The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET UG) is one of the most competitive medical entrance exams in India. Every year, lakhs of students aspire to crack this exam and secure a seat in a prestigious medical college. In order to appear for NEET UG 2024, candidates need to register themselves on the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA). However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the registration process has been extended till March 16, giving students more time to apply. Let’s take a closer look at this latest development and what it means for aspiring medical students.
NEET UG 2024: Important Dates and Details
According to the NTA notification, the last date to submit the application forms for NEET UG 2024 has been extended till March 16. Candidates can submit their forms online on the official website exams.nta.ac.in/NEET/. The deadline for fee payment has also been extended till 11:50 pm on March 16. This decision was taken by the NTA after considering the difficulties faced by students due to the pandemic and the requests received from various stakeholders.
The NEET UG 2024 exam will be held on May 5, in a single shift from 2 pm to 5:20 pm. It is important for candidates to note that the exam will be conducted offline, i.e. it will be a pen-and-paper test. This means that candidates have to mark their answers on OMR sheets. The NTA has also identified 14 cities abroad where the exam will be held, in addition to various cities across India.
Changes in Terms and Conditions
In the notification for the extension of the application deadline, the NTA has stated that there will be no changes in the terms and conditions of the exam compared to last year, except for the syllabus. The revised information bulletin of NEET UG has also been uploaded on the official website. This means that candidates can refer to the previous year’s information bulletin for details regarding eligibility criteria, exam pattern, marking scheme, etc.
The only major change in terms of the exam is the syllabus. The NTA had previously announced that the syllabus for NEET UG 2024 will be based on the reduced syllabus of CBSE Class 11 and 12. This decision was taken due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic and to ensure that students do not face any additional burden while preparing for the exam.
How to Register for NEET UG 2024
Now that the registration deadline has been extended, it is important for candidates to know the process of registering for NEET UG 2024. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the registration process:
- Visit the official website of NTA – exams.nta.ac.in/NEET/
- Click on the link for “NEET UG 2024 Registration”
- Fill in all the required details such as personal information, educational qualifications, etc.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee using any of the available modes of payment.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
It is important to note that candidates must provide accurate information while filling the application form. Any discrepancies found during the verification process may lead to disqualification.
Documents Required for NEET UG 2024 Registration
Along with the basic personal and educational details, candidates are also required to upload certain documents during the registration process. These include:
- Scanned copy of passport-sized photograph (10-200 kb)
- Scanned copy of signature (4-30 kb)
- Class 10 mark sheet (100-300 kb)
- Class 12 mark sheet (100-300 kb)
- Valid ID proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, etc.) (50-300 kb)
It is important to ensure that all the documents are uploaded in the prescribed format and size. Any discrepancies may lead to rejection of the application.
NEET UG 2024: Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
NEET UG is a three-hour long exam with a total of 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The paper is divided into three sections – Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology). Each section consists of 45 questions, with each question carrying four marks. For every incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted from the total score. The maximum marks for NEET UG 2024 will be 720.
The table below gives a detailed breakdown of the exam pattern and marking scheme for NEET UG 2024:
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Biology (Botany and Zoology) | 90 | 360 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
Tips for Preparing for NEET UG 2024
With the registration deadline extended, candidates now have more time to prepare for NEET UG 2024. Here are some tips to help you make the most of this extra time:
- Start early: It is never too early to start preparing for an exam as competitive as NEET UG. The earlier you start, the more time you will have to cover the syllabus and revise.
- Understand the syllabus: Make sure you are familiar with the syllabus and exam pattern before you start your preparation. This will help you plan your study schedule accordingly.
- Practice regularly: Regular practice is key to cracking NEET UG. Solve previous year’s question papers and take mock tests to get an idea of the exam pattern and improve your speed and accuracy.
- Focus on weak areas: Identify your weak areas and work on them. Allocate more time for subjects or topics that you find difficult.
- Stay updated: Keep yourself updated with any changes in the syllabus or exam pattern. Also, stay updated with current affairs related to the field of medicine.
