NEET PG 2025 exam analysis highlights moderate paper and likely higher cut-off

India Today

3 hours ago

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) successfully conducted the NEET PG 2025 on August 3, with a record turnout of more than 2.42 lakh candidates, the highest ever for the postgraduate medical entrance exam. The test was held across 1,052 centres in 233 cities, making it one of the largest computer-based examinations conducted in a single shift in India.advertisementThe exam was administered from 9 am to 12:30 pm, following the Supreme Court's mandate to conduct the test in a single shift to ensure fairness and avoid discrepancies between multiple sessions. Candidates attempted 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) spanning pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects. The marking scheme included plus 4 for correct answers and a minus 1 penalty for incorrect responses.DIFFICULTY LEVEL AND STUDENT FEEDBACKInitial student reactions suggest that the exam was moderate to easy compared to previous years. The pre-clinical and para-clinical sections were described as straightforward, while the clinical segment posed more of a challenge with a larger share of case-based and image-based questions. Popular subjects that featured prominently included Pharmacology, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, and General Medicine.
While many students found the paper manageable, experts caution that the relatively easier difficulty level combined with the high number of candidates could push the cut-off higher than in recent years.According to major coaching institutes, this year's NEET PG was one of the most student-friendly in recent memory. Faculty feedback indicates that a considerable portion of the questions had similarities with those asked in past examinations, allowing well-prepared candidates to attempt a higher number of questions with confidence.ANSWER KEY AND RESULT DATEAlthough NBEMS does not officially release answer keys, several leading coaching centres have already shared their preliminary solutions, helping aspirants estimate their scores. The official results are expected to be announced on or around September 3, 2025.With the exam concluded, the next step for aspirants is to prepare for NEET PG counselling. In line with the Supreme Court's directive, all medical colleges are required to publicly disclose their fee structures and admission policies before the counselling process begins.NBEMS has also issued an advisory urging students to beware of fraudulent counselling offers and rely solely on official announcements through the NBEMS and MCC websites.For now, candidates await the results with anticipation, as the record turnout and the test's moderate difficulty indicate that competition for postgraduate medical seats will be fiercer than ever this year.Exam analysis shared by Gaurav Tyagi, Medical Counsellor, Career Xpert- Ends