NeXT Exam NMC – Online Coaching Tutorial – National Exit Test for MBBS Students  – FMGE

Q1) What is the NeXT exam?
The National Exit Test (NExT) is a two-step examination notified by the National Medical Commission (NMC). It will serve as (i) the licentiate exam to practice modern medicine in India and (ii) the merit/rank basis for admission to broad-specialty MD/MS/PG programs. When NExT is in force, it will replace equivalent existing exams (NEET-PG for PG admission and FMGE for foreign graduates).

Q1) What is the NeXT exam?
The National Exit Test (NExT) is a two-step examination notified by the National Medical Commission (NMC). It will serve as (i) the licentiate exam to practice modern medicine in India and (ii) the merit/rank basis for admission to broad-specialty MD/MS/PG programs. When NExT is in force, it will replace equivalent existing exams (NEET-PG for PG admission and FMGE for foreign graduates).

Q3) Who must take NeXT once implemented?

• All MBBS students from NMC-approved Indian colleges (including INIs).

• All Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) seeking licensure in India.

• Already-licensed doctors who wish to compete for PG admissions (they’ll need NExT Step 1 for rank).

Q4) What are NeXT Step 1 & Step 2? Format and frequency

• Step 1: Computer-based theory exam with MCQs; held twice a year (planned May & Nov). It replaces Final MBBS Part-II theory when in force. Papers (6):

  1. Medicine & allied, 2) Surgery & allied, 3) Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 4) Paediatrics, 5) Otorhinolaryngology, 6) Ophthalmology. (Applied/basic sciences are integrated.)

• Step 2: Practical/clinical + viva (OSCE/case-based), in-person, twice a year; conducted by universities as per NMC standards. Subjects (7): Medicine & allied, Surgery & allied, OBGYN, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics & PMR. Supplementaries allowed for failed subjects (with rules)

Q5) Passing criteria & scoring

• Step 1: Minimum 50% in each paper (or half of maximum raw score). Scores produce PG ranks via a normalization and tie-break process defined by NMC. Improvement of Step-1 score is allowed only after you clear Step 2. No cap on attempts, but you must clear Step 1 + Step 2 within 10 years of MBBS admission.

• Step 2: Pass/Fail only (competency-based).

Q6) How does NeXT link to internship and the MBBS degree?

• Internship eligibility (Indian MBBS): Pass all 6 Step-1 papers and pass Final MBBS Part-II practical/clinical exams.

• FMG internship eligibility: Pass all 6 Step-1 papers (plus satisfy FMG regulations).

• License to practice: Complete internship and pass Step 2.

• MBBS degree is awarded after Final MBBS and one-year internship; licensure still requires Step 2.

Q7) Will NeXT fully replace NEET-PG and FMGE?
Yes—when NeXT is implemented, NEET-PG and FMGE will be phased out for their respective purposes. Until NMC notifies the actual rollout and exam dates, NEET-PG and FMGE continue (e.g., FMGE June 2025 was conducted and results declared).

Q8) Who will conduct NeXT?
NMC will designate the conducting body; delivery will be CBT for Step 1 and in-person university-run assessments for Step 2, as per NMC standards and notifications.

Q9) How many attempts are allowed? Is there a time limit?
Unlimited attempts are allowed for both steps, but you must pass both within 10 years of joining MBBS. For Step-1 score improvement, attempts are permitted only after clearing Step-2.

Q10) What’s the syllabus/weightage style for Step 1?
NExT emphasizes clinical vignettes and higher-order skills: roughly 60–70% problem-solving/analytical, 20–30% comprehension, 5–15% recall, with applied integration of pre-/para-clinical content into the six clinical papers.

Q11) What about students already licensed who want PG seats later?
Doctors already in the State/National Medical Register will need to take NExT Step-1 (not Step-2) for PG ranking when NExT is in force.

Q12) What’s the status for FMGs in 2025?
FMGE continues under NBEMS in 2025 (e.g., FMGE June 2025 result declared; NBEMS 2025 calendar lists FMGE). Until NExT is officially scheduled and implemented for FMGs, prepare for FMGE timelines.

Q13) Is there an official date for the first NeXT?
No official exam notice yet. Earlier reports in 2023 suggested a possible Aug 2025 start, but NMC has not issued a conduct schedule/brochure. Always check NMC’s “All News,” e-Gazette, and any NBEMS coordination updates.

Coaching & Preparation FAQs (for your online tutorial)

Q14) How should I structure NeXT Step-1 prep?

• Build system-wise, integrated notes (tie pathology/pharm/physio to the six clinical papers).

• Practice clinical-vignette MCQs heavily; mirror the 60–70% problem-solving focus.

• Schedule two revision loops + a dedicated error log.

• Simulate CBT mocks with negative-mark discipline (even if final marking rules evolve, robust MCQ hygiene helps).

Q15) How to prep for Step-2 (clinical/OSCE)?

• Weekly long-case/short-case drills across all seven Step-2 subjects.

• Standardize history & exam formats, focused differentials, and “red-flag” management plans.

• Communication & counselling stations (breaking bad news, consent, handover) should be practiced with timers and checklists—Step-2 is pass/fail on competency

Q16) If I’m an FMG, should I study for FMGE or NeXT?
In 2025, plan for FMGE per NBEMS calendar while tracking NMC notices. Much of NeXT Step-1 style (applied, clinical MCQs) overlaps with a high-quality FMGE prep, so an applied, vignette-first approach future-proofs your study.

Q17) What will your online course include (suggested blueprint)?

• Foundations: Rapid, applied refreshers by system (medicine/surgery/OBGYN/peds/ENT/ophthal; orthopedics concepts for Step-2).

• Question Bank: 5–7k case-vignette MCQs mapped to NExT competencies; detailed rationales.

• Grand Tests: 6 paper-wise mocks + 2 full NExT Step-1 simulations (CBT).

• Clinicals Lab: weekly virtual OSCE with checklists + video feedback; viva vault.

• Doubt Clinics: daily 60-min “rounds” per subject cluster; error-log audits every fortnight.

• FMG Track: FMGE-specific blueprint + regulatory document clinic (eligibility, docs, compliance).
  (Aligns with NMC’s competency and vignette focus.)

Q18) How will PG ranks be generated under NeXT?
PG rank will be based on NExT Step-1 scores, with normalization across cycles and tie-break rules (subject-priority order: Medicine, Surgery, OBGYN, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology). Only the last Step-1 attempt counts for rank generation in that admission year.

Q19) Can I retake Step-1 just to improve my score?
Yes, but only after passing Step-2. Pre-Step-2, attempts are for qualifying; post-Step-2, you may re-attempt Step-1 to improve rank.

Q20) Where should I check official updates?

• NMC (All News & e-Gazette) – regulations/rollout notices.

• NBEMS (natboard.edu.in) – until NeXT starts, for NEET-PG/FMGE schedules, advisories, results.

Q20) Where should I check official updates?

• NMC (All News & e-Gazette) – regulations/rollout notices.

• NBEMS (natboard.edu.in) – until NeXT starts, for NEET-PG/FMGE schedules, advisories, results.