NEET PG 2024 exam was successfully conducted across 416 centres in 170 cities on August 11, 2024. The exam took place in two shifts: the first from 9 AM to 12:30 PM, and the second from 3:30 PM to 7 PM. There was a total of 2,16,136 candidates who took the exam, with 1,07,959 taking it in the first shift and 1,08,177 taking it in the second shift. According to media reports, the overall difficulty level of the NEET PG 2024 exam was considered moderate. Most candidates were able to attempt between 185 to 195 questions.

Some questions in the NEET PG 2024 exam were notably lengthy, causing many students to struggle with selecting the correct options and eliminating incorrect ones, leading to incorrect attempts. The exam featured a significant number of image-based questions, with around 10% consisting of one-liners. The majority of the questions were centred on essential topics, predominantly clinical-based, giving an edge to candidates with medical practice experience, who are generally proficient in clinical scenarios. A detailed analysis of the NEET PG 2024 exam, based on applicants’ initial comments and feedback, is available here.

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NEET PG 2024: Exam Highlights

Here are the highlights of the NEET PG exam 2024:

Events	Highlights
Country	India
Exam Name	NEET PG 2024
Conducting Body	(National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences)
Course	MD, MS, DNB, PG Diploma
Exam Date	August 11, 2024
Result Date	Last week of August 2024
Cut Off Marks	50th percentile for UR/EWS, 45% for UR-PWD, and 40% for SC/ST/OBC
Official Website	natboard.edu.in
Mode	Computer-based mode
Number of Sessions	Single
Number of Questions	200
Total Marks	800
Type of Questions	MCQ
Language of Question Paper	English Only
Shifts in the NEET PG exam	Two shifts
Exam Duration	3 Hours 30 Minutes

To qualify for NEET PG 2024, candidates must meet the following cut-off criteria:

CATEGORIES	Qualifications/Eligibility Requirements	(Out of 800) Cut-off
General / EWS	50th percentile	To be announced
General-PwBD	45th percentile	To be announced
SC/ST/OBC (including persons with disabilities)	40th percentile	To be announced

Shift 1: A Closer Look at the Morning Session

The first shift of the NEET PG 2024 exam kicked off early in the day, with candidates reporting a mix of questions that tested their theoretical knowledge and practical application skills. The paper was structured to cover a wide range of topics, ensuring that all major subjects were represented.

Difficulty Level

• Moderate to Difficult: The overall difficulty level of Shift 1 was moderate to difficult, with several questions requiring deep conceptual understanding.
• Clinical Vignettes: A significant portion of the paper comprised clinical vignettes, challenging candidates to apply their knowledge to real-life scenarios.
• Time Management: Many candidates found it challenging to manage their time effectively, particularly with the lengthy case-based questions.

Key Subjects Covered

• Medicine: A major chunk of the questions was centred around Internal Medicine, testing both common and rare conditions.
• Surgery: Surgical topics were heavily emphasized, with questions requiring a strong grasp of procedural knowledge.
• Pediatrics and OBGYN: These subjects also had a fair representation, with questions designed to test both basic and advanced concepts.

Shift 2: Analyzing the Afternoon Session

The second shift brought its own set of challenges, with a different mix of questions compared to the morning session. This shift was particularly noted for its focus on emerging trends in medical science and recent guidelines.

Difficulty Level

• Moderate: Shift 2 was generally perceived as slightly easier than Shift 1, though it still posed significant challenges, particularly in the form of tricky multiple-choice questions.
• Recent Advances: This shift had a noticeable emphasis on recent advances in medical science, making it crucial for candidates to be up-to-date with the latest guidelines and research.
• Image-Based Questions: There was a substantial number of image-based questions, requiring quick recall and precise identification of conditions.

Key Subjects Covered

• Pharmacology: A substantial portion of the questions focused on drug mechanisms, side effects, and therapeutic uses.
• Pathology: Pathology was another major subject in this shift, with questions ranging from basic pathological processes to complex disease mechanisms.
• Community Medicine: The inclusion of public health-related questions reflected the growing importance of community medicine in postgraduate training.

Comparative Analysis: Shift 1 vs. Shift 2

While both shifts of the NEET PG 2024 exam presented their unique challenges, there were some noticeable differences:

• Content Focus: Shift 1 had a broader focus on core clinical subjects, while Shift 2 leaned more towards recent advances and image-based questions.
• Difficulty: Candidates generally found Shift 1 to be more challenging, particularly due to the time-consuming nature of the clinical vignettes.

Final Thoughts

The NEET PG 2024 exam in both shifts tested candidates on a wide array of topics, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of their knowledge and skills. As always, the key to performing well lies in a balanced preparation strategy that covers all subjects, stays updated with recent advances, and hones time management skills.

For future aspirants, it’s crucial to review these insights and adjust your preparation strategy accordingly. Regular practice with clinical vignettes, image-based questions, and staying updated with the upcoming NEET PG result will reflect this preparation, determining eligibility for MD/MS admissions.