The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) (UG) is an all-India entrance test used by students aspiring to pursue MBBS courses, including dental (BDS) and AYUSH (BAMS, BUMS, BHMS, etc.) courses, at both government and private institutions.
In contrast, NExT is a proposed uniform exit test intended to serve as a qualifying final for MBBS students. Its purpose is to enable students to obtain a license to practice modern medicine in India or to be eligible for merit-based allocation of PG seats for specialization, effectively replacing NEET PG and INI CET. Additionally, NExT will also be required for foreign medical degree holders who wish to practice medicine in India.
The responsibility of conducting the NExT examination has been entrusted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. They have announced a Mock test on the 28th of July 2023, for which the registration has already begun and the closing date for registration is 10.07.2023. This exam is expected to evaluate the student’s proficiency in both clinical and practical aspects of their learning. To register now, click here.
Exam pattern
The NExT exam will be conducted into two phases:
NExT Step 1
- In step 1, there will be a theoretical MCQ-based online exam of 6 papers.
- The subjects included are:
- Medicine and allied disciplines
- Surgery and allied disciplines
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Otorhinolaryngology/ENT
- Ophthalmology
- NExT step 1 and their supplementary exam will be held twice a year (May & November).
- The candidate can attempt the NExT step 1 a number of times provided the candidate has passed both step 1 and step 2 exam within 10 years of joining the MBBS program.
NExT Step 2
- In step 2, there will be one practical and viva exam covering 7 clinical subjects. This exam will be attempted by the students after the completion of their internship.
- The subjects included are:
- Medicine and allied disciplines
- Surgery and allied disciplines
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics and PMR (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
How NExT is different from NEET PG?
NEET PG | NExT |
NEET PG exam is for students who want to do MD/MS after their MBBS. | NExT exam is a combination of Exit test for MBBS students and PG examination. |
NEET PG exam is only one single-day MCQ-based exam (300 questions) of 3.5 hours. | In NExT exam students have to give two exams (NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2) and qualify both exams. NExT Step 1 is MCQ based exam of 6 papers (540 questions) and NExT Step 2 is a practical and viva exam. |
For NEET PG, students must complete their internship by the date MCI announces every year. | NExT makes you eligible for an internship after you clear NExT Step 1 exam. |
Students need to clear their university exams to get a license to practice Medicine in India. | Students need to qualify for both Step 1 & Step 2 NExT exams to get a license to practice Medicine in India. |
Disclaimer: The above is only proposed & there may be changes in the final draft.