Difference Between NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks

This article aims to simplify the distinction between NEET cut off and NEET qualifying marks, helping students prepare better by understanding the requirements for both.

NEET Cut Off vs. Qualifying Marks

It’s essential for medical aspirants to know the difference between NEET cut off and NEET qualifying marks. Although both terms are crucial in the NEET counselling process, they serve different purposes.

1. NEET Qualifying Marks: These are the minimum marks required for a student to be eligible for NEET counselling. If a candidate scores above these marks, they qualify for further admission steps.
2. NEET Cut Off: This refers to the minimum score necessary to gain admission to medical or dental colleges. Scoring above the NEET cut off increases the chances of securing a seat in a medical college.

Understanding the difference between these two can help students better plan their preparation and increase their chances of admission.

Also Check: NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria

NEET Qualifying Marks

The NEET qualifying marks or passing marks are the minimum scores required for candidates to be eligible for NEET counselling and admissions. These are percentile-based, meaning students must score better than a specific percentage of all candidates appearing for the exam. Typically, the qualifying marks range between 150-200. However, achieving this score does not guarantee admission, as students must also meet the NEET cut off to secure a seat. Here’s a breakdown of the Qualifying Marks for NEET based on category:

Factors Affecting NEET Qualifying Marks

Several factors can influence the NEET qualifying marks:

1. Difficulty of the Exam: If the exam is tough, the qualifying marks may be lower.
2. Number of Candidates: A higher number of candidates can raise the percentile required to qualify.
3. Category-Wise Reservations: Different categories like SC, ST, OBC have varying qualifying marks.

NEET Cut Off

The NEET cut off is the minimum score a student must achieve to be considered for admission to medical and dental colleges. The cut off is determined based on the overall performance of all candidates. Higher competition may increase the NEET cut off, while fewer candidates may lower it. The cut off is calculated using percentiles, reflecting the percentage of students scoring below a specific mark. To increase the chances of securing a seat, students should aim for scores higher than the NEET cut off. Below is a table showing the Previous Year NEET Cut Offs for different categories:

Factors Influencing NEET Cut Off

1. Number of Candidates: More candidates can increase competition, raising the NEET cut off.
2. Seat Availability: Fewer seats in medical colleges often lead to a higher cut off.
3. Performance of Candidates: The better the performance of students in a particular year, the higher the NEET cut off may be.

By understanding the difference between NEET cut off and NEET qualifying marks, students can focus on scoring well above both to increase their chances of success in the NEET counselling process and ultimately secure admission to their desired medical college.