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Every year, numerous students in India take medical exams, with NEET UG and NEET PG being the major ones for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, respectively. Previously, qualifying students underwent internships and earned a license to practice until 2018. However, in 2019, the National Medical Commission Bill introduced the NExT exam, or National Exit Test, a significant advancement in medical education and practice.
What Is the NExT Exam?
The National Exit Test (NExT) has been introduced by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to replace exams like NEET PG, INI-CET, and FMGE in India, serving as the sole gateway for obtaining a medical license in India. The NExT exam is mandatory for both Indian and foreign medical graduates, replacing various existing entrance exams for postgraduate courses.
When Will the NExT Exam be Conducted?
As of now, no official date for the NExT exam in India has been announced. The Next Step 1 exam will most likely be held in August 2025 for final-year MBBS students of the 2020 batch. Moreover, the recently released academic calendar from the National Medical Commission specifies that the first edition of the NExT exam for the 2023-24 batch of MBBS students is scheduled for February 2028.
Organizing Body for NExT
The National Medical Commission (NMC) was originally slated to administer the National Exit Test (NExT). However, the current decision is for AIIMS Delhi to oversee the examination.
NExT Exam Eligibility Criteria
Students pursuing undergraduate courses in medical sciences are eligible for the NExT exam, according to guidelines provided by the NMC in the released draft. The eligibility criteria for the NExT exam are outlined as follows:
- Students enrolled in MBBS programs at medical institutes approved by the NMC qualify for the National Exit Exam.
- MBBS graduates from foreign medical universities affiliated with the NMC must take the NExT exam to obtain a license for commencing their medical practice in India.
- The National Exit Test for MBBS consists of two papers – NExT Paper-1 and NExT Paper-2.
- NExT Paper-1 is a substitute for the final year MBBS exams.
- After successfully clearing Paper-1, students must complete a mandatory 12-month clinical internship to be eligible for NExT Paper-2.
- The NExT Paper-1 score is applicable for seat allocation in PG courses after the completion of the internship.
- The validity of NExT Paper-1 is two years.
NExT Exam (National Exit Test) Process
The National Exit Test consists of two stages, NExT 1 and NExT 2. NExT 1 is a theoretical exam, and NExT 2 is a practical exam. Those who pass Step 1 must undertake an internship and then proceed to the practical exam in Step 2. The NMC will provide an information brochure detailing the application process and other important information about the NExT PG exam.
NExT Step 1 Overview
- NExT Step 1 will be conducted in a computer-based mode.
- It will include 540 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
The paper will comprise six subjects (Medicine and allied disciplines, Surgery and allied disciplines, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics, Otorhinolaryngology, and Ophthalmology) from the third year/final MBBS course, Parts 1 and 2.
Important Points
- Candidates who will complete the third year/Final MBBS course from a recognized medical college will be eligible to appear in the examination.
- NExT MBBS will be held once a year before the University Practical Examination for III MBBS (Part 2)/Final MBBS, preceding the Compulsory Rotating Internship.
- NMC NExT Step 1 supplementary examinations will be held annually, allowing candidates who fail in one or more of the six subjects to appear.
- There will be no restriction on the number of attempts in the NExT exam, with the only condition that candidates should have passed NExT Step 1 within 10 years of joining MBBS.
NExT Step 2 Overview
NExT Step 2 will be an in-person Practical/Clinical and Viva-based examination conducted by the respective state Health Universities/Institutions once a year.
This phase will include seven clinical subjects/disciplines:
- Medicine and allied disciplines
- Surgery and allied disciplines
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics and PMR (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
Important Points
- NExT Paper 2 will focus on clinical case-based, simulated scenarios to assess practical/clinical skills, clinical decision-making, and communication skills.
- Completing this exam is a prerequisite for candidates to choose between pursuing a postgraduate degree in medical education or practicing medicine in India.
- The result of the NExT-1 exam will remain valid for the next two years to fulfill the requirement for clearing the NExT-2 exam.
Advantages of the NExT Examination
Standardizes medical care across India
Before, there wasn’t a common test for doctors all over India, leading to uneven medical care. The National Exit Test (NExT) can fix this by ensuring everyone gets the same level of good medical services everywhere in the country.
Reduces paperwork, streamlining the licensing process
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) brings in a lot of paperwork, which can be a hassle for both the processing team and the graduates. A central exam system reduces this extra burden and makes the process run more smoothly.
Elevates the global reputation of Indian medical services
Having a central exam system can boost the standard of Indian medical services worldwide. It shows that India can deliver excellent medical care, and the world will recognize an efficient yet straightforward way of evaluating medical graduates.
Addresses medical malpractices and raises the quality of healthcare
Several malpractices are happening in medicine, leading to increased risks and loss of lives due to corruption and inadequate knowledge among practitioners. People trust their lives to medical professionals, but sometimes, incompetence raises the death rate. This reflects subpar medical service, which is unjust to citizens and needs improvement. Implementing NExT can be beneficial in addressing this issue.
Anticipates a decrease in healthcare migration
People often move to access better medical services in times of illness. The lack of skilled practitioners contributes to insufficient medical facilities in certain areas. If NExT performs as expected, it’s anticipated that migration will significantly decrease, as quality practitioners will be available to provide effective services and treat people locally.
How is NExT the Complete Alternative to NEET PG and FMGE?
Primarily, the NExT is designed to encompass both exams, covering a significant portion of the NEET PG and FMGE exam syllabus. As mentioned earlier, Part 1 assesses students’ theoretical knowledge in various medical science subjects, fostering improvement in the education system and promoting healthy competition.
Students who perform well in the National Exit Test Paper-1 and clear the exam become eligible for an internship. Following the internship, the universities will exclusively conduct NEXT-2. Students must note that failing NEXT Paper-2 means waiting for a year, as the exam is held once a year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How is NExT different from NEET PG?
NExT (National Exit Test) is the new standardized exit and licensing exam for MBBS students, replacing NEET-PG. Unlike NEET-PG, NExT assesses a broader range of clinical skills.
Is preparing with the final year MBBS syllabus sufficient for clearing the NEXT Exam?
No, relying solely on the final year syllabus is insufficient. Students need to revisit the previous year’s studies and concepts to excel. Practical knowledge is crucial as PG admissions will be based on performance in the exam.
Does NEXT replace the FMGE Exam?
Yes! The NEXT exam officially replaces the FMGE Exam, the former licentiate exam of India. This implies that all MBBS graduates from abroad aspiring to pursue further studies or practice in India must undergo this exam.
What will happen if you fail the NExT exam?
If you do not pass the NExT exam, you won’t be able to proceed with your internship or finish your MBBS degree. Nonetheless, candidates can make another attempt in the following year.
What are the question types in the NEXT exam?
The exam includes three types of questions:
- MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
- LAQs (Long Answer Questions)
- SAQs (Short Answer Questions)
Is the NEXT exam difficult compared to the NEET PG exam?
The NEXT exam isn’t harder than NEET PG. It is just designed to produce doctors with better practical and clinical knowledge.
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