The National Registration Examination (NRE) 2024 has been designed under Section 18 of PM&DC ACT 2022. lt has been developed and will be administered to gauge the ability of MBBS graduates’ competence to practice independently. Passing the NRE (both the theory
and clinical skills examination components) is mandatory for obtaining a full license to practice as General Practitioner.

Eligibility:

Candidates who have successfully graduated from PM&DC approved foreign medical colleges with an MBBS/MD or equivalent degree (as per the approved foreign degree Nomenclature) along with a provisional license issued by PM&DC are eligible to sit for NRE 2024.

Centers:

NRE 2024 will be conducted at multiple centers across Pakistan to facilitate the candidates.

Frequency:

The NRE will be held at least twice a year.

Number of Attempts:

There is no bar on the number of times a candidate can attempt the complete NRE.

Structure:

The NRE will consist of two components

(i) a theory component and

(ii) a skill-based, clinical component – Clinical Skills Examination (CSE):

(i) The theory component will consist of MCQS targeting higher cognition and will check a candidate’s ability to apply knowledge. The theory component will have 200 MCQs in which 70% will be from clinical sciences disciplines and 30% from basic sciences disciplines. The NRE shall be substantially based on objective computer based multiple choice questions. Only candidates qualifying in the theory (MCQs) component of NRE will be eligible for the CSE.

(ii) The Clinical Skills Examination (CSE) is meant to assess essential clinical skills required for practice by a general medical practitioner. The format of CSE will be similar to that of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Passinq criteria:

Candidates will have to pass both the theory and the CSE components separately in order to be declared successful in NRE. The minimum pass percentage in the theory (MCQs) component is 60% and the minimum pass percentage of Clinical Skills Examination (CSE), including mandatory stations are 60%. Angoffs method will also be adopted for standardization of NRE Examination. There will be three mandatory stations in the CSE. Candidate must clear all three mandatory stations in order to be declared to pass in the CSE. lf a candidate obtains an aggregate of 60% or above in the CSE yet fails even one mandatory station, s/he will be declared as fail in the entire CSE. There will be no negative marking in both components of the NRE. Candidates who pass the theory (MCQs) component but fail the CSE will have to re-appear in the CSE component only. Such candidates will re-register for the CSE only. lf a candidate fails in three (03) consecutive attempts of the CSE, h/se will have to appear in both the theory (MCQS) and CSE components on the fourth attempt. That is, after every three failed attempts at the CSE, candidates will have to sit the entire NRE.

Validity:

Passing of the theory (MCQs) component of NRE will remain valid for five (5) years from the date of passing the theory (MCQs) component. CSE component must be passed within five (5) years of passing the theory (MCQS) component of NRE. lf a Candidate fails the CSE in three consecutive attempts, h/se will shave to reappear in both the theory and CSE components of the NRE. That is, after every three failed attempts at the CSE, candidates will have to sit the entire NRE.