National Exit Test (NEXT Exam)

The National Exit Test called as NEXT Exam is an upcoming mandatory examination for medical graduate students in India which is replacing the existing Foreign Medical Graduate Examination which short form is FMGE and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate or NEET-PG. This examination aims to standardize medical education, ensuring that only competent professionals enter the healthcare sector. NEXT entrance will work both as a licensure exam for practising medicine in India and as an entrance test for postgraduate medical courses.

What is NEXT Exam?

The National Exit Test is a medical test which is designed to evaluate the skills and experience of students that they learn in their MBBS class duration and internship before giving them a license to practice medicine in India. The next entrance exam is made for both to get admission in the PG course and it will play a role as NEET-PG entrance and also will be key to getting a license number to practise in India.

The exam is set to be introduced under the National Medical Commission Act 2019, which aims to bring transparency and uniformity in medical education across India. The NEXT Exam will be implemented for students pursuing MBBS in India and for foreign medical graduates who wish to practice in the country.

NEXT Exam Latest News

The NEXT Exam is expected to be conducted in 2025 as per the latest updates. The National Medical Commission - NMC has announced that the All India Institute of Medical Sciences - AIIMS Delhi will be the exam’s conducting body and the exam will be in two phases: NEXT-1 and NEXT-2. As per new updates, the exam will replace the NEET-PG entrance and Next will also play a role in getting a license number for practising or doing a job in the medical line.

NEXT Exam Highlight 2025

Here are the key highlights of the NEXT Exam 2025:

Conducting Body: AIIMS, Delhi (as per NMC guidelines)

Exam Purpose: Medical licensure and PG admissions

Replacement for: FMGE and NEET-PG

Exam Stages: NEXT-1 which will be theory-based and NEXT-2 which is practical-based

Eligibility: Final-year MBBS students and foreign medical graduates

Exam Mode: Likely to be computer-based

Expected Implementation: From 2025 onwards

Objectives of NEXT Exam?

The NEXT Exam has been introduced with the following objectives:

Standardized Medical Licensing: Ensuring uniform competency among medical graduates before granting them a license to practice medicine.

Single Window Exam: Eliminating the need for multiple exams like FMGE and NEET-PG.

Enhancing Medical Education: Providing an improved assessment system for medical students.

Global Competency: Ensuring Indian medical graduates meet international standards.

Fair Postgraduate Admissions: Offering a fair and transparent system for PG medical course admissions.

Screening Foreign Medical Graduates: Serving as a qualification exam for students with MBBS degrees from foreign institutions.

National Exit Test Conducting Body

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has been designated to final and maintain the Next entrance responsibilities for exam patterns and questions for formulating the guidelines and syllabus for the exam. AIIMS will oversee the exam’s structure, question paper preparation, and result declaration.

Advantages of NEXT Exam?

The National Exit Test (NEXT Exam) offers several advantages for medical students and the healthcare system:

Uniform Assessment: It ensures a standardized evaluation of medical graduates across India.

Single Exam for Multiple Purposes: Eliminates the need for separate licensure and postgraduate entrance exams.

Better Medical Professionals: Helps maintain a high standard of medical education.

Transparency in PG Admissions: Ensures a merit-based admission process for MD/MS courses.

Equal Opportunity for FMGs: Foreign medical graduates will be assessed under the same criteria as Indian graduates.

Reduction in Exam Pressure: Students will not have to prepare separately for multiple exams like FMGE and NEET-PG.

NEXT Exam Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the NEXT entrance students must fulfil all required criteria like-

To be eligible to apply for the NEXT entrance students must fulfil all required criteria like-

Final-Year MBBS Students: Applicant must be in the final year of an MBBS course from any NMC-approved medical college in India. Candidates who have completed their MBBS from foreign universities and wish to practice in India must clear the NEXT entrance to get a license number to practise in India.

Internship Completion: Candidates must complete the required internship as per the NMC guidelines before appearing for NEXT-2.

NEXT Exam Pattern?

The NEXT Exam will arises in two phases:

1. NEXT-1 (Theory-Based Exam)

Mode: Computer-based test (CBT)

Subjects Covered: Pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects

Type of Questions: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

Purpose: This phase will assess theoretical knowledge and act as the qualifying exam for internships and PG admissions.

Frequency: Held once or twice a year

2. NEXT-2 (Practical-Based Exam)

Mode: Practical and viva-based assessment

Conducting Authority: Respective medical colleges

Purpose: Test clinical skills, communication, and decision-making capabilities

Requirement: Must be cleared for obtaining a license to practice medicine in India.

NEXT Exam 2025: Important Dates

The exact schedule for the NEXT Exam 2025 will be released by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Based on past trends and expectations, the tentative timeline is as follows:

Official Notification will be released on March 2025

Application Process will be Start from April 2025

Application Deadline might be final in May 2025

Admit Card will be released in June 2025

NEXT 1 Exam Date will be scheduled for July 2025

Result Declaration for NEXT 1 will be on August 2025

The internship Period can be August 2025 – June 2026

NEXT 2 Exam Date: July 2026

Final Licensing and Admission to PG Courses: August 2026

Candidates must regularly check the official NMC website for updates and exact dates.

National Exit Test (NEXT): Syllabus

The NEXT Exam syllabus is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and practical clinical skills. It covers:

Pre-clinical Subjects like 

Anatomy 

Physiology 

Biochemistry

Para-clinical Subjects are Pathology 

Pharmacology

Microbiology

Forensic Medicine

Community Medicine

Clinical Subjects covered 

Medicine

Surgery

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Paediatrics

ENT

Ophthalmology

Psychiatry

Dermatology

Anesthesia

Radiology

National Exit Test (NEXT) Pattern

The NEXT Exam consists of two parts:

NEXT 1: A theoretical exam with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), testing conceptual understanding and clinical application. It is conducted after the final year of MBBS.

NEXT 2: A practical exam taken after the internship period to evaluate clinical skills, communication, and decision-making abilities.

National Exit Test (NEXT) Preparation Tips

To succeed in the NEXT Exam 2025 students should focus on these preparation strategies:

Understand the Syllabus and Go through the official syllabus and focus on high-yield topics.

Follow a Study Plan which should indicate specific time slots for different subjects and revision.

Use Standard Books and Stick to NCERTs, standard medical textbooks, and review guides.

Practice MCQs Daily by Solving MCQs from previous years and mock tests helps in understanding question patterns.

Focus on Clinical Knowledge and  Apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.

Time Management and Develop the habit of answering questions within the stipulated time.

How to Crack the NEXT Exam?

Cracking the NEXT Exam requires dedication, smart study techniques, and consistency. Here’s how:

Start Early: Begin preparation from the second or third year of MBBS.

Prioritize Conceptual Learning: Rote memorization won’t help; focus on understanding.

Attempt Mock Tests Regularly: Simulate exam conditions to improve accuracy and speed.

Revise Regularly: Keep revising high-yield topics frequently.

Join Study Groups: Discussing with peers enhances retention.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing for NEXT Exam While in MBBS

1st & 2nd Year: Build a strong foundation in basic sciences.

3rd Year: Focus on para-clinical and start clinical exposure.

Final Year: Revise all subjects and take mock tests.

Internship Period: Strengthen practical knowledge for NEXT 2.

National Exit Process

The National Exit Test (NEXT) will streamline the licensing process and postgraduate admissions. Candidates must clear NEXT 1 to begin their internship and NEXT 2 for final certification as a practising doctor.

National Exit Test (NEXT) Mock Test Application Fees

Mock tests are essential for preparation. Many online platforms offer NEXT-specific mock tests to help students get accustomed to the exam pattern and improve their performance.

The application fees for NEXT 2025 will be announced by the NMC. Based on previous estimates, it is expected to be around INR 2,000 – 5,000 for general candidates and INR 1,000 – 3,000 for reserved categories.