NExT exam will be implemented most likely from August 2025. The exam will be held by AIIMS Delhi replace existing NEET PG and FMGE exams. Final year MBBS students will appear for the exam to get license and admission into post graduate course. Earlier, NMC cancelled NExT mock exam which was scheduled on July 28. The exam will be held in two steps.
National Exit Test (NExT) exam will be implement from August 2025 for final year 2020 batch MBBS students. Exact dates and details regarding NExT exam will be released by AIIMS Delhi. As the exam will be implemented for the first time, there are apprehensions regarding the same. Candidates have least idea about how to go about NExT exam preparation. In an exclusive interview with Shikha, Dr. Adit Desai, Co-Founder, Doctutorials, shares preparation tips and other crucial details regarding NMC NExT exam.
Explore popular MD colleges for you
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
Q. NExT exam has hit the headlines recently because of wrongs reasons including mock practice fee and others. Though the Health minister tried to address many of the concerns of students, still clarity is missing. What is your take on this?
Commonly asked questions
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.
It is very unfortunate that the students are suffering because of lack of coordination between Health ministry and NMC. There is no clarity about the NExT exam even after all the statements by the minister. They have given clarity for the Batch of 2019 that they won’t be appearing fro the NExT, but what about batch of 2020? Students start preparing for this exam 2-3 years before. The NMC should give students a 3 year headstart as to when their exam will be and what the format of the exam will be like.
Explore more Medicine & Health Sciences exams with upcoming dates
NEET PG
15 Sep '26 - 29 Sep '26
1 Oct '26 - 6 Oct '26
11 Dec '26 - 12 Dec '26
31 Dec '26
Also Read: NExT Mock Test to cancel, registration fees to refunded
Q. NExT mock exam was cancelled after registration was up for some days...how does it impacts exam preparation of students?
All the students of Batch of 2019,2020 lost at least 2 vital months of preparation for their exam as the NMC went back & forth with their own statements resulting into lack of clarity for the students. The students did not know the exam date, format and most importantly and funnily, whether that exam will be implemented for their batch or not. Mock exam required no preparation as such as it was only to show students ‘type’ of questions that’ll be asked in their main exam. But it resulted in wasting crucial preparation time of more than 1.5 lakh students of India who are about to give the most competitive exam in the country.
Q. In light of the cancellation, what alternative resources and support is Doctutorials offering to help students stay on track with their NExT exam preparation?
DocTutorials is predominantly a NEET PG coaching platform with preparation material for all 19 subjects of NEET PG. After cancellation fo NExT we have put all our resources in upgrading our already existing NEET PG material that will take the students’ preparation and confidence 1 step above the rest.
Q. NMC has said NExT exam will be held twice a year but it has not said anything about exam date. Will NExT exam held in May next year?
Firstly, there should be consensus between NMC and MHFW regarding the format of the exam, type of questions and which batch will be the first to give the NExT exam. Secondly, students should get at least 2 years of headsup so that they have ample time to prepare for a new format of exam. NExT in May 2024 is practically impossible as there is zero clarity in the NMC itself regarding the dates and format. It takes a lot of time to execute a new format of exam for 2 lakh students. I see it happening sometime in May 2025 and even after that.
Q. Many of the students will be taking the exam, which will be held in two steps, Step 1 theory and Step 2 practical. Will qualifying both steps necessary to get license for medical practice?
Yes, qualifying both steps is required to get the MBBS license to practice. But only the marks of NExT Step-1 will be relevant to decide the PG seat that student will be eligible for. Step-2 will only have ‘Pass/Fail’ criteria and that will be held by individual colleges for their students, where as Step-1 will be a centralised MCQ exam
Q. Will NExT exam tougher than NEET PG or FMGE exams?
Traditionally, NEET PG has always been tougher than FMGE. So yes, NExT will definitely be tougher than FMGE. But I don’t think it’ll be tougher than NEET PG. It will be easier as in NEET PG, there was 1 exam for 19 subjects, and in NExT, there a 6 papers for 6 main subjects with 10% of questions asked from remaining 13 subjects. Hence, preparation will be focused for these 6 subjects and hence the overall preparation will be easier for the students. (as long as they get a headsup from the NMC.
Q. Share some preparation tips to final year MBBS students who will be taking up NExT exam in near future.
Focus on the core 6 clinical subjects. Finish off the Pre & Para clinical subjects (7) before starting these 6 subjects as it will form a foundation for your preparation. Clinical scenarios and recall questions will form majority of the paper. During revision, only focus on important topics of these 6 subjects and give as many tests as possible in the last 2 months to prepare you for the D-Day.
Read more
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
5 Aug '26 - 1 Sep '26 | Round 1 Counselling |
16 Jul '26 | NEET Final Answer Key |
Jul '26 | Special OJEE admit card 2026 r... |
13 Jun '26 - 28 Jun '26 | Special OJEE registrations 202... |
Jul '22 | DAVV CET 2022 Registration |
Jun '26 | PU CET (UG) 2026 Counselling P... |
May '26 | PU CET (UG) 2026 Result |
18 Dec '26 | NTA CSIR NET December 2025 Exa... |
Jul '26 | NTA AIAPGET 2026 Exam Date |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Indian students who wish to pursue medicine in India are eligible to take the NExT exam as the university is listed in WDOS and approved by the NMC guidelines. NMC requires NEET qualification too for students to sit for the NExT exam. NEET qualification means a 50th percentile score of 130- 175 in t
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
You will have to attend a mandatory onboarding session when you join KL Online MBA. This virtual orientation programme is specially designed to welcome and guide newly enrolled distance students. University mentors explain the digital course structure, evaluation methods, and online campus tools in
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
Once the entrance scores are out, candidates must register separately for the university counseling process. Applicants need to log in to the official CAP-UG portal and pay the counseling registration fee. The university uses this portal to evaluate preferences and allocate the BHU BA LLB seats.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
As per the official portal of EM Normandie Dubai, the next cohort starts on Sep 28, 2026 for Indian students.
An Open Day is also scheduled for Sep 19, 2026 at the Dubai Campus along with a Virtual Open Day on Nov 11, 2026.
Applications are open at EM Normandie and they are processed on rolling ba
D
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
JECRC University accept applications of the eligible students only. These candidated are then directly invited for personal interview, portfolio presentation, and situation test. Students who pass these selection rounds have to report for physical counselling at the university in person.
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
The National Exit Test (NEXT) (called the National Exit Test Dental/Dental NExT for dental graduates) will be introduced but until then students have to register with the Dental Council of India (DCI) and the state councils after their 1-year internship. It will probably become mandatory to pass the
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
NEXT scholarship is offered on the basis of merit at NIMS College of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. Minimum 60% is required in Class 10/ Class 12 for UG courses as applicable and 60% required in graduation for PG courses to avail NEXT scholarship.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Mukul Mishra is a master degree holder in science with more than 10 years of experience in medical content writing and editing. Having nose for news and development in medical education field, he has been a recogniz
Read Full Bio