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NEET 101: The Definitive Guide to India’s Medical Entrance Exam

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Whether you’re just considering a medical career or are already knee-deep in Biology notes, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about NEET — from eligibility to preparation, application to admission.

What is NEET?

NEET, or the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, is the single most important medical entrance exam in India. Conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET is required for admission into a range of undergraduate medical programs, including:

  • MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery)

  • BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)

  • BAMS, BHMS, BUMS (AYUSH programs — Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani)

  • BVSc & AH (Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry)

  • Nursing and paramedical courses (in some states)


Since 2020, NEET is mandatory for every aspirant looking to pursue medicine in India — whether in government colleges, private institutions, deemed universities, or even AIIMS and JIPMER, which previously conducted their own entrance exams.

Even students hoping to study MBBS abroad (Ukraine, Russia, Philippines, etc.) are required to clear NEET to be eligible for the Medical Council of India screening and registration.


Who Can Appear for NEET?

NEET is open to any student who fulfills these basic eligibility criteria:

  • You must be 17 years or older by December 31st of the admission year.

  • You should have passed, or be appearing for, Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.

  • You must score a minimum of 50% in PCB subjects (for General category), or 40% if you belong to SC/ST/OBC categories.

  • There is no upper age limit, and repeaters or drop-year students can apply freely.

Importantly, students from any board — CBSE, ICSE, Gujarat State Board (GSEB), NIOS, or any other recognized board — are eligible, provided they meet the subject and percentage requirements.


What Courses Require NEET?

NEET is the only valid entrance test for nearly all medical undergraduate courses in India today. These include:

  • MBBS and BDS, across all government and private colleges

  • AYUSH programs (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS)

  • Veterinary Sciences (BVSc & AH) in most states

  • Nursing and allied medical sciences, depending on the institution

  • Admission to AIIMS, JIPMER, and Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) now also goes through NEET, although AFMC has additional screening rounds

This makes NEET a single-point gateway to the country’s entire medical education ecosystem.


NEET vs Board Exams: What’s the Difference?

The mindset and preparation strategy required for NEET are very different from your Class 12 board exams. Here’s how they compare:

Factor

Board Exams

NEET (Medical Entrance Exam)

Format

Subjective, theory-based

MCQ-based, objective

Evaluation

Internal + external

National-level centralized scoring

Focus

Descriptive understanding

Speed, accuracy, concept application

Scope

Full syllabus, detailed answers

NCERT-focused, exam-smart prep

Weight in admission

Limited in medical courses

Primary admission criteria

Board exams test your theoretical depth. NEET tests how quickly and accurately you can apply those concepts under pressure.


NEET Exam Pattern (2024 Onwards)

NEET remains a pen-and-paper test, taken offline. Despite being a national exam, the structure is relatively straightforward but demands speed, clarity, and stress control. The paper is MCQ-based and broken into sections with internal choices.

Each subject has two sections — Section A and Section B:

Subject

Section A (35 Qs)

Section B (15 Qs, choose 10)

Total Questions Considered

Total Marks

Physics

35

10

45

180

Chemistry

35

10

45

180

Biology

70

20

90

360

  • Total Questions: 200 (180 to be attempted)

  • Total Marks: 720

  • Time Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes

  • Languages Offered: 13 languages including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, etc.

  • Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unanswered

Students from Gujarat Board can opt for the paper in Gujarati as well, which is helpful for those more comfortable in the regional medium.


What Is the NEET Syllabus?

The NEET syllabus is tightly based on NCERT Class 11 and 12 Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. It covers the core fundamentals — no obscure textbook content, no random Olympiad-level questions.

You can download the official syllabus PDF from the NTA portal → NEET 2025 Info Bulletin & Syllabus PDF

The topics are identical for all boards, including CBSE, ICSE, and Gujarat Board, which is a huge relief — this levels the playing field.

If you're from a state board (like GSEB), some concepts might be presented differently or skipped in your textbooks. In that case, studying directly from NCERTs is non-negotiable. Many coaching centers also recommend using NCERT-based MCQ books like MTG Fingertips and NCERT Exemplar for self-assessment.

How to Prepare (Smartly)

The smartest NEET prep is not about studying more — it’s about studying better.

Focus on:

  1. NCERT Mastery: Your #1 job is to know every word, diagram, and line in NCERT, especially for Biology. Most direct questions come from it — often word-for-word.

  2. Structured MCQ Practice: Practice is crucial, especially for Physics and Chemistry. Use books like:

    • MTG NCERT Fingertips

    • Disha Objective Series

    • Previous year question banks (Arihant, Career Point)

  3. Mock Tests + Time Management: Start doing full-length mock tests early. They train you for:

    • Speed + accuracy

    • Managing mental fatigue

    • Handling pressure in a 3-hour window

  4. Don’t Ignore Physics: Most students from Biology background find Physics difficult. That's normal. But skipping it is a huge mistake. Divide topics, make short notes, and practice problem-solving regularly.

  5. Track Weak Areas: After each mock or quiz, analyse where you’re losing marks. Your real improvement happens here — not in doing more, but in correcting patterns.

  6. Use Digital Tools: Use apps and YouTube channels to strengthen your understanding.


Seat System and Admissions

Once the results are out, admission happens through centralized counselling, where you lock in your course and college preferences.

  • 15% All India Quota (AIQ): Open to all candidates

  • 85% State Quota: Reserved for students from that state (like Gujarat domicile)

  • Deemed & Private Universities: Separate counselling process (still NEET-based)

  • AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC: Through NEET score + their internal criteria (medical fitness, interviews)

Key portals:


Note: Students must register separately on MCC and their state counselling portal.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

  • Ignoring Class 11 Topics: About 50% of NEET questions come from Class 11. Do not skip.

  • Neglecting Physics or General Chemistry Concepts: It's tempting to lean into Biology, but NEET demands balance.

  • Overconfidence from Board Prep: NEET is MCQ + speed-based. Board-level prep won’t be enough.

  • Studying New Topics Too Late: Focus on revision and mock test analysis in the final stretch — not syllabus completion.

  • Skipping Mocks: Students often wait until “they’re ready” to start mocks. Start early, even if you score low. That’s how you improve.


Final Thoughts

NEET is challenging, but not unbeatable. It doesn’t demand brilliance — it demands consistency. If you're from Gujarat Board or any non-CBSE background, don’t panic. With the right resources (mostly NCERT-based), mock tests, and smart planning, you can compete on the same ground as anyone else.


Start now. Set a routine. Know your strengths, but work on your weaknesses. Whether you dream of AIIMS or a good government college in your state, your NEET score is the ticket.

And you don’t have to do it alone. Tools like career finders, prep dashboards, and student communities exist — you just need to use them.


Useful Links:


Add your NEET Exam Date in CQ Calendar and track it with ease and timely reminders!

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