Top Reasons Why International MBBS Graduates Fail FMGE

Despite having years of medical training, many foreign medical graduates struggle to pass this important exam. The reasons why international MBBS graduates fail FMGE include differences in syllabus, limited clinical exposure, insufficient exam preparation and more. These challenges are due to the difference in educational quality and syllabus abroad, which creates a knowledge and skills gap when compared to the Indian medical education system. The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is an important medical licensing exam for Indian students who have earned their MBBS degrees abroad and want to practice medicine in India. This exam is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) and has a low pass percentage. Read along to understand the common reasons why international MBBS graduates fail FMGE and more.

This Story also Contains

1. Reasons Why International MBBS Graduates Fail FMGE
2. Previous Year’s FMGE Passing Percentage
3. Conclusion:

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Reasons Why International MBBS Graduates Fail FMGE

FMGE is an important and challenging exam to clear. The syllabus of the exam is vast and requires time to prepare for it. Moreover FMGE is conducted only twice a year, in June and December. This gives the graduates limited time to prepare and appear for the exam. However, there are multiple reasons why international MBBS graduates fail FMGE. Some of the most common reasons are listed below.

Vast FMGE Syllabus

The FMGE has a vast syllabus that includes around 20 subjects of the MBBS curriculum. With limited time to study, it gets very challenging for medical students to prepare for all 20 subjects. The subjects involved in FMGE are:

• Anatomy

• Physiology

• Biochemistry

• Pathology

• Microbiology

• Pharmacology

• Pediatrics

• Ophthalmology

• Otorhinolaryngology

• Obstetrics & Gynaecology

• Community Medicine

• General Surgery

• Anesthesiology

• Orthopedics

• Forensic Medicine

• Radiodiagnosis

• Medicine

• Radiotherapy

• Dermatology & Std

• Psychiatry

Difference in MBBS Curriculum

When it comes to medical universities abroad, the curriculum can be quite different from that taught in India. Subjects such as community medicine, forensic medicine, and preventive medicine, which are crucial for the FMGE, often get limited attention. Additionally, foreign medical schools tend to have their own unique curricula and teaching styles that differ from those of Indian medical colleges. Many of these institutions might not focus on the specifics of the Indian medical system, which is essential for the FMGE exam.

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Lack of Clinical Exposure

Having clinical exposure is mandatory for MBBS graduates abroad to appear for the FMGE as per the NMC guidelines to study MBBS abroad. In some countries, medical students might not have any direct clinical experience with patients, which is important for improving their practical skills. Without enough practical training, students find it difficult to deal with case-based or application-based questions in the FMGE.

Language and Cultural Barriers Abroad

In many MBBS universities abroad, particularly in countries where English is not the primary language, students often encounter language barriers during their clinical rotations. Even though the MBBS course is taught in English, the clinical training requires students to deal with real patients in that country. To communicate with these patients, students must be aware of the local language. This can limit their interactions with patients and the hands-on experience they gain.

Poor Time Management

A lot of students start to prepare for the FMGE after they have completed their MBBS degree abroad. This leads to limited time for preparation. As FMGE is conducted only twice a year, students get only a few months to revise and prepare the vast FMGE syllabus. With nearly 20 subjects to revise, a lack of proper planning results in incomplete preparation and is one of the common reasons international MBBS graduates fail FMGE.

Lack of Quality Guidance & Coaching

International MBBS graduates often lack the necessary resources, coaching centers, or study materials designed for the FMGE exam. In contrast to Indian medical students who have proper coaching to prepare for any type of medical examination, international graduates struggle to find specialized FMGE coaching institutes abroad. Without the right strategy, study material, and coaching, several students fail the FMGE.

Previous Year’s FMGE Passing Percentage

It is important to understand the previous year’s FMGE passing percentage to compare the performance. Even though thousands of students appear for the FMGE every year, only a few pass the exam. The table below states the percentage from 2021 - 2024.

The table clearly states that over the past four years, the FMGE passing rate has not exceeded 30%. In 2023, the passing percentage increased to 30.77%; however, in 2024, the percentage dropped by 4.97%. These recent trends show that the FMGE is quite a challenging exam.

Conclusion:

It is important to remember that there is no fixed reason as to why international MBBS graduates fail FMGE. It all depends on how prepared they are for the exam. It is highly recommended that those who aspire to study MBBS abroad and practice medicine in India must prepare for the FMGE as and they are studying abroad. This will give them enough time to make a strong study plan and prepare well. In addition, aim for countries that follow a curriculum that matches the Indian medical standards. This way, they will be studying the FMGE syllabus with their MBBS syllabus.

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