Half of AP students not ready for NEET

BH Ramakrishna

• Botany and Zoology deciding factors
• Rural Telugu medium students face tough task

For example, in Zoology, our students read about physiology of rabbit for EAMCET whereas for NEET, rabbit is not a lesson. CBSE students will read about human physiology which is new to state students. Similarly, for Botany, there is nearly 20 percent variation

With just 15 days to go, students from Andhra Pradesh, who usually dominate in the national-level entrance examinations, may find it difficult at the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) to be held for admission into first year MBBS course in medical colleges across the country. According to experts, half of the students are not at all ready for NEET, conducted for the first time on May 5. Confusion over NEET or EAMCET, delay in upgradration of textbooks to that of CBSE level, negative marking, lack of proper teaching of new lessons etc have been cited as reasons. CBSE conducts the entrance exam.

Subject experts say that Botany and Zoology scores are the keys to success at NEET. Those who are very strong at both these subjects can alone attempt the national level exam, they said. "There is a variation up to 25 percent to the state syllabus and CBSE syllabus, as far as Zoology is concerned. For example, in zoology, our students read about physiology of rabbit for EAMCET where as for NEET, rabbit is not a lesson, instead, CBSE students will read about human physiology, which is new to state students. Similarly, for Botany, there is nearly 20 percent variation.

For physics and Chemistry, there's not much problem, the syllabus is more or less the same. 95 percent of lessons of CBSE and AP textbooks are common," Dr Sankar, Dean, Srichaitanya Group who deals with NEET coaching told The Hans India. "Our students may find it hard to crack at least 15-20 out of 45 questions in Botany and Zoology," he added.

Another problem the students would face this time is the treatment of same question. "We, at state level, look at a question in some way and the same question will be dealt with by CBSE students in a different way. Here, the question of comprehending abilities of a student will be vital. Only toppers and meritorious candidates can successfully attempt the questions in the way it should be" Sankar explained.

Several states have adopted CBSE syllabus long back and the students of those states don't find it difficult for NEET. AP is somewhat late in going into the national mode and the government also has released the upgraded books which can be of some help for the NEET-bound guys just three weeks back. The worst affected will be Telugu-medium students as well as students studying at rural and semi-urban areas.

Another factor which caused great deal of confusion was whether to prepare for NEET or EAMCET. Although, state authorities as well as Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health have advised students to prepare for both, anxiety still persists as what would be the outcome of case presently before the Supreme Court. "It is not easy to prepare for both when there is lot of variation in the subjects.

Every question is important for us and it is tough to remember same analysis in one mode for NEET and in another way for EAMCET" Manojna Mallaparaju, a student of Narayana college at Dilsukhnagar, said. Supreme Court is expected to pronounce its verdict later this month. But one factor which gives a degree of solace is all the seats in colleges of AP will be for state students only as per the Presidential Order. Local Ranking will be helpful, Venugopal, lecturer at Nizam college, said.

Students of corporate colleges have been working overtime for the NEET. "We have prepared NEET-base syllabi one year back and we are on course to prove our dominance this year as well" Sankar said.