Tough re-NEET 2026 may lower AIQ MBBS cutoff to 590-600: Experts

New Delhi: The Re-NEET 2026 examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 21 was significantly more challenging than the original exam held on May 3, according to academic experts.

Sharing an analysis of the examination, experts from Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) said the re-exam shifted focus from simple NCERT-based preparation to deeper conceptual understanding and rigorous analytical preparation over quick memory recall.

As per the analysis, the overall paper was of a moderate-to-difficult level, more demanding than the initial May 3 session.

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Physics emerged as the toughest and lengthiest section of the paper. The subject was heavily focused on core Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Modern Physics, and Thermodynamics. Students reportedly faced significant time pressure due to several application-based numerical questions.

Chemistry was also found to be more difficult than the May 3 examination. Physical Chemistry included lengthy, multi-concept calculations, whereas Organic Chemistry required a deep command over active reaction mechanisms instead of simple recall.

Biology, comprising Botany and Zoology, remained the easiest and most scoring section for candidates. The subject was aligned with the core NCERT textbook curriculum, with major weightage on Genetics, Physiology, Reproduction and Ecology. However, some Zoology questions reportedly created localised ambiguity, as multiple valid choices left certain answers debatable.

Commenting on student feedback, the AESL expert said most students found Biology to be a seamless, high-velocity scoring section, but heavily flagged Physics as the most time-consuming.

He further noted that many Aakash students reported a strong similarity between the re-exam and the institute's mock test series. "A definitive highlight among Aakash institutional students was the strong test series overlap. Many reported that the heightened difficulty and mathematical volume felt highly relatable to the diverse mock tests they had routinely solved during their diagnostic preparation, easing actual exam-day unfamiliarity," he said.

Based on the overall difficulty of the paper, AESL has predicted a decline in the cutoff for government medical college admissions under the All India Quota (AIQ). The institute expects the General Category cutoff to settle around 590-600 marks.

"The June 21 Re-NEET re-established that top-tier ranks belong strictly to analytical conceptual clarity. Rote memorization cleared the Biology section, but rigorous problem-solving stamina in Physics and Chemistry ultimately determined the competitive threshold," Kaarki said.

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