MBBS in China Q&AMenuWhat is the FMGE exam pattern?
Unofficial · Sources checked
The FMGE (Screening Test) is the examination that Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India with a primary medical qualification from outside India must pass for registration in India, and for the October 2026 session the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), India, sets it as one computer-based paper of 300 multiple-choice questions in English only, in two parts of 150 questions each, with a pass mark of 150 out of 300. NBEMS conducts the test under the Screening Test Regulations 2002; its role is limited to conducting the test, publishing the result and handing it to the National Medical Commission (India) and the State Medical Councils.
For the registration steps that follow the test, see this site's licensing exams page.
Scheme of the examination
The facts below are from chapter 5 of the FMGE (Screening Test) October 2026 Information Bulletin, version 2.2, published by NBEMS, India, and apply to the October 2026 session.
| Feature | Detail (October 2026 session) |
|---|---|
| Paper | One paper |
| Questions | 300 multiple-choice questions |
| Mode | Computer network |
| Language | English only; 4 response options per question |
| Parts | Two parts on a single day, 150 questions each |
| Time per part | 150 minutes plus up to 3 minutes for attendance and verification, giving 153 minutes per part |
| Break | A scheduled break between the two parts |
| Pass mark | Minimum 150 marks out of 300 |
| Negative marking | None |
| Part marks | Marks for Part I and Part II are not published |
| Re-totaling / re-evaluation / grace marks | No provision |
| Attempts | No restriction on number of attempts; once a candidate qualifies, they shall not be eligible to take FMGE again |
Section timing rule
The question paper for each part is divided into multiple time-bound sections. The bulletin gives an example of three sections (A, B and C) in each part, each with 50 questions and 50 minutes, plus 1 minute for manual or digital attendance and verification. A candidate may not move to the next section until the allotted time for the previous section ends, and may not review or change answers in a section after its time ends; the next section starts automatically. The number of sections may vary with the total number of questions and operational feasibility.
A candidate may mark any question, attempted or not, for review and may go through those questions again before the section's time ends. Questions marked for review are evaluated under the marking scheme.
Candidates should read their admit card and chapter 5 of the bulletin for reporting and session timings; the bulletin's reporting-time table is not reproduced here. This bulletin is for the October 2026 session, and each session has its own bulletin.
Related questions
Is there negative marking in FMGE?
Chapter 5 of the October 2026 bulletin states there shall be no negative marking.
How many times can a candidate take FMGE?
Chapter 5 of the October 2026 bulletin states there is no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate may avail. However, FMGE being a qualifying examination, once a candidate qualifies, they shall not be eligible to take FMGE again, and any examination taken in violation of this clause shall be treated as void and cancelled.
Are marks for each part published?
Chapter 5 of the October 2026 bulletin states that marks obtained in Part I and Part II shall not be published.
Sources
- FMGE (Screening Test) October 2026 Information Bulletin, version 2.2 — National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), India
Checked 11 October 2026.
This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or professional-licensing advice, is not published by the bodies named, promises no admission, examination or registration outcome, and the official text and the regulator's own instructions prevail if they differ.