National Exit Test (NEXT Exam) 2023
Time to build a Brighter Medical Future with NEXT Exam in India and fulfilling your medical dream career
Introduction to The NEXT Exam for MBBS in India
National Exit Test is one of many conducted exams that MBBS students in their final year have to take to get a legit license and start their practice. It is a national-level exam. This exam also acts as the replacement exam for the NEET PG and Foreign Graduate Medical Examination.
This exam has not been affected in the country yet. The government is planning to host this examination from 2022 for the very first time.
The introduction of NEXT is a landmark moment in India’s medical education history. It is expected to bring a new level of standardization and uniformity to the process of obtaining a medical license, making it easier for both Indian and international medical graduates to practice medicine in India.
This test has the potential to bridge the gap between medical education and practical implementation, ensuring that only the most qualified medical practitioners are eligible to serve the country’s growing healthcare needs.
In this article, we will discuss the NEXT exam in detail and will also provide the latest updates regarding the NEXT exam.
NEXT Exam Latest News - 2023
The National Exit Test (NEXT) is the latest addition to India’s medical examination landscape, aimed at ensuring that only the most skilled and competent medical practitioners are eligible to practice medicine in the country.
With the recent developments in the healthcare sector and the increasing demand for quality medical services, the Ministry of Health has introduced this test as a crucial step towards bettering the quality of medical education and healthcare in India. The test is a computer-based examination that assesses medical graduates’ knowledge and skills in various domains including Clinical, Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Community Medicine.
According to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill 2019, students who pass NEXT will be entitled to complete their medical degree in India, and the test score will be valid for three years. With the increasing demand for quality medical services, the NEXT exam is expected to play a crucial role in improving the quality of medical education and healthcare in India.
Necessity of NEXT Exam for MBBS Graduates
In a world where people look for shortcuts to achieve their goal, in this very doctoral world, certain dishonest individuals opt for malpractice methods and try to attain a fake license to get started with their practice. That is why the government has introduced the NEXT exam in the country.
This exam is for all doctoral students who are in their final year of MBBS Abroad exams. Therefore, if you are planning to start your doctoral practice, then having basic knowledge about this exam is indeed necessary.
Objective of NEXT Exam
The Ministry of Health holds the reins to elevating the standard of the nation's healthcare system and producing a greater number of proficient medical professionals in India. The introduction of the NEXT exam marks a crucial milestone in the government's pursuit of a "one nation, one exam" vision for the country's aspiring medical practitioners.
By implementing this exam, the country is set to experience a significant uplift in its educational standards while ensuring a fair and equal process for obtaining a medical license to practice in India.
Passing the NEXT exam bestows students the privilege of pursuing a medical degree in India, whether they are Indian citizens or international MBBS graduates. This exam holds a validity period of three years, instilling in students a sense of assurance in their medical competency.
The advent of the NEXT exam has the potential to bring a new era of standardization and accountability in the process of obtaining a legitimate medical license in Ind
Advantages of NEXT Exam
The introduction of the National Exit Test (NEXT) for MBBS students brings a much-needed standardization to medical education across India. This pan-Indian examination will be rigorously enforced in all states, ensuring that the country produces top-notch medical graduates with both theoretical and practical skills to handle real-world medical scenarios.
Through the use of a single exit test, medical colleges in India will be able to produce highly qualified MBBS graduates, addressing the persistent issue of a shortage of skilled and trained doctors. Currently, India produces around 60,000 MBBS graduates annually, and the implementation of a uniform exit test will allow the government to better monitor the quality of these graduates.
In addition to improving the quality of medical education, the NEXT exam also has a positive impact on rural healthcare in India. All MBBS students are required to complete a three-year clinical internship in rural areas, where medical facilities are often lacking. By improving the standard of care in these regions through the NEXT exam, the country can ensure that all its citizens have access to proper health services.
For MBBS graduates who have completed their studies abroad and wish to practice medicine in India, the NEXT exam replaces the previously required MCI screening exam, also known as FMGE, which was notorious for its excessive paperwork.
The overarching goal of the NEXT exam and the NMC Bill 2019 is to elevate the entire medical field in India, positioning the country as a leading provider of healthcare services global
Eligibility Criteria for NEXT Exam
Eligibility for the National Exit Test (NEXT) is a clear-cut matter and should not cause confusion among medical students. To determine if you are eligible to take the exam, consider the following:
Holding a valid Medical degree from a recognized college or university
Achieving a passing grade of at least 50% in your MBBS studies
Completing a 12-month clinical internship after passing NEXT Paper 1
Only those who meet these criteria will be granted the privilege of taking NEXT Paper 2.
The Updated NEXT Exam Pattern for MBBS Graduates
NEXT 1
This examination is conducted in an online mode. The motive of conducting this examination is for the students who are willing to get admission to their respective PG courses after completing their MBBS degree.
The exam will last for three days. On the first day, the exam will be about medicine. On the second day, the exam will be about surgery, and on the last day, the exam will be about Obstetrics and Gynecology.
NEXT 2
This examination is conducted in practice mode. The motive of the examination is to help the deserving doctoral students who are planning to get a license for their future practice as a doctor. To take this examination, the students must complete their respective MBBS as well as internship program.
In terms of the internship, it will last for about three years after the candidate has completed the NEXT 1 Exam. Since the NEXT 2 Exam is practical, it will be generally tested on the candidate’s subject in the correspondence internship program.
The National Exit Test (NEXT) for MBBS students is set to revolutionize the medical education system in India with its comprehensive and practical examination pattern.
Unlike the traditional FMGE and NEET PG exams, NEXT will span over three days, covering both theoretical and practical aspects of medical education.
NEXT 1 will be taken by students after their final year exams and consist solely of MCQs. After completing their internship, students can sit for NEXT 2, a practical test.
The score of NEXT 1 will remain valid for the next two to three years, allowing students to appear for NEXT 2 at a later date.
The first part of the exam, NEXT Paper 1, will be an online multiple-choice question (MCQ) test consisting of 540 questions. Students who pass this test will be eligible for a provisional internship, valid for two to three years.
The second part of the exam, NEXT Paper 2, is an entirely practical examination, featuring image-based questions. To pursue postgraduate medical studies or practice medicine in India, students must clear this examination.
NEXT 1 will be taken by students after their final year exams and consist solely of MCQs. After completing their internship, students can sit for NEXT 2, a practical test. The score of NEXT 1 will remain valid for the next two to three years, allowing students to appear for NEXT 2 at a later date.
NEXT Exam Question Distribution
The NEXT Exam Paper 1 is an online MCQ test that will challenge medical students in a variety of ways. The test has been meticulously crafted to assess a wide range of skills, including problem-solving, comprehension, analysis, recall, applied basic sciences, preventive measures, and public health knowledge.
With 540 questions, this test is designed to test a student’s mettle, covering 60% problem-solving questions, 30% comprehension and analysis questions, and 10% recall, applied basic sciences, preventive and public health questions.
This distribution of questions will give students a well-rounded evaluation of their medical knowledge and provide a comprehensive picture of their ability to apply their education in real-life situations.
| DAY | Schedule | Subjects | No. of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY 1 | Before Lunch | Medical Allied | 120 | 180 minutes |
| After Lunch | Paediatrics | 60 | 90 minutes | |
| DAY 2 | Before Lunch | Surgery & Allied | 120 | 180 minutes |
| After Lunch | ENT | 60 | 90 minutes | |
| Day 3 | Before Lunch | Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 120 | 180 minutes |
| After Lunch | Ophthalmology | 60 | 90 minutes | |
| Total | 540 | 810 minutes |
PROCESS OF LICENSING
The NEXT exam hence will be conducted in the upcoming years. Thus, the marks scored in the NEXT exam will be utilized for all the qualifying final MBBS exams so that the deserving candidates can get the license and start practicing their medicine in India.
CONCLUSION:
The National Exit Test (NEXT) for MBBS students is a monumental step in the direction of elevating India’s medical education and the healthcare system.
The test will serve as a means to standardize medical education, resulting in more qualified and competent medical practitioners across the country.
It is a rigorous examination that requires not only academic knowledge but also practical and clinical experience, which is imperative for medical students in their pursuit of becoming licensed medical practitioners.
With the NEXT Exam, the Ministry of Health is taking a crucial step toward improving the country’s medical infrastructure and providing the best possible care for its citizens.
The NEXT exam serves as a beacon of hope, guiding aspiring medical students toward a future of success, integrity, and ethical medical practice.