Pursuing MBBS abroad is a great option for students who want quality medical education at an affordable cost. However, to practice as a doctor in India, foreign medical graduates (FMGs) must clear the FMGE (NEXT) exam.
In this blog, we will discuss:
✅ What is FMGE/NEXT?
✅ Who Needs to Take the Exam?
✅ Exam Pattern & Syllabus
✅ FMGE Passing Rate & Preparation Tips
✅ Alternative Career Options After MBBS Abroad
📌 What is FMGE (NEXT) Exam
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is a screening test conducted by the National Medical Commission (NMC) for students who complete their MBBS from foreign universities.
From 2024 onwards, FMGE will be replaced by the NEXT (National Exit Test), which will be mandatory for both Indian and foreign medical graduates to obtain a medical license in India.
📢 FMGE (NEXT) is a licensing exam, NOT an entrance exam!
This means that students who pass MBBS abroad must clear FMGE/NEXT to practice medicine in India.
📖 FMGE/NEXT Exam Pattern & Syllabus
📌 FMGE (Current Exam Pattern – Till 2024)
- Total Questions: 300 (MCQs)
- Mode: Computer-based (Online)
- Duration: 5 Hours (Divided into 2 parts)
- Passing Criteria: 50% (150/300 marks)
- No Negative Marking
📌 NEXT (New Exam from 2024)
- NEXT will replace FMGE as a common exit test for all MBBS students (Indian & Foreign).
- It will consist of two parts:
- NEXT 1: Theory Exam (Computer-based, like FMGE)
- NEXT 2: Practical Exam (Compulsory Internship in India)
- Students who pass NEXT can apply for medical registration in India.
📌 FMGE/NEXT Exam Syllabus
The exam covers Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical subjects, similar to the Indian MBBS syllabus.
✔ Pre-Clinical Subjects – Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
✔ Para-Clinical Subjects – Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, Forensic Medicine
✔ Clinical Subjects – Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Community Medicine
📊 FMGE Passing Rate: Why It’s Low & How to Improve
📌 FMGE Passing Rate (Past Trends)
✔ The FMGE passing percentage is usually low (10-25%).
✔ Some countries have higher success rates than others.
FMGE Passing Rate by Country (Approximate Data):
✔ Russia, Kazan: 10-20%
✔ Georgia: 5-15%
📢 FMGE is difficult because many students are not prepared for the Indian medical system.
📚 How to Prepare for FMGE/NEXT Exam?
✅ 1. Choose the Right Medical University
- Select a university that follows the Indian MBBS syllabus.
- Check the FMGE passing rate of the university.
✅ 2. Start FMGE/NEXT Preparation from the First Year
- Do NOT wait until the final year to start studying.
- Study Indian standard medical books like Harrison’s Medicine & Gray’s Anatomy.
- Make notes for important topics while studying abroad.
✅ 3. Join FMGE Coaching Classes
- Many universities and online platforms offer FMGE coaching.
✅ 4. Attempt Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers
- Solve FMGE past papers to understand the pattern.
- Attempt mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
✅ 5. Complete Your Internship in a Good Hospital
- Clinical exposure is important for NEXT 2 (Practical Exam).
- Gain hands-on training in a reputed hospital.
🎯 Alternative Career Options After MBBS Abroad (If You Don’t Pass FMGE/NEXT)
If you struggle to pass FMGE/NEXT, there are still career options available:
✔ Pursue PG (MD/MS) Abroad – USA (USMLE), UK (PLAB), Germany, Australia, Canada
✔ Work in the Medical Research Field – Clinical research, pharma industry
✔ Medical Content Writing & Teaching – Work as a professor, create online medical content
✔ Hospital Administration & Healthcare Management – MBA in Hospital Management
