It’s a do-or-don’t situation for those in the running for a medical seat. The NTA has made it official: the re-exam is June 21. They’ve also laid out the rules of the road when it comes to the paper, how it’s marked, and what you need to have with you. It’s all about giving students and the institutions they apply to some peace of mind and nipping any confusion in the bud.
Why we’re having a re-exam and what to make of it
You can put this down to the 3rd May being called off over claims of a leak and other hiccups. The NTA’s side of it is that the new format is meant to be as level as possible, to put faith back in the system.
They’ve been open about it in a recent post, touting a balanced approach in Physics, Chemistry and Biology in line with their “One Examination, One Fair Field” stance. And in the interest of being transparent, you will be able to walk out with your question booklet in hand.
When to show up and the ground rules
Doors at the centres open at 11 am. If you’re not in by 1:30 pm, you’re out. Booklets go out at 1:45. Make of that what you will – being late means you don’t get to sit for it, and being on time keeps the lines moving at the checkpoints.
There won’t be any let-up on the rules. Anything you can’t have with you, or anything that could give you an edge, is a no-go. The NTA has made it plain: try to make trouble or be up to something, and you’ll be dealing with the law.
A handy checklist for the day:
– 11 am: you can come in
– 1:30 pm: hard stop for entry
– 1:45 pm: you get your test booklet
How the paper and marks break down
We’re looking at 180 questions for 720 marks in total. The way it’s set up is to reflect what matters in medical admissions, so there’s less guesswork for you and the review is straightforward for the colleges.
Here’s the lay of the land by subject:
– 45 in Physics for 180 marks
– 45 in Chemistry for 180 marks
– 90 in Biology for 360 marks
The scoring is black and white. Four for a right answer, a one-mark penalty for a wrong one, and nothing if you leave it. Since there’s negative marking, it pays to be right rather than just throwing darts.
What to have in your bag
You’ll need a hard copy of your admit card from the NTA site. Also, have two passport photos on you that match the ones in your form, and some proper ID from the government.
If you are a PwBD candidate and need some leeway, you must have your certificate of physical limitation or a PwBD one. Don’t risk it – without the paperwork, you won’t be let in, even if you’re early. Best to have it all in order the night before.
So, what’s the plan?
June 21 is the date. Put your energy into revising with an eye on accuracy. Stick to what the NTA says and don’t get sidetracked by hearsay. When the day comes, be where you need to be with your papers in order, and once you’re done, you can take your booklet home and see how you did.
