Here I’ll be explaining what happens if students happen to score the same or equal marks in NEET and the procedure behind tie breaker policies and criteria. To calculate rank in this case, there are 4 factors that come into play if students have obtained the same marks in NEET.
NEET is a competitive medical entrance exam which is mandatory to crack if students want to pursue medical or dental studies (MBSS and BDS) in recognized colleges in India as well as abroad. It is conducted by NTA, National Testing Agency.
With over one and a half million (15 lakhs+) applications submitted each year, the competition is no doubt, very high.
While preparing the rank lists, the first preference is obviously given to the overall marks or score obtained. But a large number of students will end up scoring the same marks. If that happens, there are a few ranking factors that come into play which eventually decide their All India Rank (AIR). These ranking factors will be comprehensively covered in this article.
If students score the same total marks in NEET:
1. Student with higher marks in Biology is given preference.
2. If Biology marks are the same, the student with higher marks in Chemistry is given preference.
3. If Biology and Chemistry marks are the same, the student with the least number of incorrect attempts in all the 3 subjects is given preference.
4. Student older in age is given preference.
I’ll be explaining the above four factors in great detail.
What if students score the same marks in NEET:
In case two or more candidates have obtained the same or equal score or marks or percentile, the following factors (in order) are taken into consideration to determine the rank of the candidate.
1. Biology factor
If students happen to score the same marks in NEET, the student with the highest marks in the Biology section (Botany and Zoology) is preferred.
For example,
Students A, B, and C have scored the same total marks in NEET.
Student A’s Biology score in NEET = 300
Student B’s Biology score in NEET = 280
Student C’s Biology score in NEET = 250
Applying the first Tiebreaking Criteria or Policy, we can conclude that Student A is given more preference when compared to student B and student C. Also, among students B and C, student B is given more preference because he/she has obtained higher marks in NEET Biology.
Order of preference: A > B > C
Another example,
Students A, B, and C have scored the same total marks in NEET and ALSO obtained the same marks in the Biology section. In this case, we will need to apply the second Tiebreaking Criteria or Policy.
2. Chemistry factor
If students happen to score the same marks in NEET, AND their marks in the Biology section (Botany and Zoology) are also the same, then the student with the highest marks in the Chemistry section is preferred.
For example,
Students A, B, and C have scored the same total marks in NEET and have also obtained the same marks in Biology.
Student A’s Chemistry score in NEET = 170
Student B’s Chemistry score in NEET = 160
Student C’s Chemistry score in NEET = 150
Applying the second Tiebreaking Criteria or Policy, we can conclude that Student A is given more preference when compared to student B and student C. Also, among students B and C, student B is given more preference because he/she has obtained higher marks in NEET Chemistry.
Order of preference: A > B > C
Another example,
Students A, B, and C have scored the same total marks in NEET and ALSO obtained the same marks in Biology and Chemistry section. In this case, we will need to apply the third Tiebreaking Criteria or Policy.
3. Incorrect attempts factor
If students happen to score the same marks in NEET, AND their marks in the Biology section (Botany and Zoology) AND Chemistry section are also the same, then the student with the least number of incorrect or wrong answers in all the 3 subjects is preferred.
For example,
Students A, B, and C have scored the same total marks in NEET and have also obtained the same marks in Biology and Chemistry.
Student A’s incorrect attempts/wrong answers in NEET = 30
Student B’s incorrect attempts/wrong answers in NEET = 20
Student C’s incorrect attempts/wrong answers in NEET = 10
Applying the third Tiebreaking Criteria or Policy, we can conclude that Student C is given more preference when compared to student A and student B. Also, among students A and B, student B is given more preference because he/she has a lesser number of incorrect attempts or wrong answers.
Order of preference: C > B > A
Another example,
Students A, B, and C have scored the same total marks in NEET, and ALSO obtained the same marks in Biology and Chemistry section, and ALSO have the same number of incorrect attempts or wrong answers. In this case, we will need to apply the fourth Tiebreaking Criteria or Policy.
NOTE: There are no such criteria to compare marks obtained in Physics. It’s not as if the marks in Biology and Chemistry are also equal, then the student with a higher score is given preference. This is because, if total marks are equal and also the marks in Biology and Chemistry then it’s obvious that the marks in physics will also be equal. means the marks in Physics will also be equal.
4. Age factor
If students happen to score the same marks in NEET, AND their marks in the Biology section (Botany and Zoology) AND Chemistry section are also the same AND their least number of incorrect or wrong answers in all the 3 subjects is also the same, then the student older in age preferred.
For example,
Students A, B, and C have scored the same total marks in NEET and have also obtained the same marks in Biology and Chemistry and the number of incorrect attempts or wrong answers is also the same.
Student A’s date of birth = 01/01/2000
Student B’s date of birth = 01/02/2000
Student C’s date of birth = 01/03/2000
Applying the fourth Tiebreaking Criteria or Policy, we can conclude that Student C is given more preference when compared to student A and student B. Also, among students A and B, student B is given more preference because he/she is elder.
Order of preference: C > B > A
Hope you found the article helpful.
Good luck Medicoholics! Until next time.