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Difference Between NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks, Know Here

Difference Between NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks: This article aims to clarify the difference between NEET cut-off and qualifying marks, helping students understand the significance and criteria for each.
authorImageKrati Saraswat27 Sept, 2024
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Difference Between NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks

Difference Between NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks: Understanding the distinction between NEET cut-off and qualifying marks is essential for aspiring medical students. While both terms are pivotal in the context of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), they serve different purposes.

Difference Between NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks

The difference between NEET cut-off and qualifying marks lies in their nature: qualifying marks are the minimum scores required for candidates to participate in NEET counselling, whereas the NEET cut-off is the minimum score necessary to gain admission to specific Medical or Dental Colleges. This article breaks down what each term means, how they affect your journey, and why knowing the difference can help you plan better for success.

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Qualifying Marks for NEET

NEET qualifying marks or passing marks are the minimum scores that students must achieve to be considered eligible for counseling and admission to medical colleges. These marks serve as a crucial benchmark that allows students to progress in the admission process. It’s important to note that qualifying marks are not fixed percentages; rather, they are based on percentiles. This means that to qualify, a student must score better than at least 50% of the candidates who took the exam. Each year, the qualifying marks typically range from 150 to 200, but achieving these marks does not guarantee admission. The National Testing Agency (NTA) adjusts the qualifying scores annually based on the exam's difficulty level, setting the threshold at the 50th percentile. Therefore, if a student scores better than half of the participants, they qualify for further steps in the admission process, indicated by a percentile score above 50. It's also essential to understand that merely reaching the qualifying marks does not assure a seat in a medical college; securing a higher score is necessary to meet the cutoff criteria for admissions. Here’s a table representing the qualifying criteria for different categories:
Qualifying Marks for NEET
Category Qualifying Criteria
Gen/EWS 50th Percentile
OBC 40th Percentile
SC 40th Percentile
ST 40th Percentile
Gen/EWS & PH 45th Percentile
OBC & PH 40th Percentile
SC & PH 40th Percentile
ST & PH 40th Percentile

Factors Influencing NEET Qualifying Marks

Here are the key factors influencing NEET qualifying marks:
  • Exam Difficulty Level: The complexity of the questions can affect the overall performance of candidates, leading to variations in qualifying marks each year.
  • Total Number of Candidates: The number of students appearing for the exam influences the percentile score needed to qualify.
  • Category-wise Reservations : Different qualifying marks are set for various categories (General, SC/ST, OBC), impacting the overall qualifying criteria.
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Previous Year NEET Cut Offs

The NEET cutoff represents the minimum score students need to attain to qualify for admission to medical colleges. Achieving or surpassing this score is essential for candidates to engage in the counseling process, as it greatly influences their likelihood of securing a seat in a medical program. The cutoff is calculated using a percentile system, which shows the percentage of candidates who scored at or below a particular mark. Since the cutoff scores can vary from year to year, it is important for students to aim for a score higher than the cutoff to enhance their likelihood of admission to their preferred program. Each year's cutoff scores are determined by assessing the overall performance of the candidates. An increase in the cutoff reflects a more competitive exam environment, indicating that candidates are achieving better results. The cutoff scores and the average marks of qualified candidates (out of 720) fluctuate annually, as shown below:
Previous Year NEET Cut Offs
Category Cut- Off 2024 Cut-Off 2023 Cut-Off 2022 Cut-Off 2021 Cut-Off 2020 Cut-Off 2019
General/ EWS 720-162 720-137 715-117 720-138 720-147 701-134
General-PH 161-144 720-137 116-105 137-122 146-129 133-120
SC 161-127 136-107 116-93 137-108 146-113 133-107
ST 161- 127 136-107 116-93 137-108 146-113 133-107
OBC 161-127 136-107 116-93 137-108 146-113 133-107
SC-PH/OBC-PH 143-127 120-107 104-93 121-108 128-113 119-107
ST-PH 142-127 120-107 104-93 121-108 128-113 119-107

Factors Influencing NEET Cut-off

  • Number of Candidates: The total number of students appearing for the NEET exam can impact the cutoff. A higher number of candidates often leads to increased competition, potentially raising the cutoff score.
  • Availability of Seats: The total number of seats in medical colleges affects the cutoff; fewer seats can lead to a higher cutoff.
  • Reservation Policies : Different categories (SC/ST/OBC) have varying cutoff scores, impacting the overall thresholds.
  • Performance of Candidates : The overall performance of students in a given year can significantly shift the cutoff scores.
Knowing the difference between NEET cut-off and qualifying marks is essential for aspiring medical students. Qualifying marks determine who can participate in counseling, while the cut-off indicates the scores needed for admission. By understanding these terms, candidates can plan their studies effectively and improve their chances of getting into medical colleges. Physics Wallah (PW) offers the Best NEET Online Coaching in India, designed to make quality education accessible to all aspiring medical students. With a focus on breaking down financial barriers, PW is dedicated to empowering students nationwide to excel in the NEET exam and achieve their dreams of a medical career.
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Difference Between NEET Cut off and Qualifying Marks FAQs

Q. What are the passing marks in NEET out of 720?

Ans. The passing score for NEET 2024 depends on the candidate's category. For those in the general category, it is established at the 50th percentile, whereas candidates from SC/ST/OBC categories have qualifying marks set at the 40th percentile.

Q. How many marks are required to qualify NEET for the general category?

Ans. For the general category, the qualifying marks typically range around 50th percentile, which can vary each year; candidates should aim for a score above the cutoff.

Q. What are cut off marks in NEET?

Ans. Cut-off marks in NEET are the minimum scores that candidates must achieve to be eligible for admission to medical colleges and are based on a percentile system.

Q. Are cut-off and qualifying marks the same?

Ans. No, cut-off marks refer to the minimum score for admission eligibility, while qualifying marks are the scores candidates need to meet the criteria for the exam.

Q. What are the NEET passing marks out of 720 for government colleges?

Ans. For government colleges, candidates usually need to achieve a score above the NEET cutoff, which is determined annually based on various factors.

Q. Are cut-off and qualifying marks the same?

Ans. No, cut-off marks refer to the minimum score for admission eligibility, while qualifying marks are the scores candidates need to meet the criteria for the exam.

Q. How many marks are required in NEET for MBBS?

Ans. To secure a seat in MBBS programs, candidates typically need to score above the NEET cutoff for that specific year, which varies annually.

Q. How much number is required to qualify NEET?

Ans. The number of marks required to qualify NEET varies yearly based on the cutoff, and candidates should aim for a score significantly higher than the minimum to ensure eligibility.
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