward to hearing more good news from you.
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I received many questions related to my experience of registering as a medical doctor in New Zealand. So I think I will share a bit of my long story here.

In March 2011, I arrived in Auckland as what they call an IMG - International Medical Graduate, a title that is affixed to every doctor who gained medical degree in different country. I have never imagined this would be the start of a long, exhausting journey. To be able to enter a New Zealand specialist program, one has to be registered in New Zealand as a doctor and have one year of clinical experience. The first step to be registered is to pass one of these exams: the USMLE step 1 & 2; AMC-Australian Medical Council exam part 1 or PLAB.

My first few months lived in Auckland went smoothly: I stayed with a nice homestay family who become my new family in Auckland, I attended a USMLE preparation course at Kaplan International and my study went really well despite the limited facilities at Kaplan-Auckland due to the Christchurch earthquake which closed the Kaplan Centre in Christchurch. 

Four months after I started my course, I begun the registration process for the USMLE that includes registering my self to the ECFMG and contacting Christian University of Indonesia, where I gained my medical degree, to release my credentials to ECFMG in America. This was a long and complicated process and took one and half years. 

By the end of my first year in New Zealand, I faced financial difficulties, I had spent almost all my saving to pay my accommodation and someone stole my credit card details which left me with additional bills to pay. I was in crisis and needed to find a job immediately, this made me step out of my comfort zone. I applied for jobs that I had never done before, to get free accommodation, and extra income, to enable me to stay in Auckland. 

There were so many things that happened in the last few years: I managed to find a job as an Au-pair that not only gave me place to stay and some pocket money, but also another family to share my ups and downs. I got engaged in 2012 after going out for a year and got married in 2013. Unfortunately, my study was not going as well as other aspects in my life. ECFMG accepted my credentials at the beginning of 2012 and I sat my USMLE exam at the end of the year, but once again I faced disappointment: I failed.

It was really difficult to find balance between study and work, so I decided to focus on working for a year which later extended to two years. Finally, In January 2015, I had a strong will to concentrate on my study to pass the AMC (Australian Medical Council) Exam as part of the New Zealand Medical Council registration requirements. I started studying from the beginning of January 2015, for at least ten hours per day while working part-time and from March 2015, a month before my exam, I dedicated all my time to study. My hard work finally paid off when I passed in May 2015.

Here some useful link for IMGs who want to work or continue their study in NZ:
New Zealand Medical Council
Eligibility requirment for NZREX clinical
Australian Medical Council MCQ
Kaplan Medical - USMLE course
USMLE course in Auckland
IELTS course with ELA

I will be glad to answer any questions about study schedule or useful materials for USMLE or AMC-MCQ.
​Also read my post about my experience preparing for NZREX here.