Multiple attempts allowed, but must Clear all 6 papers in one go to get PG: NMC NExT regulations

New Delhi: Students will get multiple attempts to clear Step 1 and Step 2 of the National Exit Test (NExT), the National Medical Commission (NMC) specified in the recently released NMC National Exit Test Regulations, 2023. However, in order to get PG seats, the students will have to clear the 6 papers of Step 1 exam in one go.

The regulations stated that the candidates need to pass both Step 1 and Step 2 of NExT examination within 10 years of joining the MBBS course. NExT exam will soon replace the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET-PG) examination as well.

In order to get admitted to PG medical courses, the students will need to clear NExT Step 1 examination and all six papers of the exam by scoring a minimum of 50% or half of the maximum possible Raw Scores.

The six papers for NExT Step 1 will cover the subjects of III MBBS/Final MBBS (both Part 1 and Part 2) and they will include Medicine and Allied Disciples, Surgery and Allied Disciplines, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Otorhinolaryngology, and Ophthalmology.

Explaining the validity of NExT Step 1 Scores for admission to PG broad-specialty medical courses, the new guidelines mentioned that the scores shall remain valid for five years.

However, if the candidate opts for improvement of scores, then the previous NExT Step 1 score would be invalid for determination of rank. Only last attempt NExT Step-1 would be considered for determination of the rank.

Also Read: Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 for NExT Mock Test: Doctors, Students Slam NMC for Charging Huge Fees

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that NMC on December 28, 2022 had released the draft regulations related to National Exit Test (NExT) clearly specifying that it will serve as both a licentiate exam for the purpose of practice of modern medicine for both Indian Medicos and Foreign Medical Graduates and also as a gateway entrance Examination for admission to courses Postgraduate Medical Education.

Releasing the Draft, NMC had invited comments from stakeholders on the proposed Regulations. Now, the final NMC National Exit Test Regulations, 2023 have been notified in the Official Gazette on June 28, 2023. This comes after recently NMC organised an webinar to address the concerns and doubts of medical students regarding the National Exit Test. Meanwhile, NMC has also released the Information Brochure for the exam, announcing that All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi will be in charge of conducting the examination.

"There is no restriction to the number of attempts to appear in the NExT Step 1 Examination to improve scores provided these examinations for improvement of scores are taken after completion of NExT Step 2. Candidate is not entitled to appear in NExT step I for improvement of score till completion of NExT 2," it added.

In respect of NExT Step 2, the Regulations mentioned, "There is no restriction to the number of attempts to appear in NExT Step 2 provided the candidate has passed NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2 Examination within 10 years of joining the MBBS Course."

"A NExT Step 2 Supplementary Examination shall be held twice a year and is restricted to only those candidates who have failed in one or more of the seven subjects and are required to repeat subjects. If a candidate fails in more than three subjects, she/He must appear in all the seven subjects afresh in supplementary examination," it added.

Minimum scores to Pass:

i. The minimum marks for passing shall be 50% [50 out of 100] OR half of the maximum possible Raw scores for NExT Step-1

ii. For the NExT Step-1, in each of the six papers a minimum of 50% [ 50 out of 100] OR half of the maximum possible Raw Scores should be scored to pass the examination.

For calculations of above candidate score across NExT-Step-1 examination cycle will be considered.

Explanation 1: Candidate A has scored minimum passing marks in 2 subjects and failed in 4 subjects. He/ She can appear in NExT exam cycle of NExT Step-1 and if She/He has scored the minimum passing marks in rest 4 subject then He/ She will be considered to have fulfilled the above criteria.

Explanation 2: Candidate A has scored minimum passing mark in 2 subjects and failed in 4 subjects. He/ She can appear in NExT exam cycle of NExT Step-1 and if She/He has scored the minimum passing marks in 2 subjects then She/ He can appear in NExT exam cycle of NExT Step-1 and if She/he has scored the minimum passing marks in remaining 2 subjects then She/he will be considered to have fulfilled the above criteria.

Calculation of NExT Step 1 scores for determining merit for the purpose of admission to Postgraduate courses in broad specialties:

i. for the purpose of determining merit for admission to broad specialty Postgraduate Course shall be calculated from the sum of raw scores obtained in each paper /subject in single NExT step-1 examination only.

ii. For determining merit for admission to broad -specialty Postgraduate Course the NEXT Step-1 scores shall remain valid for five years. However, if candidate is appeared in NExT exam cycle of NExT step-1 then previous NExT step-1 score would be invalid for determination of rank for admission into Postgraduate courses in broad specialties and only last attempt NExT step-1 score would be considered for determination of the rank.

iii. To determine rank for admission into Postgraduate courses in broad specialties in an academic year, the candidate need to apply generation of a rank in a manner as prescribed by the Commission time to time. Only those candidates who have applied for generation of rank will be entitled for admission in that academic year cycle.

iv. Tie-breaker rule for generation of rank:

a) The Normalized sum of raw scores obtained in each paper /subject in single NExT step-1 examination. Method of Normalization of sum of raw scores for across NExT Step-I examination cycle will be notified as and when necessary, by the commission.

b) Candidate with Lower attempts of NExT step-1 will be given higher rank.

c) Candidate with Higher marks in following order of preference will be given higher rank:

1. Medicine and allied disciplines

2. Surgery and allied disciplines

3. Obstetrics and Gynaecology

4. Paediatrics

5. Otorhinolaryngology

6. Ophthalmology

The proposed NExT examination will replace the final year MBBS examination, NEET-PG examination and the FMGE examination. It will be a common exit cum licentiate examination for the MBBS students in India or the Foreign Medical Graduates.

While NExT Step 1 will consist of multiple choice questions and it will be conducted via computer-based online mode, NExT Step 2 will be a practical examination, which the students must pass to get their degrees. NExT Step 1 will replace NEET-PG examination and it will be held twice a year in May and November.

Also Read: NMC releases NExT Regulations 2023, Check out gazette details