The National Testing Agency (NTA) will be conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2022 on July 17. Candidates must note that the online application process is underway and the last date to apply for NEET 2022 is May 06. NTA has already released the information bulletin on the official website – neet.nta.nic.in. Candidates can refer to the bulletin to know about every detail of the examination.
When compared to 2021, there has not been much changes with regard to the mode and pattern of the examination. However, the time duration has been altered for NEET 2022. Earlier, candidates were given a duration of 180 minutes (3 hours) to complete the test but for NEET 2022, a duration of 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes) will be given.
The additional 20 minutes are crucial for the exam in the sense candidates can attempt to solve all 200 questions if they want. If it is assumed that to solve one question of NEET 2022, a candidate needs 1 minute, then for 200 questions, she will need 200 minutes, which is the time duration given this year. However, it must be noted that it is not mandatory to solve all 200 questions but only 180 of them.
‘Game Changer’
Experts have claimed that the increased time duration could be a game-changer for many candidates. Although it will provide great relaxation to them, the amount of competition is also expected to rise. However, it is still not clear whether the additional 20 minutes will be given for reading the question paper or not. Despite that, candidates can attempt to change their examination strategy for scoring better in the exam.
NEET 2022 Exam Pattern
The overall examination pattern comprises four subjects and each subject will have two sections. Section A will have 35 questions while Section B will comprise 15 questions. However, out of the 15 questions in the second section, candidates have to attempt only 10. NEET 2022 is going to be held in the pen and paper-based test mode. The marks distribution has been given in the table below.
| Subject | Section | Questions | Marks |
| Physics | A | 35 | 140 |
| B | 15 | 40 | |
| Chemistry | A | 35 | 140 |
| B | 15 | 40 | |
| Botany | A | 35 | 140 |
| B | 15 | 40 | |
| Zoology | A | 35 | 140 |
| B | 15 | 40 | |
| TOTAL | 720 |
Every question will carry 04 marks. In case a candidate marks any incorrect option, the 01 mark will be deducted. However, the unattempted or unanswered questions will entail 0 marks.
