Every candidate who is appearing for NEET 2024 feels that the Biology section is their strength. Why then do some score more than others? The reason is the preparation strategy for NEET Biology.
How to Prepare for NEET Biology
How to prepare for Biology section for NEET 2024? NEET 2024 preparation for Biology is the most important aspect of the exam as the Biology subject carries the highest weightage in the exam. Hence, the question of how to prepare for Biology for NEET 2024 is a valid and justified question for each student who is planning to appear for the exam next year. NEET 2024 will be conducted on May 5, 2024, which leaves around nine months for the exam preparation. The application form for NEET 2024 will be available from March 2024. If you are among those who find Biology to be tough, then this article is a must-read for you. Those appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) are no strangers to the fact that the Biology section of this examination is the most scoring. With 90 questions, the NEET Biology section constitutes 50 per cent of the question paper. Also, due to the theoretical nature of the subject, it is easier to score high in NEET Biology. So, how to prepare for the Biology section of NEET 2024? You can read about the NEET 2024 preparation strategy on this page.
Before starting with the NEET preparation tips, let us know a little bit about the Biology section. The NEET 2024 exam structure is expected to remain the same as last year. The Biology subject will be divided into Botany and Zoology areas, and these two will carry two sections each. Section A and Section B of both these sections will carry 35 and 15 questions respectively. However, in Section B, only 10 questions will be attemptable. Hence, the total number of questions in the Biology section remains 90. The following table brings the structure and pattern of the Biology section in NEET 2024.
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The table below carries the structure of the Biology section in NEET 2024 exam.
| Biology | Number of Questions | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Botany Section A | 35 | 140 |
| Botany Section B | 15 | 40 |
| Zoology Section A | 35 | 140 |
| Zoology Section B | 15 | 40 |
| Total | 100 (90 applicable for attempt) | 360 |
First things first, NEET Biology is not only about mugging up facts but you also have to understand the concepts and processes in this subject. Those who skip studying from the NCERT books and jump to the mock tests do not benefit from this strategy. There is a limitation to the number of questions that can be asked from the Biology section, but not reading the chapter leaves weak foundations.
Q: It is possible to crack NEET exam without coaching?
I will not say, it is impossible. It is possible, but you have work very hard and must give your 200% effort to crack these competitive exams. In my opinion, it is better to take coaching for NEET exam. Coaching makes your exam preparation easier. Sometimes, if you get lots of doubt then you can get it cleared by your tutor who has got the subject knowledge.
Students get individual attention at coaching institutes and they focus on learning and development of students as per their requirement. Coaching centers also teach you a lot of tips, tricks and time management that help you to crack NEET exam. But, you have to be careful in choosing a right and resourceful coaching center, as there are many fraud coaching centers that works for money and not for delivering knowledge to the students.
Q: Which is the best reference book for biology for preparing NEET ?
Q: Who topped the NEET 2023 exam?
As many as two candidates have scored full marks of 720 in NEET 2023 result. Out of 20,38,596 candidates who had appeared for the exam, 11,45,976 candidates have qualified. Prabanjan J from Tamil Nadu secured AIR 1 with a full score of 720. Bora Varun Chakravarthi from Andhra Pradesh has bagged AIR 2 with 720 score. Pranjal Aggarwal from Punjab is the female topper of NEET 2023 with 716 score. NEET 2023 result was declared on June 13. NTA released the scorecards along with the list of top scorers in NEET 2023 and the qualifying cutoff scores for each candidate category.
Also Read: NEET 2023 Toppers List
This article will help the aspirants prepare well for the Biology section.
Also Read: Best books for NEET Biology
How to prepare for the Biology section for NEET 2024?
NEET toppers and experts have suggested the following tips for NEET 2024 Biology preparation. Go through the tips and implement them while preparing for the Biology section of NEET 2024.
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Divide and Rule
So we all know that the questions asked in NEET are from the syllabus of Class 11 and Class 12. But the distribution of the questions asked from the syllabus of Class 11 is different from those from Class 12. Around 40-42 questions in the examination will be from the syllabus of Class 11, which is roughly 45 per cent of the NEET Biology section. The remaining 48-50 questions will be from the syllabus of Class 12. This information will be useful while preparing the timetable for preparation or revision.
Type of Questions in the NEET Biology section
According to their source, the questions in the Biology section of the NEET 2024 question paper can be divided into three types:
- NCERT-based: Approximately 68-70 questions in the examination are directly from the NCERT books. They can be easily attempted by those who have read the NCERT syllabus religiously.
- Direct from the previous years’ question papers: Another 8-10 questions in the examination can be solved if you have solved the NEET question papers of previous years. These questions are repeated with little or no modifications.
- Modified questions: At least 8-10 questions in the NEET 2024 question paper will be advanced level. These questions are game changer for many as they cannot be solved by merely mugging up facts. Though they are from the NCERT book, to get them right you need to apply the knowledge that you have about the subject.
Importance of preparing notes
Notes are very important for this section. Due to the vastness of the syllabus in Biology, it is impossible to read and revise everything from the book. Also, to prepare for NEET Biology you need to refer to a variety of books initially. However, during the revision phase of your preparation referring to more than one book will eat up a lot of your time. This is where the notes come to your rescue. Every candidate preparing for the NEET Biology section must make his/her own notes. It is very important to make them on your own as it helps in retaining things better.
Q: What is a good score in NEET?
In general, a score of 600+ is considered to be good for NEET which will ensure a high rank. However, given the high level of competition, if you wish to get admission to one of the top 10 colleges, then you must score above 700. But if you wish to get an MBBS seat and any of the decent medical colleges in India, then a score of 600+ is required. At the same time, a score of 550 or above may also fetch you an MBBS seat at a medical college towards the end of the counselling rounds. On the other hand, if you are aspiring to pursue a BDS or a B.Sc. Nursing, then a score above 500 should be able to fetch you a seat at a good Dental or Nursing colleges in India. Having said this, by if your score is lower than the marks mentioned above, you need not feel demoralised or demotivated. There are a lot of other medical specialisations or courses through NEET scores and you will always have a good option according to your score. To know more, read the article given below: https://www.shiksha.com/medicine-health-sciences/articles/what-after-neet-blogId-37499.
Q: Which was the easiest section of the NEET 2023?
Q: Can I prepare for NEET in just one month?
Q: How do I prepare for the NEET from the very beginning without coaching?
Q: How to prepare for NEET exam and get a good rank?
The Preparation Strategy and Notes
When you start a new chapter in this section, read it from the NCERT book first. During the first reading, concentrate on understanding what has been given in the book. Do not underline or mark important points in the first reading.
During the second read, you can mark the important lines and points in the NCERT book. After reading a chapter for the second time you are quite confident about what you have read from the NCERT books. Now, refer to the supplementary material for NEET preparation. This can be a reference book, study material from your coaching institute or class notes. This is when you start making notes.
For the Biology section of NEET, try taking notes in your NCERT book itself. Sticking an extra page after every chapter or using stick-on slips can help solve the purpose. By doing this you will ensure that all the necessary information is there in the NCERT book which will ease the revision process for you. Also, reading each chapter 3-4 times will ensure that you remember most of it until the next revision.
Solving the question papers of previous years
To prepare for the NEET Biology section, you must solve the question papers of the past 10 years (minimum). In addition to solving the previous years’ question papers for NEET, you must also try to solve the question papers for AIIMS and JIPMER exams (up to 2019). But you must start solving these when you have completed at least 50 per cent of the syllabus.
Apart from the previous years’ question papers, NEET mock tests are also an essential part of your preparation. As discussed earlier, there is a limit to the number of questions that can be asked from the Biology section of NEET. By solving as many mock tests, you will ensure that you have covered all the important questions that can be asked in the NEET Biology section.
These were a few tips and tricks on how to prepare for the NEET Biology section. Read prep tips for Physics and Chemistry by clicking on the links given below.
NEET 2023 Analysis for Biology Section
The Biology section was the easiest section in the question paper for NEET 2023. The experts stated that the Botany section was tougher than that of the Zoology section. On the other hand, the Zoology section was mostly asked from the Class 12 syllabus.
| Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Botany | |
| Plant Kingdom | 3 |
| Morphology of Flowering Plants | 3 |
| Anatomy of Flowering Plants | 3 |
| Cell: The Unit of Life | 1 |
| Cell Cycle & Cell Division | 2 |
| Biomolecules-I | 2 |
| Mineral Nutrition | 2 |
| Photosynthesis in Higher Plants | 3 |
| Respiration in Plants | 2 |
| Plant Growth & Development | 3 |
| Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants | 3 |
| Principles of Inheritance and Variation | 4 |
| Molecular Basis of Inheritance | 4 |
| Biotechnology: Principles and Processes | 3 |
| Biotechnology and Its Applications | 1 |
| Organisms and Population | 2 |
| Ecosystem | 2 |
| Biodiversity and Conservation | 2 |
| Environmental Issues | 2 |
| Total Number of Questions | 50 |
| Zoology | |
| Animal Kingdom | 2 |
| Cockroach | 1 |
| Structural Organisation in Animals (Animal Tissue) | 3 |
| Digestion and Absorption (Digestive System) | 2 |
| Breathing and Exchange of Gases (Respiratory System) | 2 |
| Body Fluids And Circulation (Circulatory System) | 2 |
| Excretory Products And Their Elimination (Excretory System) | 1 |
| Locomotion And Movement (Muscles, Skeletal System) | 2 |
| Biomolecules | 2 |
| Neural Control And Co-ordination (Nervous System, Sensory Organs) | 1 |
| Chemical Co-ordination and Integration (Endocrine System | 2 |
| Human Reproduction | 3 |
| Reproductive Health | 2 |
| Origin and Evolution | 2 |
| Human Health and Disease | 2 |
| Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production | 1 |
| Microbes in Human Welfare | 1 |
| The Living World | 1 |
| Biological Classification | 3 |
| Ecology | 3 |
How to Prepare for the Biology Section of NEET 2024: Important Books to Refer To
Some of the top preparation books for NEET 2024 Biology are as follows:
- NCERT Biology Class 11 Textbook
- NCERT Biology Class 12 Textbook
- Trueman's Biology Vol 1 and 2
- Objective Biology by Dinesh
- Objective Biology by Ansari
- Pradeep Publication's Biology
- Biology by GR Bathla Publications
- SC Verma Biology
Read More:
Sreetama has over a decade of editorial experience in the higher education beat. A wanderlust by passion, she is also an avid reader and a music lover. Among friends, she is popular for her sense of humour.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Dear Siva,
To be eligible for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in India, candidates must have completed their 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Since you have completed 12th with only Physics and Chemistry, you would need to fulfill the Biology requirement.
In Singapor
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Contributor-Level 9
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The application for NEET UG 2025 will be available from January 2025, and the examination is scheduled to be held on May 4, 2025;
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Contributor-Level 9
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NEET-UG Qualifying Marks for General Category (2024)
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Beginner-Level 4
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Are there any biology bridging programs available before I can take NEET as currently passed 12th physics and chemistry only in Singapore.