NEET- also known as the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, erstwhile known as the All-India Pre-Medical Test or AIPMT is the primary and sole criteria of testing candidates associated with the medical sciences and its studies. This is for the students who wish to pursue medical careers as an undergraduate, i.e., MBBS, dental (BDS), and other equivalent medical fields such as AYUSH (BAMS, BHMS, etc.). This test is for both the government as well private institutions all over the Indian territory as well as for those who aspire to pursue a medical qualification in foreign countries.

How to prepare for NEET

NEET is conducted by National Testing Agency (NCA) and hence, provides results to the Directorate General of Health Services. This process is done and dusted under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and State counsel Authorities for their respective seat allocation. Earlier, the All-India Pre-Medical Test, also known as AIPMT, used to be the criteria for the students to be classified and allocated into the top medical colleges but later was replaced by NEET-UG. AIPMT, along with other state government as well as state-run medical schools, used to conduct the pre-medical examinations, but NEET overcame all the challenges faced regarding the accessibility as well as its nationwide reach helped it even more.

NEET-UG provides an umbrella-like structure to over 66,000 MBBS and BDS seats across India and helps to give every student aspiring to be a medical practitioner an equal and fair chance. The year 2018 witnessed the enactment of the National Medical Commission Act (NMC act), and by 2019, NEET- UG overcame to become the primary and common All-India entrance examination for admissions into medical colleges in India together with the All-India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER).

Note that all these institutes before the NEET-UG used to conduct their own examinations for admissions.

NEET has also been through some dark phases as the nationwide examination was not held in the years- 2014 and 2015. It was held that this examination is felonious and unconstitutional by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the year 2013. However, the new and renovated structure of this examination was promising enough to the bench of 5 constitution judges in the year 2016. Hence, it was held that this examination is implemented with immediate effect with clear guidelines to both- the Central Government as well as the Medical Council of India (MCI).

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Pattern of NEET and Subjects

NEET consists of mainly 3 subjects, namely- Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology). The total marks to be rewarded are 180 in total, and students are given 4 marks for each correct answer. 1 mark is deducted for the wrong answers, and this test is of a duration of a total of 3 hours. NEET-UG proves to be one of the most difficult examinations to be helpful in the country and hence, is an obstacle not many can overcome. This exam calls for dedication and hard work, along with an aptitude for solving problems that could truly save lives.

Note: NEET is the only exam that is conducted every year for admissions into a medical college in India and in some foreign colleges as well.

A candidate must understand the importance as well as the full data regarding the official NEET curriculum as it is the first basic but crucial step for great preparation. The curriculum is a lot similar to that of their board examinations, if not identical to say. Thus, the common chapters can be done easily and revised in a shorter period of time, and the tough and homogeneous topics can be given more importance than the other ones.

Tips to prepare for NEET-

1. Focus on Concepts: The basic concepts can be a key to learning and understanding the most tricky and difficult ones as they are the foundational concepts. Tricks and techniques taught at the coaching and training centers must be used if proven to save time, and these little things do make a big difference.
2. Do not Panic or take Pressure: It is always wise to stay positive as the exam day approaches and also when you are taking the exam. Don’t panic and try to avoid making silly mistakes during the exam; if one question puts you in a problem, then you can move on to the next questions and check them again after a while.
3. Clear up doubts: Students must clear their doubts in due time and not ponder upon any time wastages as this shall prove crucial in the exam hall. The doubts must be dealt with utmost sincerity and lesser time if possible.
4. Circle and Underlying Method: The questions must be given due respect, but however many a times, irrelevant information as a part of testing their time management skills is given, and thus, a student must skim through such information and circle and underline the important and relevant information within the question.
5. Elimination Option: Even if the question is new to the applicant, the elimination process can determine that out of 4 likely answers, around 50% are incorrect. Then all candidates have to analyze and understand which of the two possible answers is the right one.
6. Efficient and Fast OMR Filling Out: You have to develop a technique to fill out the OMR sheet efficiently and quickly because any mistake in the OMR sheet would be reflected directly in your notes, all the effort put into the NEET preparation has, and intention are summarized on the OMR sheet.
7. Use Charts / Tables / Maps: Rather than just cramming information and formulas into your head with constant review, it is imperative that you create charts such as graphs, tables, or maps in order to understand them and convey data conceptually.

After the results are declared, each candidate will be assigned an All-India Rank (AIR), and a list of merits will be published regarding the same. Counseling sessions and various meetings are arranged and are looked upon by the Medical Council of India (Allocation of seats according to merit and choice of candidates) for 15% of the national seats, central institutes, and universities. These are the crème de crème of all the top universities. The remaining 85% of the state offices and private universities are advised by the medical associations of the respective federal states. The total number of places offered under NEET is 66,000, which will be distributed accordingly. Everything is based on a candidate’s NEET marks and rank.

Advised Timetable for aspirants for preparation