NTA NEET 2021 entrance exam checklist: Must-know guidelines for students to prepare for big day

It is not uncommon for aspirants to forget something or the other on exam day. This mostly happens due to the pressure they feel on D-Day of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET exam). Another reason can be when aspirants fail to read the instructions carefully.

With less than a week before the NEET 2021 exam, here all the exam day instructions, guidelines, what to carry and reporting time. The article discusses these issues in detail, so read carefully to ensure hassle-free preparation for exam day.

NEET 2021 exam day guidelines

NEET exam day guidelines are a quick review of all the necessary things that a candidate must know and be prepared for before the actual exam. These guidelines help aspirants avoid last-minute setbacks on exam day.

There are some regulations that aspirants need to follow that include being present before the reporting time, following the dress code (if any) etc.

Admit card

The most important document for the exam date is your NEET 2021 admit card. The admit card or hall ticket will be released and available for download in the coming days. Candidates are advised to download their NEET 2021 admit card in advance and not to wait till the last date.

Important things related to NEET 2021 admit card: There are few things that a candidate must ensure before taking a printout of the NEET 2021 admit card.

• A candidate must take out a colored printout of the NEET 2021 admit card.
• A recent passport size photograph must be pasted on it.
• It must be signed.

Exam day schedule

It is essential for aspirants to have complete knowledge of the exam day schedule in order to be well prepared for NEET 2021. The exam day schedule is very important to know as if reflects the pattern to be followed during exam day.

Candidates can go through the following guidelines regarding the exam day schedule for NEET 2021 exam timings.

NEET exam date: 12 September 2021

NEET 2021 exam timings are as under:

• Entry to the exam hall begins: 11:30 am
• Last entry in the exam hall as per NEET timings: 1:30 pm
• Announcement of instructions by the invigilator: 1:30 to 1:45 pm
• Distribution of the test booklets: 1:45 pm
• Candidates can fill in details in the test booklet: 1:50 pm
• Commencement of the exam: 2:00 pm
• Conclusion of the NEET exam: 5:00 pm

NEET 2021 exam pattern

Aspirants must already be aware of the exam pattern but a quick review will help the aspirants perform well in the exams.

• Duration: 3 hours
• Total no of questions: 180
• Total marks:720
• Section-wise number of questions: 45 each in Physics and Chemistry and 90 in Biology (45 each for Botany and Zoology)
• Type of questionnaire: Multiple choice questions (MCQs)
• Marking scheme: For each correct answer: +4, For each incorrect answer: -1
• Exam mode: Offline

Dress code

Candidates appearing for the NEET exam must follow the dress code as specified by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The candidates who don’t follow the dress code wouldn’t be allowed to sit in the exam. Dress code related guidelines for NEET exam:

• Candidates must dress casually and avoid clothes with long sleeves. NTA strictly prohibits long-sleeved clothes in the exam hall.
• Shoes are also prohibited. Therefore, candidates are required to wear slippers or sandals.
• Candidates wearing a customary dress in accordance with a particular religion are required to report to the examination center by 12:30 pm.

Banned items

A list of banned items has been issued by NTA. Candidates found in possession of any such banned items will be debarred from appearing for the examination. Therefore, candidates must ensure that they do not possess any of the barred items (enlisted below) on the exam day.

• Stationery, printed paper or any other kind of papers apart from admit card and ID proof is not permitted inside the examination hall.
• Items such as pencil box, pouch, calculator, writing pad, pen, scale, eraser or pen drives etc. are not allowed. 
• Electronic items such as a camera, electronic pen, etc. is not allowed.
• Communication device like mobile phone, Bluetooth, earphones, pager etc. are not allowed.
• Wristwatch, wallets, handbag, cap, ornaments such as nose-pin, earrings etc. are not allowed.
• Water bottles are also not allowed.

What to carry

Candidates must ensure that they should know what to carry on their NEET 2021 exam day. Here is the list of items; candidates should carry with them to the examination center.

• Print-out of admit card
• Passport size photograph
• A valid ID Proof
• PwD certificate (if applicable)

Reporting Time

The reporting time for the NEET 2021 exam day would be 11:30 am. No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam hall before this time. The Last entry into the exam hall will be 1:30 pm. Post this time, no candidate will be allowed entry into the examination hall. Therefore, all the candidates must ensure that they follow the above -mentioned time to avoid last-minute hassles.

NEET 2021 exam day guidelines: General instructions

There are some more instructions apart from dress code and banned items for candidates appearing for NEET exam. Those candidates must follow some of the general guidelines or instructions on the NEET exam day.

Some of the general instructions as a part of exam day guidelines for NEET are:

• Candidate must carry the NEET 2021 hall ticket along with a valid ID proof and a passport size photograph must be affixed on it.
• Candidates must not carry any of the banned items along with them at the exam center.
• It is mandatory to undergo the security procedures. Therefore, candidates are advice to cooperate with the security personnel.
• The aspirants will be video recorded inside the examination hall and are advises to sit upright and face the video camera when it approaches.
• Candidates will not be allowed to leave the exam hall before 5:00 pm.
• Candidates must note that the attendance sheet must be signed twice.