MBBS - Course Admissions and Eligibility

Overview of MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery):

M.B.B.S. or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery is composed of 2 Words, M.B. - 'Medicinae Baccalaureus' (Bachelor of Medicine in Latin) and B.S. - 'Bachelor of Surgery' (in English). Though the name suggests 2 separate degrees, however, it is only 1 degree. It is an Undergraduate Academic Degree Course dealing with Medicine and Surgery. The Duration of M.B.B.S. course extends over a period of 4 ½ academic years which are divided into 9 semesters. Each semester is of 6 months duration. After the completion of an academic study, a candidate has to complete 1 year of compulsory rotating internship. Each semester consists of approximately 120 teaching days. All over the duration of M.B.B.S. is 5 ½ years. M.B.B.S is required to become a Doctor of Allopathic Medicine. Candidates are given an in depth and proper knowledge of human body through theory, practical experience in the dissection of bodies and observing various types of surgeries.

M.B.B.S. is suited best, for those who have a scientific bend of mind and those who want to serve humanity. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery is the most coveted of all the Medical Degrees in India. As of 2011, M.B.B.S. is not available through distance education though there was a report regarding the introduction of M.B.B.S. through correspondence in Times of India, according to which Max Healthcare and US-based Oceania University were in regular touch with MCI (Medical Council of India) over the distance M.B.B.S. program in November 2007. MCI is a medical body which maintains uniform standards of medical education, both undergraduate and postgraduate.

M.B.B.S. Eligibility:

To obtain M.B.B.S. admission the basic criteria is that a candidate should have scored more than 50% marks in physics, chemistry and biology aggregate in their 10+2 grade.
To get medical school entry, one needs to appear for Common Entrance Test (CET) and All India Medical Entrance Examination (AIMEE). The candidate needs to appear for All India Pre Medical Entrance Test for admission to 15% of the total seats for medical and dental courses in all medical and dental colleges run by the Union of India. This test is conducted by Central board of Secondary education.
A basic requirement for applying for medical entrance tests is that the student should be at least 17 years old on or before 31st December of the year of admission. Upper age limit, where specified, is 25 years. Typically, Written tests have questions from physics, chemistry, and biology (botany and zoology). In general, the mix of questions is such that the focus on biology, which is a combination of zoology and botany, is as much as that on physics and chemistry together.
Most of the time there is negative marking for a wrong answer. This would be indicated in the information bulletin or prospectus. Some medical entrance tests also have a few questions on general knowledge, personality and intelligence assessment or English language. The states also conduct their own Pre Medical Entrance Examination for domiciled candidates.

Admission Procedure:

The admission to the particular course is based on the marks obtained in an enrance exam conducted on national/state/college level.
One must have scored 50% marks in his/her 10+2 or any other equivalent exam in science stream with biology as one of their main subject.
Most of the colleges give admission on the basis of the marks scored in NEET or AIPMT exam.
The candidate should be of 17 to 25 years of age.

Entrance Exams:

AIPMT
AIIMS
JIPMER
UPCPMT
NEET
UPMT
COMEDK
WBJEE Medical
BHU Medical Test
AFMC
Karnataka CET
CGPMT
MP DMAT

Entrance Exam Pattern:

These exams are mostly pen and paper or online. Some have negative marking and some of them do not. One must be prepared and thorough with their 10+2 syllabus as the questions are based on the syllabus of physics, chemistry and biology. Some of the exams include questions in english, personality and aptitude.