FMGE Revision: High-Yield Topics You Can’t Afford to Miss

The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is an examination that Indian and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) can sit for when they have pursued medical education abroad and would like to practise medicine in India. The examination takes place twice annually in June and December, conducted by the National Boards of Examination (NBE).
The next FMGE test for January 2026 will take place on 17 January 2026, and the registrations for the exam are anticipated to open in November 2025. This guide explains the most significant high-yield FMGE topics, subject-wise trends, and efficient last-month revision techniques to enable you to study wisely and achieve a better score.
Keep reading!
Reason to Focus on FMGE High-Yield Topics
Studying high-yield topics for FMGE revision is the most intelligent approach to maximising your score within a shorter duration. With 19 subjects and a voluminous FMGE 2025 syllabus, it is not possible to cover everything thoroughly. Learning high-yield areas of study makes you study tactfully and deliver your best on the day of the exam.
High-yield topics are those that:
- Have recurred in the past FMGE question papers
- Have firm clinical significance and conceptual worth
- Provide speedy, high-marking potential upon careful revision
Focusing on such questions guarantees your optimal usage of the limited time and the highest possible performance in exams.
FMGE Subject-Wise Weightage
The FMGE exam comprises pre-clinical, clinical, and para-clinical subjects. The following section gives you a detailed insight into subject-wise weightage so that you can focus on the high-yield areas for your preparation for the FMGE examination.
Pre- and Para-Clinical Subjects (100 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
| Anatomy | 17 |
| Physiology | 17 |
| Biochemistry | 17 |
| Pathology | 13 |
| Microbiology | 13 |
| Pharmacology | 13 |
| Forensic Medicine | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Clinical Subjects (200 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
| Medicine & Allied Subjects | |
| Medicine | 33 |
| Psychiatry | 5 |
| Dermatology & STD | 5 |
| Radiotherapy | 5 |
| General Surgery & Allied Subjects | |
| General Surgery | 32 |
| Anaesthesiology | 5 |
| Orthopaedics | 5 |
| Radiodiagnosis | 5 |
| Other Clinical Subjects | |
| Paediatrics | 15 |
| Ophthalmology | 15 |
| Otorhinolaryngology | 15 |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 30 |
| Community Medicine | 30 |
| Total | 200 |
Clinical vs Pre-Clinical Subject-Wise Weightage
Knowing the FMGE subject weightage assists you in organising your study time most efficiently:
- Clinical Subjects (60%) — Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Community Medicine, ENT, and Ophthalmology account for most of the marks.
- Preclinical and Paraclinical Subjects (40%) — Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine account for the remaining marks.
Trend Analysis of Weightage
Based on the insights from past FMGE papers:
- There’s increasing emphasis placed on pathophysiology and the integration of pharmacotherapy.
- National health programmes and NMC-suggested topics are asked more frequently.
- The exam in the present time emphasises clarity in concepts rather than memorisation by rote, examining actual understanding instead of recall.
Top High-Yield Subjects and Topics for FMGE Revision
The following sections explain high-yield topics across the 19 subjects in the FMGE syllabus. Aspiring candidates can use this subject-wise breakdown to target the important and clinically relevant areas:
| Subject | Important High-Yield Topics |
| 1. Anatomy | Brachial plexus and lesions, cranial nerves, foramina contents, limb nerve injuries, embryology (pharyngeal arches, heart), histology of liver, kidney, glands |
| 2. Physiology | Renal clearance & acid-base balance, ECG & cardiac cycle, compliance & V/Q mismatch, endocrine feedback loops, sensory pathways & reflexes |
| 3. Biochemistry | Enzyme kinetics & inhibition, vitamin deficiencies, metabolism (glycolysis, TCA, urea), molecular biology (DNA, RNA), clinical case-based questions |
| 4. Pathology | Cell injury, acute/chronic inflammation, hallmarks of cancer & tumour markers, anaemia & leukaemia types, hypersensitivity reactions, systemic diseases |
| 5. Microbiology | Gram +ve/-ve organisms, viruses (HIV, Hepatitis, COVID), superficial/systemic mycoses, malaria & leishmania, basic immunology & vaccines |
| 6. Pharmacology | Autonomic drugs, antibiotics (MOA & resistance), anticancer drugs, CNS & CV drugs, ADRs and antidotes |
| 7. Forensic Medicine | Medicolegal IPC sections, types of injuries, poisoning (OPC, alcohol, acids), postmortem signs, and legal duties of a doctor |
| 8. PSM (Community Medicine) | Epidemiological studies & statistics, vaccine schedule & cold chain, health committees/programs, levels of prevention, NHM initiatives |
| 9. Ophthalmology | Visual pathways, cataracts, glaucoma types, conjunctivitis & corneal ulcers, fundus changes in systemic disease |
| 10. ENT | Ear anatomy & hearing tests, otitis media, tonsillitis, nasal polyps & epistaxis, vestibular disorders, laryngeal anatomy |
| 11. Medicine | Diabetes & thyroid disorders, hypertension & heart failure, stroke & epilepsy, infectious diseases (TB, HIV, dengue), ECG & ABG interpretation |
| 12. Surgery | Shock types & fluid therapy, thyroid & breast surgery, hernias, burns classification & management, trauma protocol (ATLS) |
| 13. Obstetrics & Gynaecology | ANC protocols, preeclampsia/eclampsia, partograph & fetal monitoring, contraception & MTP Act, gynaecological cancers |
| 14. Paediatrics | Growth milestones, vaccine-preventable diseases, neonatal jaundice/sepsis, pediatric emergencies, malnutrition |
| 15. Orthopaedics | Fractures (Colles’, supracondylar), bone tumours, infections, orthopaedic splints/casts, arthritis & osteoporosis |
| 16. Dermatology | Bacterial/viral/fungal infections, urticaria, eczema, autoimmune conditions (pemphigus), STDs, topical drugs |
| 17. Psychiatry | Depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, suicide risk, defence mechanisms, substance abuse & detox drugs |
| 18. Radiology | Imaging basics (X-ray, CT, MRI), signs in TB, pneumothorax, fractures, contrast studies, anatomy on images, radiation safety |
| 19. Anesthesiology | General/regional anaesthesia, airway management, CPR, BLS/ACLS, spinal & epidural blocks, intraoperative monitoring |
Top 10 High-Yield Subjects for the FMGE Exam
The above section gave you a brief overview of the necessary topics in all 19 subjects included in the FMGE syllabus. Now, the following section has narrowed down the top 10 high-yield subjects that you can focus on during your revisions.
Tackling these areas will help candidates cover the frequently asked questions:
| Subject | High-Yield Topics | Revision Tip |
| Anatomy | Brachial plexus & limb nerve injuries – Thorax (heart & lungs) Cranial nerves & brainstem Embryology (pharyngeal arches) | Use diagrams, 3D apps, cadaver images; expect image-based questions |
| Physiology | ECG & cardiac cycle – Respiration & blood gas exchange Acid-base balance & renal clearance Endocrine feedback loops | Focus on concepts, flowcharts, and graph-based questions |
| Pathology | Cell injury & adaptations Inflammation & healing Anaemia & leukaemia Renal, liver, lung pathology | Use tables/flowcharts; study histopathology images |
| Pharmacology | ANS drugs Antibiotics & resistance CNS & cardiovascular drugs Chemotherapy & adverse reactions | Draw classification charts; use mnemonics & revision cards |
| Microbiology | Bacteriology (TB, Staph, Strep) Virology (HIV, Hepatitis) Parasitology (Malaria, Leishmania) Diagnostic tests & sterilisation | Use flashcards; revise immunology, and link bugs with diseases |
| Community Medicine | Biostatistics & epidemiology National health programmes Vaccination schedules Occupational & environmental health | Revise tables daily; focus on NMC-recommended topics |
| Medicine | Cardiovascular: MI, CHFRespiratory Tract Diseases: TB, COPD, AsthmaNeurology: Stroke, seizuresEndocrine: Diabetes, thyroid disorders | Focus on common diseases, diagnosis, and management; practise case-based questions |
| Surgery | Shock, burns, wound healingHernias, thyroid & breast surgeryOrthopaedic fractures & dislocationsUrology infections | Practise X-ray, surgical instruments, and image-based questions |
| Paediatrics | Growth milestones Neonatal jaundice, birth asphyxia Malnutrition & vitamin deficiencies Vaccination schedule | Focus on milestones, emergencies, and practical vaccination use |
| OBG | Labour & delivery stages Eclampsia & high-risk pregnancies PCOD, fibroids, gynaecological issues Contraception & sterilisation | Keep pregnancy charts handy, revise female reproductive anatomy, and know contraceptive indications. |
Last-Minute Revision Tips Before the FMGE Exam
- Prioritise Accuracy over Quantity: FMGE examination results don’t focus on ranks. To pass, candidates need to score at least 150 out of 300 marks (50%). Therefore, focus on revising the subjects you have learnt, instead of learning new topics last-minute superficially.
- Schedule and Structure Your Time Accordingly: One effective way to structure your study schedule is to use 3-hour study blocks. Set specific goals that you can achieve during these blocks and add short breaks in between. Avoid unnecessary distractions.
- Stick to Trusted Notes: Avoid picking up new books or resources in the final week. Rely on your existing revision notes and refer to detailed material only if a concept needs quick clarification.
- Maintain Your Health: Good sleep, proper rest, and diet are non-negotiable when you are preparing for examinations like FMGE. Good health will support memory retention, focus, and mental stamina, which are necessary for long study hours.
FMGE Exam Important Information and Dates
Here is a quick overview of the key details and important dates for the FMGE examination so that you can plan your FMGE 2025 preparation and schedules effectively:
FMGE Exam 2025: Key Details
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | FMGE |
| FMGE Full Form | Foreign Medical Graduate Examination |
| Conducting Body | National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
| Official Website | https://natboard.edu.in/ |
| Exam Level | Licensing Examination |
| Frequency | Twice a year (June and December) |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Total Questions | 300 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Exam Duration | Part A – 150 minutes Part B – 150 minutes |
| Registration Fee | ₹6,195 |
| Number of Test Cities | 50 |
FMGE Exam 2025: Important Dates
Stay updated with these FMGE 2025 dates and plan your preparation well in advance to avoid last-minute stress:
| FMGE 2025 Events | Important Dates |
| FMGE 2025 Registration Begins | November 2025 (Tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | 10 January 2026 (Tentative) |
| FMGE 2025 Exam Date | 17 January 2026 |
| FMGE 2025 Result Declaration | February 2026 |
FMGE Exam Pattern
The FMGE exam is a computer-based test conducted in English. It features a total of 300 multiple-choice questions that are split into two parts: Pre-Clinical & Para-Clinical (Part A) and Clinical (Part B). A minimum score of 50% (150 marks) is required to pass the exam.
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Number of Questions | 300 |
| Question Type | MCQs |
| Language | English |
| Exam Duration | 5 hours (2 sessions) |
| Passing Criteria | Minimum 50% (150/300) |
| Session Details | Part A: 150 questions (Pre-Clinical & Para-Clinical) Part B: 150 questions (Clinical) |
FAQs about FMGE Revision
- What are high-yield topics for FMGE revision?
High-yield topics are the most recurring or frequently asked scoring areas that appear on the FMGE exam. They help improve your overall score in the examination if you focus on them well during revision.
- Why should I focus on high-yield topics before FMGE?
Focusing on high-yield topics makes sense because, with only limited days left for examination, trying to cover every last detail isn’t practical. By focusing on key areas, you can learn how to get the most out of your study time. Because the exam weighs different subjects differently (some topics count for more marks than others), you’ll get a much better return on your study time by putting in the extra effort in high-yield areas.
- How can high-yield topics improve my FMGE score?
By revising the topics that keep getting asked, you increase your chances of coming across familiar themes and questions. You also make your study time count a lot more: instead of giving a brief once-over to everything, you go in-depth enough on the high-yield areas and feel confident in your answers. Many important topics are connected across different subjects, like how physiology relates to medicine and then to surgery. By mastering these topics, you can make progress in several subjects at once.
- Which subjects should I prioritise for high-yield revision?
Subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Pathology, and Medicine contain many high-yield topics, which should be prioritised for efficient and focused revision.
- What strategies should I use for last month’s FMGE revision?
With the subject-wise weightage in mind, where some subjects hold more importance than others, it makes sense to allocate study time accordingly, where candidates should give the high-weight subjects a bit more time. Avoid getting tempted to start learning new topics. The focus should be on reinforcing what you have learnt, ironing out those weak spots, and getting all those bits and bobs locked in.
- Which is the most scoring subject in FMGE?
One of the highest-scoring subjects in the FMGE examination is Community Medicine. The subject mostly consists of facts and has high weightage.
- How important are image-based questions in FMGE?
Image-based MCQs mostly appear across multiple subjects like Anatomy, Radiology, Pathology and Surgery. Thus, practising image-based questions becomes important as they can help you boost your overall score.
- Should I study all 19 subjects or focus on only the high-yield topics?
Analysis of the subject-wise weightage shows that there are some topics from which questions are asked more, and certain topics recur a lot (eg, Medicine, Surgery and Community Medicine). Therefore, a proper strategy would be to cover all the subjects properly at least once so that you don’t miss any question that appears during the exam.
Conclusion
Preparing yourself for FMGE involves strategic revision, targeted practice, and effective time management. Efficient revision of high-yield topics, studying based on subject-wise weightage, and practising MCQs and image-based questions can really boost your performance.
Be the master of your FMGE preparation, prioritise what is most important to you, and apply these high-yield insights to study more efficiently, not diligently, so that you walk into the exam hall feeling confident and ready to perform.
To help enhance your FMGE preparation, DocTutorials offers animated video lectures, concise high-yield notes, mock tests, live sessions with experts, and more.
Simplify FMGE preparation with DocTutorials today!
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