The National Exit Test (NEXT) is a crucial milestone for medical students in India. It aims to streamline the process of medical education and ensures that all graduates possess the necessary skills and knowledge to practise medicine. NEXT serves as a single examination for multiple purposes, including a licence to practise, entry to postgraduate courses, and a screening test for foreign medical graduates. Understanding the nuances of NEXT is essential for every medical student in India. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate through the details of NEXT, its eligibility criteria, objectives, exam pattern, and more. Whether you are preparing for the exam or planning your medical career, staying informed about NEXT is crucial for your success. Also, Bajaj Finance offers doctor loan for professionals seeking financial assistance.
Latest updates and news on NMC NEXT Exam
According to the latest updates from the National Medical Commission (NMC), the NExT exam is scheduled to take place in August 2025. For MBBS students in the 2024 batch, the exam is expected to be held in February 2028. The mock exam, which was originally planned for July 18, was cancelled.
On June 27, the NMC organised a webinar to provide clarity on several aspects of the exit exam. During the session, the commission confirmed that the NExT exam will be conducted in a computer-based format twice a year, in May and November. NExT Step 1 will consist of six subjects, while Step 2 will include seven subjects. However, no specific information was provided regarding the start date for the exams. The exam conducting body is anticipated to release an official notification with the finalised dates and additional important details soon.
This announcement has provided some much-needed clarity, but further updates are expected in the coming months. Medical students are advised to stay updated and prepare accordingly for the upcoming NExT exam. It is advised to check the official website for the most updated information.
What is the national exit test?
The National Exit Test (NEXT) is an examination that medical graduates must pass to practise medicine in India. NEXT replaces the existing NEET PG and FMGE exams. This single test ensures that all medical graduates meet a uniform standard of competency before they can practise independently.
Eligibility criteria for the NEXT Exam
The National Exit Test (NExT) will apply to undergraduate medical students in India. As per the draft guidelines, the following individuals are eligible to take the NExT exam:
- Undergraduate medical students pursuing an MBBS degree from medical colleges recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
- Foreign Medical Graduates who have been approved by the NMC for the purpose of obtaining a licence to practise medicine as a registered medical practitioner in India.
- Other individuals with a medical degree who wish to pursue academic courses, observerships, or any other activities as specified and approved by the NMC.
The NExT exam is designed to standardise medical education and ensure that medical professionals meet the required competency levels before they can practise in India. It is an important step in regulating medical education and providing a benchmark for medical graduates, both from Indian and foreign institutions. This move is aimed at improving the overall quality of healthcare in the country by ensuring that only qualified professionals are licensed to practise medicine.
Objectives of the NEXT exam
The national exit test aims to:
- Standardise the quality of medical graduates in India.
- Ensure uniform competency among all practising doctors.
- Serve as a licensee exam for medical practice.
- Facilitate admission into postgraduate medical courses.
- Replace multiple exams with a single, comprehensive test.
National exit test conducting body:
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is responsible for conducting the National Exit Test. The NMC ensures that the examinations are conducted fairly and transparently across the country.
Advantages of NEXT exam
The NEXT exam offers several benefits:
- Uniform standards: Ensures that all medical graduates meet a consistent standard.
- Streamlined process: Combines multiple exams into one, reducing stress and confusion.
- Comprehensive assessment: Evaluates both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
- International recognition: Provides a common benchmark for Indian and foreign graduates.
NEXT exam syllabus
The NExT syllabus is divided into six subjects, encompassing clinical, pre-clinical, and para-clinical domains. NExT 1 primarily assesses students' theoretical knowledge in these areas. The subjects included in the NExT 1 syllabus are as follows:
- Medicine and allied subjects
- Paediatrics
- Surgery and allied subjects
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
These subjects cover a broad spectrum of medical knowledge, ensuring that students are thoroughly tested on both theoretical understanding and clinical application. NExT 1 plays a vital role in evaluating the foundational knowledge necessary for aspiring medical professionals to progress to the next stage of their training. The syllabus aims to ensure that students are well-prepared for practical medical practice and have a comprehensive understanding of the core areas of medicine.
NEXT exam pattern:
The NEXT exam comprises two parts:
- NEXT 1: A written test assessing theoretical knowledge.
- NEXT 2: A practical exam evaluating clinical skills. Both parts must be cleared to obtain a medical licence and qualify for postgraduate courses.
Important points of NEXT exam pattern
- Duration: NEXT 1 span over three days.
- Sections: Divided into multiple sections covering various medical subjects.
- Assessment: NEXT 2 focuses on practical skills through viva and clinical examination.
- Eligibility: Clearing NEXT 1 is mandatory before appearing for NEXT 2.
NEXT exam question pattern
The National Exit Test paper-1 exam is anticipated to have a structured question format, divided into three significant sections. The exam will comprise 540 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 60% will assess problem-solving abilities, 30% will focus on comprehension and analysis, and 10% will be recall questions.
| Days | Sessions | Subject | Questions | Time |
| Day 1 | Pre-lunch | Medical allied | 120 | 180 minutes |
| Post-lunch | Paediatrics | 60 | 90 minutes | |
| Day 2 | Pre-lunch | Surgery & allied | 120 | 180 minutes |
| Post-lunch | ENT | 60 | 90 minutes | |
| Day 3 | Pre-lunch | Obstetrics and gynaecology | 120 | 180 minutes |
| Post-lunch | Ophthalmology | 60 | 90 minutes | |
| Total | 540 | 810 minutes |
How NEXT is the complete alternative to NEET PG and FMGE?
NEXT is designed to replace NEET PG and FMGE, providing a unified assessment system. It simplifies the process by:
- Single examination: One exam for licence and postgraduate entry.
- Consistency: Uniform standards for all graduates.
- Efficiency: Reduces redundancy of multiple exams and confusion.
- FMGE: NEXT also eliminates FMGE by integrating foreign medical graduate assessments into a single exam.
NEXT cut off
Candidates must achieve the minimum cut-off marks to qualify for the NExT PG exam. The qualifying criteria differ for NExT Step 1 and Step 2. For NExT Step 1, candidates must score at least 50% of the total possible raw marks to pass. The passing criteria for NExT Step 2 are based on the satisfactory demonstration of competencies. These competencies will be assessed, and the result will be declared as either a pass or fail. The evaluation for Step 2 focuses on the practical demonstration of skills and knowledge, rather than a numerical score. Therefore, candidates must meet the required standards in both steps to successfully qualify for the NExT PG exam.
