NEET 2025: Check out major changes in MBBS entrance test

New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced some major changes in the conduct of the National Eligibility-Entrance Test (NEET UG) 2025 this year. The exam body has revised the exam pattern, centre city selection criteria, number of domestic exam centres, reporting time and tie-breaking rules for the prestigious MBBS entrance test.

NEET UG 2025 exam Is scheduled to be held on May 4, 2025 and the registration process will end on March 7. Candidates who want to register for the entrance test can go through the changes introduced this year as mentioned below:

Also Read:NEET UG 2025: NTA unveils new tie-breaking rule, Check details

Tie-breaker:

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the NTA has introduced a new tie-breaking rule for the National Eligibility-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2025. Introduced last year, ties between candidates with identical scores were resolved using a seven-step criterion. However, if a tie persists after applying these existing methods, the NTA will now consult an independent expert committee to determine the merit order through a random process.

The changes are particularly crucial given the increasing competition among medical aspirants, where even a fraction of a mark can determine college admission.

Revised pattern

NTA has discontinued the optional questions in Section B of NEET UG 2025. Candidates appearing for the NEET this year will not get any optional questions and extra time introduced during COVID-19 as the exam will now revert to the pre-COVID format.

The optional section was introduced as a temporary measure and was in practice till 2024. NEET 2025 paper will now have 180 compulsory questions- 45 questions each in physics and chemistry and 90 in biology. The NEET 2025 exam will be held on May 4 in pen and paper mode.

Exam city selection

NTA has now allowed candidates to select three convenient cities for their NEET exam centre, instead of the previous option of two. Choice of exam centre cities will be limited to the state of permanent address or state of present address only.

While filling up the NEET 2025 application form, candidates have to choose three cities in order of preference. The agency has asked candidates to select cities within their state of residence or neighbouring cities.

Moreover, if the number of candidates selecting for a centre with a regional language is insufficient, candidates may be assigned to a city outside of their preferred choice, irrespective of their initial selection.

NTA has reduced the number of NEET UG 2025 domestic exam cities to 552, which is 5 less than last year. While the international exam cities remain the same at 14.

Candidates can select their preferred cities from the updated list while filling out their NEET UG application form. The NEET UG exam centre selection is restricted to the candidate’s permanent or present address, ensuring that they choose from a list of nearby cities within their state for convenience.

Reporting time

NEET UG 2025 exam centres will be opened three hours before the exam begins, instead of two hours in previous years. No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after 1:30 pm. The NEET 2025 exam will be conducted from 2 pm to 5 pm.

As per the exam timings, the centres will open at 11 am. This extended time by NTA will allow candidates additional time for entry, security checks, and other necessary procedures.

Also Read:NEET 2025 Registrations open! Here's How To Apply...