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Difference Between NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks: The NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks are often confused, but they are different. NEET Qualifying Marks are the minimum scores you need to pass the exam. These marks decide if you’re eligible to participate in the NEET counseling process. On the other hand, the NEET Cut Off is the score needed to secure a seat in medical colleges. It varies every year depending on factors like the number of candidates, difficulty level, and available seats. While qualifying marks are fixed for different categories, the cut-off can be much higher. Understanding both is crucial for NEET aspirants aiming for admission into MBBS and BDS courses.
Difference Between NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks
| Feature | NEET Qualifying Marks | NEET Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Determines eligibility for NEET counseling process. | Determines if a candidate qualifies for admission to medical colleges. |
| Official Website | www.ntaneet.nic.in | www.ntaneet.nic.in or respective state counseling websites |
| Release Date | June 14, 2024 | Late July or early August 2024 |
| Registration | No separate registration required. | Used for counseling, no additional registration needed. |
| Releasing Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | NTA or respective state authorities |
| Passing Requirement | 50% for General, 40% for Reserved categories | Varies based on available seats and college criteria. |
| Consistency | Relatively consistent every year across categories. | Varies yearly depending on exam difficulty and seat availability. |
What is NEET Cut Off
The NEET cut-off is the minimum score needed to secure admission into a medical college. It changes every year based on various factors like the difficulty level of the exam, the number of students, and the availability of seats. The cut-off is also percentile-based and varies for each category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.).
Colleges set their cut-off scores based on factors like demand, infrastructure, and seat availability. The NEET cut-off is important for seat allocation in colleges, and scoring above the cut-off improves your chances of getting admitted.
The cut-off scores for NEET 2024 will be announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the results are declared.
To give you an idea, here is the cut-off list for NEET 2023 for various categories:
| Category | Cut-Off Percentile | Marks Range |
|---|---|---|
| General | 50th Percentile | 720-137 |
| General-PH | 45th Percentile | 720-137 |
| SC | 40th Percentile | 136-107 |
| ST | 40th Percentile | 136-107 |
| OBC | 40th Percentile | 136-107 |
| SC/ST/OBC-PH | 40th Percentile | 120-107 |
| ST-PH | 40th Percentile | 120-108 |
Also Check: NEET Marks vs Rank
Factors Influencing NEET Cut Off Marks
- Exam Difficulty Level: If the exam is tough, the cut-off marks tend to be lower. If it’s easier, the cut-off may rise.
- Number of Candidates: The more students who take the exam, the higher the competition. This can cause the cut-off to increase.
- Availability of Seats: The number of medical seats available in colleges also affects the cut-off. More seats may lead to a lower cut-off, while fewer seats can push it higher.
- Reservation Policies: Different categories like General, OBC, SC, and ST have separate cut-off scores based on the reservation system.
- Performance of Students: If many students score high marks, the cut-off will naturally increase. Poor overall performance can lower it.
- Previous Year’s Trends: Trends from the previous years’ cut-offs can also play a role in determining the current year’s cut-off, serving as a reference point.
- State Quota vs. All India Quota: Some seats are reserved for students from specific states, and the cut-off for these seats may vary compared to the All India Quota.
NEET Qualifying Marks: Key Benchmarks for Medical Aspirants
The NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) qualifying marks, also known as the passing marks, represent the minimum scores required for a student to be eligible for further steps in the medical admission process. These scores serve as a critical threshold that determines whether a student can move forward to counseling and admission to medical colleges. Unlike fixed percentage marks, NEET qualifying marks are percentile-based, meaning that students must perform better than a specific percentage of their peers who have taken the exam.
Each year, the qualifying marks for NEET typically fall within a range of 150 to 200. However, merely meeting the qualifying marks does not guarantee admission to a medical college. It only indicates that the student is eligible to participate in counseling. Admission to medical colleges is determined by additional factors such as cut-off marks, which vary depending on the college, category, and year.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET, adjusts the qualifying scores annually based on the exam’s overall difficulty level. For instance, a student is considered qualified if they score above the 50th percentile, meaning they have performed better than half of the exam’s participants. However, this percentile differs for various categories, ensuring equitable representation for students from different backgrounds.
Also Check: How to Avoid Negative Marking in NEET 2025?
NEET Qualifying Marks: Category-Wise Criteria
Below is a breakdown of the qualifying criteria based on different categories:
| Category | Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| General/EWS | 50th Percentile |
| OBC | 40th Percentile |
| SC | 40th Percentile |
| ST | 40th Percentile |
| General/EWS & PH | 45th Percentile |
| OBC & PH | 40th Percentile |
| SC & PH | 40th Percentile |
| ST & PH | 40th Percentile |
Factors That Influence NEET Qualifying Marks
Several factors play a role in determining the qualifying marks for NEET each year. These factors contribute to the variability in scores and percentile requirements:
- Exam Difficulty Level: If the exam is deemed more difficult in a given year, the qualifying marks might be lower, reflecting the overall performance of candidates.
- Total Number of Candidates: A larger pool of candidates can result in increased competition, potentially affecting the percentile ranking needed to qualify.
- Category-Wise Reservations: NEET provides specific percentile requirements for different categories, such as General, OBC, SC, and ST, to ensure fair representation.
- Exam Performance Trends: Trends in performance, such as higher overall scores in a given year, may lead to adjustments in qualifying marks to maintain balance.
What Happens After Securing NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks?
Securing the NEET qualifying marks is the first step toward medical admissions, but candidates must also meet the NEET cut-off to advance in the selection process. After clearing both, students become eligible for the counseling rounds, where they can apply for seats in medical and dental colleges based on their scores and category. During counseling, candidates need to choose their preferred colleges and courses. The cut-off marks, which vary by institution and category, play a crucial role in determining the chances of securing a seat. Achieving a score higher than the cut-off increases the likelihood of admission to top medical institutions.
Difference Between NEET Cut Off and Qualifying Marks FAQs
How many marks are required to qualify for the NEET exam?
To qualify for the NEET exam, candidates must score at or above the 50th percentile if they belong to the General category. For reserved categories such as OBC, SC, and ST, the qualifying threshold is the 40th percentile. The exact marks needed vary yearly based on the difficulty level and performance of all candidates but typically range between 150 and 200 marks.
What is the difference between Qualifying and cut-off marks?
Qualifying marks are the minimum scores required to pass the NEET exam and become eligible for further steps like counseling. Cut-off marks, on the other hand, are higher and vary for different colleges and categories. They determine which candidates will get a seat in specific medical institutions, based on their rank and availability of seats.
What is the use of qualifying marks in NEET?
Qualifying marks in NEET act as the eligibility benchmark. Candidates who meet or exceed these marks can participate in the counseling process for admission to medical and dental colleges. However, qualifying does not guarantee admission; higher scores are needed to meet college-specific cut-off requirements.
What do you mean by cut-off marks in NEET?
Cut-off marks in NEET refer to the minimum score required for a candidate to be considered for admission to a particular medical or dental college. The cut-off varies based on the institution, category, and course. Scoring above the cut-off increases the likelihood of securing a seat during the counseling process.
