NEET - (NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST)
The NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) stands as a standardized entry exam within India. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is a crucial examination for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical and dental courses in various government and private colleges across the country. NEET serves as the primary entrance test for admission to undergraduate programs like MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery).
NEET assesses the knowledge and skills of candidates in subjects such as Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, and it plays a significant role in determining eligibility for admission to medical and dental colleges. Successfully passing NEET is a prerequisite for students who wish to pursue a career in the medical or dental field in India.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a medical entrance examination conducted in India for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses (MBBS and BDS) offered by various colleges and universities across the country. To be eligible to appear for the NEET exam, candidates must meet certain criteria. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, here are the general eligibility requirements for NEET:
1. Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
2. Age Limit:
- For General category candidates: The minimum age is 17 years as of December 31 of the year of admission, and there is no maximum age limit.
3. Educational Qualifications:
- Candidates must have completed their 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as mandatory subjects.
- They should have secured at least 50% marks in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology) for the General category, and 40% marks for SC/ST/OBC-NCL candidates. Physically handicapped candidates in the General category must have scored a minimum of 45% marks.
4. Subjects and Marks:
- Candidates must have individually passed in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
- The qualifying marks for the NEET exam may vary from year to year, so candidates should check the official NEET website or notification for the specific marks required for that year.
5. Number of Attempts: As of 2021, there was no limit on the number of attempts for NEET. However, it's essential to verify the latest guidelines since rules can change.
Kindly be aware that these eligibility requirements are grounded in the information accessible as of September 2021. The eligibility criteria may change over time, so it's crucial to refer to the official NEET website or contact the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information when you plan to appear for the exam.
EXAM PATTERN
As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) exam pattern consisted of the following key features:
Mode of Examination: NEET is conducted in a pen-and-paper (offline) mode, where candidates need to mark their answers on an OMR sheet.
Duration: The test lasts for a period of 3 hours, which is equivalent to 180 minutes.
Number of Questions: The exam paper includes a total of 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Subjects: The NEET exam includes questions from the following subjects:
Physics
Chemistry
Biology (Botany and Zoology)
Marking Scheme:
Each correct answer is awarded 4 marks.
For each incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted as a negative mark.
Unanswered questions do not result in any marks being added or deducted.
Distribution of Questions: As of 2021, the distribution of questions in NEET was as follows:
Physics: 45 questions
Chemistry: 45 questions
Biology: 90 questions (45 each for Botany and Zoology)
Mode of Examination: NEET is conducted in a pen-and-paper (offline) mode, where candidates need to mark their answers on an OMR sheet.
Duration: The test lasts for a period of 3 hours, which is equivalent to 180 minutes.
Number of Questions: The exam paper includes a total of 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Subjects: The NEET exam includes questions from the following subjects:
Physics
Chemistry
Biology (Botany and Zoology)
Marking Scheme:
Each correct answer is awarded 4 marks.
For each incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted as a negative mark.
Unanswered questions do not result in any marks being added or deducted.
Distribution of Questions: As of 2021, the distribution of questions in NEET was as follows:
Physics: 45 questions
Chemistry: 45 questions
Biology: 90 questions (45 each for Botany and Zoology)
Language: NEET is conducted in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, and various regional languages.
Syllabus: The NEET syllabus is based on the NCERT curriculum for classes 11 and 12. It covers topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology taught at the 10+2 level.
Admission to Medical and Dental Courses: NEET scores are used for admission to undergraduate medical (MBBS) and dental (BDS) courses in various colleges and universities across India.
Qualifying Marks: Candidates need to secure the minimum qualifying marks as per the eligibility criteria to be eligible for admission. The minimum passing scores can fluctuate from one year to the next.
Please note that exam patterns and rules can change, so it's essential to check the official NEET website or the latest notification for the most up-to-date information when preparing for the NEET exam in the current year.

