FMG Radar - Dr. Marieya K Jose
Name: Dr. Marieya K Jose
Birthplace: Kannur, Kerala, India.
Academic Qualification: MBBS from Osh State Medical University, Kyrgyzstan (Graduation Year-2024)
Languages you speak/write: Malayalam, English
What do you do?
I am currently working as a house surgeon at Government Medical College, Kozhikode.
What’s the best part of your profession? What made you choose this profession?
I love my profession because it allows me to serve people. Helping someone in their most vulnerable moments is incredibly meaningful to me, and that’s what made me choose this path — to heal, support, and make a difference in someone’s life.
When and why did you decide to pursue MBBS abroad?
After a gap year spent preparing for the NEET UG, I decided to pursue my MBBS abroad.
Which country did you choose for pursuing medical education and why?
Kyrgyzstan. It is a cost-effective country.
College name and address
Osh State Medical University, Kyrgyzstan.
How are/were the academics and practicals in your college?
Theoretical part was perfect. But practicals, not so much.
How's the hostel life in your college?
I was living in an apartment, not the college hostel.
How was the mess food? Is Indian cuisine available regularly, or is it something you get on an occasional basis?
Since I was staying in an apartment, I used to cook food by myself.
Did you follow a specific timetable or strategy while preparing for FMGE?
Yes. Used to follow MIST ONLINE PLATFORM.
How did you manage stress and stay motivated during your FMGE preparation?
To stay motivated, I often watched success stories of my seniors — seeing how they studied, how they brought smiles to their patients’ faces, and how they’re now working as doctors in reputed hospitals really inspired me. It reminded me of the bigger picture and kept me going.
When it came to handling stress, honestly, I used to sit and cry sometimes. That was my way of letting things out and consoling myself. It helped me release the emotional weight and start fresh.
Also, since I have a deep passion for videography and photography, I used to record videos during my breaks. It made me feel more productive and creative, and that balance really helped me cope with everything better.
What were the biggest challenges you faced while preparing for the FMGE?
The biggest challenges I faced were the lack of time and a constant lack of confidence in passing the exam. It was mentally exhausting to keep pushing myself when doubts kept creeping in. Managing everything within a short time frame added to the pressure, and building confidence was a daily struggle.
How did you handle the vast syllabus and manage revision effectively?
The coaching institute played a major role in helping me manage the vast syllabus. They highlighted the most frequently repeated concepts and provided intense clarification, which really helped me focus on what mattered most for the FMGE.
Also, I had already covered almost half of the syllabus during my university days—not exactly in the FMGE pattern, but through regular daily classes. That gave me a strong conceptual base, which made revision easier and more effective. In the end, consistent revision was the key.
Did you attend any coaching classes or rely on self-study for FMGE? How did that impact your preparation?
Yes, I took the MIS online study platform for my preparation. But honestly, I believe it’s not just about which platform you choose — what really matters is sticking to one reliable source and revising it as much as possible. With 19 subjects to cover, it’s nearly impossible to study everything at once. The real challenge is recalling all that information during the exam. That’s why focused revision and staying calm are so important. Trust your process — you can win.
Were there any subjects or topics that you found particularly difficult, and how did you overcome them?
Pharmacology and Medicine were the most difficult subjects for me. Medicine especially was quite tough — the questions were hard to understand, and grasping the concepts took time. To overcome this, I focused on solving more MCQs from these subjects. Practicing questions helped me get a better idea of the topics and how they’re asked in the exam. I also relied a lot on mnemonics for the difficult areas — they really helped me retain information and avoid minor errors during recall.
What role did mock tests and previous year's question papers play in your preparation?
They played a really important role in my preparation. Solving previous years’ question papers helped deepen my understanding of key concepts and gave me clarity on the exam pattern.
In the last three months before the exam, I made it a point to solve around 50 questions daily — it helped strengthen my recall, improve my speed, and build confidence for the actual exam.
Can you walk us through your exam day experience? How did you feel before, during, and after the exam?
Before the exam, I actually felt calm. I had many familiar faces around me while waiting in the queue, which made the atmosphere a bit comforting. Even though it was my first attempt, I didn’t feel much tension. I prayed and entered with a clear mind.
Once the exam started, I realized there was no time to stress — with just one minute per question, it was a complete rush. The first paper felt tough, and I knew I had to make the most of the break. So I quickly went through some high-yield topics from my notes before entering the second session, which also felt challenging.
After the exam, I saw many students crying, and that moment was heavy. But deep down, I told myself, I did everything I could. Now it’s up to God to decide whether I pass or not. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I would — but I had peace knowing I gave it my best.
How did you feel after seeing your FMGE result? What was your reaction?
It was honestly shocking — in the best way! I couldn’t believe it at first. I kept checking the result multiple times just to calm my mind and truly accept that yes, I had finally passed… and that too, in my very first attempt. My parents were with me in that moment, and I had even asked my brother to record my reaction. That video ended up getting over 4 million views on Instagram — so it was a double celebration for me! It was a mix of disbelief, joy, and deep gratitude.
What was your FMGE score?
176
How did you approach the internship process in India after qualifying for FMGE?
After qualifying FMGE, I had to wait around 6 months to get into a Government Medical College for internship. The process started with collecting my passing certificate from the NMC office in Delhi. Then, I applied for the provisional registration number.
Once that was done, the DME (Directorate of Medical Education) called for the allotment process. To be honest, the experience wasn’t smooth — especially here in Kerala.
The Kerala State Medical Council has been quite unsupportive towards foreign medical graduates, and the process felt unnecessarily delayed and discouraging. Still, I stayed patient and kept following up until I secured my place.
What advice would you give to FMGE aspirants to increase their chances of success?
My biggest advice is to start your preparation early — not in a stressful way, but with consistency. I’m honestly one of the most chill people you’ll meet, and I understand that anxiety and stress are part of the process. But don’t let them control you.
Stick to one specific source and revise it well. You don’t have to study only for FMGE from day one. Focus on your college studies first — the syllabus is the same. If you build strong and clear concepts during your college years, it will automatically make your FMGE preparation much easier and more effective.
Tell me something you think is true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
Everyone says that FMGE is easy — but only those of us who’ve been through the journey, along with our parents, truly know how tough it is. There are a huge number of students who struggle for years and still aren’t able to crack it. Many believe that only NEET PG is difficult, but I don’t fully agree. Every exam has its own level of difficulty. I’ve solved plenty of NEET PG questions, and honestly, the pattern and challenge level felt quite similar. So underestimating FMGE is unfair — it demands just as much effort, focus, and resilience.
If you could turn back the time and talk to your 18-year old self, what would you tell him/her?
I would tell my 18-year-old self: “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re going to face a lot of challenges, moments of doubt, and emotional breakdowns — but you’ll grow stronger with every step. Trust your journey, even when it feels uncertain. Stay true to your passion, keep learning, and never compare your path with anyone else’s. One day, all this hard work will pay off in ways you can’t even imagine right now. Just hang in there — you’re going to make it.”
Where would you like to work in future?
Abroad or in India.
Finally, a Quote you relate to.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
What else would you like to talk about yourself?
I grew up in a middle-class family with the most supportive people around me. My father is very precise and wise in his decisions, my mother is incredibly hardworking, and my elder brother — just two years older than me — was the one who introduced the idea of studying MBBS abroad.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions our family ever made. No matter what happens in life, I just want to keep being their child — grounded and grateful.
Apart from medicine, I’m really passionate about photography, videography, and singing. These creative outlets are a big part of who I am, and I plan to carry them with me wherever my medical journey takes me. I chose to become a doctor because I truly want to serve those in need — and that’s a purpose I’ll always stay true to.
