NExT Step 1 exam will be held most likely in August 2025 for final year MBBS students of 2020 batch. Step 2 exam will be held in February 2026. Officially NEXT exam date has yet to be announced by NMC. Candidates must note NMC will release the official brochure for the exam comprising crucial dates and details related with the exam. Earlier NMC decided to conduct mock exam on July 22, 2023 but it was cancelled later on after students staged protests in different parts of country. NTA had already started registration process for NExT mock test. Last date for registration was July 10, 2023. Candidates had to register and submit basic candidate information for NExT Step 1 mock test.
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NExT mock exam aims to make candidates learn the whole process including how software interface works and process flow at the examination center. NExT exam will be held twice a year, May and November. The exam will be held in computer-based mode in two steps, written and practical. Candidates will have to clear Step 1 and serve internship to become eligible for Step 2.
NMC's National Exit Test Regulations 2023
NMC NExT exam will be a single-window exit test for MBBS students to get license and practice medicine in India. The exam will be held in two steps, which will check both theoretical and practical knowledge of candidates. Once implemented, NExT exam will be replacing NEET PG and FMGE exam, conducted for foreign medical graduates to get registration for medical practice in India. As per the draft guidelines, 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.
Q: Is NExT exam tougher than NEET PG?
It is not tougher than NEET PG. The syllabus of NExT is on the similar line as NEET PG. Syllabus of NExT comprises subjects covered under I MBBS and II MBBS & applied aspects of all subjects covered under III MBBS /Final MBBS Part 1. There has been more focus on practical/clinical part in NExT exam. NMC aims to produce more skillful doctors with better practical and clinical knowledge through NExT exam. Candidates who have clear concepts of MBBS subjest can easily crack the exam. AIIMS had designed mock exam to make candidates understand the whole process. NExT mock exam, scheduled to be held on July 28 was cancelled.
Upvote 
Q: Has AIIMS announced dates for NExT?
No. AIIMS has not announced date for NExT MBBS exam. However, it had announced date for NExT mock exam. The mock test of NExT was schedule to be held on July 28, 2023 but it was cancelled. AIIMS had released application form for NExT mock exam on June 28, 2023 and July 10, 2023 was the last date for basic registration. NExT exam will be held in two steps, twice a year. The exam will be held in May and November sessions. NExT Step 1 will be theory based exam where questions will be asked from 6 subjects. NExT Step 2 will be practical exam. NExT exam could be held in August 2025 for the first time.
Upvote Q: What is NExT exam all about?
NExT exam stands for National Exit Test. The exam will be held for providing admission into PG courses, replacing existing exams including NEET PG and FMGE. NExT exam will be conducted most likley by AIIMS Delhi. Students who have completed III MBBS /Final MBBS course from a recognised medical college shall be eligible to appear in the examination. Accoring to recently released national Exit Test regulations, the exam will be held in two steps. NExT Step 1 will be theory based exam while NExT Step will be practical exam. NExT Step 1 will be held in computer-based mode. AIIMS has not released NExT exam date yet.
Upvote - NExT: What's New
- NExT Mock Exam Dates
- NExT Exam: Objective and Features
- What is National Exit Test (NExT)?
- NExT 2025 Highlights
- NExT Exam Eligibility Criteria
- NExT 2025 Exam Application Form
- NExT PG Exam Process
- NExT 2025 Exam Dates
- NMC NExT Exam Syllabus
- NExT Exam Pattern 2025
- NExT 2025 Question Pattern
- NExT Qualifying Criteria
- NExT 2025 FAQs
NExT: What's New
NMC NExT latest updates say the exam will be held for the first time in 2025 for MBBS students. The exam will be held for 2020 batch MBBS students. Earlier the mock exam was also cancelled. Earlier on July 13, NMC deferred NExT exam for 2019 MBBS batch students. Since the day NMC announced date for NExT mock exam, MBBS students were staging protest in different parts of country. They were unhappy with NMC's decision to conduct exam on short notice. They also opposed the decision of qualifying criteria for NExT 2025. As per the new regulations of National Exit Test, candidates have to score minimum 50% marks in NExT Step 1.
Also Read: NExT Exam Protest Intensifies; Medicos Demand to Cancel it
NExT Mock Exam Dates
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NExT 2025 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
Feb '28 | NExT Step 1 exam TENTATIVE |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
28 Jun '23 - 10 Jul '23 | Registration for NExT mock exam |
28 Jun '23 - 14 Jul '23 | Application completion for NExT mock exam |
28 Jun '23 - 14 Jul '23 | Generation of EUC for NExT mock exam |
NExT Exam: Objective and Features
With NExT exam, the Ministry of Health aims to strengthen Indian healthcare system. The main objective to implement unified examination strategy in medical field. Candidates don’t need to appear multiple exams like NEET PG, FMGE for medical license. NExT exam is based on government's motto of ‘one nation one exam’.
The exam will be held in two stages, Step 1 and step 2. Step 1 will be entirely theory based where candidates' theoretical knowledge will be put on test while step 2 will check practical knowledge. After qualifying Step 1, candidates have to complete 12-month internship to appear for Step 2. Candidates have to score 50% marks in each paper to qualify NExT Step 1.
Also Read: NExT Mock Test should be free of cost, says FAIMA Chairman
What is National Exit Test (NExT)?
NExT or National Exit Test is envisaged as a common entrance exam to provide license to MBBS graduates to practice in India. The final MBBS students have to clear the exam to get admission into postgraduate courses. The exam will be mandatory for all medical graduates irrespective of the fact that they have cleared their primary medical education from India or foreign countries. It will be qualifying final year MBBS exam and screening test for foreign medical graduates. The exam will be held in computer-based mode in two steps, NExT Step 1, and NExT Step 2.
NExT 2025 Highlights
Some of the highlights regarding NExT for MBBS have been enlisted below:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name |
National Exit Test or NExT |
| Conducting body |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Most Likely) |
| Exam level |
Postgraduate exam at National level |
| Objective |
Medical License and admission to postgraduate courses |
| Session commencement |
2024-25 |
| Eligible candidates |
Final year MBBS students, Foreign Medical Graduates |
| Exam mode |
Online |
| NExT paper pattern |
Step 1 & Step 2 |
| Frequency |
Twice a year |
| Question Type |
MCQs LAQs SAQs |
| How many attempt |
No restriction |
NExT Exam Eligibility Criteria
Candidates have to fulfill some eligibility requirements for any exam and this applies to NExT exam as well. Only those who have undergraduate medical degree will be eligible for National Exit Test. Some of the eligibility criteria for NExT exam is as follows:
-
They should have a valid MBBS degree with minimum 50% marks
-
After qualifying NExT paper 1, candidates have to complete 12-month internship
-
Candidates who fulfill above criterion can appear for NExT paper 2
NExT 2025 Exam Application Form
The application form for NExT 2025 MBBS will be released most likely online. Candidates will have to register first to submit application form. Registration will be done on the official website. 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. AIIMS will be releasing an official information brochure, comprising details about important dates and crucial information such as application process, eligibility criteria, exam pattern and marking scheme.
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NExT PG Exam Process
NExT PG will be a qualifying exam for MBBS students for admission into PG medical courses. Unlike NEET PG and FMGE exams, National Exit Test for MBBS will be held for 3 days in two shifts each. The exam will be valid for 3 years. For NExT Step 1, third year/ final year MBBS students can appear. They will have to complete 12 months of internship to become eligible to appear in NExT Step 2, the practical test. The exam will be held in online mode and questions paper will have all type of questions, multiple, short answer and long answer questions.
NExT 2025 Exam Dates
NExT 2025 dates have not been released yet National Medical Commission. Tentative dates for NMC NExT exam have been given in the table given below:
| Events |
Exam Date |
Exam Result |
|---|---|---|
| NExT Step 1 Regular |
May/November |
1st week of June/ December |
| 3rd year MBBS /Final MBBS PART 2 Practical / Clinical University Examination |
1st week of June/December |
3rd week of June/December |
| Internship |
1st January/July |
31st December/30th June following year |
| NExT Step 2 Regular |
3rd week June/December |
Last week of June/December |
| NExT Step 2 Supplementary |
1st week September/March |
3rd week September/March |
| Postgraduate Admission |
May-June (Counselling) |
30-Jun-2024 |
| Postgraduate course |
1st week July/1st week January |
------ |
NMC NExT Exam Syllabus
According to draft, syllabus for NMC NExT comprises six subjects from clinical, pre and para clinical. It must be noted national exit test will be held in two steps, theory and practical. Subjects included for NExT step 1 theory exam have been enlisted below:
-
Medicine & allied subjects
-
Paediatrics
-
Surgery & allied subjects
-
Otorhinolaryngology
-
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
-
Ophthalmology
NExT Exam Pattern 2025
NExT eaxm pattern comprises details including mode, medium, total number of questions and their type, marking scheme etc. Official exam pattern will be released along with the information brochure for NExT exam 2025. As per the existing information available in the draft, the exam will be held in two Step, Step 1 and Step 2. Step 1 will be theoretical exam comprising clinical, pre and para clinical subjects. Theory exam for NExT will be held in online mode. Step 2 will be practical exam in offline mode. A total of 540 multiple choice questions will be asked from 19 subjects in NExT exam. Candidates will have to complete internship after NExT step 1. Those who qualify both Step 1 and Step 2 will be declared qualified and eligible for license and admission into PG courses.
NExT Pattern: Highlights
-
The exam will be held in two parts, Step 1 and Step 2
-
Step 1 will be theoretical online exam while Step 2 will be offline practical test
-
Candidates will have to complete the internship to become eligible to appear in NExT Step 2
-
A total of 540 multiple choice questions will be asked in Step 1 from 19 subjects
-
Step 2 exam will be held by respective state colleges/universities
-
NExT Step 1 score will be valid for 2 years and candidates will have to appear for Step 2 within this span of time
NExT Marking Scheme
To qualify NExT exam, candidates will have to score the minimum marks. Marks in step 1 will 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. In Step 2, candidates will be declared pass or fail based on their competency in practical/viva test.
NExT 2025 Question Pattern
Unlike NEET PG and FMGE exams, NExT Step 1 exam will be held for three days. The exam comprising 6 paper will be held in two sessions daily. Out of 540 multiple choice questions in paper 1, 65% will be based on problem solving and analytical skill, 25 % comprehension type and rest 10% will be recall based. Candidates will have to score 50% marks to qualify for NExT Step 1. The table given below highlights tentative schedule of NExT paper 1.
| 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 Qualifying Criteria
Candidates will have to score the minimum marks to qualify for Step 1 and Step 2. The minimum cut off for NeXt Step 1 is 50% marks or half of maximum possible raw scores. It means they will have to score 50 out of 100 marks or half of raw scores in each of 6 paper. Candidates are evaluated on parameters such as knowledge level, analytical skills, and practical aspects. 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 2025 FAQs
Candidates can check FAQs related to NExT 2025 and other related aspects:
Q: Who will be conducting NExT exam?
NExT MBBS exam will be conducted by AIIMS Delhi as per recent updates. Earlier National Medical Commission (NMC) was supposed to conduct the exam. National Exit Test will be conducted in two step, Step 1 and Step 2. NExT Step 1, a theory based exam will be conducted in computer-based mode while NExT Step 2, a practical exam will be held in offline mode. Candidates have to qualify NExT 1 and serve internship to appear for NexT Step 2 exam. AIIMS has not released NExT exam date though a mock exam schedule has been released.
Upvote Q: Can I appear twice for NExT MBBS?
There is no restriction on number of attempts for NExT Step 1 provided candidates have passed both NExT Step 1 and NexT Step 2 examinations within 10 years of joining MBBS course. Candidates have to qualify NExT Step 2 to reappear in NExT Step I for improvement of score. NexT Step 1 score will be valid for five years. AIIMS will release an information brochure, providing more clarity regarding number of attempts and other aspects related to NExT exam. 2019 MBBS students will be the first batch which will be appearing for NExT exam to be held most likely in 2024.
Upvote Q: What is the difference between the National Exit Exam (NEXT) and the NEET-PG?
Upvote Q: Will NExT exam be held in offline mode?
NExT exam will be held in two steps. NExT Step 1, the theory based exam will be held in computer-based mode, while NExT Step 2 will be conducted in offline mode. NExT Step 2 will test practical/clinical knowledge of candidates. AIIMS will release NExT exam attern along with the official information brochure. As per the available details, there will be six paper in NExT Step 1. The exam will be held for three days in two shifts. Candidates who qualify NExT Step and mandatory 1-year internship can appear for NExT Step 2 which will be held by respective state authorities.
Upvote Q: Who are eligible for National Exit Test (NExT)?
Candidates who have valid MBBS degree recognised by National Medical Commission are eligible for NExT exam. All MBBS graduates who want admission into postgraduate courses and foreign medical garduates, seking license to parctice in India can appear for the exam. The exam will be held in two steps, theory and practical. NExT Step 1 will be held in computer-based mode while NExT Step 2 will be in offline. Candidates will have to clear both steps to get license or PG seat.
Upvote Q: When is NExT mock test?
NExT mock test was scheduled to be held on July 28 but it was cancelled. The application form for NExT mock exam was released on June 28. NExT mock exam application process comprised 3 steps such as registration and basic candidate information, generation of Exam Unique Code (EUC) and completion of application form. Basic registration was mandatory to generate Exam Unique Code (EUC). Candidates also had to pay fee to submit NExT application form for mock test. The deadline to submit application for NexT mock exam was July 10. The admit card for mock exam was to be released on July 21. The mock test for NMC NExT was scheduled to be held in two shifts.
Upvote Q: What is qualifying criteria for NExT Step 1?
According to official release, candidates will have to score minimum 50% marks or half the maximum possible raw scores to qualify NExT Step 1. In each of six papers, candidates will have to score 50% marks to get it through. Candidates are unhappy with the decision and requested National Medical commission to reduce the qualifying criteria. There are also reports of students staging protest for NExT qualifying criteria. NExT score will be valid for five years. candidates who want to reappear in NExT Step 1 for improvemnet of marks, in that case the previous score will not be valid and new score will be considered.
Upvote Q: Will AIIMS conduct NExT exam in 2024?
There is least chance of NExT exam to be held in 2024. As per recent updates, the exam will be held in August 2025 for 2020 batch final year MBBS students. Earlier, NMC announced the national exit test will be held in 2028 for the first time for 2023-24 batch MBBS students. According to National Exit Test Regulations the exam will be held twice a year. AIIMS will be conducting exam in two steps, one theory based and another practical. MBBS students will have to qualify NExT Step 1 to appear for internship. Those who qualify NExT Step 1 can appear for NExT Step 2. Candidates will have to score minimum 50% marks or half of the maximum possible raw scores in each six papers to qualify for NExT Step 1.
Upvote Q: Has National Medical Commission released syllabus for NExT?
NExT syllabus has been released with new National Exit Test Regulations 2023. NExT Step 1 syllabus comprises six subjects while NExT Step 2 includes seven subjects. NExT Step 1, theory exam will be held in computer-based mode while NexT Step 2 will be held in offline mode. Total six papers will be held in two shifts for NExT Step 1. Six papers have been enlisted below:
- Medicine and allied disciplines
- Surgery and allied disciplines
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Ophthalmology
Upvote News & Updates
NExT Exam
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