NEET 2020: Delayed exam dates cause students to look for alternate career options

Deferment and uncertainty around NEET exam dates have resulted in an increased demand for alternative careers options in medicine which are not dependent on this entrance test. Know what caused this outflux here.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) may have announced the new exam dates for NEET 2020, but the uncertainty still looms in the minds of the test-takers. As the number of COVID-19 cases in India rise, NEET 2020 aspirants are worried that the examination may be pushed even further. Some even fear that NEET 2020 may be cancelled and the admissions to MBBS/BDS courses will be on the basis of the marks obtained in Class 12. However, these are merely speculations arising out of the fear of the unknown.

Many students have spent two or more years preparing for NEET exam. Many of them have appeared for NEET in previous years. The speculations around NEET 2020 exam dates and the admission process for the current year have caused these students to worry about their future. Preparing for NEET 2020 without knowing the fate of the examination is taking a toll on them. To break out of this, students have now turned to other career options in medicine which are not dependent on NEET. An indication of this is the steady rise in the number of students looking for information on the admission process of paramedical courses.

Also Read: Medical courses without NEET

Students have turned to take admissions in these courses rather than waiting out for NEET 2020. But the exam date is not the only concern. Many students do not have access to modern technology and have been missing out on the NEET preparation due to inaccessibility to coaching centres. The pandemic has caused reverse migration causing students to return to their homes, some of which are remote areas where internet connection is still weak/absent. Preparing for NEET 2020 is becoming a challenge for these students.

But it is not only the less fortunate who have been affected by the delay in NEET exam dates. Many students who have been attending the online classes are also finding it difficult to complete their preparation. Online classes may be delivering the necessary information to these students, but is not helping them much with their doubts. Many students are not comfortable in clarifying doubts in an online session, while reaching out to the teacher offline is becoming difficult at the same time. The doubt clearing sessions organised online also have limited reach and accessibility. Another major change is that students have to appear for NEET mock tests online. The method is not proving to be useful for many students preparing for an examination which is meant to be held offline.

On the other hand, admission to paramedical and nursing courses, in most of the institutes, is based on the marks obtained in Class 12. The remaining institutions conduct a separate examination for admission to these courses. The application process for many institutions has just begun, giving the students an option to apply for the desired paramedical course. An added bonus is the fees, most paramedical courses have a reasonable tuition fee. Taking admission into one of the many paramedical courses will save these students from the hamster wheel that NEET 2020 preparation has become for them.

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