NEET-PG Preparation: A Complete guide on Syllabus, Question Patterns and 2023 Updates

NEET-PG now NEXT, is a National-level competitive examination targeted on qualificatory and rank-based assessment of Medical Graduates for various Government and Private Medical colleges across the country. 

It's a comprehensive evaluation of all 19 subjects one studies in their graduation years followed by the NEET-PG Counseling that calibrates one's preference and candidature for joining one of the Indian medical colleges for their post-graduation. NExT Examination, on the other hand, would be more focused on assessing the Clinical Concepts and applied aspects of Non-Clinical subjects, set to begin 2024 onwards. 

Here’s a complete guide to the NEET-PG Preparation: Syllabus, Patterns and Changes. Refer to the Index below: 

1. Vacancies and Seat Allocations of NEET-PG 2023

1.1 Preparation of NEET-PG Syllabus

2. New Changes in NEET-PG introduced by the NBE

2.1. Exam Pattern of 2023

2.2. Generic Amendments 

3. Syllabus Breakdown 

3.1. Section-wise Distribution

3.2. Question Weightage

4. Mock Tests 

4.1. Preparation Strategy 

4.2. Practice Sites for Mock Tests

4.3. Recommendation Videos

1. Current Vacancies and Allocation of Seats as per the NBE:

NEET-PG 2023, now known as NExT was conducted to fill in for approximately 40,000+ seats in over 6,100 universities, inclusive of government, private, deemed/central, ESIC/AFMS institutes of India.

Among which, the allocations would look like, 26,000+ Doctors Of Medicine (MD), 13,649 Master Of Surgery (MS) and about 1000 PG Diploma.

1.1 Who prepares the NEET-PG Syllabus?

The National Medical Commission (NMC), the official regulatory body, prepares the syllabus for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) following the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2017. However, the brochures consisting of the yearly syllabus and pattern details you refer to are released by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). 

If you’re an aspirant who needs to gain that extra edge in their Medical PG Exam preparations, check out the packages offered by the trusted institution ALLEN NExT. 

Interested? Supercharge your prep in advance with a FREE series of Recall Session Videos retargeting NEET-PG 2023 by the Expert Faculty of ALLEN NExT.

2. What's NEW in the NEET-PG Examination 2023 as per the NBE?

2.1. To speak of the latest, NBE has come up with the revised Exam Patterns and other significant changes for the NEET-PG Exam wherein,

• Objective-type Questions (MCQs) are reduced from 300 to 200.

• Consequently, the maximum scoring marks are also pulled down from previously 1200 to now 800.

• Each Correct response will be awarded with 4 marks, each Incorrect response shall face 1 negative mark (25% deduction) and any/every unattempted question will be neutralized to zero marking.

Note: The estimated timeframe of the examination with a 100 less questions has been kept to the persistent 3 hours 30 mins, meaning the questions you're about to face could be lengthier/more intricate than usual, with an inclination towards conceptual understanding, than the mere skimming and mugging of topics. 

2.2. Other Important Highlights of the 2023 NEET-PG Pattern Revision:

• The examination to be solely attempted via a Computer Network/Online Setup (CBT).

• Regional Languages have been ruled out since 2023, English remains the only standard medium of examination hereon.

• Notably, the official body NBE abstained from providing any definite section/subject-wise distribution of questions in 2023, as we're familiar with finding in their previous brochures.

Note: Giving in to this deliberate ambiguity, and scanning through the immediate previous year questions, the Faculty Experts at ALLEN NExT have suggested to emphasize and deep-dive into the Clinical concepts, among the Preclinical, Clinical and Paraclinical segments, as they're much likely to outweigh the other subjects. 

Here’s a Subject-wise distributed tabulation of all 19 subjects pre-categorized under the 3 segments with comparative question density as per the NEET-PG pattern of 2023:

Pre-Clinical Subjects:
1	Anatomy	17
2	Physiology	17
3	Biochemistry	16
Total No. Of Questions		15
Para-Clinical Subjects:
4	Pathology	25
5	Pharmacology	20
6	Microbiology	20
7	Forensic Medicine	10
8	Social and Preventive Medicine	25
Total No. Of Questions		100
Clinical Subjects:
9	General Medicine Including Dermatology & Venereology & Psychiatry	45
10	General Surgery Including Orthopaedics, Anaesthesia and Radio diagnosis	45
11	Obstetrics and Gynaecology	30
12	Pediatrics	10
13	ENT	10
14	Ophthalmology	10
Total No. Of Questions		150

To speak the truth, it's crucial to deconstruct the patterns and familiarize yourself with the drum-rolls and roller-coasters of becoming a Doctor in advance by thoroughly practicing Mock Tests rather than getting all bamboozled on the examination day. 

3. Mock Tests, Hardwiring your Brain in advance!

Mock Tests exercise your memory, assess your performance on parameters of conceptual understanding, revision and retention, weak spots and strongpoints as well as weaponizes you to detangle tricky integrated-subject questions. So, how about a little on-the-go prep? Kickstart your revision journey with a bundle of Last-minute Cheat Codes ratified by the Specialists themselves. 

3.1. The Correct Strategy and Frequency of Practicing Mock Tests:

While inculcating Mock Tests in your study preparations, ensure they’re credible and highly resonating with the real exam patterns. Check out some amazing Mock tests here. 

• Take 10-12 Mock Tests every week to command the subject-matter with an all-dimensional assessment.

• Begin practicing Mocks around 1 month (4 weeks) prior to your D-Day. Gives you ample time to analyze and reinstate your strategies.

• Contrastingly, begin taking Mocks when you've accomplished at least 50-60% of the syllabus. Just the right time to reconfigure your approaches and leverage your strength subjects to ensure you're clear with what you attempt on the exam day.

• Attempt with a composition approach. Mix and match subjects and test durations. E.g. During your peak productive hours, go for Major Tests, while choosing a snackable Minor Test when you're bored of reading and want to challenge yourself! Take a subject-based Mock upon completion of the subjects or during chronological revision.

Note: With an increase in the integration of subjects coming to light in recent NEET-PG exams and other relevant examinations like INI-CET and FMGE, it's advised to leave no subjects untouched. A one-stop platform to watch  in-depth discussions on the integrated MCQs of NEET-PG 2023 is here.

3.2. Students sincerely watching out for the question patterns, must appear for the following Mock Tests:

• The Official NEET-PG Mock Test by the NBE itself, available on the government's website.

Link: https://nbe.edu.in/

• The Comprehensive Mock Tests by ALLEN NExT, Major Tests (200+ Questions), Minor Tests (50+ Questions) and Subject-specific Tests (200+ Patterned Questions), available for FREE on their application. 

App Download Links:

IOS: https://bit.ly/40Gwv8Q

Android: https://bit.ly/3L9WFuS

3.1. Some Video Recommendations to get you going! 

Mock Tests you can’t afford to miss.

QBanks to practice to stay ahead and acquainted.

Must Know Content curated to help you gain the edge.

We’ll soon be dropping by to bring “5 Preparation Strategies to secure a Top rank in NEET-PG 2024.” Stay Tuned and keep your study paced-up with ALLEN NExT.