NTA NEET 2019 has commenced amidst tight security

New Delhi, May 5: The much anticipated NEET 2019 exam has commenced today at 9 am across 154 cities in the country. The gates to the exam venue were thrown open at 12.30 pm. National Testing Agency (NTA), which is conducting the exam for the first time, had earlier issued a slew of guidelines for candidates appearing in the exam, including those related to dress code and barred items. So, it was not a surprise to see that extensive checking arrangements were put in place to ensure candidates couldn’t adopt unfair means inside the exam hall.

This year around 15.9 lakh candidates have applied for the national-level exam, which is conducted for admission to MBBS (approx. 66,771 seats) and BDS (27,148 seats) courses. Additionally, NEET 2019 scores will also be used for admission to AYUSH, B.Sc and AH medical courses.

Heavy frisking and checking arrangements observed

At every exam centre, there were proper provisions of metal detectors to stop candidates from carrying illegal items inside the exam hall. As part of security measures, many candidates were also forced to remove shoes, as it was a barred item. Such candidates had to enter the exam venue in their bare feet.

Late comers allowed inside exam hall beyond scheduled time

As per the official exam day schedule released by NTA, last entry at exam hall was supposed to be 1.30 pm. But candidates were allowed inside the exam venue as late as 1.50 pm (as was seen in an exam centre in New Delhi - Bal Mandir Sr. Secondary School, Defence Enclave), in clear transgression of the official notice.

It is a matter of debate as to whether such largesse is afforded to candidates in select exam centres only, or it is a uniform across all exam cities and centres.

Candidates in traditional dress also allowed late entry

Many candidates who arrived in their traditional attires were also allowed entry inside the exam hall, well past the recommended time of 12.30. Also, there were no any untoward incident that have been observed, as entry of such candidates was handled smoothly.

What after conclusion of NEET 2019 exam?

Results of NEET 2019 will be declared by June 5, but candidates can expect to lay their hands on NEET 2019 answer keys by coaching institutes within hours of completion of the exam. The answer keys will be available for all paper codes and contain answers to questions asked in the exam. Consequently, one can calculate their probable scores and thereby their chances of admission. When calculating probable scores, one must follow the official exam pattern only.

To access one’s chances of admission based on probable scores, the candidate may consult previous years’ cutoff details of medical and dental colleges.

Meanwhile, the official answer key, along with recorded responses will be published by NTA sometime in the last week of May. Note that the official answer will be the final authority on the correctness of an answer.

Keeping an eye on the qualifying cutoff

Interestingly, while the qualifying cutoff percentile of NEET remains every year, the cutoff marks may vary depending on the performance of candidates in the exam (refer the table below). Only such candidates who qualify in the exam scoring the minimum prescribed percentile (or marks) will be eligible for admission in the undergraduate courses.

NEET qualifying percentile and marks