The market is bombarded with a massive number of books, study materials, videos, question banks & Apps in Microbiology however most of the FMGE Aspirants are not guided “How to prepare Microbiology for FMGE?” by utilizing these study aids.
In this post, we provide you the complete plan to prepare Microbiology with the least effort.

Know your challenger (FMGE): Know your FMGE syllabus + FMGE pattern + high yield & latest trends in the FMGE
Know your self: Identify your learning profile, academic strengths, and weaknesses.
Strategize a time-efficient study plan (Reading/Comprehension + revision/discussion + tests & time management).
Examination taking Skills to be developed:
- Approach to MCQs: Conceptualization → Analysis → Recall ability (Increase your recall ability) → reasoning
- Confidence & accuracy: Increase your confidence + accuracy in answer selection during the tests.
- Handling the software
- Time management/MCQs

Appropriate & good study materials are the most essential component of any exam preparation.

Reading theory: systematically prepared NBE centric materials.
Revision materials: organize your revision notes or acquire some specialized revision materials (QRS for FMGE) exclusively for the revision purpose (should be used parallel with the reading materials & for the revision later).
MCQs: Practice tests in the latest pattern & Past papers (NBE including FMGE & DNB).
Avoid using multiple & unfamiliar materials to prevent confusion, delay in preparation & make your revision easy + effective.

Quick review series: Microbiology for FMGE/NEXT by Geethu Joe, A.V. Sowmya & M.Balakrishnan.
Review of Microbiology & Immunology by Apurba Sankar Sastry and Sandhya Bhat K.
Self Assessment & Review of Microbiology & Immunology: Rachna Chaurasia.

Success demands self-discipline, steady commitment, and a sense of humor, therefore construct your schedule so that you intersperse serious times with fun times.
Develop your personal schedule so that you can create a realistic study plan based on:

1. Time of the day or night are you most alert?
2. Your preference for large blocks of study time or hourly increments.
3. How much sleep do you need?
4. Duration of the breaks & the activities you seek when you take a break.

The very important point to be emphasized: This schedule is not strict/rigid & should be modified according to your happy hours + convenience & high energy slots, however, you need to adhere to an organized study schedule from 9 m to 5 pm daily because this time frame is during which the FMGE will be conducted.
Self-discipline: Success is not possible without strict adherence to the schedule.

Chunking: break down a single task with large blocks with long hours into actionable bitesize (divide time slots with content to be covered with guilt-free breaks).
Study duration/day: 10-14 hours (Be aware that only 2/3 of the total scheduled time shall be effectively utilized for preparing).

Strengths vs weaknesses: Appreciate your strengths, and identify your weaknesses, so that you can fill up the gaps in your knowledge.
Highly yield subjects, chapters & topics should be given more importance.
The time you spend per subject depends upon:

1. Your basic knowledge in the subject (Cover weak areas first → go to your stronger areas→ returning at the end of your entire review to those subjects you once considered your weak areas).
2. Tougher subjects/topics first → easier ones later.
3. Plan to spend more time on those subjects that gave you trouble, and less time on your strong subjects.

Suggested Schedule with Time Distribution to Prepare Microbiology for FMGE
The schedule is not rigid & you can adjust the distribution of the hours based on your knowledge per the chapter: This schedule is devised for those who prepare for 5-6 months before the exam, therefore, you shall customize this schedule as per your comfort & level of knowledge you have in the appropriate subject or chapter. Plan to spend more time on those subjects/chapters that gave you trouble, and less time on your strong subjects/chapters. Highly yield subjects/topics should be given more importance & time.
Topics	Reading	Revision	Tests
General Microbiology	4 hrs	1 hr	1 hr
Sterilization	2 hrs	1 hr	1 hr
Immunology	5 hrs	1 hr	1 hr
Bacteriology	7 hrs	2 hrs	2 hrs
Virology	5 hrs	2 hrs	2 hrs
Parasitology	5 hrs	2 hrs	2 hrs
Mycology & others	2 hrs	1 hr	1 hr
	30	10	10

Nothing can replace a good set of your own notes, therefore creating your own text is one of the main goals of note-taking.
Writing short notes will help you to excel in the exam by improving your memorizing power.
It’s proved to be very helpful in quick revision strategy preceding the exam days

Revision is the key to recall (revise all the older topics in the last 1-2 months & try to avoid reading any new topics before).
Full understanding and knowledge can grow deeper with persistence, routine, and practice.
Revise all topics regularly (5 revisions will be optimal but minimum 3 revisions are essential).

1. Diagnose your competence (strengths and weaknesses) in the subjects & exam-taking skills for FMGE.
2. To maximize your efficiency of learning (70/20/10 Model of Lombardo and Eichinger) during your FMGE preparation.
3. To practice time management (speed) in FMGE.
4. To improve accuracy & increase the confidence level in FMGE.
5. To desensitize the exam anxiety (increase the familiarity with the online platform) in FMGE.

1. Chapter-wise/subject wise/Module-wise practice tests.
2. Previous years (FMGE MCQs + NBE MCQs) Question Papers: must practice on a regular basis (Read more about the Reasons to practice past papers).
3. Attempt FMGE mock tests regularly to boost your confidence level, sharpen accuracy & aid in time management.
  - The optimal number of mocks/week: 2 full-length FMGE mocks/week will be Optimal however a minimum of 1 full-length FMGE mocks/week will be required.
  - What to start practicing the mocks? Start practicing mock exams as early as possible otherwise at least 6-8 weeks before your exam.