
Most Ignored Topics in FMGE typically belong to smaller subjects that aspirants deprioritize in favor of Medicine and Surgery. These areas rely more on direct facts and standard concepts than on lengthy clinical interpretation, making them comparatively easier to score. Systematically revising these overlooked sections helps candidates secure marks from questions that recur consistently in the NBE exam pattern.
Gaining clarity on the most ignored topics that repeatedly appear in the FMGE can significantly improve overall score potential. Many of these areas are wrongly considered unstable or excessively theoretical, causing aspirants to postpone them during preparation. In reality, even limited revision of these subjects delivers a strong return in marks relative to the time invested.
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Most Ignored Topics in FMGE Overview |
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Subject Category |
Potential Marks |
High-Yield Neglected Areas |
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Forensic Medicine |
10 |
Toxicology, IPC/CrPC Sections, Postmortem Changes |
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PSM (Community Medicine) |
25–30 |
Epidemiological formulas, Vaccine storage, Vital statistics |
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Psychiatry |
5 |
Schizophrenia, Substance abuse, Antipsychotic side effects |
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Anesthesia |
5 |
Intravenous agents, CPR protocols, Airway management |
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Biochemistry |
16–17 |
Metabolic pathways (GSDs), Vitamins, Enzyme kinetics |
A significant number of FMGE candidates fall short not because they are unprepared, but because they misjudge which topics deserve attention. Areas commonly labeled as low priority often appear repeatedly across exam sessions. Focusing on these overlooked but frequently tested sections allows aspirants to pick up straightforward, fact-based marks without extensive additional study.
Forensic Medicine accounts for a noticeable number of questions in the FMGE, yet it is commonly ignored because students feel disconnected from its clinical application. The subject primarily focuses on direct facts and standard concepts rather than complex problem-solving. As a result, it offers one of the easiest opportunities to score consistently, making it a highly undervalued area in exam preparation.
Postmortem Changes: Algor mortis, livor mortis, decomposition stages.
Toxicology (High-Yield): Poison-antidote pairs (e.g., Organophosphate-Atropine), classic poisoning presentations.
Medicolegal Sections: Injury types, consent, negligence, dying declaration.
Age Estimation: Ossification centers, dental age, epiphyseal fusion.
Preventive and Social Medicine carries substantial weight in the FMGE, often contributing around 15–18 questions—more than several core subjects, including Anatomy. The majority of PSM questions are based on straightforward factual knowledge rather than lengthy reasoning. Many of its themes recur across exam cycles, making it a reliable source of repeatable marks when prepared strategically.
National Health Programs: NTEP (TB), NVBDCP, Universal Immunization Program (UIP).
Epidemiological Calculations: Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, NPV, incidence vs. prevalence.
Vital Statistics: Infant Mortality Rate, Maternal Mortality Ratio.
Psychiatry is frequently delayed during FMGE preparation because it is perceived as challenging, yet it appears regularly with about 6–8 questions in the exam. These questions largely revolve around drug classifications, adverse effects, and emergency conditions. Concentrated, short-duration revision is usually sufficient to secure marks from this section.
Drug Classifications: Antidepressants (SSRIs, TCAs), Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers (Lithium).
Psychiatric Emergencies: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome vs Serotonin Syndrome.
Anesthesia contributes approximately 6–8 questions in the FMGE and is considered a relatively easy scoring subject. Despite its simplicity and high mark potential, many candidates tend to overlook it. Targeted revision of key drugs, techniques, and complications can yield quick and reliable marks.
Anesthetic Agents: Inhalational (MAC values), IV induction (Propofol, Ketamine).
Muscle Relaxants: Depolarizing vs Non-depolarizing, Succinylcholine.
Regional Anesthesia: Spinal vs Epidural, Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST).
Complications: Malignant Hyperthermia (triggers, Dantrolene).
Even within the so-called “major” subjects, certain high-yield subtopics are frequently neglected by FMGE aspirants. Areas such as Embryology, Immunology, and Metabolic pathways often go underprepared despite their consistent presence in the exam.
Embryology (Within Anatomy): Neural crest derivatives, pharyngeal arch derivatives, heart septation defects.
Immunology (Within Microbiology): Hypersensitivity reactions (Types I-IV), complement deficiencies.
Metabolism Pathways (Within Biochemistry): Glycogen storage diseases, amino acid metabolism.
Maximizing marks from often-ignored FMGE topics is less about spending extra hours and more about revising strategically. These areas yield the best results when reviewed in focused, time-bound sessions instead of long, drawn-out study periods. Adhering to a structured revision approach helps retain frequently tested facts and ensures quick recall under exam conditions.
A structured revision plan helps cover these important topics efficiently. Allocate dedicated time to these subjects.
Two Weeks Before Exam: Dedicate two full days to Forensic Medicine, Anesthesia, PSM, and Psychiatry.
One Week Before Exam: Quick revision of high-yield subtopics like Embryology, Immunology, and Biochemistry pathways (2 hours each).
Day Before Exam: Review one-page summaries for ignored topics to trigger recall for 5-10 questions.
Focus on specific facts that are frequently tested. These points offer maximum return for minimal effort.
Forensic Medicine: Toxicology antidotes, 10 questions total.
PSM: National Health Programs, epidemiology calculations (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV), 15-18 questions.
Psychiatry: Pharmacology (drugs, side effects), psychiatric emergencies.
Anesthesia: Malignant Hyperthermia, anesthetic agent properties, 6-8 questions.
Embryology: Neural crest derivatives appear almost every FMGE paper.