Sreetama Datta
Sreetama Datta Roy
Manager Content
Updated on Sep 23, 2023 14:36 IST

How to prepare for NEET 2024 without coaching aims to guide those who are unable to join a coaching Institute. Know the self-study tips and timetable that will help you to crack NEET 2024 without coaching.

Preparation for NEET 2024 without coaching is not an easy task to achieve. If you have decided to take NEET without coaching, you must be willing to sacrifice the comforts during the preparation phase and be ready to put in a lot of hard work. NEET being the largest examination held for aspiring doctors needs a correct plan for preparation. Preparation for NEET 2024 without coaching starts with getting familiar with the NEET exam pattern and syllabus. This should be followed by the preparation of a timetable, and following it religiously! Next comes the preparation strategy for NEET 2024, it must be solid and should be formulated keeping in mind individual strengths and weaknesses.

How to prepare for NEET 2024 without coaching?

Let's see what all needs to be taken care of if you want to prepare for NEET 2024 without coaching

Familiarity with the exam schedule

Aspirants of NEET should know about the dates and the chain of events occurring before and after the examination. Timetables can be better planned if you know about all the dates related to the examination. 

Explore colleges based on NEET

Delhi
₹6.08 K
Vellore
₹15.00 K
Lucknow
₹2.14 L

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Manipal
₹43.95 L
Rishikesh
₹51.52 K
Chennai
₹68.02 K
Bhubaneswar
₹89.78 L
Chennai
₹1.25 Cr
Confused about which college or exam to opt for?assitentRcpRhsImage
  • Chat with our counselor
  • Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
View allCollections

Dates for NEET 2024

The important pre-exam events have been enlisted below along with the dates of NEET 2024.

Events

NEET 2024 Dates (Tentative)

NEET 2024 notification

First week of March 2024

 

NEET 2024 application process

First week of March to First week of April 2024 

NEET 2024 application correction window

Second week of April 2024

NEET 2024 advance intimation to exam city slip

Fourth week of April 2024

NEET 2024 admit card

First week of May 2024

NEET 2024 exam date

May 5, 2024

Have a thorough knowledge of the syllabus

The NEET syllabus is the groundwork of all preparation, so try to complete the given topics within a set time, leaving enough for both practice and revision. The syllabus of NEET 2024 will comprise three subjects - PhysicsChemistry and Biology. A major portion of the question paper is from Biology. The syllabus largely overlaps that of Class 11 and Class 12. Thus, one covers most of the topics in school. Prepare a list of the topics you find difficult or were not covered in school/college. Allocate time accordingly for these topics. 

Q:   It is possible to crack NEET exam without coaching?
A:

I will not say, it is impossible. It is possible, but you have work very hard and must give your 200% effort to crack these competitive exams. In my opinion, it is better to take coaching for NEET exam. Coaching makes your exam preparation easier. Sometimes, if you get lots of doubt then you can get it cleared by your tutor who has got the subject knowledge.

Students get individual attention at coaching institutes and they focus on learning and development of students as per their requirement. Coaching centers also teach you a lot of tips, tricks and time management that help you to crack NEET exam. But, you have to be careful in choosing a right and resourceful coaching center, as there are many fraud coaching centers that works for money and not for delivering knowledge to the students.

Q:   Which is the best reference book for biology for preparing NEET ?
A:
To prepare for the Biology section of NEET the best books or study materials are NCERT textbooks. According to experts and toppers, NCERT is the best source of preparation. Based on the contents of the book, NCERT would be sufficient for NEET Biology preparation. However, students may refer to additional books and study materials. Some of the books are as follows: 1. Trueman's Biology Vol 1 and 2. Objective Biology by Dinesh 3. Objective Biology by Ansari 4. Pradeep Publication's Biology 5. Biology by GR Bathla Publications 6. SC Verma Biology.
Q:   Who topped the NEET 2023 exam?
A:

As many as two candidates have scored full marks of 720 in NEET 2023 result. Out of 20,38,596 candidates who had appeared for the exam, 11,45,976 candidates have qualified. Prabanjan J from Tamil Nadu secured AIR 1 with a full score of 720. Bora Varun Chakravarthi from Andhra Pradesh has bagged AIR 2 with 720 score. Pranjal Aggarwal from Punjab is the female topper of NEET 2023 with 716 score. NEET 2023 result was declared on June 13. NTA released the scorecards along with the list of top scorers in NEET 2023 and the qualifying cutoff scores for each candidate category.  

Also Read: NEET 2023 Toppers List

Knowing the exam pattern

The preparation strategy for NEET 2024 will be fruitful only if you know the pattern of questions asked in the examination. Know about the type of questions, the marking scheme, the duration of the exam and other important parameters of the NEET exam pattern. Here are some important points of the exam pattern.

Explore more Medicine & Health Sciences exams with upcoming dates

SAT Registration Deadline for ...

30 Nov '25

FMGE 2025 Registration Decembe...

14 Nov '25 - 4 Dec '25

KALSEE 2026 Application Form S...

1 Jan '26

NTA UGC NET December 2025 Exam Date

31 Dec '25 - 7 Jan '26

CT SET 2026 Application Form

28 Feb '26

AIIMS BSc Paramedical Registra...

23 Mar '26 - 24 Apr '26

Mode of exam

Offline

Type of questions

Multiple-choice questions

Duration of exam

3 hours and 20 minutes

Total number of questions

200 (180 to be attempted)

Subjects

Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology)

Total marks awarded

720

NEET 2024 Timetable

Time is a critical factor and every minute has to be judiciously managed. The entire lot of 20 lakh plus students study the same syllabus for NEET- but some succeed and others don’t. Here are a few tips that will give you an edge and help you be successful:   

  • Begin with a timetable that accommodates the following
    • School hours
    • Time allocated for new topics
    • Time allocated for revision
    • Mock tests
    • Leisure and sports
    • Rest periods 
  • Take short yet effective breaks in between 

Mock tests and previous year question papers

This is the most important part of the preparation and is true for any examination. Solving the NEET question papers will give you an idea of the type of questions that can be asked in the examination. NEET mock tests of various difficulty levels will prepare you for anything that can be thrown at you on the day of the examination. 

Q:   Which was the easiest section of the NEET 2023?
A:
As per the NEET 2023 analysis, Physics and Biology were the easiest sections. Physics which is generally rendered as a tough subject, appeared as a surprise with easier questions. Biology on the other hand, is generally easy in nature, despite having the highest weightage in the NEET question paper. The topics of high weightage in the Physics section were Current Electricity Electro Magnetic Field, Modern Physics Rigid Body Dynamics, Modern Physics etc. In Biology the top chapters or units were Genetics, Human and Plant Reproduction, Cell Biology Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants, Application Biology and Human Physiology among others.
Q:   Can I prepare for NEET in just one month?
A:
Start repeated revisions of the chapters. Revision is the key. Solve questions and mock tests. If you refer to prepare for the NEET from the zero - The answer would be no. It's a competitive exam, has vast syllabus and could not completed in a month if starting from the zero.
Q:   How do I prepare for the NEET from the very beginning without coaching?
A:
Follow some of the best ways to prepare for NEET: Get a calendar and a diary Set your priorities Set out long study hours Take care of your health don't sleep during study time NCERT books are considered the best to cover all the basic concepts of all the subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Download the Complete NEET Mock Test and Answer Keys from the table below.

NEET Mock Test Question Paper NEET Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 1 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 1
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 2 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 2
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 3 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 3
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 4 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 4
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 5 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 5
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 6 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 6

Also Read: 5 Advantages of Solving Previous Years' NEET Question Papers

Doubts and queries

You will have doubts and queries when you start preparing for the examination. Make a list of all the doubts and try to solve them on your own first. Certain queries can be solved with practice. If the doubt still persists, ask any of the teachers in your school to answer them for you. 

Self-study tips

  • Remember that only hard work will not give you results, it has to be coupled with smart study, time management and the proper utilisation of available resources
  • Integrate learning, revising and practising into your daily schedule
  • Break long chapters into smaller pieces for easy retention
  • Make a comparative chart for two or more related topics
  • Make a list of important definitions, formulae, derivations in physics, chemistry and diagrams in biology
  • Flow charts, mind maps, and ray diagrams also help retain things better
  • Set daily, weekly and monthly targets and try to achieve them in the stipulated time
  • Allow yourself to indulge in recreational activities once in a while
  • Set realistic targets and goals
  • Access your strengths and weaknesses, harness your strengths and work on your weaknesses

Get the Right Books and Study Materials

Along with your school books, you must gather the right books and study materials. While there is a plethora of books available in the market, you must not horde them all as it won't be possible to refer to each of them. Make a list of the right books based on the content, edition, practice questions, etc. As far as books are concerned, give preference to the NCERT books followed by the rest. 

Also Read: NEET Study Material for 2024

Stay Connected With Peers

Always stay in touch with your friends and peers who are also preparing for NEET 2024. Since you are not joining any coaching institute, you may form a study group and organise a doubt-clearing session or mock test/question paper analysis session to understand where you stand in comparison to your competition. It would also be helpful in terms of exchanging notes and getting expert tips from those who have enrolled on a coaching institute for NEET. 

Videos you may like
About the Author
author-image
Sreetama Datta Roy
Manager Content
Sreetama has over a decade of editorial experience in the higher education beat. A wanderlust by passion, she is also an avid reader and a music lover. Among friends, she is popular for her sense of humour.
Download Important Dates for Medicine & Health Sciences Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

Jun '20

AIIMS MBBS 2020 Results

May '20

AIIMS MBBS 2020 Exam

Jun '20

JIPMER 2020 exam (tentative)

14 Nov '25 -

4 Dec '25

FMGE 2025 Registration Decembe...

2 Jan '26

FMGE 2025 City Intimation For ...

Jan '26

OJEE 2026 registrations

Mar '26

OJEE 2026: Last date of fee pa...

14 Nov '25 -

14 Dec '25

PU CET (UG) 2026 Application F...

16 Dec '25

PU CET (UG) 2026 Registration ...

31 Dec '25 -

7 Jan '26

NTA UGC NET December 2025 Exam...

Jan '26

NTA CMAT 2026 Exam Date

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 days ago

Hi.

Yes, you may be eligible to apply for AFMC BSc Nursing next year, provided you meet specific criteria, which primarily include being a female candidate, qualifying for the NEET UG exam, meeting the required academic qualifications and falling within the specified age limits.
 
Key Eligibility Crite

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a month ago

PGIMER does not accept the NEET UG score. You need to appear in the PGIMER BSc Nursing exam separately for the BSc Nursing program. To appear in this examination, students must have completed the Class 12 examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English subjects. A separate counseling will

...Read more

P

Pallavi Pathak

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

No, NEET is not compulsory to pursue medicine courses abroad. However, students who wish to return to India to practice medicine after completing their studies abroad need to have cleared the NEET exam. 

A

Abhishek Khanna

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

When we talk about the paramedical courses which do not require you to sit for NEET exam then we have options like :

  • Medical Lab Technology (MLT)
  • Radiology and Imaging Technology
  • Physiotherapy (BPT)
  • Operation Theatre Technology
  • Anesthesia Technology
  • Optometry
  • Dialysis Technology
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

D

Diya Nihalani

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, NEET-UG is mandatory for admission to the MBBS course at NTRUHS. The full form of NEET is National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). This is the only entrance exam for admission to MBBS courses offered in India. The exam is conducted once a year in offline mode. Further, applicants who secu

...Read more

R

Rachit Kumar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, applicants can get admission to the NTRUHS BSc course without NEET. As per the information available on the official website, admission to the BSc course is based on merit/ Andhra Pradesh EAMCET/ APNCET scores.  Moreover, there is a possibility that some of the affiliated colleges of NTRUHS acc

...Read more

K

Kartik Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The application fee ranges from INR 500 to INR 5,500. Students can check the table below to know the Karnataka NEET UG Counselling application fee:

Category

Fee (in INR)

NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign nationals

5,500/-

General/2A/2B/3A/3B

2,500/-

SC/ST/Cat-I/PWD

500/-

S

Sanjana Dixit

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, candidates seeking admission in MBBS programme of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research must have a valid NEET score. Aspirants are allotted seats through centralised counselling by MCC of DGHS, New Delhi. There are a total of 250 seats available in the MBBS programme of SR

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, NEET is obligatory for Indian students who want to practice in India after returning from foreign MBBS. If students don't qualify from NEET, they cannot register with the Medical Council of India (NMC).

NEET is not required for admission into foreign medical schools themselves. This would includ

...Read more

Y

Yatendra Pradhan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Jobs in engineering fields like Computer Science or AI from a top institute and becoming a Commercial Pilot are among the best high-paying jobs that do not require NEET.
Additionally, careers in Data Science, the Merchant Navy, and Pharmacy also offer lucrative opportunities without requiring the NEE

...Read more

R

Rashmi Shekhar

Contributor-Level 8