NExT 2025 Exam for MBBS Candidates - Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & Pattern

The National Exit Test (NExT) is a postgraduate level medical exam which has been designed by the National Medical Commission (NMC) with a dual purpose of acting as a qualifying assessment for the final year MBBS students and as a licensure examination for the Indian and Foreign healthcare practitioners, who are seeking to practise medicine in India.

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The NExT 2025 exam for MBBS candidates will be the first mock test for the 2020 batch students. The NExT exam will be a massive development in the field of medical education and practice as it will replace the NEET PG and FMGE exams. Earlier the NExT mock test was scheduled for 2023 but later on it was cancelled by the National Medical Commission and the registration fee was refunded to the candidates. Read the full article to know comprehensive details about the NExT 2025 exam for MBBS candidates.

What is NExT exam for MBBS Candidates?

NExT is a post graduate level examination which acts as an assessment and licence for the undergraduate medical students to practise in India. It will act as the exit exam for MBBS students. Medical aspirants who are in the final year of their MBBS will have to clear the NExT exam to register with the Medical Council of India. The All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi will conduct the NExT exam twice a year.

NExT 2025 exam overview

The NExT exam can be a gamechanger in the field of medical education as it will replace some major exams in India, if implemented. Below are some highlights of the MBBS NExT exam.

Highlights of NExT exam 2025

NExT 2025 mock test

The NExT mock test will be used for the purpose of familiarising the aspiring medical students with the computer based test of the actual NExT exam, which will be commenced in due course of time. The NExT mock exam will give the candidates an opportunity to know about the exam pattern, software interface, and the examination process.

As per the NExT exam news, earlier the AIIMS Delhi had started the online registrations for the mock exam on June 28, 2023 and candidates were asked to submit their application form for the mock test. The last date to register for the NExT mock test was July 10 and was scheduled to be held on July 28, 2023. But due to the differences regarding the implementation of the MBBS NExT exam among the stakeholders, the mock exam was cancelled. Now as per some sources, the NExT mock test will be conducted in 2025.

NExT 2025 mock test schedule

The mock test is scheduled for 2025 and the major NExT exam update can be checked from the table below.

Important dates for NExT 2025

Eligibility criteria of NExT 2025 exam for MBBS candidates

• The student should be pursuing MBBS from medical colleges approved by NMC

• All Foreign Medical Graduates approved by NMC for the purpose of obtaining a licence to practise medicine as a registered medical practitioner in India are also eligible.

Process of NExT 2025 exam for MBBS candidates

The National Exit Test process will include two separate exams, called “steps” - NExT step 1 and NExT step 2. The NExT step 1 will be a theoretical examination while the NExT step 2 will be a practical exam. The detailed process and features of both the steps of NExT exam are as follows -

NExT exam Step 1

• NExT Step 1 will be a theoretical examination and the questions will be of multiple Choice Type. The exam will be conducted in online mode.

• The NExT step 1 will be a Centralised Common All India Examination to be conducted by the All India of Medical Science, New Delhi

• The NExT step 1 will consist of six papers covering subjects of final MBBS. These subjects are -

1. Medicine and allied disciplines

2. Surgery and allied disciplines

3. Obstetrics and Gynaecology

4. Paediatrics

5. Otorhinolaryngology

6. Ophthalmology

• The NExT Step 1 exam will be held once a year prior to the practical examination for the final MBBS.

• A NExT Step 1 supplementary examination will be held once a year and will be for only those candidates who have failed in one or more of the six papers and are required to repeat those particular subjects.

• There is no restriction to the number of attempts to appear in NExT Step 1 provided the candidate has passed both NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2 examination within 1 years of joining the MBBS course.

NExT Step 2

• NExT Step 2 will be a practical examination covering seven clinical subjects

1. Medicine and allied disciplines

2. Surgery and allied disciplines

3. Obstetrics and Gynaecology

4. Paediatrics

5. Otorhinolaryngology

6. Ophthalmology

7. Orthopaedics and PMR (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)

• The practical examination will be held in person and will be conducted by the respective state Health Universities / Institutions following the standards and guidelines provided by the Commission.

• There will be a regular NExT Step 2 examination once a year.

• A NExT Step 2 supplementary examination will be held once a year and is restricted to only those candidates who have failed in one or more ( up to 3 Subjects) of the seven subjects and are required to repeat particular subjects.

• There is no restriction to the number of attempts to appear in NExT Step 2 provided the candidate has passed both NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2 examination within 10 years of joining the MBBS Course.

NExT 2025 exam for MBBS candidates exam pattern

The NExT medical exam will be conducted in two steps - Step 1 and Step 2. Step 1 is theoretical while Step 2 is a practical examination. The below table shows the pattern of NExT Step 1 examination.

NExT 2025 Step 1 pattern

Note: There will be a rest of one day between each papers

Importance of NExT 2025 exam for MBBS candidates

The NExT exam is going to change the course of medical education in India. Not only will it be counted as the qualifying and exit exam for MBBS students but, it will also grant a licence to the students who want to practise medicine in the country. Hence, it will replace the NEET PG and FMGE exams. It will also serve as the single exam for the medical graduates, and will grant merit based admission to the students who want to pursue postgraduate courses.