OSCE practice

NZREX OSCE Practice Stations – Full Set of 20

Station 1: Clinical Reasoning – Mental Health Assessment

Candidate Instructions:

• You are an intern in General Practice.
• A 38-year-old man presents with fatigue, poor concentration, and lack of interest in activities.
• Take a focused history, perform a basic mental state examination, and provide differential diagnoses and a management plan with 2 minutes to go.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Lucas Henderson. You are a 38-year-old IT consultant with recent emotional exhaustion and poor sleep. You recently separated from your partner and are drinking more at night. You're not suicidal but have fleeting thoughts of “wanting it all to stop.”

• Only open up if the candidate is empathetic.
• Do not volunteer details unless asked directly.

Station 2: Integrated – Shoulder Injury

Candidate Instructions:

• You are a house officer in Orthopaedics.
• A 40-year-old builder presents with pain in his right shoulder after lifting heavy material.
• Take a focused history, examine the shoulder, and explain your findings.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Matiu Rangi. Two weeks ago, you injured your shoulder while lifting. It hurts with overhead movement. Rest and ibuprofen haven’t helped much.

• Demonstrate pain with abduction or external rotation.
• Express concern about returning to work.

Station 3: History Taking – Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Candidate Instructions:

• You are an intern in a GP clinic.
• A 58-year-old woman presents with bloating, irregular bowel habits, and occasional rectal bleeding.
• Take a focused gastrointestinal history. Do not discuss investigations or management.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Fiona Willis. For 3 months, you’ve had bloating and bright red blood in the stool. You’re vegetarian and don’t smoke.

• Mention blood only if asked about red flag symptoms.
• Appear mildly embarrassed.

Station 4: Communication – Delivering Bad News

Candidate Instructions:

• You are a house officer in the Medical Assessment Unit.
• A 72-year-old patient’s imaging has revealed metastatic pancreatic cancer. You’ve been asked to update the patient.
• Break the news using clear, empathetic communication. Offer support and ensure patient understanding.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Mark Leighton. You’re a 72-year-old retired mechanic. You were hoping the scan would explain your recent weight loss and fatigue, but didn’t expect cancer.

• React emotionally if not handled gently.
• Ask if this is curable, and what happens next.
• Feel calmer if the candidate is honest, empathetic, and supportive.

Station 5: Integrated – Ankle Injury

Candidate Instructions:

• You are a house officer in ED.
• A 23-year-old man presents with right ankle pain after falling while tramping.
• Take a focused history, examine the ankle, interpret a provided x-ray, and outline your management plan.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Rohan Gupta. You fell on a muddy trail 5 days ago and twisted your ankle. You can walk now, but running hurts. You iced it and wrapped it initially but didn’t seek medical attention until today.

• Demonstrate mild tenderness over the lateral malleolus when touched.
• Ask: “Will I need a cast?” and “When can I run again?”

Station 6: Behavioural – Conflict Resolution

Candidate Instructions:

• You are an intern on a medical ward.
• A patient is refusing their medication and becoming increasingly agitated.
• Engage respectfully, de-escalate the conflict, and try to reach a mutual understanding.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Elaine Hart. You are refusing antipsychotic medication because it causes tremors and emotional numbness. You have schizophrenia and don’t like how it makes you feel.

• Become defensive if pressured.
• Open up if candidate acknowledges your concerns and collaborates respectfully.

Station 7: Integrated – Chest Pain

Candidate Instructions:

• You are an intern in ED.
• A 65-year-old man presents with sudden chest pain radiating to the left arm.
• Take a focused history, examine cardio/respiratory systems, interpret ECG, and present your management plan.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Alan West. You had sudden central chest pain while gardening an hour ago. It radiates to your left arm and jaw. You are now mildly short of breath but still in discomfort.

• Ask “Is it a heart attack?” and appear anxious.
• Mention diabetes and hypertension only if asked about history.

Station 8: Musculoskeletal – Teenager with Knee Pain

Candidate Instructions:

• You are a house officer in a rural clinic.
• A 16-year-old netball player presents with 3 weeks of right knee pain.
• Take a focused history, examine the knee, and explain your findings.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Chloe Li. You’ve had pain over the front of your right knee after training hard. It’s worse going downstairs or after sitting long. There’s no swelling or locking.

• Demonstrate discomfort with patellar grind test.
• Ask if you can safely play nationals next week.

Station 9: Cultural Safety – Māori Patient

Candidate Instructions:

• You are an intern in General Practice.
• You are seeing a 60-year-old Māori man with longstanding diabetes who is new to your clinic.
• Use culturally safe practices to establish rapport and understand his views on care.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Wiremu Tane. You’ve had diabetes for years and feel past doctors didn’t listen. You value connection and being treated with respect.

• If the candidate uses your name correctly and is respectful, you open up.
• If they don’t acknowledge your background, you stay distant and guarded.

Station 10: Integrated – Paediatric Fever

Candidate Instructions:

• You are an intern in Paediatrics.
• A parent brings their 3-year-old child in for 2 days of fever and lethargy.
• Take a focused history from the caregiver, examine the child, and explain your working diagnosis.

Actor Instructions:

You are the parent of Noah, a 3-year-old. He’s been unwell for 2 days with fever. He’s not eating and feels hot at night. No seizures. You’re worried and want to know if it’s serious.

• Ask: “Does he need antibiotics?” and “Should we go to hospital?”
• Get more comfortable if the doctor reassures you clearly and calmly.

Station 11: Clinical Reasoning – Abdominal Pain in a Young Woman

Candidate Instructions:

• You are an intern in the Emergency Department.
• A 25-year-old woman presents with lower abdominal pain.
• Take a focused history, request relevant investigations, and present differential diagnoses and a management plan with 2 minutes to go.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Rebecca Latu. You’ve had a dull ache in your lower abdomen for 24 hours, worse on the right. You’re nauseated but not vomiting. Your period is overdue by 2 weeks. No contraception used. No urinary symptoms.

• Offer pregnancy history only if asked.
• Appear slightly anxious but cooperative.

Station 12: Integrated – Hip Pain in an Elderly Patient

Candidate Instructions:

• You are a house officer on the surgical ward.
• An 82-year-old woman has been admitted following a fall at home.
• Take a focused history, examine the hip, and share your findings with the examiner.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Maureen Clarke. You slipped in the kitchen this morning. Your left hip hurts badly and you can’t stand. No head injury. You live alone and usually manage independently.

• Show discomfort when candidate moves your left leg.
• Ask: “Will I need surgery?”
• You’re cooperative but mildly distressed.

Station 13: History Taking – Weight Loss and Night Sweats

Candidate Instructions:

• You are working in General Medicine.
• A 44-year-old man presents with fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats.
• Take a focused history only.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Karim Hossain. Over the last month, you’ve unintentionally lost 6 kg and had drenching night sweats. You have a persistent dry cough. You were exposed to TB in childhood in Bangladesh.

• Mention lymph node swelling only if asked.
• Reveal TB exposure if travel or contacts are explored.

Station 14: Behavioural – Angry Family Member

Candidate Instructions:

• You are an intern on a medical ward.
• The daughter of a patient is upset and complaining about poor communication from staff.
• Your task is to de-escalate the situation, acknowledge her concerns, and offer next steps.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Jess Atkinson. Your 79-year-old mother was admitted 3 days ago. You feel no one is giving you updates and you’ve been ignored. You’re angry and frustrated.

• Begin loud and direct. If the candidate listens and explains clearly, calm down.
• Become more upset if they are dismissive or vague.

Station 15: Integrated – Paediatric Limp

Candidate Instructions:

• You are working in Paediatrics.
• A 6-year-old child presents with a limp for 2 days.
• Take a focused history from the caregiver, examine the leg, and offer a likely diagnosis and plan.

Actor Instructions:

You are the parent of Riley, age 6. He started limping 2 days ago, refuses to bear weight on his right leg. He had a mild fever and cold a few days ago.

• Mention recent illness only if asked.
• Ask: “Does he need an X-ray?” or “Will it get worse?”

Station 16: Communication – Breaking Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes

Candidate Instructions:

• You are an intern in General Practice.
• A patient’s recent blood tests confirm a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
• Break the news, explain the condition clearly, and involve the patient in discussing next steps.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is James Lau. You’re 50 and were expecting your tiredness to be from work stress. You didn’t think it was medical. You’re shocked when told it’s diabetes.

• Ask “Will I need insulin?” and “Is this my fault?”
• Respond better to simple language and reassurance.

Station 17: History Taking – Dizziness in an Elderly Patient

Candidate Instructions:

• You are a house officer in Geriatrics.
• An 81-year-old man reports frequent dizziness.
• Take a focused history and offer a leading diagnosis with 1 minute to go.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Arthur Tamati. You feel dizzy when standing quickly. It lasts a few seconds. No chest pain. You’ve fallen once at home and take medication for blood pressure.

• Only reveal the fall if asked directly.
• You don’t like being labelled as frail—appreciate respectful tone.

Station 18: Integrated – Hand Swelling After Injury

Candidate Instructions:

• You are working in ED.
• A 28-year-old woman jammed her hand in a car door yesterday.
• Take a focused history, examine the hand, interpret X-ray findings, and outline your plan.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Amy. You injured your right hand in the boot yesterday. It’s swollen but you can move your fingers. You’re a florist and use your hands daily.

• React with pain when 4th metacarpal is palpated.
• Ask: “Can I still work?”

Station 19: Cultural Competence – Language Barrier

Candidate Instructions:

• You are working in Outpatient Services.
• A 60-year-old Samoan woman with poorly controlled hypertension is attending her first appointment.
• Engage respectfully, offer interpreter services, and explore cultural preferences and barriers.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Maria Tui. You speak limited English and usually rely on your daughter to interpret, but she isn’t here today. You’re polite but unsure.

• Smile and nod without understanding if confused.
• Open up more if offered translation help or spoken to simply and kindly.

Station 20: Integrated – Suspected Stroke

Candidate Instructions:

• You are on call in ED.
• A 72-year-old man presents with sudden-onset left arm weakness and slurred speech from 45 minutes ago.
• Take a focused history from the patient or support person, perform a neurological exam, and outline initial management.

Actor Instructions:

Your name is Bruce Logan. You suddenly developed left arm weakness and slurred speech at lunch. You’re scared but able to speak. You have a history of heart disease and take aspirin.

• Slight facial droop and left arm weakness should be simulated.
• Ask: “Am I having a stroke?”

NZREX Pilot Program

The NZREX Primary Care pathway is a pilot program designed to help overseas doctors who have passed the NZREX Clinical exam to gain full registration for a career in general practice in New Zealand.

The primary care trial aims to reduce the logjam of overseas-trained doctors from “non-comparable” health systems who struggled to get the two-year hospital internship required to gain full registration after passing the MCNZ exam (NZREX). The alternative pathway had the selected NZREX doctors, mostly GP equivalents in their home countries, spending 18 months of the two years in general practices.

 Here are some more details about the program:

Program Overview:

• Focus: The program is primarily focused on training doctors for community-based primary care settings. It includes an initial six-month hospital-based training component.

• Pilot Program: The pilot started in January 2023 and is expected to run for two years. It involves a cohort of 8-10 candidates.

• Location: The pilot is being delivered in partnership with primary care providers in the Waikato region.

Objectives:

• Full Registration: The main goal is to prepare candidates for full registration and a career in general practice in New Zealand.

• Support Rural Workforce: The program aims to support and strengthen the rural primary care workforce.

Application Process:

• Eligibility: Overseas doctors who have passed the NZREX Clinical exam within the last five years are eligible to apply.

• Selection Criteria: Specific selection criteria and application details can be found on the official Health New Zealand website.

Additional Information:

• Relocation Funding: Health New Zealand provides relocation funding to support the international recruitment of rural General Practitioners.

• Support and Management: The Waikato District has been instrumental in supporting and managing the program.

This program is a great opportunity for overseas doctors to integrate into the New Zealand healthcare system and contribute to the primary care workforce. If you're interested, I recommend checking the official Health New Zealand website for the latest updates and detailed application information.

Passing Rate for NZREX

Passing rates for candidates appearing for the NZREX in the last 5 years:

This data is posted on the MCNZ website - please visit their website to get the most uptodate stats.

This info was taken from the MCNZ website in June 2025.

Applying for House Officer Positions after NZREX

Applying for First Year House Officer Positions in New Zealand

There is a centralized application for first-year house officer positions in NZ, restricted to NZ and Aus medical grads, excluding NZREX candidates. As an NZREX candidate, you'll need to apply to various DHBs on your own.

Application Methods:

1. Email Applications

2. In-Person Applications

While emailing might be easier, handing in your CV personally could be more effective. For most candidates, emailing is more feasible as visiting every DHB is impractical. However, visiting your local DHB and meeting someone at the RMO office could be beneficial. Follow up your visit with an email to express your interest.

Steps to Apply:

1. Visit Your Local DHB: Apply in person and follow up with an email.

2. Call Other DHBs: Express your interest and follow up with an email. Be prepared for potential rejections.

Tips for Success:

• Frequent Contact: Send your CV every few weeks/months to show continued interest. Highlight your achievements in the email body.

• Know Your Contacts: Instead of general emails, find specific contacts like the RMO coordinator and CC them in your application email.

• Persistent Effort: Don't rely on a single attempt. Be innovative and proactive.

• Timing: There's no perfect time to apply. However, avoid Nov/Dec when NZ grads start working. Apply to all DHBs regardless of size.

Competition:

• NZ & Aus Grads: They often get priority.

• Other IMGs: Your competition is mainly other NZREX candidates. Be smart and active in your approach. Apply for observerships, make contacts, and get noticed.

District Health Boards in the North Island:

Northern Region

Northland

Central Auckland

North/West Auckland

South Auckland

Te Manawa Taki Region

Waikato

Lakes

Bay of Plenty

Gisborne

Taranaki

Central Region

Whanganui

Hawke's Bay

MidCentral

Greater Wellington

Wairarapa

Te Waipounamu Region

Nelson Marlborough

West Coast

Greater Christchurch

South Canterbury

Southern

Frequently asked questions about NZREX

I am from Country *** or have a post-graduate degree in *** or have a few years experience in *** specialty, do I need to take NZREX?

Please take the Medical Council self-assessment questionnaire and find out the answer yourself!

USMLE vs AMC vs PLAB, which exam should I take?

The answer to this question varies from person to person. Given that getting into the healthcare system in NZ is not that easy, it is a good idea to have a backup option. Which exam you take depends on what you want your backup to be. If you plan to apply to Aus as a backup plan, then take the AMC exams and so on. Remember that for those taking the USMLEs, you must take 2 exams Step 1 and Step 2CK, for the others its just the one exam.

Eligibility for applying for the NZREX?

English language requirements:

a.       IELTS with a minimum of 7.5 in speaking and listening; a minimum of 7 in writing and reading. Dated within 2 years.

b.       OET with a minimum of ‘A’ or ‘B’ in each of 4 components within one result. Dated within 2 years.

      NZREX Clinical candidates must have passed, within the last 5 years, one of the following prerequisite examinations:

a.       United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2 (Clinical Knowledge)

b.       PLAB Part 1

c.        Australian Medical Council MCQ

d.       Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE Part I)

Eligibility often changes, please visit the MCNZ website for the latest eligibility criteria.

NZREX Clinical Exam format?

The current NZREX Clinical is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format of 16 stations.

NZREX passing rate?

Historically the pass rate for NZREX Clinical has averaged around 60%. Candidates will be scored for each of the 16 stations separately and the scores aggregated into a final mark.

There is no guarantee of employment for doctors who have sat and passed NZREX Clinical.

Do I need any documents after I pass the exam and get a job?

Before you can be registered and begin work, you will need to provide a certificate of professional status (good standing) from the regulatory authority(ies) of each jurisdiction in which you have worked for 5 years prior to your application for registration. It can take some time to obtain certificates of professional status (good standing). If you want to start work in New Zealand immediately after passing NZREX Clinical, you may want to request certificates of professional status (good standing) from the applicable authority(ies) prior to passing NZREX Clinical. Be cautious about obtaining a certificate of professional status (good standing) too soon – they must have been issued within 3 months of the date you intend to start work for Council to accept the certificate of professional status (good standing).

What books to read?

There are no official books for NZREX. Because it is an OSCE format exam, any OSCE preparation book would suffice. Some known ones are ‘Katrina Hurley’ and ‘AMC clinical assessment’.

General Practice by Murtagh is a good reference book to read prior to the exam.

BookDepository.com is our recommended BookStore to buy books.

What happens after the exam?

You must work as a House officer with Provisional Registration for 2 years before you can apply for a Post Graduate position (specialty) and before you can get General registration. The most difficult step is securing a First Year House officer job in NZ. There is no centralized application process for foreign graduates, you are left to apply on your own and must contact hospitals (DHBs) individually. As expected, DHBs get numerous application from overseas graduates and the process can, therefore, can be unpleasant at times.

What is a House officer?

In NZ, your first job after you graduate is that of a House officer. It is interchangeably called RMO, or house surgeon, PGY1.

After 2 years as a house officer, you can continue to stay as a house officer – you would then be called a SHO (Senior House Officer)

Alternatively, you can get a registrar job or apply for residency (also called training/post graduation).

How is the job situation in New Zealand after passing the NZREX?

A one-word answer to this question is ‘difficult’.

Only a handful of candidates get a 1st-year house officer position in NZ after NZREX each year. This is mainly due to a limited number of PGY1 positions in NZ and most of them are taken up by the NZ graduates (who are given first priority). Often NZ graduates do not get a position due to a lack of vacancies and they are then given first priority in case a vacancy comes up in the future. This image will give you a better idea of the situation.

What kind of Visa do I need for the exam?

You can come to NZ on a visitor visa to take the exam.

What is the average waiting period to get a job after the exam?

A few days to years. Who knows!

Some get in straight away, others wait for years, there seems to be no pattern.

I am an NZ resident or citizen, do I have better chances of getting a job after NZREX?

Potentially, your biggest advantage compared to a non-resident is that you can stay in NZ for a longer period and hence can keep applying even if you end up pursuing a different pathway. You would also have relatives (assuming that’s the reason you have a resident visa) to help support you during this process as it can get very pricey.

You may be given preference over a non-resident, but there are no rules as such. Your resident visa can let you start work immediately compared to someone who needs a work visa.

Are there any study groups?

Yes and no.

You are meant to either create your own or join an existing one.

There are a few facebook groups to start – just search NZREX on Facebook.

Do I need a study group?

Yes!

The exam is in OSCE format, which means you need to practice on patients. A fellow NZREX candidate would be a good practice patient and you can take turns to practice and criticize and learn from each other. Just reading from the book will not be sufficient.

Are communication skills important?

Yes, they are, a pretty important aspect of the exam.

These could include breaking bad news to a patient, obtaining informed consent, explaining how to use asthma inhalers, communication with children, communication with family members, communication regarding medication etc.

Examiners will be looking for a demonstration of good listening skills. These would include active listening, reflecting, clarification, choosing an appropriate level of medical terminology, body language etc. Incorporating the patient’s or family’s own values and beliefs is considered an integral part of good communication skills. Understanding the presenting problem from the patient’s perspective (the illness) should be sought in conjunction with information that allows an accurate medical assessment (the disease). An often overlooked part of communication skills is the generation of a mutually agreed management plan with the patient. This would include a discussion on what treatment options are available with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Candidates are expected to demonstrate good communication skills across a wide variety of social situations irrespective of the patient’s gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

You will also be marked on professionalism which may include honesty, integrity, respect for patients, good moral reasoning and ethical practice.

Read our page on Communication Skills.

What can I do to get a job quicker?

Keep trying. You won't get it if you give up.

Be proactive and email/call/visit hospitals to stay in the loop.

Hand in your CV and ask them to keep it on file for any future vacancies.

Don’t just try one or two hospitals, try every hospital in the country that accepts 1^st years.

Do I need work experience to get a House Officer job?

No, you don’t. You can get a job without any experience. Having experience may improve your chances though.

Can I do other jobs while I apply for House officer positions?

Yes, you can as long as you have the right visa to do so. Be aware that often with HO positions, you may be required to start straight away, your temporary job may need a notice period before leaving, so be careful there or you may miss out when an opportunity comes knocking to your door!

What salary do I get as a house officer?

A pretty darn good salary and opportunities to earn more if you do additional shifts.

As per the national contract, your salary starts at just over $80,000 per year.

Additional shifts can get you an extra $150/hour and may vary between hospitals.

Cross-covering for an absent RMO can get you an extra $150 per day.

Your salary goes up by around $3000 every year.

You earn more in non-urban hospitals compared to urban hospitals.

What can I do while I wait for HO positions?

You may apply for an observership while you wait, These are getting increasingly hard to secure as you can imagine everyone trying to get one. They are unpaid and often free. You are usually not allowed to touch patients.

How can I improve my Communication Skills?

'Connect Communications' hold a communication skills course every now and then.

A good one to attend to help improve your communication skills and to practice as well. They also run difficult scenarios stations to help you learn and practice.

These guys seriously need to start paying me for all the advertising and recommending the course to numerous people who ask me about it ;)

Post Graduate Options in NZ

It has been very difficult for some of us to get through to the NZ health care system, with some of you waiting for years to get your first job. Congrats to those who got through. If you are one of them, its time to start thinking about your next step - Vocational Training!

Below are some of your options for vocational (post-graduate) training after you have completed ~2 years working as a house officer in NZ.

Most specialties require you to be a permanent resident before you can apply, with atleast 2 years of NZ or comparable healthcare system experience. The link for each specialty has a pdf file attached to it, listing the requirements, number of candidates accepted vs number applying, etc.

Every Specialty would have their own application and selection criteria, below are a few tips:

- you must be a NZ resident or citizen atleast by the tim of your interview.

- the more competitive specialties would want you to have some registrar experience.

- research and audits are always a plus but usually your references in NZ are given the maximum points.

- if you have decided on your specialty, make sure you show a lot of interest to the relevant people. Often, people who interview you would be 'director of training' at some or the other hospital. Get yourself known.

- GP, General Medicine, Psychiatry are the relatively easier ones to get in. Radiology, General Surgery (and other surgical specialties) are some of the competitive ones. As a general rule, the more comfortable your lifestyle would be, the more competitive the specialty gets.

- Choose your specialty wisely, nothing is impossible, play your cards right.

The following are links to the Kiwihealthjobs website: (visit the website for the latest updates)

• Anaesthesia
• Addiction Medicine
• Cardiology
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• Clinical genetics
• Clinical pharmacology
• Community child health
• Dermatology
• Diagnostic & interventional radiology
• Emergency medicine
• Endocrinology
• Endocrinology & chemical pathology
• Family planning & reproductive health
• Gastroenterology
• General & acute care medicine
• General practice
• General surgery
• Geriatrics
• Haematology
• Intensive care medicine
• Immunology & allergy
• Infectious diseases
• Infectious diseases & microbiology
• Medical administration
• Medical oncology
• Musculoskeletal medicine
• Neurosurgery
• Neonatal & perinatal medicine
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Obstetrics & gynaecology
• Occupational & environmental medicine
• Occupational medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Oral & maxillofacial surgery
• Orthopaedic surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Paediatric emergency medicine
• Paediatric surgery
• Paediatrics
• Pain medicine
• Palliative medicine
• Pathology
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Psychiatry
• Public health medicine
• Radiation oncology
• Rehabilitation medicine
• Respiratory
• Rheumatology
• Rural hospital medicine
• Sexual health medicine
• Sleep medicine
• Sports medicine
• Urgent care
• Urology
• Vascular surgery

Most applications open sometime in May each year and after interviews, etc, the decision is made by August. Training starts in December each year.

About NZREX

Most overseas doctors looking to practise medicine in New Zealand must gain registration from the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

For this purpose you must take the New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX).

Check to see if you are eligible for the NZREX pathway.

Once you pass the NZREX, it will be valid for 5 years, before which you must get registered with the MCNZ.

For more information on NZREX and related topics please feel free to browse topics in the menu on the top and the links below.

Here is some general info about the exam:

- its (usually) held 3 times a year. There have been recent changes to the exam schedule as there are very limited number of job opportunities after you pass the exam!

- most overseas graduates (who don't come from a comparable healthcare system) need to take the exam to work in NZ as a doctor.

- once you pass the exam, you must apply to work as a 1st year house officer (yes, you get paid). Most people get a Work visa once they get a job.

- once you pass the NZREX, there are no exams to get into a post-graduate specialty (un-verified info)

- in about a year or so, after yo start working, you may apply for a Residence Visa if you don't already have one.

- salaries for house officers are quiet competitive and are governed by the RDA-MECA.

- Observerships (before or after the exam) are free and pretty easy get as long as you apply well in advance and are not as easily available as they used to be. Only a few selected DHB currently offer observerships for NZREX candidates.

- you can take the NZREX while on a visitors visa, you don't need any special visa or a students visa.

- the average passing rate is usually around 50 - 60%

- work on your communication skills for the exam!

- get some tips for the exam from successful candidates

Sources: Various online resources like the MCNZ website, RxPG, Facebook and Orkut NZREX groups, AIPPG and other blogs.

P.S. This website is for information purposes only and is in no way directly/indirectly affiliated with MCNZ or NZREX. All information provided here is obtained from various other online resources which may not be accurate. Our motive is to help fellow NZREX candidates with as much information as possible.