FMGE pass rates are the closest thing families have to an outcome measure for MBBS abroad. Used carefully, they reveal which universities prepare students well. Used carelessly, a single percentage can mislead you badly. Here are the latest figures and how to read them.
Recent FMGE sessions
| Session | Appeared | Passed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 36,300 | 4,635 | about 12.8% |
| December 2025 | 43,933 | 10,264 | about 23.4% |
| June 2025 | 36,034 | 6,707 | 18.6% |
| December 2024 | 45,552 | 13,149 | 28.9% |
| June 2024 | 35,819 | 7,233 | 20.2% |
| December 2023 | 38,535 | 7,781 | 20.2% |
| June 2023 | 24,269 | 2,474 | 10.2% |
Figures as reported from NBEMS results; NBEMS itself does not publish a pass percentage. Last checked: October 2026.
The FMGE in brief
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), usually twice a year, in June and December. It has 300 multiple-choice questions across two parts, covering pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects. The pass mark is 150 out of 300, with no negative marking. It will be replaced by the National Exit Test (NExT) when that is implemented; see NExT vs FMGE.
Why pass rates swing so much
- Repeaters. A large share of candidates in every session are repeating. In June 2026, around 88% of candidates were reported to be repeaters, while first-time takers passed at a much higher rate than the overall figure.
- Paper difficulty. Sessions vary. The June 2026 session, with the lowest pass rate since June 2023, led to protests and a court petition; NBEMS did not lower the cut-off.
- Batch effects. Students whose studies were disrupted by COVID-19 online teaching, the war in Ukraine or other events have taken the exam in large numbers in recent years.
Over a longer period, analyses of NBEMS data put the yearly pass rate at roughly a quarter of candidates: about 26% in 2019, 23% in 2022 and 26% in 2024.
Reading country and university results
NBEMS releases data that analysts break down by country and by institution. When you look at these:
- Look at the number of candidates, not just the percentage. “80% pass rate” from five candidates means little. Prefer universities with dozens or hundreds of candidates.
- Look at several sessions. One good or bad session can be a fluke.
- Ask about first-attempt results. A university whose graduates pass on the first attempt is doing more than one whose graduates pass on the fourth.
- Compare within the same country. The gap between universities in one country is often bigger than the gap between countries.
- Beware of selective claims. Ask the agent or university for the raw numbers and the session, then check them against published data.
Using results to choose a university
Treat licensing results as one of the two most important factors, alongside hospital access, in our 12-criteria comparison. A university with steady, above-average results over several sessions and meaningful candidate numbers is a good sign.
And remember: the strongest predictor of passing is the student’s own preparation. Students who follow an FMGE-focused plan from early in the course, for example with the DocTutorials FMGE course or concept videos and question banks on Lecturio, tend to do far better. See our year-by-year FMGE preparation strategy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the FMGE pass percentage?
It varies by session: about 28.9% in December 2024, 18.6% in June 2025, 23.4% in December 2025 and 12.8% in June 2026. Yearly averages have been around a quarter of candidates.
What is the FMGE passing mark?
150 out of 300, with no negative marking.
Which country has the best FMGE pass rate?
Results vary more between universities than between countries. Look at university-level data across several sessions, with meaningful candidate numbers.
How many attempts are allowed in the FMGE?
There is currently no fixed limit on attempts, but the FMGL rules require the course itself to be completed within 10 years of joining. Check NBEMS’s information bulletin for the current session.
Sources
- FMGE December 2025 and earlier results: Medical Dialogues
- FMGE June 2026 result and aftermath: russianmbbs.com
- Long-term FMGE participation and pass rates: Factly
- NBEMS: natboard.edu.in
