National Exit Test or NEXT exam for MBBS could be implemented from August 2025. The test will be replacing NEET PG, and FMGE exams for admission to postgraduate courses. NExT mock exam scheduled for July 28 was canceled. Read to know more about NMC NEXT 2025 exam and latest updates.
National Exit Test (NEXT) Exam likely from May 2024
NExT exam Step 1 will be implemented most likely from August 2025. NExT Step 2 will be held in February 2026, sources say. Officially, no date has been provided yet for NExT exam MBBS. Earlier some reports said National Exit Test will be implemented from February 2028 for 2024 batch final year MBBS students. On July 13, 2023, NMC NExT exam was deferred for 2019 MBBS batch. Later it was announced NMC NExT exam will be valid for 2020 batch MBBS students.
Explore popular MD colleges for you
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.NMC NExT MBBS exam will be conducted twice a year, May and November. National Exit Test (NExT) will be conducted most likley by AIIMS, New Delhi. The exam will be held in two steps, theory and practical. Registration for NExT mock exam had started online on June 28. Candidates could register for NExT Step 1 mock exam on the official website, aiimsexams.ac.in. The last date to submit NExT mock application form was July 10. The deadline to generate Exam Unique Code (EUC) and complete the application form was July 14. Later, NMC cancelled NExT mock exam.
According to an official release, Step 1 will be a theory-based exam while Step 2 will check the practical knowledge of candidates seeking admission in post-graduate medical courses. NMC NExT exam will be a single gateway to get license and practice medicine in India. It will be replacing existing NEET PG and FMGE exams from 2025 onwards. For 2023-24 session, NEET PG exam will be held on July 7, 2024. Earlier the exam was scheduled to be held on March 3, 2024.
Explore more Medicine & Health Sciences exams with upcoming dates
10 Dec '24 - 18 Dec '24
16 Dec '24 - 18 Dec '24
16 Dec '24 - 19 Dec '24
13 Dec '24 - 20 Dec '24
16 Dec '24 - 22 Dec '24
2 Dec '24 - 31 Dec '24
23 Dec '24 - 27 Jan '25
8 Apr '25 - 28 Apr '25
Also Read
On December 28, 2022, NMC released draft guidelines related to National Exit Test, providing details about eligibility, exam pattern and marking scheme. In its draft guidelines, NMC stated that the objective of National Exit Test is to bring uniformity in the summative evaluation across the country with reference to the minimum common standards of education and training of a medical graduate. Application dates and details for NExT PG exam will be released with the official information brochure most likely in November 2024.
NMC NExT Exam Latest News & Updates
As per NMC NExT latest updates, the exam will be held in August 2025. For 2024 batch MBBS students, the exam will be held in February 2028 most likely. Earlier on July 18, the mock exam was cancelled.
Also Read: No NExT for 2019 batch, applicable from 2020 MBBS batch: Health Minister
What is NExT?
NExT exam or National Exit Test will be conducted for providing admission to post graduate courses. It is a licentiate exam mandatory for undergraduate medical students to practice in India. Candidates who qualified MBBS from India or abroad will have to clear the exam to register with the Medical Council of India. National Exit Test will be conducted by AIIMS Delhi. Earlier it was presumed that National Medical commission will be the conducting body. But the latest official release has confirmed AIIMS will held the exam twice a year. Dates and other crucial details for NExT exam will be released shortly on the official website.
NMC NExT Exam 2025 Highlights
Some of the highlights of NExT MBBS exam are enlisted in the table below:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name |
National Exit Test or NExT |
| Conducting body |
National Medical Commission (NMC) most likely |
| Exam date |
August 2025 |
| Exam level |
Postgraduate exam at National level |
| Objective |
Medical License |
| Eligible candidates |
Final year MBBS students, Foreign Medical Graduates |
| Exam mode |
Online |
| Frequency |
Twice a year |
| Number of Paper |
Paper 1 and 2 |
| Question Type |
MCQs LAQs SAQs |
| How many attempt |
No restriction |
NExT Mock Exam
AIIMS had started online registration for NExT mock exam on June 28. Candidates had to submit application form for NExT MBBS. The application process starts with registration and basic candidate information, generation of Exam Unique Code (EUC) and completion of application form. The last date to submit application for NExT mock test was July 10. The mock test exam for National Exit Test was scheduled to be held on July 28 but it was cancelled. Dates and schedule for NExT mock exam has been given in the table below:
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration and basic candidate information |
To be announced |
| Status of basic registration and correction of rejected images |
To be announced |
| Final status of registration and acceptance of basic candidate information |
To be announced |
| Generation of Exam Unique Code (EUC) |
To be announced |
| Completion of application |
To be announced |
| Admit card download |
To be announced |
| NExT mock exam |
To be announced |
NExT Exam (National Exit Test ) Process
National Exit Test will be held in two steps, NExT 1 and NExT 2. NExT 1 will be a theoretical exam while NExT 2 paper will be a practical exam. Candidates who qualify for Step 1 will be eligible for an internship and later Step 2 practical exam. NMC will release the information brochure, explaining the application process and other crucial details regarding NExT PG exam.
NExT Step 1
NExT Step 1 will be held in a computer-based mode where a total of 540 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) will be asked. The paper will comprise six papers covering subjects of the third year/final MBBS course, Part 1 and Part 2. Candidates who completed the third year/Final MBBS course from a recognised medical college shall be eligible to appear in the examination. NExT MBBS will be held once a year prior to University Practical Examination for the III MBBS (Part2)/Final MBBS preceding Compulsory Rotating Internship. NMC NExT Step 1 supplementary examinations will be held once a year and candidates who failed in one or more of the 6 subjects can appear in the same. There is no restriction on the number of attempts in NExT exam. The only condition is candidates should have passed NExT Step 1 exam within 10 years of joining MBBS.
Also Read
- INI CET: Dates, Registration, Syllabus pattern
- NEET PG: Counselling, Result, Cut off, Syllabus, Pattern
NExT Step 2
NExT Step 2 will be a Practical /Clinical and Viva-based exam. National Exit Test 2 will be held in person /live by the respective state Health Universities / Institutions. Paper 2 will comprise seven clinical subjects/disciplines. NExT paper 2 will be clinical case-based, simulated cases/patients aimed at evaluating practical /clinical skills, clinical decision-making and communication skills.
NExT Exam Eligibility Criteria
The National Exit Test will be valid for undergraduate medical students. Some of the eligibility criteria for NExT exam or National Exit Test as mentioned in the draft guidelines are as follows:
-
All undergraduate medical students pursuing MBBS from medical colleges approved by NMC
-
All Foreign Medical Graduates approved by NMC for the purpose of obtaining a licence to practice medicine as a registered medical practitioner in India
-
Any other person who has a medical degree for purpose such as pursuing an academic course, observership or any other purposes as may be specified and approved by NMC
Also read
- NMC seeks stakeholders' comments on draft regulations related to NExT
- Will NEXT be implemented from 2023?
NExT 2025 Application Form
Though the exam conducting body has not released any official notification regarding the application process, it is believed that NMC will be releasing an online application form for the NExT 2025 exam. Application dates for NExT 2025 will be released on the official website. NExT 2025 registration most likely will begin in the last week of November 2024. Candidates will have to register online to submit the application form for NExT 2025. The application process comprises registration, filling application form, uploading images, and paying registration fee. Candidates are advised to check the eligibility criteria before applying for NExT PG exam.
NExT Exam Syllabus
NExT Syllabus comprises six subjects, covering clinical, pre and para clinical areas. NExT 1 tests the theoretical knowledge of students in above subjects. Subjects of NExT 1 Syllabus are as follows:
-
Medicine & allied subjects
-
Paediatrics
-
Surgery & allied subjects
-
Otorhinolaryngology
-
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
-
Ophthalmology
NExT Exam Pattern
NMC NExT exam pattern comprises exam mode, medium total number of questions its type and other details. NExT 1, theory exam will be held in online mode while NExT 2, practical or viva will be in offline mode. There will be 540 MCQs question in NExT 1. Those who will clear National exit Test paper 1 will be eligible for internship programme. Candidates will have to score 50% marks to qualify for NeXT paper 1. Candidates will have to clear both NExT 1 and NExT 2 to get admission into PG courses.
NExT Exam Pattern Important points
-
The exam will comprise two parts, NExT 1 and NExT 2
-
NExT 1 that is theory based will be held in online mode.
-
Total 540 MCQ based questions will be asked from 19 subjects in NExT 1
-
NExT 2 will be conducted only after the internship
-
NExT 2 or paper 2 will be practical exam which will be held by respective state colleges/universities
-
Score of paper 1 will be valid for 2 years to qualify Paper-2 practical exam
NExT Exam Marking Scheme
Candidates will have to score minimum marks to qualify for the exam. The marks in NExT 1 shall be calculated as whole number which shall serve as the Raw Scores with appropriate decimals and subsequently corresponding Percentages (marks out of a maximum of 100) with appropriate decimals may be calculated if required. NExT 2 Exam results shall be declared as only Pass / Fail based on the acquisition of appropriate competence that is being evaluated.
NExT Exam Question Pattern
NExT 1 paper will be divided into three parts. The theory based exam will be held in 3-days comprising 6 papers. Out of 540 MCQ based questions in NExT 1, 65% will be based on problem solving and analytical skill, 25 % comprehension type and rest 10% will be recall based. The table given below comprises schedule of NExT 1. It must be noted the schedule given below is tentative, subject to feasibility and logistics.
| Days |
Subjects |
Number of Questions |
Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 |
Medicine & allied subjects |
120 |
180 minutes |
| Paediatrics |
60 |
90 minutes |
|
| Day 2 |
Surgery & Allied |
120 |
180 minutes |
| ENT |
60 |
90 minutes |
|
| Day 3 |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology |
120 |
180 minutes |
| Opthalomology |
60 |
90 minutes |
|
| Total |
|
540 |
810 minutes |
NExT Cut Off
Candidates will have to score the minimum cut off marks to qualify for NExT PG exam. Qualifying criteria is different for both NExT 1 and 2. For NExT 1, the minimum marks for passing shall be 50% or half of the maximum possible raw for NExT Step 1.The criteria for passing NExT Step 2 shall be satisfactory demonstration of competencies which will be evaluated and declared as a Pass /Fail result.
NExT Exam: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is NExT for MBBS?
A. NExT or National Exit Test is common gateway exam for admission to postgraduation courses in medical science. NExT will be replacing NEET PG, FMGE exams for MD, MS, MDS courses.
Q. Who is eligible for NExT exam?
A. Final year MBBS students who have pursued medical degree either from abroad or Indian University or those who seek admission for Postgraduation medical courses are eligible for NExT exam.
Q. Who will conduct NExT MBBS?
A. All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will be conducting NExT or National Exit Test from February 2028.
Q. Will final year MBBS students eligible for National Exit Test?
A Yes, the final year MBBS students will be eligible for National Exit Test.
Q. Will medical graduates have to appear for any other exam to get license for medical practice in India.
A. No, they will have to qualify only NMC NEXT to get license for medical practice in India.
Q. Will National Exit Test (NEXT) be implemented in 2024?
A. No. NExT MBBS exam will be implemented from August 2025. NExT exam will be replacing existing NEET PG and FMGE exams for postgraduates medical courses.
Q. Will NExT exam be valid for admission at AIIMS?
A. There is a high possibility that NExT scores will be valid for AIIMS also. However, more clarity wil be there once the official brochure for NExT exam will be released.
Q. When will NMC release application form for NExT 2025?
A. NMC will release application form for NExT 2028 exam most likely in November 2024. An official information brochure for National exit Test will be released, comprising application dates and details.
Q. Will NExT MBBS Exam be held in two steps?
A. Yes. National Exit Test will be held in two steps, NExT 1 and NExT 2. While pape 1 is therory based online exam, paper 2 will be offline practical exam. Candidates who qualify for NExT 1 will be eligible for NExT 2 exam.
Q. Has NExT mock exam cancelled?
A. Yes. NMC has decided to cancel the NExT mock exam. Registration fee of candidates who had applied for the prcatice exam will also be refunded. The exam was scheduled for July 28.
Q. How many attempts do I get for NExT exam?
A. There is no restriction of number of attempts in NExT exam. Only condition is candidates should have passed NExT 1 exam within 10 years of joining MBBS.
Q. Is It easy to clear NExT exam?
A. Some candidates may find it tough to clear NExT exam as questions will be based on pre-clinical and para-clinical learnings. To clear the exam, candidates need to focus on concepts and sharpen the basics.
Q. Has NExT MBBS exam postponed for MBBS students?
A. Yes. On July 13, NMC had announced that NExT mock exam stands deferred for 2019 MBBS batch till further notice.
Q. Will NExT exam held twice a year?
A. Yes. NMC NExT exam will be held twice a year, May and November sessions. The exam will be held in computer-based mode.
Q. Which MBBS batch will be the first one for NExT 2025?
A. 2020 MBBS students will be the first batch for National Exit Test to be held in 2025. Earlier 2019 MBBS batch was supposed to be the first batch for the exam.
Mukul has over seven years editorial experience working as desk person. He is simple down to earth person who loves reading, writing, and listening music. In his friends circle, he is known as Mr Dependable who is a... Read Full Bio
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Mar '25 | NEET 2025 Application Process |
Apr '25 | NEET 2025 Application Correcti... |
Jan '25 | OJEE 2025 registrations |
Apr '25 | OJEE 2025: Admit Card Release |
Jul '22 | DAVV CET 2022 Registration |
Mar '25 | PU CET (UG) 2025 Application F... |
Mar '25 | PU CET (UG) 2025 Registration ... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 days ago
After completing your degree, register with the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for the CS Executive Program, as graduates can directly enter this level. Pass the two-module Executive exam, then proceed to the Professional Program. Complete the mandatory 21 months of practical train
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 6 days ago
After completing the application process for BBA admission at Assam Downtown University, students must wait for the university to communicate the final admission decision. After screening the received applications, the university will offer seats to eligible candidates. Such candidates must confirm
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 6 days ago
After completing the application process for BSc admission at Assam Downtown University, candidates must wait for the university to communicate the final admission decision. The university will offer seats to eligible candidates after screening the received applications. Such candidates must confirm
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Once results are announced and candidates have secured eligibility for admission into the DPharm programme. Candidates have to apply for direct admission in the programme. Candidates can apply for admission in the university through the university website. Once selected candidates have to appear at
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
You can repeat if you change your board to CBSE or other state boards.
I suggest you to move on with your stream and focus on your higher studies rather than changing your stream right now.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The admission procedure for ITM Business School admission includes a selection process where the institute shortlists students based on various parameters. These parameters include past academic merit, entrance exam score, CAPI performance, work experience (if any), etc. Those who have completed the
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
There are two steps after the successful submission of application form:
- Provisional Admission –The admission is done on first come first basis subject to fulfilling the basic eligibility criteria. A part of the 1st semester fee is required to be paid online for getting provisional admission in the p
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Once, a student clears the Rajasthan JET Exam they should know that admission to all programs depends on their rank and merit. Once, the written examination is over, candidates need to appear for the personal interview after the group discussion round. Also, to study any undergraduate and postgradua
I
Contributor-Level 9
After the completion of degree what is the next step to do cs