Update regarding the September 2021 NAC Examination

Given the recent challenges experienced during the virtual Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part II, the upcoming 2021 National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination will no longer be offered virtually, but rather in-person at various test centres across Canada. The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) plans to offer the exam over four days in October. The capacity for the October 2021 in-person session will be sufficient to accommodate all registered candidates.

The MCC will be reporting a total score as well as sub scores. Exam results will be available in early December to meet the CaRMS R-1 Main Residency Match deadline. To obtain information on the NAC Examination and the 2022 CaRMS R-1 Main Residency Match, please consult our Application and eligibility web page.

October 2021 NAC Examination test centres and dates
Edmonton, AB	October 2, 3, 16, 17
Calgary, AB	October 2, 3
Saskatoon, SK	October 2, 3, 16, 17
Winnipeg, MB	October 2, 3, 16, 17
Sudbury, ON	October 2, 3
London, ON	October 16, 17
Toronto, ON	October 2, 3, 16, 17
Ottawa, ON (English)	October 2, 3, 16, 17
Ottawa, ON (French)	October 3
Halifax, NS	October 3

Physical distancing and other personal protective measures, as per the guidelines set by local public health authorities, will be put in place at the available examination centres. For more information, please consult our Exam day page.

Further details outlining next steps and instructions on how registered candidates can select their centre choice preferences will follow. During the centre selection process, candidates are strongly encouraged to select the closest exam centres and to be aware of the regions’ travel restrictions. French exams dates will be held at the Ottawa site only.

Due to the current context, examination centres are subject to change. Furthermore, while we will make every effort to deliver the exam on the scheduled dates, we may need to cancel or change the date of the exam for reasons outside of our control. Such cancellation or date change could happen at any time, up to and including the day of the exam.

For the October 2021 session, the candidate orientation will be offered online rather than at respective test centres. A link to the orientation will be included in the candidates’ Exam package that will be sent through their physiciansapply.ca account. Prior to taking the exam, candidates must consult the candidate orientation and will also need to review our test security video and updated Terms and Conditions.

If a candidate prefers to withdraw from the exam, a refund of the full application fee will be reimbursed to their credit card. If the candidate selects this option, when they are ready to take the exam, they will need to go through the application process again and pay the application fee in effect at that time. The next NAC Examination sessions are anticipated to take place in spring and fall of 2022. Please consult the Withdraw web page for more information.

About the NAC Examination

The NAC Examination assesses a candidate’s 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.

The NAC Examination is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). It consists of a series of stations where the candidate is presented with typical clinical scenarios. For a given administration, all candidates rotate through the same series of stations.

Approximately 1,700 candidates challenge the NAC Examination annually.

Please be advised that our website continues to be updated with additional information. For more details on the NAC Examination, please consult our FAQs.

We look forward to offering a safe, efficient and reliable exam experience to candidates resuming their route to residency.