NEET 2024 tie-breaking criteria have been changed as compared to last year. A new factor of draw of lots by using computer has been introduced this year. This article of Shiksha discusses in detail the NEET 2024 tie-breaking criteria, and also analyses the policies of the past few years and how the factors have changed over the years.
NEET Tie-Breaking Criteria
NEET 2024 tie-breaking criteria have been changed as compared to that of last year. It is one of the many changes in NEET 2024 that has been introduced this year. Tie-breaking refers to the mechanism deployed to determine the ranks of two or more candidates in the NEET merit list, in case all of them score same marks in the exam.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.The total marks of the NEET 2024 exam is 720. As per the marking scheme, each question carries four marks, and there is negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer. There is no negative marking scheme for unattempted or extra attempted questions in the NEET question paper.
Q: How many times can I appear for NEET?
According to NTA a candidate can appear for NEET any number of times. There is no restriction on the number of attempts permitted. Moreover, ever since the upper age limit of NEET has been removed, there is even more flexibility in terms of the number of NEET attempts.
The exam is conducted once a year, hence candidates can appear only once in an academic year. But unless candidates fulfil the eligibility criteria, they would not be able to get admission even if they score the qualifying cutoff marks for NEET.
Q: Can a class 12 student appear for NEET?
A Class 12 student can appear for NEET, provided he/she fulfills the eligibility criteria for the exam stated by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam conducting body. Although there is no upper age limit for appearing in NEET, but the lower age limit is still applicable. A candidate must of at least 17 years as of December 31 of the academic year. Unless candidates meet the lower age limit criterion, they would not be considered eligible to appear for NEET for the particular year. The other factors of eligibility include studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology as core subjects.
Q: Can I get MBBS admission with a 300 score in NEET 2024?
It is possible to get admission to a private medical college with a score of 300 in NEET 2023. For government medical college, one should ideally obtain a score above 600. The NEET cutoff for the Government medical colleges vary as per the institute rank and round of counselling. Hence, it can be said that a score of 300 in NEET 2023 may not be sufficient for admission to Government medical colleges. As per past years' trends, a score between 500 to 700 or above is in the cutoff marks for NEET.
Also Read: NEET Total Marks 2024: Check Exam Pass Marks and Marking Scheme
The NEET tie-breaking policy is dynamic and changes every year. This article by Shiksha.com analyses the NEET tie-breaking criteria over the past few years.
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In the NEET 2024 tie-breaking protocol, a new factor has been added, which is draw of lots using computer or Information Technology, which is devoid of human intervention. Since last year, NTA has removed the age factor and application number from the NEET tie-breaking criteria. Let us now assess the NEET 2024 tie-breaking criteria in detail.
NEET 2024 Tie-Breaking Criteria
In case two or more candidates obtain equal marks/percentile scores in the NEET 2024, the inter-se-merit shall be determined as follows:
- Candidate obtaining higher marks in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Draw of lots by using the computer or IT with no human intervention.
While the first three criteria have remained the same as last year, it is the fourth criterion, devoid the human intervention, has been introduced this year. NTA has not explained the reason behind introduction of the fourth point, and the possible impact of that.
Q: Is there any age limit for NEET exam?
The upper age limit criterion was removed by NMC on March 9, 2022, based on the judgment made by the Supreme Court of India. Earlier, the case was under trial in the apex court. However, there is a lower age limit of 17 years as of December 31 of the academic year. Unless candidates meet the lower age limit criterion, they would not be considered eligible to appear for NEET.
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for NEET?
As per the eligibility criteria of NEET candidates should pass the Class 12th Board exam from a recognised institute and board from the Science stream with a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate (40 per cent for OBC/SC/ST and 45 per cent for PwD category candidates). The candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English subjects in Class 11 and Class 12. There has been a change in the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria. Till last year, Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology subjects had to be studied as core subjects in order to be eligible to appear for the exam. This year, the National Medical Commission has revised the eligibility criteria, which states that candidates may study these subjects as additional papers. The minimum age limit is 17 years as on December 31 of the year of admission. The upper age limit criteria has been removed in the year 2022.
Q: How many candidates appeared for NEET 2024?
According to the reports, this year saw the highest number of NEET applications and appearance for the exam. A total of 24,06,079 candidates applied for the exam, out of which 23,33,297 candidates appeared. The exam was originally conducted on May 5, 2024, in 571 cities across India and abroad. A re-test for 1,563 candidates who were awarded grace marks on May 5, was conducted on June 23, 2024. In this exam, 813 candidates had appeared.
Q: Which courses can I pursue after appearing for NEET exam?
NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a national level medical entrance exam for undergraduate courses. It is the gateway to admission to multiple medical and paramedical courses. Although earlier NEET scores were considered for MBBS and BDS courses only, but now, there are multiple courses including medical, dental, nursing and other paramedical courses, the admission to which are conducted through NEET scores. The course names are listed below:
1. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
2. Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
3. BSc Nursing
4. Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
5. Bachelor of Uninani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS)
6. Bachelor Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)
7. Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS)
8. Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)
9. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOTh)
10. Bachelor of Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology (BASLP)
11. Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics
These courses are offered at various colleges across India, and the admission is based on the NEET UG exam scores.
Q: Am I eligible for NEET 2024? I got 46 marks in Chemistry in Class 12.
As per the eligibility criteria of NEET, PWD candidates from General category should secure minimum 45 per cent aggregate and those from the reserved category (SC, ST, OBC) should secure 40 per cent aggregate. Hence, if you have secured the requisite aggregate, then you will be eligible to appear for NEET 2024. The National Testing Agency (NTA) does not consider the subject-wise percentage. Hence, if you are fulfilling the other factors of the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria, then you can appear for the exam.
Now let us take a look at the NEET tie-breaking criteria for the previous years.
NEET 2023 Tie-Breaking Criteria
The NEET 2023 tie-breaking criteria given below focused on the candidates’ performance in each of the subjects in the order of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. After that, the proportion of accurate responses in each of the subjects was tallied.
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate with less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test.
NEET 2022 Tie-Breaking Criteria
The NEET 2022 tie-breaking criteria were the same as that of the NEET 2023 criteria, except for two additional criteria, which are the age of test-takers and NEET application numbers. The complete criteria for NEET 2022 tie-breaking are given below.
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate with less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test, followed by
- Candidate Older in Age, followed by
- Application Number in ascending order.
NEET 2021 Tie-Breaking Criteria
The NEET 2021 tie-breaking criteria had only three factors, which are given below:
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test.
In NEET 2021, the Physics score was not considered for tie-breaking, except for the calculation of the proportion of correct answers attempted.
As can be seen from the NEET tie-breaking criteria over the past few years, the factors have undergone several changes over the years. However, the factors that have remained constant are the performance in the subjects, in the order of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Read More:
NEET 2024: Know Major Changes Introduced This Year
List of Documents Required for NEET 2024 Application Form, Document Size and Formats
NEET 2024 Eligibility Criteria: Upper Age Limit, Number of Attempts, Qualification
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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Can we get admission with 28460 rank in NEET UG to get a seat in the Medical department of North Bengal Medical College?