Is the NEET 2020 Cutoff Mark Likely to Change?

Amidst the ongoing speculation, the question of whether the cutoff mark for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2020 will increase or decrease remains a topic of intense debate. The National Testing Agency (NTA) sets the cutoff based on various factors such as the difficulty level of the exam, the number of candidates, and overall student performance. However, the actual determination of these factors, especially during a year like 2020, is complex and multifaceted.

NEET Previous Year Analysis

As someone who has previously given the NEET exam and has analyzed hundreds of tests, I can confidently say that NEET 2020 was not significantly easier compared to NEET 2019. In fact, the difficulty levels were on par for subjects like Physics and Biology, while Chemistry was a bit more challenging. This aligns with historical data, where the NEET exam tends to remain consistent in difficulty year over year.

Cutoff Analysis

The debate over the NEET 2020 cutoff can be broken down into two primary arguments: one suggesting a decrease or no change, and another advocating for an increase. Here, I dissect the reasons for both perspectives.

Cutoff Will Decrease or Remain the Same

Increased Number of Medical Seats: With an expanded number of medical seats available this year, the pressure on aspiring medical students to secure a high cutoff mark might be slightly reduced. Mergers of AIIMS and JIPMER: The merging of AIIMS and JIPMER (Institutes of Medical Sciences) has reduced competition, making it slightly easier for aspirants to get through. Impact of COVID-19: The substantial impact of the pandemic this year has affected students’ preparation and general well-being, which might have led to a decrease in overall performance. Content Controversy: The NEET 2020 paper had only 1–2 controversial questions, which is significantly fewer compared to NEET 2019, which had almost 7–8 such questions. This would likely lead to a more consistent set of answers and, consequently, a lower cutoff. Silly Mistakes: The NEET 2020 exam made many aspirants, including myself, commit silly mistakes that they would have otherwise avoided. This could reduce the overall score and hence the cutoff.

Cutoff Will Increase

Additional Preparation Time: Many aspirants had the added benefit of 3–4 months of extra time to prepare, which could have positively influenced their performance.

Conclusion

Given these factors, it appears that the cutoff for NEET 2020 is more likely to either remain the same or increase by a modest margin—possibly up to 5 marks. This small change in score, however, would not significantly impact the merit list. Therefore, rather than relying on external predictions, it is best to stay patient and wait for official announcements from the NTA.

Keep in mind that this is a complex situation influenced by extraordinary circumstances. The unexpected outcome of a high cutoff in the NEET 2020 results may reflect the uniqueness of a year marked by global health crises and unprecedented educational disruptions.

Final Thoughts

In summary, while the NEET 2020 cutoff might change, such a change is more likely to be a slight adjustment rather than a drastic one. As you prepare, focus on your studies and your well-being, and stay informed with official updates and announcements.