NEET Limit: What You Need to Know About Eligibility, Cutoffs, and Preparation

When it comes to getting into medical school in India, the NEET limit, the official rules on how many times you can take the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test and the age restrictions that apply. Also known as the NEET attempt limit, it’s not just about how many chances you get—it’s about when you can take them, who qualifies, and what happens if you miss the window. The NEET limit isn’t just a number. It’s a gatekeeper. For many students, it’s the difference between waiting a year or starting medical school on time.

The current NEET limit allows candidates to take the exam an unlimited number of times, as long as they meet the age criteria. But here’s the catch: you can’t take it before you’re 17, and you can’t be older than 25 for the general category (30 for reserved categories). That’s not a suggestion—it’s a hard cutoff. If you turn 26 before the exam date, you’re out, no matter how many times you’ve tried. This rule is strict, and it’s enforced. The exam body doesn’t make exceptions. That’s why timing matters more than you think. A student who starts preparing in class 11 has a real shot. One who waits until class 12 might already be racing against the clock.

The NEET cutoff, the minimum score needed to qualify for medical college admission. Also known as the NEET qualifying mark, it changes every year based on difficulty, number of applicants, and available seats. In 2023, the general category cutoff was around 137 out of 720. For SC/ST/OBC, it dropped to 107. These numbers aren’t arbitrary. They’re pulled from real data—how many students scored what, how many seats are open, and how many applicants actually get admitted. You can’t guess your way to qualifying. You need to know where you stand. And that’s where past papers, mock tests, and honest self-assessment come in. A score of 500+ puts you in the running for top colleges. A score below 400? You’re likely looking at private colleges or waiting for the next cycle.

And then there’s the NEET preparation, the focused, structured effort required to master biology, chemistry, and physics for the medical entrance exam. Also known as medical entrance prep, it’s not about cramming. It’s about smart repetition, understanding patterns, and knowing what topics repeat year after year. Top performers don’t study more—they study better. They know that 70% of NEET questions come from NCERT textbooks. They know that organic chemistry and human physiology are high-yield. They know that skipping physics problems because they’re "hard" is a trap. Preparation isn’t about talent. It’s about consistency. It’s about doing one chapter a day, reviewing mistakes, and tracking progress.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t theory. It’s real talk from students who’ve been through it. You’ll see what actually works in NEET prep, how to handle the pressure, why some subjects give you more bang for your study buck, and how to make the most of every attempt under the NEET limit. No fluff. No hype. Just what you need to know to move forward—whether it’s your first try or your fifth.