COVID norms followed as nearly 1.10L appear for NEET in State
N95 masks distributed to participants; Biology paper easy, Physics difficult, say students
CHENNAI: Around 1.10 lakh medical aspirants from across TN appeared for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) held on Sunday. Barring a few incidents at isolated centres including a few in the city and outskirts, officials said that the undergraduate medical entrance exam was conducted without any major hassle.
The 225 examination centres across the State saw long queues of students from 9 am. A total of 17,992 students were expected to appear for the examination in Chennai at 33 examination centres and were asked to enter by 10.30 am, to ensure that COVID-19 protocols were followed. The examination began at 2 pm.
The students were given N-95 masks and seating was arranged to ensure social distancing. Water was also provided to the students. However, sources said safety norms were flouted at a few centres. Confusion over dress codes prevailed like last year and many students were made to wait in the queue citing protocols before being allowed inside the examination centres at 11 am. “The seating arrangements were made keeping COVID norms in mind and to prevent chaos. The students reported on time and we reiterated on what all materials were allowed inside the hall and what was not allowed as there were confusions earlier,” said a examination coordinator at a centre in Arumbakkam. Parents were, meanwhile, were seen overcrowding the centres and exam co-ordinators had a tough time ensuring that the parents and students follow safety measures. Students claimed that while the Biology paper was easy, they had a difficult time completing the Physics paper.
The State will have about 5,020 MBBS seats this year. With 11 new medical colleges in TN, a total of 1,650 MBBS seats are expected to be allotted this year.
CHENNAI: The majority of the students who attended NEET exams on Sunday found the Biology paper easy, while many others complained that the Physics was tough and lengthy.
Students said the pattern of the paper was not different than in previous years, while question formation was different for a few segments in Physics.
“Physics was difficult as usual and I personally could not prepare it well. I attended all the online courses to ensure that I cover all the portions. Biology was easy for me. Since I was attending online classes from last year, I did not find much difference or setbacks due to lack of offline classes,” said M Dharshini Kamakshi.
Medical aspirant Tulasi R said the absence of offline classes affected her preparations as she had been learning via physical classes in previous years. “The Physics exam was lengthy and most of the applicants found it difficult. Biology was easy as usual,” she added.
Some of the government school students complained that certain questions were out of the syllabus. “Extra coaching helped me to have an idea of the exam pattern. It is my first attempt and I will be preparing through coaching classes to clear the exam. I am not sure if I can clear it this year,” said Varsha P, a government school student.
Some of the students said they had high hopes of NEET exemption this year but it did not happen. “We thought we would be spared, believing the government’s promise. Many chose not to write this year as they were not prepared after taking seriously the promises given by the ruling party in the State,” said a student on condition of anonymity.