Associate Content Manager | Updated On - Jul 19, 2024
NExT Exam stands for National Exit Test that will be conducted for the medical graduates by NMC. The purpose of NExT exam is to provide a single gateway for all the Indian and Foreign medical graduates who want to obtain a license to practice medicine in India and pursue postgraduate medical programs.
What is NExT Exam ? When will NExT exam be implemented? These questions have been asked frequently regarding NExT. Well, the exam implementation updates will be released by NMC on their official website. As for now, the exam shall take place for the batch of 2024 in year 2028. Earlier NExT exam MBBS was to begin with batch 2019, in the year 2023 but later it was cancelled.
NExT exam MBBS comprises two steps, Step 1 is theoretical and Step 2 is practical/clinical/viva based. It is mentioned in NMC NExT Regulations 2023, that NEET PG and FMGE shall be replaced by NExT. The NMC NExT MBBS regulations have received 36,000 responses from the students till now.
NO NExT exam updates have been released by the conducting authorities. The NMC guidelines for the National Exit Test released in 2023 also mentions the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and marking scheme. NExT exam will serve as a standardised qualifying test for final-year MBBS students, functioning as both a licentiate exam and an exit exam for their MBBS degree.
III MBBS/Final year MBBS candidates have the opportunity to take the NExT Step 1 exam, which is followed by a 12-month internship. After completing the internship, you will then take the Step 2 exam, which is a practical test. In addition to serving as a licentiate and screening test, NExT will also incorporate a counselling process for admissions to postgraduate medical programs in India.
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NMC NExT Dates
NMC NExT dates are not released yet. The dates will be informed here as soon as they are announced. You may also check the official website for the latest NExT exam updates.
| Exam Particular | Date of Exam | Date of Result |
|---|---|---|
| NExT Step 1 | May/ November | 1st week of June/ December |
| III MBBS/ Final MBBS Part 2 Practical/ Clinical University Examination | 1st week of June/ December | 3rd Week of June/ December |
| Internship | 1 January/ July | 31 December/ 30th following year |
| NExT Step 2 Regular | 3rd week of June/ December | 4th Week of June/ December |
| NExT Step 2 Supplementary | 1st week of September/ March | 3rd Week of September/ March |
| Post Graduate Admission | May- June (Counselling) | 30th June |
| Postgraduate Course | 1st July/ 1st week January | —- |
NMC NExT Eligibility Criteria
You must meet NMC NExT exam eligibility criteria to be able to appear for the test. You must be an undergraduate medical student enrolled in MBBS programs from medical colleges approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
You should be a Foreign Medical Graduate who has been approved by the NMC for the purpose of obtaining a licence to practise medicine as a registered medical practitioner in India. Individuals holding a medical degree for purposes such as pursuing academic courses, observerships, or any other purposes specified and approved by the NMC are also eligible for NExT exam.
NExT Number of Attempts
According to NMC NExT Regulations 2023, there are no restrictions on the number of attempts for the examination. However, you must note that you can appear for NExT exam again if you have cleared step 1 or step 2 in the first 10 years of joining MBBS.
Check: NExT Eligibility Criteria
NExT Exam MBBS Pattern
NMC NExT Exam Pattern is expected to be more extensive compared to the FMGE and NEET PG examinations. NExT will be conducted over three days instead of one and twice a year. The exam structure will consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short answer questions, and long answer questions. Mode of examination will remain computer based/ Online.
NExT is a two step examination, having multiple choice questions in step 1. You can appear for NExT step 2 only after passing Step 1. Total number of questions including all subjects are 540 in NExT 1. NExT 2 is based on practical knowledge and viva. Your NExT 1 scores will be valid for five years. You can appear for NExT 2 during this period. You cannot appear for NExT 2 if your step 1 scores are not valid anymore.
NExT Application Form
The official notification regarding the application process for NExT has not been released yet. It is expected that the National Medical Commission (NMC) will provide an online application form for NExT exam on the official website. NExT registration is likely to commence in the last week of October. The application process includes registration, filling out the application form, uploading images, and paying the registration fee. It is advisable for you to review the eligibility criteria before applying for the NExT PG exam.
NExT Exam MBBS Syllabus
NExT 1 Syllabus
NMC NExT exam MBBS syllabus consists of six subjects covering clinical, pre-clinical, and para-clinical areas. NExT 1 focuses on testing your theoretical knowledge in the following subjects:
- Medicine & allied subjects
- Pediatrics
- Surgery & allied subjects
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
NExT 2 Syllabus
NExT Step 2 have total seven subjects to cover namely:
- Medicine and allied disciplines
- Surgery and allied disciplines
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics and PMR (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
NExT Exam Question Distribution
The NEXT 1 Paper question pattern is designed with three main sections. As mentioned earlier, the exam consists of a total of 540 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The breakdown of question types in the paper is as follows:
- Problem-solving questions: This section constitutes 60% of the paper and focuses on assessing your ability to solve complex problems related to medical scenarios.
- Comprehension and analysis questions: Approximately 30% of the paper consists of questions that test your understanding and analytical skills. These questions require interpreting information, making connections, and drawing conclusions.
- Recall, applied basic sciences, preventive, and public health questions: This section accounts for 10% of the paper. It includes questions that assess your knowledge of foundational medical sciences, application of concepts, and understanding of preventive measures and public health principles.
| Day | Schedule | Subjects | Number of 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 & Gynaecology | 120 | 180 minutes |
| Post- Lunch | Ophthalmology | 60 | 90 minutes | |
| Total | 540 | 810 minutes |
NMC NExT Exam MBBS Admission Process
NExT Result and Score Calculation
The marks obtained in NExT Step 1 will be calculated as whole numbers that will represent the raw scores. If necessary, decimal points may be used to indicate appropriate precision. Corresponding percentages (marks out of a maximum of 100) with appropriate decimal points may be calculated if needed.
The results of NExT 2 Examinations will be declared as either Pass or Fail, solely based on the evaluation of the required competence.
NExT Exam MBBS Passing Marks
you must achieve a minimum score of 50% or half of the maximum possible raw scores for NExT Step-1 to pass. In each of the six papers of NExT Step-1, you must score a minimum of 50% or half of the maximum possible raw scores to pass the examination. The calculation of your scores across the NExT Step-1 examination cycle will be considered.
Explanation 1: If you have achieved the minimum passing marks in 2 subjects but failed in 4 subjects, you can participate in the NExT Step-1 exam cycle. If you then score the minimum passing marks in the remaining 4 subjects, they will be considered to have fulfilled the above criteria.
Explanation 2: If you have achieved the minimum passing marks in 2 subjects but failed in 4 subjects, you can participate in the NExT Step-1 exam cycle. If you then score the minimum passing marks in 2 subjects, you can appear in the NExT Step-1 exam cycle again. If you achieve the minimum passing marks in the remaining 2 subjects, you will be considered to have fulfilled the above criteria.
Quick Link: NExT Results
NExT Merit List Preparation
The merit for admission to a postgraduate course in a broad specialty will be calculated based on the sum of raw scores obtained in each paper/subject in a single NExT Step-1 examination.
The NExT Step-1 scores, used for determining admission merit to broad specialty postgraduate courses, will remain valid for five years. However, if you appears in the NExT exam cycle of NExT Step-1, their previous NExT Step-1 score will be invalidated for determining the rank in admission to postgraduate courses in broad specialties. Only the score from the last attempt of NExT Step-1 will be considered for rank determination.
To establish the rank for admission into postgraduate courses in broad specialties in an academic year, you must apply for rank generation as prescribed by the Commission. You will be eligible for admission in that academic year only if you have applied for rank generation.
Tiebreaker rules for rank generation are as follows:
- The normalised sum of raw scores obtained in each paper/subject in a single NExT Step-1 examination will be considered. The method of normalisation for the sum of raw scores across NExT Step-I examination cycles will be notified by the commission when necessary.
- If there is a tie in the scores, the candidate with a lower number of attempts in NExT Step-1 will be ranked higher.
- In case of further ties, candidates will be ranked based on higher marks in the following order of preference:
- Medicine and allied disciplines
- Surgery and allied disciplines
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Ophthalmology
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NExT Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. Can NExT exam be repeated?
Ans. Yes, you can repeat NExT exam MBBS as the exam will have supplementary papers as well. Even if you failed in one subject or more, you need to take the supplementary exam to pass NExT. More information regarding the exam will be updated soon on the official website.
Ques. Which batch will give NExT exam first ?
Ans. The National Medical Commission will conduct NExT examinations starting from 2028. The exam will commence with the 2024 batch. Prior to this, last year, NExT was cancelled and new regulations were released. You should prepare for the examination throughout your college to clear it in one attempt.
Ques. What is the purpose of NExT exam?
Ans. NExT will replace all the other examinations which are being conducted for the postgraduate medical programs. Main purpose of NExT is to evaluate all the graduate medical students on the same level. This exam is compulsory to practice medicine in India. Therefore, all Indian and Foreign medical students, who wish to gain license and practice in India must appear for NExT.
Ques. Why is NEET PG getting replaced by NExT exam?
Ans. NExT will be the sole examination for both Indian and Foreign Medical students to practice in India. Unlike two different exams like NEET PG and FMGE, all the candidates will have to appear for a single exam. This exam is for postgraduate courses and lincense for medicine in India. However, NEET PG will continue until the final NExT exam notification and updates are released.
Ques. How long is NExT exam?
Ans. NExT is a three day long exam. Each day you have to appear for two subject examinations. Two papers will be 180 and 90 minutes long respectively. There are also two steps in NExT exam, first is based on theoretical knowledge and the second is practical based. You may also appear for supplementary exams if you unfortunately fail in one or more subjects.
Ques. How can I prepare for NExT exam?
Ans. National Exit Test preparation will be a difficult exam, so you must prepare accordingly. Step will have seven subjects, you must also include more theory and memorization. Do read dissertations and cases as well. For step two, which is more practical based, pay attention to actual cases, OSCE and more.
Ques. Where can I check the latest notification for NExT exam?
Ans. All the latest notifications regarding NExT will be provided on our Collegedunia website. Also, you may visit the official website of NMC to get the latest updates regarding the examination.
Ques. How many attempts can I take for NExT exam?
Ans. So far, no notification has been released for the number of attempts for NExT examination. Considering that, you may appear for the test any number of times as long as you are fulfilling the other eligibility criteria. One point to note is that you can appear for step 2 if you have cleared NExT step 1 within 10 years of joining MBBS.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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