Cracking Medical & Dental Entrance Exams in India: Your Complete Guide to NEET

September 25, 2025

Aspiring to become a doctor or a dentist is a dream for millions, but the journey begins with one crucial step: clearing a highly competitive entrance exam. The landscape of medical and dental admissions has been streamlined, with a single, mandatory test serving as the gateway to the most prestigious institutions.

This article serves as your definitive guide to understanding the primary medical and dental entrance exams in India, with a special focus on the one exam that matters most: NEET.

The Central Exam: All About NEET

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the single largest and most important medical entrance exam for undergraduate courses (MBBS and BDS) in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), a valid NEET score is now the sole pathway for admission to all government, private, and deemed medical and dental colleges across the country.

NEET Eligibility Criteria 📝

Before you can begin your preparation, it’s vital to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements.

Age Limit: You must have completed 17 years of age on or before December 31st of the admission year. There is currently no upper age limit.
Educational Qualification: You must have passed Class 12 (or its equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
Minimum Marks: The minimum aggregate percentage in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) is 50% for the General category and 40% for SC/ST/OBC.

Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Understanding the exam’s structure is the first step to a winning strategy.

Mode: The exam is a pen-and-paper-based test.
Duration: 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Subjects: The paper consists of 200 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany & Zoology), out of which you need to attempt 180.
Syllabus: The syllabus for NEET is based on the NCERT textbooks for Class 11 and 12. A thorough understanding of these books is non-negotiable for success.
Marking Scheme: Each correct answer earns you +4 marks, while an incorrect answer results in a -1 negative marking. Unanswered questions do not attract any penalty.

Your Roadmap to NEET Success: Preparation Strategy 🎯

A well-defined strategy is key to mastering this competitive exam.

The NCERT Advantage: Many toppers and experts agree that the foundation of your NEET preparation should be the NCERT books. Up to 85-90% of the questions, particularly in Biology, are directly or indirectly based on the NCERT syllabus. Read every line, study the diagrams, and understand the concepts thoroughly.
Subject-Wise Approach:
- Biology: Focus on in-depth reading of NCERT. Make short notes for quick revision of topics like genetics, ecology, and human physiology.
- Physics: This subject requires conceptual clarity and strong problem-solving skills. Practice numerical questions daily, and make a separate notebook for formulas.
- Chemistry: Divide your time between Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry. For Organic, focus on named reactions and mechanisms. For Inorganic, memorize key facts and trends from the NCERT.
Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers: Regular practice with mock tests is essential to improve your speed and accuracy. Time yourself to simulate exam conditions. Analyzing your performance after each test helps you identify weak areas. Additionally, solving previous year question papers gives you valuable insights into the exam pattern and high-yield topics.
Health and Discipline: Maintain a consistent study schedule, get adequate sleep, and take regular breaks. A healthy mind and body are just as crucial as academic knowledge for a high-stakes exam.

Beyond NEET (UG): Other Important Exams

While NEET is the primary exam for undergraduate admissions, the medical and dental education system in India has other significant entrance tests for postgraduate and specialty courses.

NEET PG & NEET MDS: These are the primary entrance exams for admission to postgraduate courses like MD/MS and MDS, respectively.
INI CET: The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test is conducted by AIIMS for admission to postgraduate programs in prestigious institutions like AIIMS, JIPMER, and PGIMER.

Top Medical & Dental Colleges Accepting NEET Scores

Your NEET rank determines which college you can get into. The top ranks can secure you a seat in a prestigious government college with low fees and excellent faculty.

Some of the top institutions that accept NEET scores for MBBS and BDS admissions include:

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), New Delhi
Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry
King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal

Cracking the NEET exam is a challenging but achievable goal. With a focused strategy, consistent effort, and the right resources, you can take a significant step towards a successful career in medicine or dentistry.