The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is an entrance examination conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for admissions to MBBS/BDS courses. The NEET-UG score is the key to getting admissions to the top private and state-owned colleges in India. If you are aspiring for a great career in the medical world, your preparation for NEET is extremely crucial. In this post, we will talk about the simple tips, tricks and ideas to score and fare better.

Quick facts and points at a glance

1. NEET 2017 will follow the same exam pattern as NEET 2016 and will be the only entrance test for admissions to MBBS/BDS courses from 2017.
2. The scorecard of NEET 2016 will not be considered valid for admissions in 2017.
3. The age limit requirements for upcoming year remains the same – Students must be of 17 years of age to take the exam, with an upper limit of 25 years. There is a relaxation of 5 years for reserved category candidates.
4. Marking system for 2017 will also remain same as last year. Every right answer is given four marks, while wrong answers have a negative marking of one mark each.
5. Aspirants can fill NEET application form online from first week of December 2016. The examination will be tentatively conducted in the month of May. Results are expected to be declared in June 2017.

Starting the preparation

No matter whether you are taking NEET-UG in 2017 or later, the right kind of approach is extremely important. Experts suggest that students should start preparing for the entrance examinations, including JEE and NEET, right after class 10. Whatever you are learning in higher secondary school or junior college is the crux of the entrance exams, and it is best to keep a balance between Class 12 exams and entrance tests. To qualify for NEET, you will need to secure a minimum of 50% in physics, chemistry and biology in aggregate and must also pass all the three subjects individually, along with English. There are a total of 180 multiple-choice questions in NEET, for which students get 3 hours.

Things to remember

• First and foremost, don’t miss on getting professional help. Coaching centers and institutes can be immensely beneficial in offering the right outlook for the exam, and you can start preparing in a balanced way. Before you choose an institute, spend some time in understanding and evaluating the options available, and do keep an eye on the faculty expertise. As for the costs of coaching, it is best to choose a reliable institute that can offer insight and assistance on NEET, instead of one that’s busy offering student discounts.

• It is important that you spend at least three to four hours each day for NEET study, right from Class 11. Self-studying allows one to explore the entire sessions and subjects in a better way, and you will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses easily. Try to schedule and make a plan for the entire week in advance, so that you can follow the timeline and divide the hours between all the three subjects – biology, chemistry and physics.

• Time management is one of the key aspects of scoring better in competitive exams, and you have to be extra careful with NEET-UG, as there is negative marking and only one effective minute to solve each question. Make sure that you have ample mock and test papers in hand to practice the questions, and in case you have a doubt, keep a notebook for tracking these aspects. Also, you should have a separate notebook for all the three subjects, which should include all the formulas, concepts and theories in a short and concise manner for easy revision.

Finally, don’t stress over any entrance examination. Anxiety and over thinking can impact your performance. Most students try to compare their lifestyle and preparation with that of others, which is a total wrong approach. Competition is good to an extent, and it is best to keep a tab on your own growth. NEET aspirants often miss on checking their personal growth, because they are too concerned with how others are performing. Focus on your Class 12 syllabus, and you will fare well in both.