NEET 2024 Preparation: Five Common Mistakes that Bring Your Score Down

National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2025 ( NEET )

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Sreetama Datta
Sreetama Datta Roy
Manager Content
Updated on Sep 24, 2023 00:22 IST

Avoid repeating the mistakes made by NEET aspirants in the past and improve your chances of clearing the exam in the first go. Read on to know the five common NEET 2024 preparation mistakes that bring the score down.

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Every candidate who attempts the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) dreams of qualifying for the examination on the first attempt. They work hard to make this dream a reality. However, not everyone succeeds when the results are declared. Those left behind wonder where they had faltered. The problem is not always the commitment or dedication of an individual, sometimes it is a few silly mistakes made during the preparation phase that change the outcome. 

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NEET 2024 exam will be conducted on May 5 next year in an offline mode. With less than a year left for the exam, aspirants must have started preparing for the exam. Moreover, they should also know the common mistakes during preparation so that they can avoid them. In this article, we have listed five common NEET 2024 preparation mistakes that bring the score down. Aspirants should avoid repeating these mistakes to improve their chances in NEET 2024.

Q:   It is possible to crack NEET exam without coaching?

A:

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 ?

A:
To prepare for the Biology section of NEET the best books or study materials are NCERT textbooks. According to experts and toppers, NCERT is the best source of preparation. Based on the contents of the book, NCERT would be sufficient for NEET Biology preparation. However, students may refer to additional books and study materials. Some of the books are as follows: 1. Trueman's Biology Vol 1 and 2. Objective Biology by Dinesh 3. Objective Biology by Ansari 4. Pradeep Publication's Biology 5. Biology by GR Bathla Publications 6. SC Verma Biology.

Q:   Who topped the NEET 2023 exam?

A:

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

Also Read:NTA Announces CUET UG 2024, NEET UG 2024, JEE Main 2024, UGC NET Dates, Check Details

Five Common NEET 2024 Preparation Mistakes that Bring the Score Down

The common mistakes for NEET 2024 preparation listed below are not exactly regarding a particular subject or topic but can vary from the method or approach of preparation altogether. Let us know which are such common yet wrong practices followed during preparation that must be avoided to secure a high score in the exam.

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Mistake #1: Disregarding NCERT

NEET 2024 preparation and NCERT books are inseparable. They must go together if one wants to score decent marks in NEET 2024. Neglecting the NCERT books and focusing only on the reference material is one common mistake that many NEET aspirants make. NCERT must always be the first book that you refer to for any topic. Only after completing the preparation of a chapter from NCERT, one should move to another book to study the same chapter. Reference books should be used as supplementary books as they can never replace NCERT for NEET 2024 preparation. According to NEET 2023 toppers, they gave priority to NCERT books before other reference books that are available in the market.

Also Read: Are NCERT books enough for cracking NEET 2024?

Mistake #2: Depending too much on mock tests and avoiding analysis

Many students feel that taking NEET mock tests is more beneficial than reading textbooks for NEET 2024 preparation. They focus more on solving NEET mock tests and spend very little time actually reading and understanding the nuances of a chapter. It does help in the beginning when the difficulty level of the questions is low. As the preparation reaches an advanced stage, they find it difficult to attempt the questions which require a thorough understanding of the topic.

Q:   What is a good score in NEET?

A:

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?

A:
As per the NEET 2023 analysis, Physics and Biology were the easiest sections. Physics which is generally rendered as a tough subject, appeared as a surprise with easier questions. Biology on the other hand, is generally easy in nature, despite having the highest weightage in the NEET question paper. The topics of high weightage in the Physics section were Current Electricity Electro Magnetic Field, Modern Physics Rigid Body Dynamics, Modern Physics etc. In Biology the top chapters or units were Genetics, Human and Plant Reproduction, Cell Biology Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants, Application Biology and Human Physiology among others.

Q:   Can I prepare for NEET in just one month?

A:
Start repeated revisions of the chapters. Revision is the key. Solve questions and mock tests. If you refer to prepare for the NEET from the zero - The answer would be no. It's a competitive exam, has vast syllabus and could not completed in a month if starting from the zero.

Q:   How do I prepare for the NEET from the very beginning without coaching?

A:
Follow some of the best ways to prepare for NEET: Get a calendar and a diary Set your priorities Set out long study hours Take care of your health don't sleep during study time NCERT books are considered the best to cover all the basic concepts of all the subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Q:   How to prepare for NEET exam and get a good rank?

A:
Here are some tips to help you prepare for NEET and improve your chances of getting a good rank: 1 Understand the Syllabus: Go through the NEET syllabus thoroughly and create a study plan accordingly. Divide the topics into manageable chunks and make sure you cover each one systematically. 2 Refer to Good Study Materials: Use the best study material available in the market, such as NCERT books, reference books, and online resources. 3 Take Mock Tests: Taking mock tests regularly will help you assess your strengths and weaknesses, and give you an idea of the exam pattern and the difficulty level of the questions. 4 Time Management: Time management is crucial when it comes to cracking NEET. Devote sufficient time to each section, and make sure you complete the entire paper within the given time frame. 5 Stay Healthy: Take care of your physical and mental health to ensure that you can stay focused and motivated during your preparation. Eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and take breaks to avoid burnout. 6 Seek Help When Needed: Don't hesitate to seek help from your teachers, mentors, or online communities if you are facing any difficulties in your preparation. Remember, consistent effort and practice are key to success in NEET. Keep practicing and stay focused on your goal, and you are sure to achieve a good rank. Good luck!

While preparing for NEET 2024, students must always read and understand the chapter before attempting mock tests. Only when the base and concepts are clear, they will be able to attempt any question from a topic. Another important mistake students often commit during NEET preparation is avoiding analysing their mock test performances. After each mock test, they should get their mock tests analysed by their mentor to understand the scopes of improvement and the recurring errors. After this, modify your preparation strategy accordingly. 

Also Read: NEET 2024: 5 advantages of solving previous years' question papers and mock tests

Mistake #3: Shifting from one book to another

The minute one decides to prepare for NEET, he/she ends up searching for the books that people refer to for NEET preparation. Most of the students end up buying two or more reference books for a subject, apart from NCERT books. These books for NEET preparation usually sit on the shelves until exam day. Another common problem is shifting from one book to another, without completing a chapter from either of them which leads to confusion. To avoid both these issues during the advanced stages of NEET 2024 preparation, students should start by buying only one reference book that they intend to use. They should finish the NCERT books first and then complete the reference book. Only after completing these, they should refer to the third book for better retention of concepts.

Mistake #4: Trying to mug up the answers

While solving the mock tests and previous years' NEET question papers, students may come across many questions that they were unable to attempt. Though mugging up the answers for the Biology section may be beneficial sometimes, doing the same for the Physics and Chemistry sections usually proves to be futile. The approach for such questions must not be cramming all the answers, but reworking the concepts. They should first Identify the weak chapters or topics and then revise them thoroughly before taking the next mock test.

Mistake #5: Not taking breaks and making no time for hobbies

Spending time with family and friends helps relieve stress during the preparation phase. The same applies to your hobbies. However many students stop interacting with their friends and spend little or no time with their families while preparing for NEET. The result is demotivation towards the end. Moreover, the current situation of uncertainty can cause anxiety and stress but aspirants must not get bogged down with numerous news, discussions and deliberations on the impending NEET 2024 schedule and NEET application process. Remain focused on preparation and unwind from time to time to maintain composure and balance. 

Read More:

FAQs Regarding NEET Preparation Mistakes

Q: When should I start preparing for NEET?

A: Generally, aspirants start preparing for NEET around two years prior to the exam. Even if it is not possible for candidates to start preparing two years in advance, they should give at least one year for dedicated NEET preparation.

Q: Are NCERT or school text books enough to prepare for NEET?

A: Although NCERT or school text books will help you understand the concepts and complete the NEET syllabus, to get an edge over others in this highly competitive exam, students should refer to other top books for NEET preparation.

Q: Should I take NEET mock tests in online mode?

A: Although there are a lot of online NEET mock tests available in the internet and students may refer to those, but they must stick to the traditional method of solving those. This means, even if they refer to the questions online, the mock tests should be solved in offline or paper-pencil-based mode (PBT), which is the original mode for three hours and twenty minutes to get yourself accustomed to the test. 

Q4: Which subject in NEET should I give maximum preference to?

A: Each subject has equal number of questions. Hence, students should give equal attention and prepare for all the subjects equally. Among the three subjects, one must give extra attention to the weak areas. 

Q: Physics is my weakest section. Can I leave out the entire section?

A: It is not advisable for candidates to leave out an entire subject in the NEET question paper. This would affect the overall score and rank and would minimise the chance of qualifying for the exam. It is best to identify the weak areas soon after starting the NEET preparation and work towards improving the concepts to get a good score in the exam. 

About the Author
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Sreetama Datta Roy
Manager Content

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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