This year’s National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical undergraduate courses in India will be conducted in paper and pen mode on Sunday, May 7, at 499 centres in the country and 14 abroad.
The timing of NEET (UG)-2023 is from 2 pm to 5.20 pm. The number of students who have registered this year is 20,59,006.
The admit cards could be downloaded from the website https://neet.nta.nic.in by submitting the application number and date of birth. If any difference is seen on the admit card in the candidate’s photo, signature or other details from the confirmation page received while applying, it should be conveyed immediately to the email neet@nta.ac.in
Candidates may reach the exam centre with the downloaded admit cards. They will not be issued duplicate admit cards. The changes will be made in the records later. The helpline number in this regard is 011-40759000.
Things to note before test
Mandatory instructions for candidates are explained in the information bulletin and pages 4, 5 and 6 of the admit card.
Photo and signature
Paste a copy of the photo uploaded while applying on the left column of Page 3 of the admit card. A clear print of the left thumb should be made on the column immediately on the photo’s right. The candidate should sign on the next column only in front of the invigilator at the exam centre.
Inside a large square below, paste a colour photo of the candidate in white background. It should be 6x4 inches in size. At the exam centre, the candidate has to sign on the left and the invigilator on the right of this photo. The invigilator will confirm that this photo and the one on Page 1 of admit card is the same. The candidate and the invigilator have to sign again under this large photo at the exam centre. The student should remember that this signature should be affixed only in the presence of the invigilator.
When to arrive
Arrive at the exam centre at the time mentioned on Page 2 of the admit card. Physical check of the candidates will start at 11 am. The gate of the exam centre will be closed at 1.30 pm and no candidate will be allowed entry into the exam hall after 1.40 pm.
Procedures in the exam hall
• A black ball pen to write and mark on the test booklet, attendance sheet and OMR sheet will be provided by the invigilator.
• Candidates can enter the exam hall between 11.30 am and 1.40 pm. Documents brought by them will be checked from 1.40 pm to 1.50 pm.
• Another photo has to be pasted on the attendance sheet, the names of both parents written, left thumb impression made, the time noted and signed.
• The test booklet will be given to the candidates at 1.50 pm when a single bell rings. But, candidates should not break its paper seal. The seal on the booklet could be opened only after a double-bell and the invigilator informs. On receiving the booklet, candidates have to enter details on its cover page and wait for instructions to open it.
• Candidates can take out the OMR sheet from the test booklet without breaking the seal and enter details.
• Handle the OMR sheet cautiously. It has two parts: original and office copy. Candidates should not separate them. Both have to be returned after the test.
• Ensure that the code on test booklet and OMR sheet are the same. If they are different, return immediately and receive new ones. Check whether the test booklet has the same number of pages mentioned on the first page, without opening it. Before entering details on OMR sheet, read the instructions behind the office copy. Affix signature at the specified space on OMR in front of the invigilator after writing the time and make the left thumb impression.
• The invigilator will announce the start of the test at 2 pm.
• For rough work, utilize only the space in the test booklet.
• The candidate has to affix signature on the attendance sheet after noting the time while returning both OMR sheets at the end of the exam. The candidate can take the test booklet home.
• No student will be allowed to leave the exam hall before the scheduled time. When the exam concludes, another sign has to be affixed on the attendance sheet.
• All candidates have to keep their admit cards safely as it is needed during admissions.
Use allotted time wisely
• Candidates have 200 minutes to answer 180 multiple-choice questions and each correct answer carries four marks, while a wrong answer leads to one negative mark.
• The maximum marks are 720 and for each of the four subjects there are 35 and 15 questions in sections A and B. Candidates need to answer only 10 among the 15 questions in Section B. If more than 10 are answered, the answers of the first 10 questions will be considered.
• There are no choices in Section A. Do not waste time in reading all the questions. Mark the answer in their order carefully on the OMR sheet.
• Avoid spending time on difficult questions but skip to the next one. Ensure that while answering the next question the question number and answer number match.
• The skipped questions could be answered during a second round of answering. However, avoid answering blindly as a wrong answer carries a negative mark.
Compulsory items to be taken to exam hall
• The following items are mandatory while heading to the exam hall: Admit card pasted with passport-size photo; another passport-size photo to be pasted on attendance sheet; original ID with photo (admit card of class 12 exam or a government document such as Aadhaar/ration card/ voter ID/passport/driving licence/PAN card) and a 6 x 4 inches photo pasted as explained earlier.
• Attested copies or scanned copies on mobile phone will not be accepted as photo ID.
• Differently abled candidates should carry their necessary documents and those of the scribe, if provided.
• Other items which could be carried to the exam hall are: transparent water bottle; mask; hand sanitizer and fruits and sugar tablets with prior permission by candidates suffering from diabetes.
Items banned in exam hall
• The following items cannot be taken to the exam hall: paper having writings or print; geometry box; plastic cover; pen; scale; writing pad; pen drive; eraser; calculator; logarithm table; electronic devices; scanner; mobile phone; Bluetooth; earphone; microphone; pager; health band; wallet; cooling glass; hand band; belt; cap; watch; bracelet; camera; ATM card; ornaments including earrings and nose buds; metallic items and food.
• Checking with metal detectors will be carried out to prevent malpractices.
• Physical examination of female students would be done only by women.
Dress code
All candidates have to follow a dress code for NEET (UG). Shirts and tops having long sleeves and large buttons will not be allowed. Shoes are banned and, instead, students can wear thin sandals. Candidates wearing religious clothes have to reach exam centres at least by 12 pm. Even though the gate of the exam centre will be closed only at 1.30 pm, candidates should try to reach as early as possible.
Other instructions
• Candidates who have downloaded the ‘city intimation slip’ with their photo should not mistake it for admit card. Only the admit card can be taken to the exam centre.
• Do not hide your face during the video recording in the exam hall.
• There is no facility for safekeeping items brought by candidates.