NEET vs AIIMS: Understanding the Differences and Exam Details

India is no stranger to an array of medical entrance examinations that students aspiring to pursue a career in medicine must clear. Prior to 2020, India had three major medical entrance tests - NEET, conducted by CBSE and subsequently NTA; AIIMS UG Entrance, conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences; and JIPMER, conducted by Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research. However, since 2020, all these exams have merged into one, namely NEET, the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test, conducted by NTA. The table below outlines the distinctions between NEET and AIIMS, as well as provides details on the subjects and exam structure for both.

Overview of NEET vs AIIMS

NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test) is a single-window exam for Government and Private Deemed Universities and Centrally Funded Institutes for MBBS and BDS courses all over India. It replaced the CBSE and AIIMS UG entrance exams and includes an additional section for AIIMS, called General Knowledge (GK) and Aptitude. The difficulty level, exam pattern, and allocation of marks differ between NEET and AIIMS.

AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Entrance Exam is specifically for admission to the seven AIIMS institutes spread across the country. The exam has a unique structure, with a third section on General Knowledge (GK) and yet another section on General Aptitude. The practicality and coverage of the syllabus are largely similar to NEET but with some additional and modified sections.

NEET Exam Structure and Syllabus

The NEET is a comprehensive, pen and paper-based exam, lasting 3 hours. It covers 180 multiple-choice questions with four alternatives from which the most appropriate one must be chosen.

Subject Breakdown

Physics - 45 questions of total 180 marks. Chemistry - 45 questions of total 180 marks. Biology - 90 questions of total 360 marks (divided into Botany and Zoology).

The syllabus for NEET is set by the MCI, and the responsibility for hosting the exam, registering the candidates, and framing the question papers is with the CBSE board based in Delhi. For correct responses, 4 marks are awarded, and for incorrect responses, 1 mark is deducted from the final score.

AIIMS Exam Structure and Syllabus

AIIMS offers a unique exam structure with a 3.5-hour duration, available only in English and Hindi. The exam is conducted by the Examination Section of AIIMS in New Delhi.

Subject Breakdown

Physics - 40 MCQ questions for 40 marks (20 Assertion and Reasoning type questions of 20 marks). Chemistry - 40 MCQ questions for 40 marks (20 Assertion and Reasoning type questions of 20 marks). Biology - 40 MCQ questions for 40 marks (20 Assertion and Reasoning type questions of 20 marks). General Knowledge (GK) - 10 MCQ questions for 10 marks. General Aptitude - 10 MCQ questions for 10 marks.

Total of 200 questions for 200 marks, with the exam usually conducted in June. For each correct response, 1 mark is awarded, and for each incorrect response, -1/3 marks are deducted. The sole criteria for qualifying for the exam is a percentile score.

Comparison of NEET and AIIMS

NEET AIIMS Duration 3 hours 3.5 hours Languages English, Hindi English, Hindi Syllabus Sections Physics, Chemistry, Biology Physics, Chemistry, Biology, GK, General Aptitude Exam Pattern 180 MCQs (45 Physics, 45 Chemistry, 90 Biology) 200 MCQs (40 Physics, 40 Chemistry, 40 Biology, 10 GK, 10 General Aptitude) Marking Scheme 4 marks for correct, -1 for incorrect 1 mark for correct, -1/3 for incorrect

Conclusion

In conclusion, both NEET and AIIMS are crucial for aspiring medical students. While NEET covers a broader audience and incorporates AIIMS-specific sections, AIIMS provides a more specialized curriculum. Understanding the detailed structure and marking scheme is essential for preparing effectively.