The apex court order on Monday, which stated that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) was the only gateway for students to clinch an MBBS or BDS seat, has come as a huge blow to students. This order renders the State government’s Common Entrance Test (CET), held on May 4-5, useless for medical/dental seat aspirants, said sources.
In other words, all students who did not appear for NEET phase 1, held on May 1, will have to appear for NEET phase 2 on July 24 if they want to study medicine.
A majority of the students that The Hindu spoke to had spent the better part of the year focusing on preparing for the CET. The NEET, however, requires a different preparation strategy, one that tests problem solving and analytical skills.
Harshitha S., a second pre-university student of Vidyaniketan PU College, said, “All through the year, I concentrated on CET. My preparation was learning concepts, as the CET questions test concepts. NEET phase 1 tested analytical and problem-solving abilities, which I was not prepared for.”
The SC order allows students who appeared for NEET phase 1 to apply for NEET phase 2 if they give up their NEET 1 candidature.
Vipanchi M., a Class 12 student, welcomed the decision. “I am glad that the court has allowed students to appear for NEET phase 2, as I will get more time to prepare. Had we not been allowed to write the exam, we would have been at a disadvantage as we were busy preparing for our board exams and CET since January.”
Many medical/dental seat aspirants had complained about conducting NEET in two phases on the grounds that those sitting for NEET phase 2 on July 24 would get more time to prepare.
Glued to computers
Anxious students spent Monday glued to their laptops and computer screens refreshing the Supreme Court website so that they could download the order that was expected to be put up in the evening. However, it was uploaded late at night.
