The Prospects of Reducing NEET Cutoff Marks: A Comprehensive Analysis
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is one of the most significant entrance exams for students aspiring to pursue Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programs in India. Understanding the factors that influence the cutoff marks is crucial for students preparing for the exam. This article aims to evaluate the possibility of reducing NEET cutoff marks and explore the trends surrounding this issue.
Historical Perspective of NEET Cutoff
I appeared for my NEET UG exam in 2018. Around 15 lakhs students took the exam that year, and our faculties advised us to aim for a minimum 500 marks to secure a seat in a Government Medical college. A score of 500/720 was quite typical and guaranteed a spot in a government college, provided the candidate's rank was stellar. My marks were 485 and AIR was 27,730, which did not land me a government college but still secured a semi-private college seat based on merit. Interestingly, in my second year after NEET 2019, students from my college, who had secured similar ranks as the year before, mentioned their marks, revealing a 70-mark boost in just one year.
The table below illustrates the number of candidates registering for NEET and how the cutoff marks have remained relatively high:
Year Number of Candidates 2022 18 Lakhs 2023 21 Lakhs 2024 23 LakhsFurthermore, news articles suggest that even students scoring 600/720 are struggling to secure a seat in a government college. Six years ago, AIR 1 used to score more than 600. These data points strongly indicate that the cutoff marks for NEET are likely to continue increasing over time.
Trends and Factors Influencing Cutoff Marks
The NEET cutoff may decrease if the exam becomes more difficult, leading to lower candidate performance, or if more seats become available. However, these factors are not the sole determinants, as the student's performance plays a significant role. The increasing number of registrations and repeaters adds another layer of complexity. Many students are making multiple attempts to clear the exam, contributing to higher competition and higher cutoffs.
Some experts also suggest implementing an age limit on the NEET to address this issue. Reducing the number of older candidates attempting the exam for the first time could potentially bring the cutoff down. However, this is a controversial suggestion as it may be seen as discriminatory against older students who might be capable of performing well.
Predictions for NEET 2024
This year, the cutoff marks for NEET 2024 are unlikely to decrease. Instead, we may witness a significant increase of up to 35-40 marks compared to previous years. The official NEET 2024 All India cut-off marks have not yet been released, but signals from the increasing number of registrations and the performance trends in previous years strongly suggest this.
Conclusion
The increasing number of registrations, repeaters, and the overall competition suggest that the NEET cutoff marks are likely to continue to rise. While certain factors might contribute to a decrease in cutoff marks, the lack of significant improvements in available seats and the consistent rise in registrations indicate that the current upward trend is here to stay.