Introduction 

National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET) is a medical entrance examination in India. Students who want to pursue graduate medical education at government or private medical institutes in India take this test. Students who have finished Class 12th or its equivalent take this all-India test. The undergraduate NEET (UG), for MBBS and BDS (Dental) courses, is currently conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which provides the results to the Directorate General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Before this, The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was in charge of this all-India test.

MNS (Military Nursing Service) aspirants seeking admission to the BSc Nursing Course being conducted at Armed Forces Medical Service Hospitals for the year 2024 are required to qualify for NEET. The NEET score will be used for shortlisting for selection to the four-year BSc Nursing course.

Candidates who are interested in pursuing medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, etc. can apply for NEET UG 2024 through the official website of NTA.

NEET TIMELINE
Announcement for NEET is made around the second week of December, followed by the beginning of registration in the first week of March till the first week of April. It is usually conducted in the first week of May. The NEET 2024 examination has been scheduled for May 5, 2024.  

Application form process 
The application for NEET UG 2024 is currently available. The online application form must be completed and submitted by March 9, 2024, if candidates want to participate in NEET 2024. The application form can be accessed at https://neet.ntaonline.in/, the NTA NEET official website. Applicants seeking the NEET form for 2024 must register by providing their email addresses, mobile numbers, and personal information. Students who complete the NEET Application Form 2024 will be issued an application number and password, which they must use to log in and complete the remaining sections of the form.
Candidates must fill out the NEET application form 2024 with their academic information, select the exam city, and upload scanned copies of their passport-sized photos, category certificates (if applicable) disability certificates (if applicable), and class 10 passing certificates.
The candidate's name and the date of the photo shoot should be printed under the white background of the image. The other documents should be between 100 and 300 KB in size, and the picture should be between 10 and 200 KB in size. The files should only be in JPG or JPEG format.

Documents required –

Postcard size photograph, Passport size photograph, Left and right-hand fingers and thumb impressions, Signature, Class 10 marksheet and passing certificate, Class 12 marksheet and passing certificate, Valid ID proof (Aadhar card, PAN card, driving license, voter ID card, etc.), PwBD certificate (if applicable), Category certificate (if applicable), Citizenship certificate (if applicable), Present and permanent address proof.

Eligibility criteria –

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects from a recognised board.
• Class 12 or equivalent appearing aspirants are also eligible to apply for NEET.
• Candidates studying Biology as an additional subject after passing class 12 are also eligible.
• According to the updated NEET eligibility criteria 2024, all previous limits on the NEET age limit, subject requirements, and school type have been lifted. The health ministry's most recent update states that there is no higher age limit for the NEET exam in 2024. The NEET 2024 eligibility criteria no longer include an upper age limit.
• The NMC officially announced on March 9, 2022, that the NEET eligibility requirements no longer have an age limit. Therefore, those who are older than 17 years old are eligible to apply for the NEET exam. The NEET exam's previous upper age limit was 25 years for applicants from the general category and 30 years for those from the reserved category.

Exam pattern 

There will be 200 multiple-choice objective-type questions in the NEET 2024 exam; candidates must correctly answer 180 of these questions. A total of 720 marks will be awarded for the NEET exam in 2024. There are two sections for each subject: Section A and Section B.

There are 35 questions in Section A and 15 questions in Section B. Candidates must respond to ten questions in Section B. The Biology, Chemistry, and Physics syllabuses for classes 11 and 12 will serve as the basis for the exam questions.

For every right response, candidates will gain four marks; for every wrong answer, they will lose one mark. It's crucial to remember that once responses are entered into the NEET OMR form, they cannot be altered.

NEET marking scheme 

• Each question is of 4 marks.
• For each question which has the right response it earns 4 marks.
• For each wrong response, 1 mark is deducted.
• If more than one option is to be accurate after a key is challenged, any/all of the multiple correct possibilities will receive 4 marks.
• If a question is not attempted, not answered, no marks are given.
• 4 marks will be given to everyone who attempted the question correctly.

NEET PREPARATION STRATEGY

The sole national-level medical entrance exam in India, known as NEET UG, is used to determine admission to undergraduate medical programs throughout the country. The NEET exam is among the most competitive, with over 20 lakh students trying it each year. Thorough and concentrated preparation is essential for NEET success.

Start preparing by familiarising yourself with the NEET syllabus in its entirety. The NTA NEET curriculum 2024 PDF can be reviewed by candidates, who should take careful note of all the subjects and subtopics that must be covered. Sort the NEET 2024 syllabus into categories according to your level of familiarity, then choose priorities.

Create a proper study routine –

A NEET study schedule for 2024 must be created to manage your time well. Determine the relevance of each subject and topic and your level of skill before allocating specific time slots for them. Make sure you have adequate time for practice exams and NEET revision. Aspirants may follow the following steps to enhance their preparation –

1. Make notes: It's also a good idea to turn the paragraphs into bullet points or brief notes. Each learner is unique, with a unique learning style. It is advised that you take quick study notes while you are learning. Since various students understand the same issue differently and take notes properly, it's a great method.

As a quick reference, compile a list of key formulas and derivations. This compilation will come in very handy for effective last-minute revisions in the weeks before the NEET exam.

2. Regular revision: It is encouraged of the candidates to write their brief notes. Each chapter's key ideas and formulas must be noted down so they may be remembered later. It will help pupils commit important NEET subjects to memory. Optimize your study time by focusing on high-yield topics and areas that need to be strong.

3. Practice PYQs: The secret to success in NEET is consistent practice. Complete a large number of example papers, and practice questions to familiarise yourself with the pattern of the exam and gain speed and accuracy.

4. Work on weak points: Determine your areas of weakness and set aside additional time to strengthen them. Make a special effort and practice answering NEET questions related to those subjects. Put understanding over memorization.

5. Attempt mock tests: Students could start by rehearsing for mock exams and question papers from previous years. With the help of this approach, students may better grasp the exam's structure, degree of difficulty, question kinds, important ideas and subjects, and more.

Candidates need to understand that a crucial aspect of their preparation involves reviewing the curriculum. Applicants can evaluate their NEET readiness promptly and concentrate on their areas of weakness. Lastly and most importantly, keep up a healthy lifestyle while you get ready for NEET UG in 2024. To maintain your body and mind in top shape, eat healthily, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. To refresh your mind, limit your stress levels and schedule leisure time.