The impact of COVID-19 on the NEET exam and preparation

With lakhs of students appearing for the exam every year, the competition is intense, and every mark counts.

Tue Apr 18, 2023

The impact of COVID-19 on the NEET exam and preparation

"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle." - Christian D. Larson

With lakhs of students appearing for the exam every year, the competition is intense, and every mark counts. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the NEET exam and preparation process. In this blog, we will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the NEET exam and preparation.

Impact on the NEET Exam:

  1. Postponement of the Exam: The NEET exam was postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The exam, which is usually held in May, was postponed to September and then to October. This has caused a delay in the admission process and has also affected the study schedule of the students.
  2. Change in Exam Pattern: The NEET exam pattern was also changed due to the pandemic. The number of questions was reduced from 180 to 155, and the exam duration was reduced from 3 hours to 2 hours. This has put additional pressure on the students to prepare for the exam within a shorter duration.
  3. Safety Measures: The NEET exam centres have implemented safety measures such as social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitization to ensure the safety of the students. This has added to the stress and anxiety of the students.

Impact on NEET Preparation:

  1. Online Learning: Due to the pandemic, most coaching institutes have shifted to online learning. This has impacted the traditional classroom teaching and has forced students to adapt to the new mode of learning.
  2. Limited Access to Study Material: Due to the lockdown restrictions, students have limited access to study materials such as textbooks and reference books. This has forced them to rely on online resources, which may not be reliable or credible.
  3. Mental Health: The pandemic has also affected the mental health of the students. The uncertainty surrounding the exam, the postponement, and the change in the exam pattern have caused stress and anxiety among the students.

Shiksha Sharma
A Delhi-based Post Graduate teacher.