NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), as we all know, is an MCQ (Multiple-choice Questions) based medical entrance test conducted annually. The regulatory body for NEET is the National Testing Agency (NTA). While NEET aspirants must be quite used to the descriptive board exams, preparation for MCQ examinations is different and requires varying strategies to complete the test within the stipulated time.
MCQs for NEET
The MCQ tests are one of the best approaches to assess students’ knowledge whilst covering a range of topics; given the vastness of the NEET syllabus, this ought to be the best type of assessment. The nature of objective type questions is that in order for students to answer them correctly, an in-depth understanding of the concept covered in the question becomes an absolute must. NEET comprises 180 questions to be answered from Physics (45 questions), Chemistry (45 questions) and Biology sections (90 questions).
Typically, 4 options are provided for each question in NEET, where one option is usually correct, and the remaining 3 are incorrect. The options other than the correct one are framed in a way to distract and confuse the students from selecting the correct answer. This corresponds to saying that options seem so much like the answer itself, sounding familiar, that answering and picking the right option may get challenging despite you knowing the concept and the correct answer.
This is why MCQs based tests may sound easy but may not be as easy. To excel in such a test, a sound knowledge of the content and a sheer amount of practice are key. Build a strong base and work towards regular practising sessions from question papers, NEET sample papers, mock tests and other related resources.
Best Approaches to Tackle NEET MCQs during NEET Preparation
Ideally, class 12 students take up their board exam followed by NEET. For both these examinations, students simultaneously prepare. Since preparation for NEET requires a slightly different skill set, the approach to prepare for NEET varies to an extent, although the syllabus to a great extent remains the same. In this article, we understand different methods to address NEET MCQs. Read on to find out.
Prepare good notes
Half your job is done if your preparation is from the right study material, NCERT being at the core of it. MCQs have the prowess to assess a lot of knowledge in a short span of time. Maintaining well organised and concise notes can help retain information for longer. Get creative with notes making, as the impact of visual learning is known to all about their lasting impressions on the brain.
Use of flashcards
Make use of or create your own flashcards. They are best used to cover definitions, important formulae etc. These are great memorising tools and are some of the best ways for precise learning, as MCQs are based on “only one right answer”.
Catch the keywords
One must be well versed with instructions given in the questions, catch the keywords mentioned, such as:
- Which of the following is “not correct”
- Pick the “correct answer”
- Identify the “odd one out”
- Which of the following is “not” suitable for
Careful with reading questions
Make it a habit to understand the complete question before answering right from the time of preparation. For the same, you can make use of previous years’ question papers, NEET sample papers etc. Students tend to lose most marks in misreading questions. So, don’t just glance; read it thoroughly and pick the most logical answer.
These were some approaches to adapt for NEET preparation to be able to tackle MCQs of NEET. Subscribe to BYJU’S YouTube Channel for more content.
