NEET PG vs NExT Exam 2025: Exam Structure, Comprehensive Details and Guidance etc.

NEET PG vs NExT Exam: NEET PG is an exam for MBBS graduates to get into postgraduate courses testing their knowledge in subjects like Pre-Clinical, Paraclinical and Clinical through multiple-choice questions. On the other hand the NExT exam is a new exam that serves two purposes: it acts as a licensing exam for MBBS graduates and as an entrance exam for PG courses. NExT has two parts: NExT 1 which tests theory-based knowledge and NExT 2 which tests practical clinical skills. While NEET PG focuses on theory, NExT looks at both theory and practical skills.

The Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER) briefly mentioned the NExT exam when announcing the schedule for postgraduate medical admissions in 2024. As students are confused about NEET PG 2025 or NExT 2025, they need to be aware of the upcoming changes in the PG medical entrance process.

NEET PG

MBBS students are currently evaluated through the National Eligibility Entrance Test (Postgraduate) for admission to PG medical courses like MDS, MS, DNB and PG Diploma courses. The exam, conducted by the National Board of Examinations is a computer-based test held once a year.

However, several issues have led to reforms in the current NEET PG Exam Pattern:

1. Focus on Theoretical Knowledge: The exam mainly assesses theoretical knowledge through around 200 multiple-choice questions.
2. Once-a-Year Exam: Since it is held only once a year, there are often significant vacancies leading to a reduction in the qualifying cut-off sometimes even to zero.
3. FMGE Requirement for Foreign Graduates: Graduates who complete their MBBS abroad must pass the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) to be eligible for NEET PG which creates a strain on resources.

NExT Exam

The National Exit Test (NExT) was introduced for the 2019 MBBS batch but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2023, a webinar was held to provide detailed information about the exam.

• Conducting Authority: NExT will be conducted biannually by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in two sessions: Step 1 and Step 2.
• Replaces NEET PG and FMGE: NExT will replace both NEET PG and FMGE and will be held in a computer-based online test format.
• Focus: The exam will assess both theoretical and practical knowledge of medical graduates, unlike NEET PG and FMGE.
• Eligibility: All MBBS graduates will be eligible to appear for NExT 2025 Step 1. After qualifying and completing their internship, they will take NExT 2025 Step 2, which will assess their practical skills.
• Expected Date: NExT 2025 is expected to be held in August 2025 according to the guidelines.

Purpose and Scope of NEET PG or NExT

Here are the purpose and scope of NEET PG or NExT. Lets have a look.

NEET PG: NEET PG remains the main exam for medical graduates seeking admission to postgraduate courses like MD, MS and PG Diplomas in India. It evaluates candidates’ knowledge, skills, and aptitude, determining their eligibility and ranking for programs offered by medical institutions nationwide.

NExT: The National Exit Test (NExT) is designed to transform medical licensure in India. Planned to replace NEET PG, NExT aims to standardize the process of granting medical licenses. It includes two parts: NExT-1 (theoretical) and NExT-2 (practical). This comprehensive exam assesses final-year MBBS students on their understanding, clinical skills, communication, and decision-making abilities.

Transition and Implementation: Currently, NEET PG is still in use, while NExT is under discussion for full-scale implementation. Once implemented, NExT will replace NEET PG, INI-CET (AIIMS, JIPMER exams) and FMGE, streamlining medical licensure and postgraduate admissions in India.

NEET PG and NExT Differences

Here is the comparison between NExT 2025 and NEET PG 2025 in table format:

Aspect	NEET PG	NExT
Purpose	Entrance exam for PG medical courses in India	Standardized test for license to practice medicine and PG admissions in India
Exam Format	Single-stage exam with objective-type questions	Two sessions: Step 1 (theoretical) and Step 2 (practical)
Exam Syllabus	Covers entire MBBS syllabus	Focuses on the final year MBBS part, likely reduced to half
Result	Determines eligibility for PG medical admission	Step 1 results lead to PG admissions; Step 2 required for license and practice eligibility

NEET PG or NExT in 2024 Exam Structure

Before exploring the detailed structures of the NEET PG and NExT exams in 2024, it’s important to understand how these exams are organized and conducted. Both exams are crucial in the journey of medical graduates who aim to specialize in various fields in India.

Feature	NEET PG Exam Structure	NExT Exam Structure
Format	Computer Based test	Two parts: NExT-1 (Theoretical) & NExT-2  (Practical)
Frequency	Annually	Biannually
Questions	200 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)	NExT-1: 540 MCQs
Subjects Covered	19 subjects related to the MBBS curriculum	NExT-1: Major subjects like Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology
Duration	3.5 hours	NExT-1: Spread over three days
Marking Scheme	+4 marks for correct answer	NExT-1: Standardized scoring, NExT-2: Practical and viva assessments
Focus	Theoretical knowledge through MCQs	NExT-1: Theoretical (MCQs), NExT-2: Clinical skills, decision-making and communication skills

NEET PG or NExT Exam Timing

Medical students in India have important choices to make about their postgraduate studies. NEET PG and the proposed NExT exam are two key options. Knowing the schedule and details of these exams is important for planning their future.

Exam	Timing	Details
NEET PG	Can be taken after completing the internship year.	Aspirants typically take NEET PG after completing their mandatory internship.
NExT	Administered during the final year of MBBS.	Final-year MBBS students take NExT, which includes both theoretical and practical components. Preparation time for NExT-1 is shorter due to its timing during the final year.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)