BoardQBank
OSCE preparation

NAC OSCE Preparation

Original NAC OSCE-style station practice for Canadian residency readiness: focused history, physical examination description, diagnosis, investigations, management, communication, and examiner-style feedback.

Open Member PracticeView Exam Overview

Independent educational resource. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Medical Council of Canada.

12Total stations
10Scored stations
11Minutes per station
577Current pass score

Exam overview

1

OSCE format

The NAC Examination is a half-day Objective Structured Clinical Examination used to assess readiness for Canadian residency training.

2

Station timing

The exam includes 12 stations, including 2 pilot stations that do not count toward the final score. Each station is 11 minutes, with 2 minutes between stations.

3

Score reporting

Total scores are reported from 500 to 700. A total score of 577 or higher is a pass.

What BoardQBank trains

  • Opening, consent, agenda-setting, and patient-centred communication
  • Focused history with red flags and dangerous diagnoses first
  • Physical examination descriptions in a logical, safe, exam-ready sequence
  • Differential diagnosis, investigations, and initial management
  • Oral question practice and examiner-style marking checklists

Core NAC competencies

  • History taking
  • Diagnosis and differential diagnosis
  • Management and patient safety
  • Communication skills
  • Physical examination
  • Investigations and data interpretation

NAC OSCE quick structure

AreaCurrent structureBoardQBank preparation focus
Station formatStandardized participant and physician examiner stationPractice with opening, focused data gathering, summary, and management
Scored content10 scored stations; 2 pilot stations not countedConsistent performance across all station types
Timing11 minutes per station; 2 minutes between stationsBuilt-in station timer and pacing checklist
DomainsAssessment/Diagnosis, Management, Communication SkillsStructured feedback by domain after each station
ConfidentialityReal exam cases and patient portrayals must not be disclosedOriginal OSCE-style stations only

High-yield station categories

Acute care

Chest pain, dyspnea, abdominal pain, headache, sepsis, trauma, altered mental status.

Medicine

Diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, COPD/asthma, anemia, renal disease, infectious disease.

Surgery

Acute abdomen, appendicitis, bowel obstruction, post-operative fever, wound complications.

OB/GYN

Ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, preeclampsia, postpartum bleeding, contraception, pelvic pain.

Pediatrics

Fever, dehydration, asthma, growth/development, safeguarding, adolescent health.

Psychiatry & ethics

Suicide risk, depression, psychosis, substance use, consent, capacity, error disclosure.

Member practice page

Open the member area to practise original OSCE-style stations with a timer, checklists, oral questions, and scoring feedback.

Go to NAC OSCE Practice

Confidentiality reminder

BoardQBank does not provide recalled NAC cases, real exam patient portrayals, or confidential exam content. The practice stations are original educational cases designed to build safe clinical reasoning and communication.

References

Medical Council of Canada. NAC Examination overview, scheduling, exam day, and results pages. Accessed May 30, 2026.

This page summarizes public information and provides original study content. Always confirm current dates, fees, rules, and eligibility through the MCC and physiciansapply.ca.