Do I have to book the AMC MCQ before I start studying?

No. You cannot book the AMC MCQ until the AMC has authorised you to sit it, so the sensible order is to start studying early and book once you can name a realistic date.

No. Booking is not the first step, and for most people it cannot be. The AMC has to authorise you to sit the MCQ before Pearson VUE will let you pick a date and a test centre. Studying has no such gate. You can open a book, or an app, today.

What has to happen before you can book

The order matters, so here it is in plain terms:

Your medical degree has to be eligible, and you set up a MyIntealth account and an EPIC portfolio with ECFMG.
You create an AMC account and establish your initial portfolio.
Your degree is verified. The AMC says verification of an eligible degree needs to be in place before you move on to its exams.
You apply through your AMC account for an authorisation to sit the MCQ. The AMC says the authorisation is valid for 12 months.
Pearson VUE emails you to confirm it. Only then can you book a venue and a date, online or by phone.

If you are still at step 1 or 2, you cannot book yet, however ready you feel.

So when should you start studying?

Early. Verification can take a while, because it depends on how quickly your medical school replies. That waiting time is not dead time. A doctor who spends it learning the material, one patient group at a time, arrives at authorisation with a head start instead of a blank page.

There is no official rule that says "do not study until you are authorised". The only real limit is the other end: the authorisation lasts 12 months, so you will want your exam date well inside that window.

When should you book?

Once you have your confirmation and a date you can defend. Two things pull in opposite directions:

Seats at some venues are limited and given first come, first served, so waiting for the perfect moment can cost you your preferred centre.
A booking is a real commitment. Pearson VUE says you can change or cancel up to 21 days before the exam, if a seat is free at your preferred venue. If you do not act at least 21 days ahead, you lose your authorisation and your payment.

A practical middle path: book with some breathing room, then check your progress at about five or six weeks out. If you are clearly behind, you still have time to move the date without losing anything.

One thing to plan early

After you book, the AMC emails an official placement letter, which can help with a travel visa and accommodation. If you will travel to sit the exam, allow time for visa processing, and move your booking before the closing date if the visa will not arrive in time.

Questions people ask

Can I book the MCQ before my degree is verified?

In practice, no. The AMC says verification of an eligible degree needs to be in place before you move on to its exams, and Pearson VUE only opens booking after the AMC has authorised you.

Do I need to pay for a study course before I book?

No. Studying and booking are separate decisions. Many doctors start preparing first and book when their date becomes clear.

How long do I have to book once I am authorised?

The AMC says the authorisation is valid for 12 months to schedule an exam event. Check your own authorisation email for the exact dates.

What does the exam itself look like?

One session of 3.5 hours with 150 multiple-choice questions, each with five options and one correct answer.

Can I change my date?

Yes, up to 21 days before the exam, if a seat is available at your preferred venue. After that, you lose your authorisation and payment.