There is a news that CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) is expected to curb the number of attempts of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test to three. Along with it, the maximum age limit is also expected to be set to 25 years.

While talking to some medical students, PaGaLGuY came across responses that directed towards the fact that three attempts are enough to crack NEET.

Sayan Mukherjee, a first year student from Grant Medical College, Mumbai was of the view that three attempts of NEET is no less. “Students will think twice before taking up the examination now and will give it a miss if they are not fully prepared,” said Mukherjee.

Talking on similar lines, Manas Jethani from Rajasthan, who cleared NEET UG 2016 in his first attempt, feels it is a necessary step to be taken. “Some students go on to take 4-5 attempts, wasting their own time while doing some course from some college for which they are not even passionate about. Even if they qualify, there is always an issue of age difference with peers at medical colleges they get admitted,” said Jethani.

Although there are media reports suggesting that the age restriction and attempt capping will take place, there is no clarity as from when it will be counted. Vartika Srivastava, a NEET repeater who took the exam last year, is of the view that this could benefit all the medical aspirants. “Candidates who can not make it through with the examination even after multiple attempts get an added advantage of examination experience over the new comers. One thing that I am worried about is that from when will this decision be taken into account and attempts get counted,” said Srivastava.

“Curbing it to three attempts might result in students taking the examination seriously whenever they appear for it,” concluded Jethani.