Inclusive question paper behind cent percent scores at NEET 2021

Mrinal Kutteri, Tanmay Gupta, Karthika G Nair are the joint toppers of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG)-2021. All have scored full marks in the medical entrance exam. This year, the number of students scoring full marks in NEET has increased. In 2020, Soyeb Aftab and Akanksha Singh had scored full marks in the medical admission test. The number of students scoring 700 plus marks has increased this year to 18 as compared to 17 last year. Of the total students who scored more than 700, 16 students have got 715, three have got 720 and one each secured 716 and 700 marks.

“Increase in full marks in NEET can be attributed to inclusivity of questions from across the boards,” says Dr B Srinivas, ADG (ME), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. On the standard of question paper, Dr Srinivas says that it has not been diluted rather it has become more inclusive. “Syllabi of state education boards were also taken into consideration while preparing the questions for this year’s NEET. Additionally, experts and translators from state boards were also involved to ensure accurate translation of the question papers in regional languages,” says Dr Srinivas. He highlights that students’ hard work, easy availability of study material, increased awareness about question paper pattern among students can collectively be attributed for the better result.
Analytical thinking needs to be assessed
The current question pattern gives more emphasis on rote learning, says Dr Rajesh Nachiappa Ganesh, professor, Department of Pathology, JIPMER, Puducherry. “Students who repeatedly attempt similar pattern through mock test have higher chances of qualifying the exam. Instead of memory-based questions, NEET aspirants should be tested for analytical thinking skills and aptitude. Having increased number of analytical questions will avoid repeated pattern and help to filter out the best brains for selection,” says Dr Ganesh.