Article contents · 7 sections
- 1. Understand What's Tested: Comparison of Two Exam Structures
- II. Eligibility Requirements and Key Dates
- III. Overall Arrangement for the First 3 Months of Employment
- IV. Priority Ranking of Key Examination Points
- 5. Tips for Practicing in Spare Time
- VI. Practical Skills Sprint
- 7. On-Site Execution and Pitfalls to Avoid
The biggest challenges for working exam candidates aren't difficult questions—they're lack of time and difficulty identifying key topics. Based on the exam structure and passing scores published by the National Medical Examination Center, this guide provides a practical 3-month (~12 weeks) plan: first clarify what to study, then prioritize high-yield topics, use fragmented time for practice questions, and skip low-value content. Actual timelines and rules are subject to the official announcement for that year.
1. Clarify What's Tested: Comparison of Two Exam Structures
| Project | Licensed Physician | Assistant Practitioner / Rural Integrated Practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Skills | Multi-station: Total 100, Pass 60; National Base passing score valid for 2 years. | Multi-station, passing score 60, comprehensive exam allowed only after passing. |
| Total Question Count | 600 questions, divided into 4 units; each computer-based unit lasts 2 hours. | 300 questions, divided into 2 units; each computer-based unit lasts 2 hours. |
| Question Type | A1, A2, A3/A4, B1 – All multiple-choice questions | A1, A2, A3/A4, B1 – All multiple-choice questions |
| Passing Score | Fixed 360 points (ethnic minority medicine separately designated) | Fixed score: 180; Rural General Practice uses a separate exam with a passing score of 180. |
| Content Features | Covers basic, clinical, humanities, and preventive disciplines | Rural General Practice includes three components: medical humanities, public health, and general practice. |
Note that the computer-based exam does not allow you to revisit previous question types. Once you move to the next section, you cannot go back to make changes. Practice answering each section completely before moving on.
II. Eligibility Requirements and Key Dates
- General Physician Qualification: Based on the "Physician Law" and the annual announcement, meet the required education and practical experience. Complete online registration followed by qualification review. The skills exam is typically held in 6, and the comprehensive exam in 8.
- Rural General Practice: Candidates must have at least 1 years of work experience at a township health center or village clinic, pass the assessment, and meet educational requirements for clinical or traditional Chinese medicine categories. Personnel from community health service centers are not eligible. Upon passing, practice location is restricted to township health centers or village clinics, and practice scope is registered as general practice.
- "Two-Trial System": Pilot program for clinical and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) categories. Candidates with the required academic qualifications who passed the skills exam but did not pass the first trial without disciplinary violations may retake the exam. Specific details are subject to the notice issued by the pilot examination area for the current year.
III. Overall Arrangement for the First 3 Months of Employment
Estimated at approximately 1.5—2 hours per weekday (early morning: 30 minutes + evening: 1—1.5 hours), and 3—4 hours per day on weekends, divided into three phases:
| Phase | Time | Core Task | Inspection Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Build the framework | Weeks 1—4 | Review the core system using the outline, practice with chapter exercises to build a knowledge framework, and understand the workflow. | Identify key subjects and chapters; steadily improve accuracy on chapter questions. |
| Phase 2: Intensive Practice | Weeks 5—8 | High-frequency exam focus: extensive practice + error log, synchronized skill training | Practice test accuracy is close to passing, with clear categorization of incorrect answers. |
| Phase 3: Sprint | Weeks 9—12 | Limited-time real exam & mock tests, computer-based simulation, identify knowledge gaps, and intensive skill sprint | Simulate stable lane crossing; ensure all skills in each station run end-to-end successfully. |
IV. Priority Ranking of Key Examination Points
Focus on high-frequency, high-yield topics first and defer obscure or complex points: invest your limited time where it delivers the highest return.
- Tier 1 (Prioritize): Common and frequent clinical conditions, especially internal medicine topics such as respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive disorders, plus A2 and A3/A4 case analysis questions. These are high-volume, closely aligned with daily practice, and offer strong scoring potential.
- Second Tier (Systematic Review): Common diseases and emergencies in surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and pediatrics. Master typical presentations, management, and referral protocols.
- Tier 3 (Focus on high-yield topics, avoid deep dives): For memorization-heavy subjects in basic medicine such as biochemistry, pharmacology, and microbiology, stick to the exam outline's key points. Skip obscure or tricky questions.
- High-Yield Section (Focus Later): Medical Humanities, Health Regulations, Preventive Medicine. Primarily memorization-based; yields significant score improvements with short-term review.
For the Primary Care Physician exam, "Primary Care Medicine" is the core focus (highest weight), followed by Public Health and Medical Humanities. This reflects a strategic prioritization—not abandoning any subject entirely. Even less common topics should be at least familiar.
5. Tips for Practicing in Spare Time
- Micro-tasking: Break 10–15 minutes into sets of 10–15. Complete one set during shift changes, commutes, or lunch breaks. The key is consistency every day.
- Error Notebook Closed Loop: Tag errors with test points and causes, review them intensively on weekends, and repeat until you can clearly explain why the correct answer is right.
- Learn by doing: When you hit a weak spot while practicing, immediately revisit the textbook or guide to fill that gap. This is more effective than simply repeating questions.
- Practice case questions: For A2/A3 items, identify the chief complaint, key signs, and test results first to determine diagnosis and management. Establish a fixed problem-solving sequence.
VI. Practical Skills Sprint
- Skills are your "ticket to entry": Practice history taking, physical exams, basic procedures, emergency care (including CPR), public health, and TCM basics at each exam station. Don't just read—do them.
- Practice the procedure by narrating steps aloud while performing them: partner up as "standardized patients," rehearse according to the scoring rubric, and pay close attention to key details such as aseptic technique, verification checks, and effective communication.
- Use official practice exams and skill guides: Familiarize yourself with exam stations and procedures via the National Medical Examination Network to reduce on-site anxiety.
7. On-Site Execution and Pitfalls to Avoid
- One week before the exam: adjust your schedule to match test times, take full-length practice tests under timed conditions, bring all required documents and verify your ID's validity, and familiarize yourself with the computer-based testing system and route.
- Answer steadily first, then speed up. You cannot return to previous question types once you move on; complete one type before starting the next. Mark questions you're unsure about and move on without getting stuck.
- Beware of scams involving "real exam answers," "guaranteed passes," "grade changes," or "proxy testing." National exams are rigorously organized, and cheating may violate criminal law.