Everything Indian MBBS abroad students need to know about the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination.
The Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) is a licensure screening test conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), India. Any Indian citizen who has completed their MBBS from a foreign country must clear FMGE to practice medicine in India.
Important update: The Government of India is transitioning FMGE to the National Exit Test (NExT), which will be a comprehensive two-part exam. NExT Step 1 (theory) and Step 2 (clinical) will apply to both Indian medical graduates and foreign medical graduates (FMGs), creating a unified licensing standard. FMGE will continue until NExT is fully implemented.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 300 MCQs (Single Best Response) |
| Duration | 3.5 hours (210 minutes) |
| Passing Score | 150/300 (50%) |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
| Frequency | Twice a year (June and December) |
| Conducted by | National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
| Country | Approx. FMGE Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| Russia | 20–35% |
| Kazakhstan | 25–40% |
| Philippines | 30–45% |
| Georgia | 25–40% |
| Kyrgyzstan | 20–30% |
| China | 10–20% |
Pass rates vary by batch, preparation, and university. Students from English-medium universities (Philippines) typically perform better due to clinical exposure in English.
Most students who clear FMGE in their first attempt begin preparation from their 3rd or 4th year of MBBS — not after returning to India. Integrate Indian exam-oriented study alongside your regular coursework.
Focus on these subjects which carry higher weightage and are more predictable: Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Pharmacology, Pathology, Community Medicine, Paediatrics
Use a 3-revision system: read once, revise after 1 week, revise again 1 month before the exam. Use flashcards or short notes for high-yield facts.
Take full-length 300-question mock tests under timed conditions at least 4 weeks before the exam. Analyse wrong answers — understanding the "why" prevents repeat mistakes.
Have questions about FMGE prep? Talk to a counselor — we'll connect you with FMGE-cleared doctors who studied at your target university.
We match you with universities that have above-average FMGE pass rates and strong clinical programs.
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