The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, or FMGE, is really tough for medical graduates who want to practice in India. Every year, not many people pass this exam.
For example, in the December 2025 FMGE session, 23% of the candidates passed. This makes a lot of aspiring doctors wonder: Should I take the FMGE?. If I do, how many times should I try to pass it?
The truth is, you cannot just keep taking the exam every year without a plan. At some point, you need to think about how you're doing and consider other career options that might be better for you.
FMGE Pass Percentage (2023–2025) Sessions
| Session | Pass Percentage |
| June 2023 | 10.20% |
| December 2023 | 20.57% |
| June 2024 | 20.89% |
| December 2024 | 29.62% |
| June 2025 | 18.61% |
| December 2025 | 23.95% |
Why Many FMGE Aspirants Struggle
There are several reasons why the FMGE pass percentage remains low every year. Some common challenges include:
- A vast syllabus covering 19 medical subjects
- Limited clinical exposure during preparation
- Poor exam strategy and time management
- Repeated attempts without analysing mistakes
Because of these challenges, many candidates spend a lot of time preparing for the FMGE without a clear plan. This is where having a plan for how many times you will take the exam becomes important.
How Many Attempts for FMGE are Reasonable?
Many experts think that you should give yourself a chance, but not too many chances. Dr. Akram says that you should set a limit on how many times you will take the exam.
He says:
“In my opinion, FMGE aspirants should give themselves a minimum of four attempts and a maximum of two years. If you are unable to clear the exam within that time, it may be wiser to move on and explore alternative careers such as becoming a Medical Science Liaison (MSL).” - Dr. Akram
This way, you can give the exam a chance and still protect your career in the long run.
Why Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Is a Smart Alternative
Being a Medical Science Liaison is an alternative because you get to work with medicine, research and communication. You help doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals understand medical information.
| Factor | FMGE Path | MSL Career |
| Role | Clinical practice | Scientific liaison in pharma/biotech |
| Requirement | FMGE cleared | Medical degree + communication skills |
| Career Growth | Limited if FMGE fails | High demand globally, diverse opportunities |
| Work-life Balance | Often stressful | Typically better |
| Use of Medical Knowledge | Direct patient care | Applying clinical knowledge in research, pharma, or education |
Many doctors like being Medical Science Liaisons because they get to stay in the medical field without the stress of taking exams over and over. If you think that it will be hard to get a job after this, well, you are wrong. Check out Jobslly, a platform dedicated to healthcare professionals to find the perfect job for them.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the FMGE is an exam, but it should not take over your life. If you follow Dr. Akram’s advice and give yourself four chances within two years, you will have a plan.
If you try your best and still do not pass the FMGE, you can always try a career path like being a Medical Science Liaison. This way, you can use your knowledge and have a successful healthcare career.
Remember: success is not about passing the FMGE; it is about having a healthcare career that is sustainable and rewarding. If you have any more questions or doubts, just reach out to the experts at Academically.
