NEXT Exam is Detrimental to Medical Students' Interests: DAK

NEXT Exam is Detrimental to Medical Students' Interests: DAK

Srinagar, June 24: The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) expressed concerns on Saturday, stating that the National Exit Test (NEXT), intended to replace the MBBS final examination, is not in the best interest of medical students.

Dr Nisar ul Hassan, President of DAK, emphasized that medical students already undergo rigorous training and examinations in order to attain their MBBS degrees. The introduction of an additional exit exam, alongside the numerous exams already required during their course, would impose an excessive burden on students.

Under the existing system, medical students are trained in both theoretical and clinical aspects of medical science. However, the implementation of the NEXT exam would compel students to overly prioritize the theoretical part of medicine, potentially hindering the development of their clinical skills.

Dr Hassan further stated that the focus on the decisive exit exam would inevitably lead to a decrease in students' attendance during clinical postings and ward trainings. Consequently, their clinical judgment and communication skills, which are vital for patient care, could be adversely affected. Dr Hassan emphasized the importance of having doctors who prioritize patient care rather than being mere MCQ-cracking robots with no practical experience.

Dr Nisar highlighted that the NEXT exam is also intended to replace NEET-PG and would primarily assess students on clinical subjects and the practical aspects of non-clinical subjects, neglecting the evaluation of their knowledge in basic sciences. He further raised concerns about potential biases in the viva-voce component, to which postgraduate students would be subjected.

Dr Arshad Ali, General Secretary of DAK, explained that the National Medical Commission has proposed the NEXT exam as a replacement for both the MBBS final and NEET-PG examinations. The exam would consist of two parts: Part I being a theoretical examination with multiple-choice questions, and Part II being a practical examination/viva-voce conducted upon completion of the internship.