NEXT Exam 2025-26: Purpose, Syllabus, Eligibility, and Exam Pattern

National Exit Test (NEXT) – A Must for Medical Practice in India

The National Exit Test (NEXT) is a compulsory exam for all MBBS graduates who wish to practice medicine in India or apply for postgraduate medical courses. Whether you complete your MBBS in India or abroad, you must qualify for the NEXT exam to get a license to practice in India. The exam is conducted by AIIMS Delhi and will be held twice a year. It has two parts:

1. Step 1 – A theoretical (written) exam

2. Step 2 – A practical exam

Latest Updates for Next Exam 

As per the latest updates from the official authorities, the NEXT (National Exit Test) is expected to be held in August. However, the exact exam dates have not been confirmed yet. All MBBS students—whether studying in India or abroad—must appear for the NEXT exam to get a license to practice medicine in India and to apply for postgraduate medical courses. The exam will be conducted by AIIMS Delhi in two steps:

• Step 1: A theoretical exam that tests your medical knowledge.

• Step 2: A practical/clinical exam to assess your hands-on skills.
  

We strongly recommend all aspirants regularly check the official website of the National Medical Commission (NMC) or AIIMS Delhi for the latest announcements regarding the final exam schedule, syllabus, and other important details. Staying updated and starting your preparation early will help you stay ahead and perform well in the exam.

NExT Exam Highlights

The NEXT (National Exit Test) exam in 2024 will be conducted by AIIMS Delhi. It is a mandatory exam for MBBS students who wish to get a license to practice medicine in India and also for those who want to be admission to postgraduate medical courses. 

Objective of NEXT Exam

• The NEXT exam is for MBBS students, especially those who study MBBS abroad and want to practice in India.

• It also serves as an entrance test for PG (Postgraduate) medical courses in India.

• The main aim of the NEXT exam is to ensure only skilled and qualified medical professionals get licensed to practice in India.

• It helps maintain high standards in the medical profession by testing students’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Conducting the Body of the Next Exam 

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, was officially announced as the conducting body for the NEXT exam in June 2023.

NEXT Exam Eligibility Criteria 

The National Exit Test (NEXT) is meant for undergraduate medical students. There are some important points to know about the NEXT/FMGE exam:

• It is for all MBBS students studying in medical colleges that are approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

• It is also for foreign medical graduates who have been approved by the NMC to apply for a license to practice medicine in India.

NEXT Exam Pattern 

The National Exit Test (NEXT) is divided into two parts.
NEXT 1 is a theory exam that will be conducted online, while NEXT 2 will be held offline. NEXT 1 includes 540 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Students who pass NEXT 1 are eligible to start their internship. To pass, candidates must score at least 50% marks. It is important to note that students must clear both NEXT 1 and NEXT 2 to get a license to practice medicine in India.

Next Exam Pattern Important Point

• NExT 1 is a theory-based exam and will be conducted online.

• It will have 540 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) covering 19 medical subjects.

• NExT 2 is a practical exam and will be conducted after the internship.

• NExT 2 will take place at the respective state medical colleges or universities.

• The NExT 1 score will be valid for two years, and students must clear it to be eligible for the practical exam.

• Paper 2 refers to the practical exam (NExT 2).

NEXT 1 Exam syllabus 

The NEXT (National Exit Test) 1 or FMGE syllabus is designed to evaluate a medical graduate's theoretical and practical understanding across core areas of medicine. It encompasses a combination of clinical, pre-clinical, and para-clinical subjects, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of a student's medical education. The syllabus includes the following major subjects:

• Medicine and Allied Subjects
• Pediatrics
• Surgery and Allied Subjects
• Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Ophthalmology

NEXT 2 Exam Syllabus

The NEXT 2 Exam is designed to assess the clinical skills and practical knowledge of medical graduates before they begin practicing as doctors. This exam focuses more on real-life patient care and hospital-based scenarios. Here are the main subjects included in the NEXT 2 syllabus:

• Medicine and Allied Subjects

• Surgery and Allied Subjects

• Obstetrics and Gynecology

• Pediatrics

• Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

• Ophthalmology

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR)

NEXT Exam Marking Scheme 

To qualify for the NExT exam, candidates must score a minimum required mark. If needed, the scores can be shown as percentages (out of 100) with decimal points for better accuracy.

• NExT 1 Exam: Marks will be shown as whole numbers and may include reasonable decimals. These scores will be your raw marks and used for ranking and eligibility.
  
  

• NExT 2 Exam: Results will be shown as Pass or Fail only. There won’t be any marks. The result will depend on whether the student has successfully shown the required clinical skills and competence.

NEXT Exam Question Distribution

The NExT 1 is designed in three main parts. The exam consists of a total of 540 multiple-choice questions. The breakdown question types in the paper are as follows:

• Paper-solving questions: This section, which makes up 60% of the paper, is dedicated to assessing the candidates capacity to resolve challenging issues about medical scenarios.

• Comprehension and analysis questions: About 30% of the NExT exam questions are designed to test a student’s understanding and analytical skills. These questions check how well students can analyze information, think critically, and apply their knowledge to solve medical problems.

NEXT Passing Marks 

• Those students who clear the exam must obtain 50% marks in the NExt exam.

• In each of the six papers, students are required to attain 50% marks in the exam. 

NEXT Exam Application Form 

The official notification for the NExT 2025 exam application form has not been released yet. However, it is expected that the National Medical Commission (NMC) will provide an online application form in 2025. The application process will likely include the following steps:

• Online Registration

• Filling Out the Application Form

• Uploading Required Documents and Images

• Paying the Registration Fee

• Submitting the Final Form

NEXT Exam and NEET UG

The NExT exam is considered easier than the NEET UG exam. While NEET UG covers 9 subjects, the NExT exam focuses on only 6 main subjects. Because of this, students can focus their preparation on fewer subjects, which makes the overall study process more manageable and less stressful.

Preparation Tips for the Next Exam 

Preparing for the NExT exam can be easier with the right approach. Here are some helpful tips to guide your study routine and boost your chances of success:

• Strengthen Your Basics: Around 90% of the exam focuses on problem-solving questions, which are based on your understanding of basic concepts. The questions will combine topics from pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects.  If your foundations are weak, it will be difficult to clear the exam — so make sure to study your basics thoroughly.

• Focus on Clinical Concepts: Pay close attention to practical classes and real-life clinical cases. Understanding how to apply theory to practice is key in the NExT exam. Don’t just memorize—try to understand how each concept works in a clinical setting.

• Use Active Learning Techniques: Engage with your study material actively. Make short notes. Summarize what you learn. Teach others what you've studied. Use tools like mind maps and flashcards to help remember important points better.
  
  

• Create a Study Plan: Having a proper study plan will help you such as organize your time, set your priorities and cover all subjects evenly

Frequently Asked Questions 

Ques 1:  Is the NEXT exam MCQ based?

Ans: Yes, the exam will be conducted in two parts, i.e., part 1 or 2. The first part will be conducted online. NEXT 1 covers 540 questions. 

Ques 2:  Who is eligible for the Next Exam?

Ans: Final year MBBS students pursuing medical degrees from foreign universities or those who seek admission in postgraduate courses after MBBS. 

Ques 3:  How many times is the NEXT exam conducted in a year?

Ans: This exam is conducted twice a year. This exam is held in computer-based mode. 

Ques 4:  What is the purpose of this exam?

Ans: For MBBS students, the NExT exam fulfills the dual roles of a licentiate exam and an exit exam. It is a qualifying test for prospective Indian medical specialists and an entrance to postgraduate education. 

Ques 5:  What are the criteria for the next exam?

Ans: This is possible for final-year medical students enrolled in medical colleges approved by NMC. Appearing candidates must have 50% marks in the MBBS course. So, this is the eligibility criteria for undergraduate medical students. 

Ques 6:  How many attempts are allowed to students for the Next exam?

Ans: The number of attempts is unlimited. The only condition is that the student must pass the first phase of the exam in 10 years.