Medical Council of Canada — MCC

TDM Exam Preparation
2026 Question Bank

Over 1,900 practice questions for the MCC Therapeutics Decision-Making exam. Clinical scenarios with AI-powered adaptive learning — built for IMGs pursuing family medicine licensure in Canada.

Scenario-Based|Canadian Context|AI-Powered|PRA Pathway
2,000+
Practice Questions
~100
Questions on Real Exam
MCQ + Short-Menu
New 2026 Format
MCC
Administered By
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What Is the TDM Exam?

The Therapeutics Decision-Making (TDM) Examination is developed and administered by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) on behalf of Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) programs across Canada. It assesses whether International Medical Graduates (IMGs) possess the therapeutic competence required to practise independently as a family physician in Canada.

“Therapeutics” here covers both pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of medical conditions. The exam tests your ability to select appropriate medications, adjust dosing for patient factors, identify drug interactions, monitor therapy, and integrate non-drug interventions — all at the level expected of a Canadian family physician working independently.

The TDM is a key step in the Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) pathway, which provides an alternative route to licensure for IMGs who may not have completed Canadian residency training. Eligibility is determined by individual provincial PRA programs, and you must apply through your PRA program — direct registration is not available.

Starting in January 2026, the MCC introduced a new exam format featuring multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and short-menu questions, replacing the previous short-answer format. This change enhances the candidate experience while maintaining the same rigorous assessment of therapeutic competence.

TDM Exam Format

Updated for 2026 — new MCQ and short-menu format replacing short-answer questions.

Exam Structure

Administered By
Medical Council of Canada (MCC), on behalf of Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) programs across Canada
Purpose
Assesses competence at the level required of a family physician practising independently and safely in Canada
Format (2026)
Multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and short-menu questions divided into two sections, with an optional 20-minute break
Questions
Approximately 100 questions based on 40 clinical patient scenarios
Duration
3.5 hours computer-based exam
Delivery
Prometric test centres across Canada or remote proctoring via ProProctor
Languages
English and French
Attempts
Maximum 4 attempts total, including a maximum of 2 pass results

Skills Assessed

  • 1.Drug Selection: Choosing the right medication for the clinical scenario, considering comorbidities, contraindications, and guidelines
  • 2.Dosing & Titration: Appropriate doses for patient age, weight, renal/hepatic function, and clinical response
  • 3.Drug Interactions: Identifying clinically significant interactions between concurrent medications
  • 4.Monitoring: Knowing what to monitor, when, and how to respond to abnormal results
  • 5.Non-Pharmacological Management: Lifestyle modifications, referrals, patient education, counselling
  • 6.Clinical Reasoning: Integrating patient history, labs, and presentation to make sound therapeutic decisions

2026 Update: The MCC implemented a new format starting January 2026 featuring MCQ and short-menu questions in two sections with an optional 20-minute break. A new pass score standard-setting exercise was conducted for the January 2026 sitting.

TDM Clinical Domains

Key therapeutic areas tested. AiMedQs covers all domains with targeted question sets.

~35%
Pharmacological Management

Drug selection, dosing, titration, monitoring parameters, adverse effects, drug interactions — the core of TDM assessment

~15%
Chronic Disease Management

Diabetes, hypertension, COPD, heart failure, thyroid disorders — long-term treatment planning and medication adjustments

~12%
Acute Care & Emergency

Emergency presentations, acute medication decisions, urgent dose adjustments, anaphylaxis management, acute pain

~10%
Preventive Medicine

Screening, immunizations, lifestyle counselling, risk factor modification, cancer screening guidelines

~10%
Mental Health

Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, insomnia, substance use — medication selection, titration, switching strategies

~8%
Special Populations

Pediatric dosing, geriatric considerations, pregnancy/breastfeeding safety, renal/hepatic dose adjustments

~5%
Diagnostic Reasoning

Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, lab monitoring for medication safety, therapeutic drug monitoring

~5%
Non-Pharmacological Management

Lifestyle modifications, physiotherapy referrals, cognitive behavioral therapy, patient education, shared decision-making

TDM Exam Eligibility

Who Takes the TDM?

  • - International Medical Graduates (IMGs) pursuing family medicine licensure in Canada
  • - Candidates enrolled in provincial Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) programs
  • - Physicians who have completed a Review of Qualifications through physiciansapply.ca
  • - IMGs seeking an alternative pathway to licensure without full Canadian residency

How to Register

  • - Eligibility is determined by your provincial PRA program — not the MCC directly
  • - You must apply through your PRA program (e.g., PRA-BC, CPSA in Alberta)
  • - Registration opens several months before each exam sitting
  • - Exam fee: approximately $2,640-$2,900 CAD + GST

For current eligibility criteria, visit mcc.ca or contact your PRA program directly.

2026 TDM Exam Dates

January 14, 2026
Completed
June 2, 2026
Upcoming
September 23, 2026
Upcoming

Dates subject to change. Check mcc.ca for the most current schedule.

How AiMedQs Helps You
Pass the TDM Exam

1,900+ practice questions with AI-powered adaptive learning for the MCC TDM.

Scenario-Based Practice

Practice with realistic clinical scenarios aligned to the TDM blueprint. Each scenario presents a family medicine patient requiring therapeutic decisions — reflecting real clinical scenarios.

Canadian Clinical Context

All questions reflect Canadian prescribing practices, treatment guidelines, and formulary considerations. Built for the Canadian family medicine context the MCC tests.

Adaptive AI Question Selection

Our AI identifies your weakest clinical domains and serves more questions in those areas. Efficient, targeted study that adapts to your performance.

2026 Format Ready

Updated for the new 2026 TDM format with MCQ and short-menu questions. Practice the question types you will actually encounter on exam day.

Detailed Clinical Explanations

Every question includes comprehensive therapeutic reasoning — why one drug is preferred, relevant interactions, dose adjustment rationale, and evidence-based guidelines.

Performance Analytics

Track your accuracy by clinical domain, monitor improvement trends, and identify exactly which therapeutic areas need more review before exam day.

TDM Study Approach

A structured approach to TDM preparation. Adjust timelines based on your starting point and exam date.

1

Phase 1: Foundation (4-6 weeks)

Work through questions across all clinical domains. Build baseline competency in therapeutic decision-making. Use AiMedQs analytics to identify weak areas early.

2

Phase 2: Targeted Review (4-6 weeks)

Focus on your lowest-scoring domains using AI-recommended question sets. Review Canadian treatment guidelines and pharmacology fundamentals for weak areas.

3

Phase 3: Integration (2-4 weeks)

Practice with mixed-topic sessions simulating exam conditions. Focus on complex multi-drug scenarios and time management. Build speed and confidence.

4

Phase 4: Final Preparation (1-2 weeks)

Review flagged questions and high-yield drug interactions. Focus on commonly tested therapeutic areas. Take full-length timed practice sessions.

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TDM Exam Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TDM exam?

The Therapeutics Decision-Making (TDM) Examination is developed and administered by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) on behalf of Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) programs across Canada. It assesses whether International Medical Graduates (IMGs) have the therapeutic competence required to practise independently as a family physician in Canada.

What is the format of the TDM exam?

Starting in 2026, the TDM exam features a new format with multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and short-menu questions divided into two sections, with an optional 20-minute break. There are approximately 100 questions based on 40 clinical patient scenarios. The exam is 3.5 hours, computer-based, and available in English and French.

Who administers the TDM exam?

The TDM exam content is developed by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC), and the examination is administered by the MCC on behalf of the Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) programs. It is delivered at Prometric test centres across Canada or via remote proctoring through ProProctor. Visit mcc.ca for official exam information.

Who is eligible to take the TDM exam?

Eligibility is determined by individual provincial Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) programs. You must apply for the TDM exam through your PRA program — you cannot register independently. Candidates typically are International Medical Graduates (IMGs) seeking to practise family medicine in Canada. Contact your PRA program directly for specific eligibility requirements.

How is the TDM different from the MCCQE1?

The MCCQE Part I is a general medical licensing exam for all physicians in Canada, while the TDM is specifically designed for the PRA pathway. The TDM focuses heavily on therapeutics — pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of conditions at the family physician level. It is a separate requirement from MCCQE1, though some clinical knowledge overlaps.

What clinical areas does the TDM exam cover?

The TDM tests your ability to make therapeutic decisions across all areas of family medicine: pharmacological management (drug selection, dosing, interactions, monitoring), chronic disease management, acute care, preventive medicine, mental health, special populations (pediatric, geriatric, pregnancy), diagnostic reasoning, and non-pharmacological management.

How does AiMedQs help with TDM preparation?

AiMedQs provides over 1,900 TDM practice questions covering all clinical domains tested on the exam. Our AI-powered platform adapts to your weak areas, uses spaced repetition for retention, and tracks your performance by therapeutic category. Questions include detailed clinical explanations with evidence-based reasoning in a Canadian family medicine context.

When is the TDM exam offered?

The TDM exam is typically offered three times per year. For 2026, the scheduled dates are January 14, June 2, and September 23. Registration opens several months before each sitting through your PRA program. Check mcc.ca for the most current dates and registration windows.

How much does the TDM exam cost?

The TDM exam fee is approximately $2,640-$2,900 CAD plus GST, depending on when you register. Some PRA programs may reimburse exam fees for sponsored candidates who successfully complete their Clinical Field Assessment. Contact your PRA program for details on fee coverage.

How many attempts do I get?

Candidates have a maximum of 4 TDM examination attempts total, which includes a maximum of 2 pass results. Candidates who receive a fail result are ineligible to apply for the next examination session — there is a mandatory waiting period between attempts.

Your path to practising family medicine in Canada starts here.

Over 1,900 practice questions. Canadian clinical context. AI-powered adaptive learning. Start preparing today.

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AiMedQs is an exam preparation tool and does not guarantee exam results. Content is for educational purposes only. AiMedQs is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) or any Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) program. For official exam information, visit mcc.ca.