European-style two-semester system with formal end-of-year exams
Continuous Academic Assessment
Semester & Annual Exams
Russian medical universities follow the European two-semester structure. Students face continuous internal assessment throughout the year — class tests, practicals, viva-voce — culminating in formal end-of-year theory + oral exams for each subject. Attendance of at least 75% is compulsory for exam eligibility.
At a Glance
Quick Facts
Semesters per year
2
Sem 1
September – January
Sem 2
February – June
Assessment
Continuous + Annual
Attendance
Minimum 75%
Grading
5-point Russian scale
Eligibility
Who can appear
- Enrolled full-time student of the university
- Minimum 75% attendance in each subject
- All continuous-assessment credits completed
- No pending internal-test failures
- Valid student visa & tuition fee cleared for the semester
Exam Pattern
Structure & format
| Continuous tests | Every 4–6 weeks per subject |
| Practicals | Lab / clinical demonstrations |
| Annual exam format | Theory (written) + Oral (viva) |
| Duration | 2–3 hours theory + 20–30 min viva |
| Marking scale | 5 (Excellent) · 4 (Good) · 3 (Satisfactory) · 2 (Fail) |
| Language | English (with basic Russian for viva) |
Syllabus
Subjects & topics covered
01
Year 1
- Anatomy
- Histology
- Biochemistry
- Latin
- Russian Language (basic)
02
Year 2
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Biology
- Bio-organic Chemistry
03
Year 3
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Propedeutics of Internal Medicine
- General Surgery
04
Year 4–5
- Internal Medicine
- Surgery
- OBG
- Paediatrics
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Community Medicine
05
Year 6
- Internship rotations
- Final State Exam preparation
Exam Fee
Included in your annual tuition — no separate examination fee
Certificate Validity
Each year’s passing certificate is a prerequisite for progression to the next year
After you qualify
On passing all subjects of a semester, you receive a formal semester certificate and progress to the next term. Backlogs must be cleared within the retake window before the next semester begins.
Preparation Tips
How to prepare effectively
01
Attend all classes — attendance is strictly enforced
02
Complete continuous-assessment tests on time
03
Practise oral viva with study groups (viva carries significant weight)
04
Use standard Russian + international textbooks (Guyton, Robbins, Katzung)
05
Consult professors during their scheduled consultation hours
Semester FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions Indian students ask about Semester & Annual Exams.
01What happens if I fail a subject?
01
What happens if I fail a subject?
You get a re-examination window (2–3 attempts) before the next academic year begins. Persistent failure may lead to repeating the year.
02Are semester exams conducted in Russian?
02
Are semester exams conducted in Russian?
The theory papers are in English. The oral viva is largely in English but conversational Russian may help when interacting with senior professors.
03Can I skip attendance?
03
Can I skip attendance?
No — below 75% attendance disqualifies you from appearing in the semester exam for that subject.
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