While the decision to appear for NEET can be simpler, what follows post that, is not only overwhelming but a humbling experience. For beginners, the initial few days are just spent on understanding the format and getting a gist of basics, chalking out executable paths to follow so as to reach one’s goal.
This guide helps aspirants in exactly this intent. Here, major aspects about NEET, starting from NEET, its regulatory board, purpose, the format of the exam is clearly explained. Combine this information and bring it to action, and you are well on your way to starting with your NEET preparation.
Basics about NEET
What Is NEET?
NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a pre-medical entrance test in India, carried out for medical aspirants across the country annually. Qualifying this test enables candidates who have cleared class 12 (or equivalent) to seek admissions to undergraduate medical courses across medical institutes. NEET has replaced AIPMT (All India Pre-Medical Test), in addition to recently replacing AIIMS and JIPMER entrance tests, thus emerging as the only medical test conducted in PAN India.
NEET is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency), the regulatory body for NEET. It has been enforced to conduct transparent, efficient and standard assessing to evaluate the competency of candidates for admissions to higher medical programmes.
Who Can Take Up NEET?
Lakhs of students apply for NEET every year. NEET 2020 witnessed close to 15.97 lakh applications. Ideally, NEET can be taken up by those candidates who have cleared class 12 or equivalent exams (have appeared, are appearing). Students must have taken up Physics, Chemistry and Biology as their major subjects after 10+2 to participate in NEET. Additionally, a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in each subject is a requirement. The board has also enforced certain other eligibility criteria, details of which can be checked by visiting the official website for NEET.
What is the Format of NEET?
NEET follows a simple format. Details of the pattern are shown in this table. Take a look:
| Number of Questions | 180 questions (MCQs) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany & Zoology) |
| Exam Mode | Offline mode only (pen and paper-based mode) |
| Language | The question paper is asked in 11 languages English, Hindi, Oriya, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Urdu, Gujarati and Assamese. |
| Type of questions | Objective type questions with 4 options and 1 correct answer |
| Marking Scheme | 4 marks are awarded for each correct answer. |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer |
What is The Pattern of NEET Question Paper?
The test primarily assesses students based on the NEET syllabus, which mostly covers NCERT sources. NEET question paper comprises 180 questions for a total of 720 marks, with 4 major sections – Physics, Chemistry, Zoology and Botany. Each section has 45 questions. The total time allotted for the test is 3 hours.
Is Coaching Required for NEET?
It must be known that NEET is a pan India medical test, hence the complexities will follow suit. Since the competition is immense to occupy the limited number of seats, students are required to have a stronghold of concepts and an insightful understanding of basics. For this, some start preparing early and prefer self-studying. Some other students take up NEET coaching for guidance and to seek other academic assistance. Overall, it is an individual choice whether to take up NEET coaching or not, but the suggestion would be to make a wise decision.
These were a few basics for those aiming to appear and clear NEET. Subscribe to BYJU’S YouTube Channel for complete information on NEET.