NExT ( National Exit Test): Dates, Pattern, Scoring and All Details

NExT ( National Exit Test)

National Exit Test or NExT is a common exit exam, which is conducted annually to promote the meritorious students to practice medicine in India and it also serves as the gateway to pursue higher studies in the field of medicines. The prime motive of the students appearing in the National Exit Test is to obtain the License for practicing medicine in India. National Exit Test step 1 exam is expected to be conducted in Dec’23 and subsequently it will replace the NEET PG and FMGE exam from 2024 onwards.

National Medical Commission in its draft proposal to the ministry of health has announced that the test would be held in two stages respectively. National Exit Test step 1 and National Exit Test step 2 exam, while National Exit Test step 1 exam will be a centralized and  exam conducted with MCQ questions, National Exit Test step 2 exam will be a clinical/practical exam along with Viva Vove covering seven clinical subjects. Candidates can attempt NExT exam as many times, there is no restriction on the number of attempts.

Which is the conducting body will organize the National Exit Test ?

As of now there is no confirmed information that is available regarding the organizing body for the conduct of the National Exit Test exam, however the National Board of Examination ( NBE) which conducts the NEET PG and FMGE exam may be chosen for the conduct of the NExT exam.

Who all are required to pass National Exit Test?

As per the draft proposal of the National Medical Commission regarding the National Exit Test which has been received well by most of the experts who have termed this step as a major milestone in improving the quality of the health care system in India. National Exit Test will be a mandatory exam for all the MBBS graduated who have completed their degrees from MCI/ NMC approved medical colleges in India and abroad to clear the National Exit Test.

This exam will be mandatory for the student to clear to practice medicine in the  India. Based on the scores of the National Exit Test exam admissions to the PG seats in various medical colleges will be allotted.

Brief outline of the National Exit Test:

What is the Objective of National Exit Test?

Considering all the facts brought out above the , we will now examine the objective and purpose of the newly introduced National Exit Test. We will also try to explain the importance of this exam as a licentiate cum gateway to higher studies in medicines exam, to consider doctors deemed fit to practice medicine in India.

•  Since public health is a very sensitive subject, hence the center by introducing this exam intends to produce more qualified health professionals , who are immaculate in the various skills of problem solving in the health care area. Students would be tested for more practical aspects through this exam.
•  Besides being an exit exam for the Indian MBBS graduates, this exam would be required to be cleared by the students who have done their MBBS from abroad, earlier such students were required to clear Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) to obtain practicing license in India, now with the passing of this new bill FMGE will be replaced with National Exit Test.
• This exam will also act as a qualifier for students seeking admission in PG courses. It is expected that NEET PG course would also be replaced by National Exit Test.

When will be the National Exit Test be conducted?

The tentative schedule of dates is as under:

What is the pass marks in National Exit Test?

Candidates appearing in the National Exit Test 1  need to  secure minimum 50% marks to be considered eligible for National Exit Test step 2 exam. The criteria for qualifying National Exit Test step 2 exam is satisfactory demonstration of competencies, and the candidates will be graded pass or fail based on the assessment