Plan your Career: NEET has its advantages for medical aspirants

I am now in Class 12. I always dreamt of becoming a doctor, specialising in Cardiology. Now, with NEET becoming mandatory, I am not sure on how to prepare. I am confused about NEET. Kindly guide me to have clarity on the matter. (Vimala Sree) Normally, I dispatch my column by Thursday or Friday. This column got delayed for no reason. But now I realise that it was for a purpose. We are grief stricken with the news and images of Anitha from Kuzhumur in Ariyalur district, who challenged the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), in the court, has sacrificed her life so that others can have life.

The NEET imbroglio has denied her an opportunity to be a doctor, a dream that she nourished for long and successfully qualified with outstanding results in the state board examinations. The NEET has taken away her dream and has left her dead.

In one of her interviews, Anitha said, “We do not know what is NEET. We are too poor to go for NEET coaching classes. If you consider our hard-earned Class 12 marks, it will greatly benefit the poor.” Before and with her death, Anitha has made three high-octane political statements against NEET.

National equality needed

We are left with no other view but postpone NEET for some years, to prepare our students to face this national-level eligibility test. How do you force national eligibility without achieving national equality in education? This is the most important question to be answered. Will Anitha’s sacrifice of life change the situation for a student like you? With less political will, it is quite unlikely. Hence it is better that you start the preparation if you are serious about realising your dream of becoming a doctor.

The NEET entrance examination for graduate and postgraduate medical courses is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). There are a handful of institutes like JIPMER exempted as they were set up separate laws. But a vast majority of institutes come under the NEET umbrella.

Since Class 12 marks are not considered for the admission and the NEET favours students of CBSE, it is arduous for students who follow Samacheer Kalvi syllabus. It has paved the way for mushrooming of expensive coaching centres that charge between Rs 150,000 and Rs 200,000.

More than debating its advantages and disadvantages, what needs to be examined is whether the system has prepared the public and the students. It may be argued that NEET has its advantages, but the concern is, for whom?

The minimum qualification to appear for exam is to have passed the higher secondary examination with 50 per cent marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics together. There is a percentage relaxation of 45 per cent for the reserved SC/ST category students. To apply, one should have also completed 17 years of age and clear the exam (NEET) in three attempts.

Start preparing by gathering complete information about officially prescribed syllabus. Have a study schedule in place. Get hold of good and comprehensive study materials. Work on model/previous year question papers. This will help you to familiarise with the exam pattern, types of questions, etc. Concentrate more on the subjects that you feel you are weak in. Practice as many mock tests as possible. There are several online tests available. They are available for every subject. This will definitely improve your performance and help you face the exam confidently.