FMGE Pattern & distribution
FMGE/MCI Exam/MCI screening test is a standard exam implemented to validate the degrees of FMGs from various countries to tally the Indian standard since September 2002.
Computerized MCQ exam conducted in various centers all over India with 300 different types of MCQs where FMGs have to score 150 in order to pass.
FMGE/MCI Exam/MCI screening test Format:
| Particulars |
Details |
| Mode of exam |
- Computer-based exam (online)
|
| Number of sessions |
- Part A and Part B (both conducted on one day)
|
| Time allotted |
- 300 minutes
- Part A: 150 minutes @ 9.00
- Lunch break: 11.30-14.00
- Part B: 150 minutes @ 14.00
|
| Type of questions |
|
| Number of questions |
|
| Language |
|
| Negative marking |
|
| Syllabus |
- Questions will be based on MBBS curriculum
|
| Attempts |
|
| Criteria to pass the exam |
|
FMGE subject wise marks distribution (Blueprint vs Reality):
| A-Pre & para-clinical subjects: 100 marks |
| Subject |
Blueprint |
Calculated from past papers |
| 1. Anatomy |
17 MCQs |
23.25 MCQs (7.75 %) |
| 2. Physiology |
17 MCQs |
20.88 MCQs (6.96%) |
| 3. Biochemistry |
17 MCQs |
16.47 MCQs (5.49%) |
| 4. Pathology |
13 MCQs |
17.7 MCQs (5.90%) |
| 5. Microbiology |
13 MCQs |
16.47 MCQs (5.49%) |
| 6. Pharmacology |
13 MCQs |
20.73 MCQs (6.91%) |
| 7. Forensic medicine |
10 MCQs |
10.17 MCQs (3.39%) |
| B – Clinical subjects: 200 marks |
| 1. Medicine & allied subjects |
| Subject |
Blueprint |
Calculated from past papers |
| 1. Medicine |
33 MCQs |
27.78 MCQs (9.26%) |
| 2. Psychiatry |
5 MCQs |
5.25 MCQs (1.75%) |
| 3. Dermatology & STD |
5 MCQs |
5.4 MCQs (1.80%) |
| 4. Radiotherapy |
5 MCQs |
1.68 MCQs (0.56%) |
| 2. General Surgery & allied subjects |
| Subject |
Blueprint |
Calculated from past papers |
| 1. General surgery |
32 MCQs |
30.57 MCQs (10.19%) |
| 2. Anesthesiology |
5 MCQs |
3.33 MCQs (1.11%) |
| 3. Orthopedics |
5 MCQs |
7.29 MCQs (2.43%) |
| 4. Radiodiagnosis |
5 MCQs |
3.51 MCQs (1.17%) |
| 3. Other subjects |
| Subject |
Blueprint |
Calculated from past papers |
| 3. Pediatrics |
15 MCQs |
8.64 MCQs (2.88%) |
| 4. Ophthalmology |
15 MCQs |
17.19 MCQs (5.73%) |
| 5. Otorhinolaryngology |
15 MCQs |
9.93 MCQs (3.31%) |
| 6. Obstetrics & Gynecology |
30 MCQs |
25.44 MCQs (8.48%) |
| 7. Community medicine |
30 MCQs |
27.78 MCQs (9.26%) |
- NB: Blueprint gives an idea of the overall distribution, therefore, it’s not rigid & subjected to altered (there are variations in the distribution in every attempt)
|
FMGE MCQ Pattern:
- Simple Recall/ fact-based MCQs: Answers based on the simple recall of the facts.
- Problem Solving/ conceptual MCQs:
- Statement/task-based questions.
- Compare & contrast questions.
- Case-Based questions: limited clinical situation, followed by a question pertaining to the case (Direct or indirect).
- IBQ: Images of gross, photomicroscope, radiograph, process (Chain of Cause/Effect) & graphs with direct or indirect (simple recall or conceptual) stem.
- Pilot questions: No clarity about pilot questions in FMGE/NBE (Can be any of the above-mentioned types).
- NB: We have no information regarding the FMGE-pilot questions that are usually included in various FMGEs like AMC to evaluate the new pattern of questions to be included in the coming years (they are marked as the pilot questions & they are not included in your final scores).
Change of Pattern:
| Type of MCQs |
< 2012 |
2013-17 |
2018-19 |
2020 |
2021? |
| Simple Recall MCQs |
90% |
75% |
60% |
20% |
15-20% |
| Conceptual MCQs |
10% |
20% |
30 -35% |
55% |
55-60% |
| IBQs |
0% |
5% |
5 -10% |
25% |
25-30% |
Prediction of 2021 Pattern?
- It’s quite obvious that NBE wants to convert all the memory/simple recall-based exams to the “critical thinking & clinical application” based exams.
- Expected 2021 pattern:
- Simple Recall MCQs: 15-20%
- Conceptual MCQs: 55-60%
- IBQs: 25-30%
- Background:
- Implementation of NEXT the scheme/pattern of the NEXT exam is based on the aims & outlines mentioned above.
- NEXT pattern (540 MCQs): 60% will be problem-solving + 30% comprehension & analysis & only 10% recall!
- You can expect that 2020-2022 is the transient period from FMGE/NEET-PG to NEXT, therefore, the NBE will start to increase the number of problem-solving + comprehension & analysis MCQs in these years to probe & evaluate the NEXT pattern to be implemented through the feedback in real-time.
- You can expect a drastic rise in the conceptual, case-based & image-based questions from the 2020s.
- It’s wise to emphasize that the screening exams around the world USMLE, PLAB, AMC, ERPM & MCCQE do not test tests the ability of students to recall but test your ability to apply your knowledge to comprehend + analyze & evaluate the common clinical scenarios that have to be professionally tackled by the future doctors in the appropriate counties (Check the statement in the introduction to PLAB exam1).
- The pattern of NBE exams including FMGE has been changing since 2012. In 2012 the Health ministry instructed the MCI that India has to modify the exam to ensure that our graduates tally the international standard, therefore, MCI/NBE should make sure that Indian doctors are updated with the current trends & proficient enough to apply the knowledge to comprehend + analyze & evaluate the clinical scenarios.
Analysis of the FMGE Pattern per attempt
| Average MCQ distribution (Type of MCQs) |
| Type |
Description |
Average % |
| A. Simple Recall |
1. Fact-based MCQ where answering depending on Simple Recall |
Around 20 % |
| B. Problem Solving/ conceptual |
2. Statement/task-based questions |
Around 50% |
| 3. Compare & contrast questions |
| 4. Case-Based questions: limited clinical situations |
| C. Image based question |
5. Images of gross, photomicroscope, radiograph, process (Chain of Cause/Effect) & graphs) |
Around 30% |
