According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the NEET 2024 entrance examination of medical science will take place in May 2024, and the question paper pattern will comprise 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be answered in 3 hours and 20 minutes. The NEET exam pattern 2025 exam is divided into three segments i.e. Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
To perform well in this exam, apart from having excellent preparation, students also need to fill out the OMR sheet properly and be familiar with the question patterns.
What are the Common Instructions to Remember While Filling the OMR Sheet for NEET 2025?
Following are the important instructions to keep in mind at the time of filling out the OMR sheets for NEET 2025:
- Fill out the OMR answer sheet with blue or black ballpoint pens instead of fountain pens, gel pens, or coloured pens to avoid smudges.
- Use pencils to mark each answer only if specified in the instruction sheet. If so, consider using 2B or HB pencils only.
- Read each question carefully in the first place as you cannot change your answer after filling up the OMR sheet.
- Half-filled or dirtily over-filled bubbles may be cancelled by the answer-checking software. So, darken the circular bubbles neatly and completely. Also, avoid putting a tick mark or a cross sign unless specified.
- Writing on an OMR Sheet is allowed only in the specified area where you have to enter your name, roll no, registration no, etc. Remember that a minor marking other than the permitted area can create problems during the scanning process.
- Avoid doing any rough work on the OMR sheet.
- Avoid folding your OMR Sheet while submitting.
- Do not use whiteners or correction pens to rectify filling errors since they may interrupt the scanning and assessment process.
- When you fill the OMR sheet, do not put any stray marks on it
- Never mark more than one option in the OMR sheet
- Put your Thumb impression and Signature in the specified rectangular boxes in the OMR sheet before answering.
- Make sure that your OMR Answer Sheet has been signed by the invigilator
- Always fill out your Name, Roll Number, Paper Code, Registration Number, and Question Booklet Series, or else your answer sheet will not be evaluated.
What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid While Filling Out the OMR Sheet?
Mentioned below are some common mistakes made while filling out an OMR sheet, which you strictly need to avoid:
Not Reading the OMR Sheet Filling Instructions
This is one of the most significant mistakes made by the students while giving answers in an OMR sheet. Such silly mistakes can lead to a big problem and eventually result in your rejection during the test.
Incorrectly Entering the Roll Number
Many students tend to enter their roll number wrongly and end up getting rejected not only from the NEET examinations but also from other competitive exams. Besides, some students enter their roll number in other boxes and face trouble. In case this happens to you, inform the exam hall investigator who is in charge.
Choosing the Wrong Writing Utensil
In modern OMR sheets, candidates are required to use a blue or black ballpoint pen, nothing else. Many candidates do not read the instructions properly and use gel pens, fountain pens, pencils, etc.
Submitting Carbon Copy
This is one of the worst mistakes that a student can make. They submit the carbon copy of the OMR sheet to the examiner and keep the original answer sheet with them.
Marking More Than One Bubble
Students often darken the wrong circle on OMR sheets accidentally and try to correct it by striking through or using whiteners. The detection device for OMR answer sheets considers them as double entries and counts the same as a wrong answer.
Performing Rough Work on Sheet
Doing rough work on sheets is strictly prohibited and it is also a major mistake made by the students while filling out OMR sheets. This can significantly result in rejections at the time of scanning the answer sheets using the OMR detection device.
To sum up, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a competitive exam that enables students to get admission to various reputed medical colleges in India. From the above information, you now have a clear idea of the importance of filling out the OMR sheet correctly to perform successfully in the exam. Hence, make sure that you go through the aforementioned points to avoid any mistakes and excel in the NEET exam pattern 2025 without leaving any stone unturned.