The NExT (National Exit Test) exam is designed to standardize medical education and ensure that medical professionals meet the required competency levels before they can practice in India. It is an important step in regulating medical education and providing a benchmark for medical graduates, both from Indian and foreign institutions. The previous Exam pattern Changes for PG and license exams and introduced the NExT, It will replace the current NEET-PG and FMGE examinations, which must be passed by both national and international medical graduates to register for practice in India.
The Next Exam Pattern contains various topics, including basic medical sciences, clinical subjects, and practical skills, and features multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and clinical assessments. Results from the NExT exam are crucial for determining a candidate’s eligibility for postgraduate medical admissions and their capacity to work as a practicing doctor in India.
Let’s Explore the NExT Exam Pattern
The next exam is a standardized national-level exam for all medical graduates who want to practice in India, It acts as an entrance exam for admission to PG medical courses and a licensure exam for practicing medicine in India. The NExT Exam Pattern for medical students in India is divided into two segments i.e. NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2. Let’s explore them in brief:
Next Step 1:
The Next Step 1 is a theoretical examination conducted in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode. It focuses on evaluating the knowledge of students related to medical sciences, covering both clinical and preclinical subjects.
Structure: The Next Exam Pattern contains 6 papers that cover various topics and subjects of MBBS, each paper has multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The subjects include:
Medicine and Allied Subjects
Surgery and Allied Subjects
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pediatrics
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Ophthalmology
Next Step 2:
The Next Step 2 is a practical & clinical-based examination that evaluates the practical knowledge, clinical skills, and patient management abilities of candidates.
Structure: The Next Step 2 is conducted after the completion of a one-year internship, it focuses on practicals, viva voce, and real-life case management studies. It also includes core clinical subjects like
Medicine
Surgery
Obstetrics
Gynecology
Pediatrics
ENT & Ophthalmology
Highlight
Aspect | Next Step 1 | Next Step 2 |
Exam Type | Theoretical (MCQ-based) | Practical and clinical |
Purpose | Eligibility for internship & PG ranking | Licensing to practice medicine |
Exam Format | 6 papers (CBT) covering preclinical & clinical subjects | Practical/viva-voce-based exam |
Focus | Conceptual and problem-solving | Clinical and patient management skills |
Paper Pattern
Days | Subjects | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
Day 1 | Medicine & allied subjects | 120 | 180 minutes |
Pediatrics | 60 | 90 minutes | |
Day 2 | Surgery & Allied | 120 | 180 minutes |
ENT | 60 | 90 minutes | |
Day 3 | Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 120 | 180 minutes |
Ophthalmology | 60 | 90 minutes | |
Total | 540 | 810 minutes |
Tips for Preparation
If you want to clear the NExT Exam Pattern you need to make a Study Plan for New Exam Pattern following these Exam Preparation Tips:
Analyze the New Exam Pattern
Set Clear Goals
Create a Study Schedule
Prioritize Topics
Active Learning Strategies
Practice with Mock Tests
Time Management & Seek Guidance
Conclusion
The NExT (National Exit Test) exam is a standardized national-level exam for all medical graduates who want to practice in India, It acts as an entrance exam for admission to PG medical courses and a licensure exam for practicing medicine in India. The NExT Exam Pattern comprises two parts i.e. NExT 1 A written test assessing theoretical knowledge and NExT 2, A practical exam evaluating clinical skills. Both parts must be cleared to obtain a medical license and qualify for postgraduate courses.
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