Content Writer | Updated On - Jul 25, 2024
The National Exit Test, also called the NeXT is conducted for MBBS graduates and grants them a license to practise medicine in India. The NeXT Step 1 will be implemented in August 2025 and the NeXT 2 exam will be held in February 2026. If you are an MBBS graduate and planning to appear for the exam, you can check their official website for updates and notifications.
What is the NeXT Exam?
It is a well-known fact that right after completing your MBBS degree you cannot immediately start practising as a doctor. You will need substantial credibility and the proof of the credibility is the license that you get after clearing the exam. This license gives you the authenticity of your degree and thereby gives you the freedom to practise medicine across any length of the country. Also, this exam gives you a gateway to pursue your postgraduate degree in medicine such as MD and MS. The exam is conducted twice a year and there is no restriction on the number of attempts for the exam. The exam is expected to replace FMGE for foreign nationals aspiring to pursue medicine in India. The Niti Ayog with the joint reinforcement of NMC the NeXT was brought into process.
When will the NeXT Exam be Conducted?
As per the official notifications, the NeXT 1 is tentatively scheduled for August 2025 and the NeXT 2 exam is scheduled for February 2026.
How is the NeXT Exam Beneficial for MBBS Students?
With most of you doubting the credibility of the exam, we have bought for you the advantages of the exam. The exam tends to improve the calibre and standard of medical graduates and is anticipated to have a substantial impact on medical education in India. To better prepare students for their medical practices and postgraduate studies, it places a greater emphasis on practical skills and abilities than theoretical knowledge.
How will the NeXT Exam be Conducted for MBBS Students?
The exam will be conducted online and will include MCQs, short answers and long answers. The theory part of the exam will be administered online, and there will be a practical exam, or viva for the NeXT 2, that will take place offline. NeXT 1 will contain 540 multiple-choice questions. Those who clear the first paper will be qualified for an internship program. Candidates must score 50% aggregate to be eligible for paper 1.
| Note: It is expected that in the coming years, the exam will be held 3 times a year instead of the 2 times that are being held now. Also as per the authorizing body, the exam pattern will be modified into a combined structure of USMLE, NEET PG and INICET. |
Medical Students Views on the NeXT Exam.
As per a survey report submitted by the National Medical Journal of India, which was participated by over 245 medical teachers of which, 44.9% were associated with government hospitals, 91.43% had MD/MS degrees and 50% had >15 years of professional experience embraced the recourse of a national testing authority for the exam.
The purpose of this exam is to ensure that medical graduates, regardless of their educational institutions, receive the same standards and quality. An Indian medical graduate will be more qualified for a job or residency program if all domains are assessed.
What is the Eligibility for the NeXT Exam?
We have listed below some of the basic eligibility criteria to sit for the exam,
- All MBBS undergraduate medical students attending NMC-approved medical schools are eligible to apply for the exam
- Every foreign medical graduate who has been recognized by the NMC to apply for a license to practice medicine in India as a registered medical practitioner are eligible
- Any other individual with a medical degree for purposes such as enrolling in a course, doing an observership, or for any other goals that the NMC may specify and authorize
How Difficult is the NeXT Exam for MBBS Students?
The exam is not harder than the NEET PG Exam. The sole purpose is to generate more proficient doctors with enhanced clinical and practical expertise. All of the subjects covered in the MBBS program are included in the Syllabus. The exam is essentially administered in two stages: NEXT-1 is an online test, and NEXT-2 is a practical exam. However, as the student population grows, so will the level of competitiveness overall.
| Note: You must remember that the NeXT 2 is going to be a Pass or Fail exam as there is no specific marks that are allotted to each question. If you fail the exam there will be no scores given. |
What is the Format of the NeXT Exam?
Now coming to your most probable question what is the format of the exam? What can you expect the questions to be like? So, the exam will be conducted on 6 different subjects across 6 individual days. Along with it, you can also expect around 60% of the questions to be normal and of easy level. So any of you who have studied MBBS sincerely can easily target to score 60% in the exam. The remaining 30% is mid-level and the remaining 10% will be difficult. For those who want to score high marks and secure admission across top PG medical colleges, it is advised that you try and achieve scores near the 99th percentile.
| Note: If you don't score 50% across all 6 subjects individually you won't be allowed to take your internships. However, in case you don’t score 50% there will be a supplementary exam held, where you must make sure that you cover the required percentage and start your internship. |
What is the Syllabus for the NeXT Exam for MBBS License?
The basic concepts that you need to be thoroughly familiar with and are included in the syllabus are as follows,
| Medicine & Allied Subjects | Pediatrics | Surgery & Allied Subjects |
| Otorhinolaryngology | Obstetrics & Gynaecology | Ophthalmology |
Tips and Strategies to Prepare for the NeXT 2025?
Every year almost 1.8 lakh students appear for the medical postgraduate entrance exams to pursue their MD and MS degrees and out of these only 20% get selected. We have had direct conversations with NEET toppers and students who cleared the exam the gist of which has been shared along with their trade points for you to prepare for the exam,
- Make Short Notes: For those of you who have just begun their preparations, its is advised that instead of covering long notes, you go for short notes. For this you can use your BTR or refer to First Aid and Rapid Revision Courses
- Cover Previous Year Questions: If you are reading Surgery from BTR or First Aid, once you have completed the chapter, go on to solve as many PYQs from the related chapter. This way you can ideate on what you can expect in the exam.
- Give GTs Every 10 Days: GTs also termed as Grand Tests whose purpose is to help you understand your time management skills and give you an idea what to expect in the exam. Grand Tests are not rank determiners. Along with the GTs it advised to solve at least 50 question in the form of custom module
| Note: While going through all the practise notes that you prepared, incase you come across topics that you haven’t heard off and are clueless about, only for these topics refer to your long notes. |
Pharmacology, Microbiology and Pathology, these are the 3 main subjects that you should be very well prepared for. Every clinical speciality such as Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Gynaecology and every other department would deal with some sort of diseases and infection and use drugs to cover its after related issues, so you should be very well versed with these subjects to be able to deal with any questions.
| Note: Those of you who are appearing for the supplementary exam must remember that you have to clear both sets within 10 years of your MBBS degree completion. |
Recommended Books for NeXT
It has always been recommended that the standard MBBS books are the best guide for any of you appearing for the exam. While there are books written by Indian and other authors, time-tested books continue to be the standard reference. Even with the addition of online tests and e-books, books still have a place that cannot be taken by another object.
However, we have listed below some of the top recommended books for the exam.
| Anderson's Pathology | Bailey Surgery | Braunwald Cardiology |
| BRS Series | Chaurasias Anatomy | Davidson Medicine |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Can BDS students apply for the NeXT exam?
Ans: Yes, any medical student who wants to pursue their career with a license or wants to pursue a PG degree is required to clear the exam.
Ques: Is NEET MDS also getting replaced by the NeXT exam?
Ans: The NMC NExT exam will be the only route to licensure and medical practice in India. Beginning in 2025, it will take the place of the current NEET PG and FMGE exams.
Ques: Which MBBS Batch was the First to Appear for the NeXT Exam?
Ans: The 2020 MBBS batch was the first to appear for the exam.
*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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