Here is one conversation we have almost every single day at AV Global Overseas Education. A parent sits across from us, folds their hands, and says "The fees look good, the university looks fine, but tell me honestly: will my child be able to come back and practice in India?"
It is the most important question in this entire MBBS abroad decision. And the answer lies in one number the FMGE or NExT pass rate.
In this post, we are going to give you the complete picture the real data, the actual university wise numbers from 2024, what those numbers mean, how Georgia compares to every other popular MBBS abroad destination, and exactly what your child needs to do to be on the right side of that statistic.
First, What Is the FMGE and Why Does It Matter So Much?
The FMGE Foreign Medical Graduates Examination is the licensing exam that every Indian student who studies MBBS abroad must clear before they can practice medicine in India. It is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). You complete your MBBS in Georgia, you return to India, and before you can register with NMC and practice as a doctor, you must clear FMGE.
The exam tests your clinical knowledge across all core subjects Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, and more. It is a 300 question MCQ paper and it is not easy. The national pass rate for FMGE December 2024 was 28.86% across all countries.
This is why the university you choose matters beyond just the fee structure. A university that prepares students well for FMGE through English medium instruction, rigorous clinical exposure, and NMC aligned curriculum directly shows up in a higher pass percentage.
Georgia's Overall FMGE 2024 Performance: The Headline Number
Georgia as a country has consistently punched above its weight in FMGE, and the 2024 data confirms it.
- Total Indian students from Georgia who appeared for FMGE 2024: 4,221
- Total who cleared FMGE 2024: 1,505
- Georgia's overall FMGE pass rate 2024: 35.65%
That 35.65% is not just a statistic it is the highest FMGE pass rate among all the major MBBS abroad destinations that Indian students choose. Let that sink in for a moment. Georgia beats Russia, China, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Philippines every country that thousands of Indian families send their children to. Georgia comes out on top.
How Georgia Compares to Other Countries: The Real Benchmark
Here is the country wise FMGE 2024 comparison so you can see exactly where Georgia stands:
| Country | Students Appeared | Students Passed | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 4,221 | 1,505 | 35.65% |
| Bangladesh | 2,822 | 914 | 32.39% |
| Belarus | 485 | 168 | 34.64% |
| Russia | 11,276 | 3,331 | 29.54% |
| Philippines | ~2,000+ | ~24.00% | |
| Tajikistan | 1,196 | 311 | 26.00% |
| Armenia | 2,349 | 415 | 17.67% |
| China | Large volume | ~11.30% |
Georgia leads this table, and it has maintained relatively stable FMGE performance across 2021 to 2024, never falling below 26% even in difficult exam years. Russia, which sends the highest volume of students 11,276 appeared manages only a 29.54% pass rate. China, a hugely popular destination, is at a worrying 11.30%. Bangladesh comes closest to Georgia at 32.39% but still falls short.
For a parent evaluating where to send their child for MBBS abroad, this single table tells a very powerful story.
University Wise FMGE 2024 Data for Georgia: The Full Breakdown
Now let us get into the numbers that matter most which specific university your child graduates from. Georgia has 26 NMC-approved universities, and their FMGE performance varies significantly. Here is the complete 2024 data:
Top Tier: The High Performers
| University | Students Appeared | Students Passed | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgian American University | 61 | 49 | 80.33% |
| BAU International University | 158 | 100 | 63.29% |
| Georgian National University SEU | 154 | 93 | 60.39% |
| University of Georgia (SHS) | 5 | 3 | 60.00% |
| Caucasus University | 98 | 54 | 55.10% |
Strong Mid Tier Performers
| University | Students Appeared | Students Passed | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU) | 167 | 81 | 48.50% |
| Alte University | 75 | 35 | 46.67% |
| Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University | 96 | 45 | 46.88% |
| Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University | 396 | 165 | 41.67% |
Steady Performers (Around or Above Georgia Average)
| University | Students Appeared | Students Passed | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Vision University | 284 | 104 | 36.62% |
| European University Georgia | 420 | 151 | 35.95% |
| Caucasus International University | 106 | 35 | 33.02% |
| Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy | 280 | 90 | 32.14% |
Below Average Performers
| University | Students Appeared | Students Passed | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi State Medical University | 703 | 215 | 30.58% |
| Teaching University Geomedi | 280 | 83 | 29.64% |
| Akaki Tsereteli State University | 152 | 43 | 28.29% |
| East European University | 61 | 14 | 22.95% |
| Grigol Robakidze University | 668 | 138 | 20.66% |
Reading the Numbers Honestly: What They Actually Tell You
Before parents look at Tbilisi State Medical University's 30.58% and panic, we need to give some important context.
Volume affects percentage. TSMU had 703 students appearing for FMGE the highest of any Georgian university. When you have the highest number of students sitting for any exam, your pass percentage naturally faces more statistical pressure than a university with 61 students appearing. Georgian American University's remarkable 80.33% is built on 61 appearances. TSMU's 30.58% is across 703 students. Both facts are true and both matter.
Consistency over years matters. GAU, BAU, and SEU have shown consistent upward or stable high performance over multiple exam cycles from 2021 to 2024. That is not luck that is curriculum design working.
Grigol Robakidze is an outlier. With 668 students appeared and only a 20.66% pass rate, this is the one university on the NMC list that parents and students should examine very carefully before choosing. The numbers across multiple years are below the Georgian average, which suggests systemic preparation gaps rather than a one off bad result.
The safest choices based purely on data: Georgian American University, BAU International University, and Georgian National University SEU are the three universities where a student has the highest structural probability of clearing FMGE from Georgia.
Why Georgian Universities Outperform Other Countries on FMGE
This is not an accident. There are specific, structural reasons why Georgian MBBS graduates perform better on FMGE than students from Russia, China, or Bangladesh.
The FMGE is conducted entirely in English. Students from Russian or Chinese universities often face a dual challenge learning medicine in a foreign language and then answering a high stakes licensing exam in English. Georgian students study, learn, read textbooks, attend clinical rounds, and write exams in English from Day 1. There is zero language translation barrier when they sit for FMGE.
Top Georgian universities design their medical curriculum with NMC requirements and FMGE pattern in mind. Subject coverage, clinical training depth, and even exam formats are built to prepare students for the Indian licensing exam not just to get them through their university exams.
Georgian universities, especially the top performers on this list, give students hospital access from their second year onwards. This is critical because FMGE tests clinical reasoning not just rote knowledge. A student who has seen patients, attended rounds, and practised clinical thinking is a fundamentally different candidate from one who has only read textbooks.
Georgia follows a European medical education framework, which means the standards of teaching, faculty qualification, and infrastructure are higher than what many other affordable MBBS abroad destinations offer.
Several top Georgian universities now offer structured FMGE coaching and revision programs in the final year of MBBS as part of the official curriculum. GAU and SEU are known for this.
The Big Transition: From FMGE to NExT What Students Must Know
This is something every student and parent planning for the 2026 intake absolutely must understand. The FMGE as we know it is being replaced by the National Exit Test NExT.
Here is what changes:
| Parameter | FMGE (Existing) | NExT (Transitioning) |
|---|---|---|
| Who takes it | Only foreign medical graduates | All MBBS graduates Indian and foreign both |
| Exam structure | Single 300 question MCQ paper | Two step: NExT Step 1 (MCQ theory) + NExT Step 2 (clinical skills) |
| Purpose | Licensing only | Licensing + PG (MD/MS) admissions |
| Competition | Only FMGs | Competes with all Indian MBBS graduates |
| PG admissions | NEET-PG separate | NExT Step 1 score determines PG seat |
What this means for students going to Georgia in 2026:
- Students joining in September/October 2026 will graduate in 2032. By then, NExT will be fully operational and established. Here is what that means practically:
- You will not just compete with other foreign medical graduates you will be in the same pool as Indian MBBS graduates from government and private colleges for both licensure and PG admissions
- NExT Step 2 is a clinical skills assessment, which means hands-on hospital training during your MBBS years in Georgia becomes even more critical than it already is
- Choosing a university with strong clinical training infrastructure and good FMGE preparation culture will directly impact your NExT readiness
The silver lining for Georgia students is clear: because instruction is in English, clinical exposure is built in from early years, and the curriculum is NMC aligned, Georgia students are structurally better prepared for NExT than students from language barrier destinations.
10 Practical Tips to Clear FMGE / NExT After MBBS in Georgia
We have counselled hundreds of students over the years, and the ones who clear FMGE do a few specific things right. Here they are:
- Choose your university based on FMGE data Not just fees. The university-wise table above exists for a reason. Use it before you decide
- Attend every clinical rotation seriously FMGE and NExT test clinical reasoning, not just theory. Students who treat ward postings as optional almost always struggle
- Start FMGE preparation from your 4th year Do not wait until your 6th year. Start revising core subjects systematically from the beginning of 4th year
- Use standard Indian FMGE preparation resources Marrow, PrepLadder, and DAMS are the trusted platforms. Use these alongside your university curriculum
- Maintain subject wise notes from Day 1 Georgia follows a European curriculum that covers more detail than FMGE needs. Keep separate, concise notes specifically for FMGE
- Do subject wise mock tests regularly At least one mock test per subject per month from 4th year onwards
- Stay connected with the Indian medical student community Study groups, senior guidance, and shared notes make a measurable difference
- Do not miss university exit exams Universities with strong FMGE pass rates often have rigorous internal exams. Pass those seriously and FMGE becomes significantly easier
- Complete internship with genuine engagement The clinical skills built during internship feed directly into NExT Step 2
- Return to India at least 3 months before the exam Acclimatising, finding a coaching centre or online program, and taking full-length mocks in exam conditions makes a real difference
University FMGE Performance Over the Years: Consistency Check
How a university performs once can be luck. How it performs across three consecutive years tells the real story. Here is the trend data for major universities:
| University | FMGE 2022 | FMGE 2023 | FMGE 2024 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi State Medical University | 29.43% | 20.83% | 30.58% | Recovering |
| European University Georgia | 34.85% | 38.96% | 35.95% | Stable |
| Grigol Robakidze University | 30.79% | 17.45% | 20.66% | Declining |
| Teaching University Geomedi | 47.97% | 25.00% | 29.64% | Declining |
| Georgian National University SEU | 60.39% | Strong | ||
| Georgian American University | 80.33% | Exceptional |
Teaching University Geomedi and Grigol Robakidze University both show a concerning downward trend over three years something parents should weigh carefully. TSMU is recovering after a dip in 2023. SEU and GAU are the standout consistent performers.
The Bottom Line on FMGE and Georgia
Here is the simple truth we tell every family that sits with us:
Georgia is the number one country in the world for FMGE outcomes among all major MBBS abroad destinations. Within Georgia, the top five universities Georgian American University, BAU International University, Georgian National University SEU, Caucasus University, and David Tvildiani Medical University all have FMGE pass rates between 48% and 80%. That is genuinely impressive, and those numbers should give families confidence.
The students who struggle are the ones who choose a university purely on fee without looking at the pass rate data, and who do not treat clinical training and FMGE prep with the seriousness it deserves. The students who succeed are the ones who start right with the right university, the right guidance, and the right preparation mindset from Day 1.
At AV Global Overseas Education, we help you get that first part right. The rest, your child can absolutely build from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia's overall FMGE pass rate in 2024 was 35.65%, with 4,221 students appearing and 1,505 clearing the exam. This is the highest FMGE pass rate among all major MBBS abroad destinations including Russia, China, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
Georgian American University holds the highest FMGE pass rate in Georgia at 80.33% in 2024, with 61 students appearing and 49 passing. This is followed by BAU International University at 63.29% and Georgian National University SEU at 60.39%.
Tbilisi State Medical University has a 2024 FMGE pass rate of 30.58% below Georgia's average but with the caveat of the highest student volume (703 appeared). TSMU has strong clinical infrastructure and brand recognition, but students must supplement their academics with dedicated FMGE preparation.
Yes. The National Exit Test (NExT) is replacing FMGE as the licensing and PG admission exam for all medical graduates in India both Indian and foreign. NExT has two steps: Step 1 (MCQ theory) for licensure and PG admissions, and Step 2 (clinical skills) for practice eligibility. Students graduating from 2028 onwards will need to clear NExT instead of FMGE.
FMGE is a focused, pattern-specific exam that covers all core clinical subjects in a single sitting. It is not harder than MBBS finals in terms of depth, but it requires specific preparation because it tests in a compressed, MCQ heavy format. Students who begin preparation from 4th year consistently perform better.
The primary reasons are English-medium instruction (no language barrier), NMC-aligned curriculum, early clinical exposure from second year, and the fact that many top Georgian universities provide structured FMGE preparatory support in the final years of the program.
Want to know which Georgian university gives your child the best shot at clearing FMGE and building a strong medical career in India? Talk to our counsellors at AV Global Overseas Education we will match you to the right university based on your profile, budget, and career goals. Visit www.avglobaloverseas.com today.