The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test known as NEET is a national-level entrance examination which is conducted to provide admissions in Medical and Dental courses offered by various government and private medical and dental colleges across India. NEET 2018 examination was successfully conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on May 6, 2018, and the result of the same was released on June 4, 2018.
Last week the Union HRD Minister, Prakash Javadekar announced significant changes in the national-level entrance examinations including NEET. The changes are expected to be implemented from the upcoming academic sessions.
Here are things which every NEET 2019 aspirant must know:
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Conducted by NTA:
The examination will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). National Testing Agency is an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organization which is established to conduct higher education level entrance examinations. NTA will also be conducting other entrance examinations such as JEE Main, UGC NET, CMAT, and GPAT.
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Twice a year:
Currently, the examination is conducted annually but from the upcoming academic session, the examination will be conducted twice a year. The candidates aspiring to crack NEET examination will get an opportunity to appear for the examination twice a year. According to the NEET schedule released by the HRD Ministry, the examination will be conducted in the month of February as well as May. The best of both the score will be accepted for admission and it's not mandatory for the candidates to appear for both the examinations, they can choose any one phase also.
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Availability of Application Form:
The online application form for the first phase of the NEET 2019 examination will commence from October 1, 2018, and the last date to apply for the same is October 31, 2018. The first phase of the examination will be conducted between February 3, 2019, and February 17, 2019, in 8 different slots.
The online application form for the second phase of NEET examination is expected to be released in the second week of March 2019 and the examination will be held between May 12, 2019, and May 26, 2019, in various slots. The candidate can choose whether they want to appear for both the phases of examination or any one. -
Online Mode:
Earlier the NEET examination used to be conducted in Paper-Pen Mode as well as Online Mode (Computer-Based Test) but according to the notification, the examination will be conducted in Online mode. The ministry has also ensured the usage of highly secured IT software and encryption which will further avoid leakages and malpractices.
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Exam Pattern and Syllabus:
The ministry has yet not announced any change in the examination pattern and the syllabus of NEET and the same is expected to remain unchanged for the upcoming examination.
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Scientific Approach:
According to the Press Release issued by the Ministry, “All tests would be set in a scientific manner with the test items developed jointly by the subject matter experts and psychometric. Before developing the question papers, the item writers for the exams will be given feedback on the functioning of the previous year's items so that they are able to make test items which are more valid and reliable.”
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Application Fee:
The application fee for NEET 2019 will remain same as no increase in the fee has been notified by the Ministry.
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NEET 2019 Schedule:
According to the new examination schedule released by the HRD Ministry, following are the important dates for NEET 2019 examination.
NEET 2019 Schedule
Date
NEET 1st Phase- Release of Online Application Form
October 1, 2018
NEET 1st Phase- Last date to fill the Application Form
October 31, 2018
NEET 1st Phase- Examination Dates
February 9, 2019 to February 17, 2019
NEET 1st Phase- Result
First week of March 2019
NEET 2nd Phase- Online availability of Application Form
Second week of March 2019
NEET 2nd Phase- Examination Dates
May 12, 2019 to May 26, 2019
The detailed schedule is yet to released on the official website of the National Testing Agency.