NEET 2018: Biology a cakewalk, physics seemed more analytical, lengthy

Bengaluru:The NEET exam held on May 6 had a store of surprises for this year’s aspirants and the medical experts who analysed the questions set this year. While the Biology paper was found to have been set on expected lines, from the NCERT texts, the real surprise came in the form of Physics paper. The students found this year’s exam more analytical and mathematical in its approach besides being lengthy and difficult to crack, experts conceded to it being a more difficult attempt than last year. Aspirants appearing for the National Eligibility Entrance Test for NEET 2018 are believed to have also confronted stringent rules at the examination centres as well.

According to general opinion, all questions were set within the syllabus, many had two or more concepts interlinked and over 55 percent of the paper was numerical, which took more time to solve. A merit seat may call for a 500 score at any one of the medical colleges in Karnataka, while the cut-off mark is expected to be around 340.”

Talking about the physics inputs Dr HN Subramanyam, HoD-Physics at BASE, said, “Physics paper had 45 per cent questions from first year and 55 percent questions from the second year. About 45 per cent of the questions were easy, 35 per cent moderate and 20 per cent difficult. In the first year portion, there were more questions from Mechanics than from Thermal Physics and Waves. But in the second year portion, questions were equally distributed among all topics. On the whole, the paper can be regarded as moderate.”

Prof Soumya Kumari S, HoD-Chemistry at BASE, told The New Indian Express, “Chemistry paper has 53.3 percent from first year and 46.7 percent from the second year portions. Chemistry paper was moderate. All questions were from NCERT syllabus. Most of the questions were direct and a few were on applied concept.”But the students’ found it tough despite the “moderate” description given to the exams by the experts.

Bhoomika CR from Surana College said she did not get enough time to attempt all questions. “This year’s paper was tougher than last year. There were a few questions that were tricky and out of the syllabus."

Arjun B from DCFL PU College talking to the TNIE said that test was a bit lengthy. “I think this year’s paper was at the same level as last year. However, the Physics section was quite lengthy and there were a few questions that were tricky as well because of which I had to skip a few of them. There were some direct questions from the NCERT textbook in other sections.”

Dress code that has remained an issue the past years, continued to hold the eyes of the authorities this year as well. Despite CBSE ’s clear instruction on dress code, some students came wearing full arm shirts and the security personnel at the entrance made them wait till the last moment before cutting off the sleeves. Students were also found adorning metal earrings, wristwatches, hair clips, neck chains, belts, and shoes despite rules asking them not to.

They were made to remove them before entering the exam hall. Muslim girls entered without burqas and hijabs.

However, authorities were found accommodating too for those who failed to bring photographs a few centers were found to have made arrangements to take their photographs.