NEET-UG: Students struggle with difficult paper, no extra time
Patna
: Many students who appeared for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (
), conducted by the
(NTA) on Sunday, described the paper as more difficult than last year's.
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They said the questions were lengthy, analytical and made every section challenging.
Unlike in recent years when candidates were allowed an additional 20 minutes, making the total duration three hours and 20 minutes, this year the exam reverted to the pre-Covid format of three hours, which further added to the pressure.
Candidates were required to attempt 180 questions in 180 minutes with each correct response earning four marks, for a total of 720.
The questions were asked from three subjects – 45 each from physics and chemistry and 90 from biology. There was a penalty of one mark for every incorrect answer.
"This was my first attempt and going by the level of questions we got this time, I am not at all hopeful of qualifying the exam," said Shreya, speaking outside Ganga Devi Mahila College in Patna. "Every section was vast and so much time was wasted just reading and trying to comprehend the questions.
Last year's paper was not this difficult and they had 20 minutes of extra time as well. But this year's difficulty level was beyond our comprehension and with no extra time, it only made things worse for us," she added.
Saanvi Sirmaur, another first-time candidate, said she found the biology section somewhat easier compared to physics and chemistry. "I attempted around 150 questions, of which 80 from biology will definitely be correct.
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In terms of difficulty, physics was the toughest, followed by chemistry, which really made us think hard in the examination hall," said Sirmaur. She also admitted she did not expect to qualify this year.
Mohammad Nasir, appearing for the second time, said he attempted all 180 questions and was hopeful that at least 150 would be correct. "The remaining 30 were guesswork, done in haste due to lack of time. So the penalty for marking 30 questions incorrectly will definitely impact my overall score, but I am still hopeful," said Nasir, who acknowledged that the questions were of a very high standard and required more time to understand thoroughly.
An academic expert said last year's questions ranged from easy to moderate, whereas many of this year's were difficult. The absence of extra time only made the paper seem more daunting.
The exam was held in offline, pen-and-paper (OMR-based) mode, conducted in a single day and single shift. NEET-UG is conducted for admission into undergraduate medical courses across all medical institutions in the country.
Around 23 lakh candidates took the test in 566 cities in India and abroad, including 35 cities in Bihar.
In Patna alone, the exam was held at 96 centres. Students were allowed entry into their respective centres between 11am and 1.30pm. To ensure smooth conduct of the exam, 104 static magistrates, 20 nodal officers and 96 police escorts were deployed in various locations. Also, 15 magistrates were stationed at the district control room.
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