Is NEET Mandatory to Study MBBS Abroad?

Is NEET compulsory for MBBS abroad?

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a standardised test for all indian students to assess their knowledge in subjects like biology, physics, and chemistry. These are preliminary subjects required to study additional medical subjects. Moreover, the subjects in the medical course (MBBS) demand theoretical knowledge so that students can comprehend tedious medical subjects. Here, we discuss all the key details of the NEET exam and explore all possible ways to study MBBS abroad without qualifying for the exam.

The NMC Guidelines

According to the National Medical Commission guidelines, students who clear NEET can practice in India. This implies that candidates who intend to pursue MBBS abroad and wish to return to India for practice must clear NEET with at least 50% percentile (passing percentile). Students who fail to comply with this NMC rule can no longer practice in India as they are not eligible to obtain an eligibility certificate, which is further required to take the FMGE exam. So all the necessary stages of acquiring a practising license in India require a NEET score.

Note: Students who wish to study MBBS abroad do not need the NEET score for admission. Although some foreign colleges or universities accept NEET scores for admission, others have their own entrance tests or evaluate students based on the eligibility criteria.

Also read -

• NMC guidelines for MBBS abroad

• Countries that accept the NEET score for MBBS

Possible ways to study MBBS abroad without NEET

As students do not need a NEET score for admission to medical colleges abroad, it is advised to check the eligibility criteria and admission process of their preferred colleges. Students who fulfil the eligibility criteria can enrol in the MBBS abroad colleges without any complications, even if they are not qualified for NEET.

These are the procedures to study MBBS abroad without NEET

Entrance Exams

Each country has its own entrance exam to assess students for admission to the medical colleges and universities. All the top countries, such as the USA, UK, China, and Italy, consider students based on their performance in entrance exams. Below is a list of medical entrance exams to study abroad:

IMAT: International Medical Admission Test is an exam conducted by the Educational Ministry of Italy for students who are planning to pursue a medical course

MCAT: Medical College Admission Test is conducted in the USA and Canada. All the students need to clear their pre-medical course to appear for this exam

NMAT: National Medical Admission Test is conducted in the Philippines after completing a pre-medical course for admission to the MD course.

UCAT: Universal Clinical Aptitude Test is a test conducted in both the UK and Australia to test candidates’ efficiency after their pre-medical course for admission to medical colleges.

CSCA: China Scholastic Competency Assessment is a test conducted in China by the Educational Ministry of China to evaluate students’ background knowledge in maths, biology, physics, and chemistry.

TMS & TestAS: Test for Medical Studies and Test for Academic Studies are tests for students who intend to pursue a medical course in Germany. TMS is for the medical course, while TestAS is for all students to assess general and subject-specific abilities.

Note: Certain countries, such as Canada, Australia, and the Philippines, require a pre-medical course for admission to the medical colleges. It is essential to check their official website or prospectus to confirm their course structure and eligibility criteria.

Also read -

• MBBS abroad eligibility criteria and admission requirements.

• Study MBBS in China

• MBBS Abroad without NEET

Choose an English-taught MBBS abroad

The Indian students need to choose English-taught medical courses to ensure that the whole curriculum is taught and the licensing exam is conducted in English. While a few countries don’t require clearing the exam to obtain a license to practice, other countries conduct licensing exams in a foreign language. It is essential for students to review these details thoroughly to ensure that the curriculum and the licensing exam do not hinder the candidate's progress.

Also check - MBBS abroad for Indian students

Pre-medical course (optional)

The pre med courses consist of preliminary subjects required for medical courses. In countries such as Canada, the USA, and Australia, students cannot be enrolled in medical courses as these are considered post-graduate courses. So, in order to fulfil the eligibility criteria for the PG course, candidates need to complete an undergraduate course that includes fundamental sciences such as biology, chemistry, and other life sciences.

Students who wish to study MBBS in countries such as Canada, the USA, and Australia can pursue pre-medical studies to be eligible.

Clinical practice in the country of study

Students planning to study MBBS abroad without NEET are only able to practice in their country of study. According to the guidelines of the National Medical Commission, students who fail to clear the NEET eligibility criteria are not allowed to practice in India, as they are ineligible to obtain a practising license.

So, choosing a foreign country to study MBBS without NEET is a better option for students if they wish to practice in the same country.

Also read - Can I practice in India after MBBS abroad?