NEET 2 on July 24: Make the most of this chance to bag medical seat

After all the confusion surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in May this year, the Supreme Court ordered that the second phase of the test will be held on July 24, 2016. NEET 2 will be more competitive given the fact that students who appeared in NEET 1 can appear in NEET 2 as well, along with those students who could not appear for NEET 1 held in May. Candidates who felt that they could not do well in NEET 1 and decide to appear in NEET 2 to improve their scores will have to take the risk of surrendering their NEET 1 scores.

As per the ordinance, the exam NEET phase 2 will be conducted for those applying to Central government institutions, private medical colleges and deemed universities. States have been instructed that they may either conduct their exams this year or may consider NEET for admissions in their undergraduate medical and dental courses.

NEET 2 vs NEET 1

So what are the lessons from NEET 1 and how should aspirants approach NEET 2? According to Aakash Chaudhry, director, Aakash Educational Services Pvt Ltd, “NEET 2 will be similar to NEET 1. It will be conducted based on the same guidelines which were followed earlier in NEET 1. The combined results of NEET 1 and 2 will be declared on August 17, 2016. It is actually one exam, being conducted on two dates. The test paper of NEET 1 was according to the previous year’s AIPMT pattern. The physics section was lengthy and difficult while chemistry was of above average difficulty level. Biology was comparatively easy with maximum questions from NCERT books.”

Read more: CBSE makes special arrangements to conduct NEET in Srinagar

NEET 2 is also expected to follow the trends of previous year’s AIPMT. Those who had taken NEET 1 will definitely be better prepared. Students should analyse their performance in NEET 1 to see where they could do well and where they couldn’t so that the problem areas can be given more importance, he says.

Keeping the analysis of performance in NEET 1 in mind, students should approach the NEET 2 with a structured plan so that the underperformed areas can be overcome this time. “The biggest concern for students now is that in case they do not perform well in NEET 2, they will not have any back-up. As their scores of NEET 1 will have to be surrendered, they must do better in NEET 2 to secure their position,” says Chaudhry.

Dos and don’ts for test day

Prepare a strategy based on your strengths and weaknesses. An effective strategy will help you draw the best output in the final exam. Try to get a perfect score in your strong areas to boost your chances.

“Be selective. Try not to give the final answer for questions which you are not sure of because your wrong answer will reduce your grand total. Leave such questions and focus first on the questions from your strength areas. On an average, there are 55% to 60% easy questions, 20% to 25% moderate questions and 15% to 20% difficult questions in NEET. Try to identify the easy ones and attempt them first,” says Chaudhry.

Managing time effectively is very important. NEET is not only a test of your knowledge but also a test of your temperament and time management skills. Divide the three hours as per your comfort and strengths in the subjects and try to stick with the timeline assigned. In the first round, attempt only those questions, which are taking less time and are very easy. Read all the questions of the test paper so that any easy question does not remain un-attempted. Read all the options carefully. In the second round, try to solve the remaining questions, to maximise the score, he adds.

Do not panic if you are stuck with a difficult question. Try not to cram in the last few days. Also don’t start the paper in a hurry. Read all the instructions carefully and fill all the required details correctly in the answer sheet.