NEET Exam 2025: Tougher Paper Likely to Lower Cut-Offs — What Students Should Know

NEET Exam 2025: The NEET Exam 2025, held on Sunday, left many students uncertain about their performance. Several candidates described the paper as moderately difficult, with particular emphasis on the challenging physics section. Biology, which is usually the most scoring section, was unexpectedly time-consuming, while chemistry also contained a few tricky questions. Considering the overall difficulty level compared to previous years, both students and coaching institutes are expecting a slight drop in cut-off marks.

What Students Experienced Inside the Exam Hall?

According to reports from Tamil Nadu, around 1.5 lakh students registered for NEET Exam 2025, with approximately 20,000 appearing from Chennai alone. A student from Guru Nanak College shared, “Biology was time-consuming, and I couldn’t finish it on time. Physics and chemistry were moderately difficult.”

Experts have said the same thing; some even compared the physics section to NEET 2019, as that year, the exam was extremely tough. Career guidance expert Jayaprakash Gandhi noted that while the cut-off may fall slightly, students aiming for top medical colleges would still need to score above 650 out of 720. He also observed that first-time test-takers struggled more, while the repeaters appeared better prepared.

Entry Denied Over Dress Code, But Help Was at Hand

Unfortunately, the exam day wasn’t free from stressful incidents. In Tiruppur, a student named S. Kanimozhi was denied entry at her centre in TM Poondi due to steel buttons on her dress, which violated the dress code guidelines for girls.

Thankfully, MR Manimegalai, a woman constable on duty, stepped in to help. She took the student to a nearby store on her bike to buy a new outfit with permission from higher authorities. This quick thinking ensured the student could appear for her exam on time and also reminds us the positive role frontline workers can play in such moments.

Confusion Over Centres, Technical Glitches Raise Concerns

Confusion with exam details affected many students across Tamil Nadu. In Dharmapuri, nine students accidentally went to Salem because they were misled by the information on their hall tickets, which mentioned “Government Arts College, Salem Bypass Road”  without specifying the district. Seven of them made it to the correct location with the help of local police, but two couldn’t arrive in time.

In Tiruchengode, a biometric system failure at one centre meant over 300 students appeared for the exam without biometric verification. Worried parents held a short protest, afraid it might affect their children’s results. Officials later clarified that alternate verification procedures had been arranged and would not negatively impact student outcomes.

Government School Sets a Positive Example

Despite the chaos, some stories stood out for their positivity. In Pudukkottai district, Keeramangalam Government Girls Higher Secondary School sent 80 students for NEET Exam 2025 in which 55 are freshers and 25 are repeaters. The school has a strong track record, with 27 students gaining medical admission in the last five years through the 7.5% government school quota.

Understanding the transport challenges in rural areas, the school arranged three buses to carry students to exam centres across Pudukkottai, Tiruchy, and Gandarvakottai. Staff members stayed back until late evening to ensure everyone returned home safely. Headmistress Valli Nayagi noted, “We wanted to make sure each student had equal access to this opportunity.”

A 42-Year-Old First-Timer Fulfils a Dream

Among this year’s candidates was Krishnakumar, a 42-year-old IT professional from Karur, who appeared for NEET Exam for the first time. His only goal was to pursue a lifelong dream of entering the medical field which proofs that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. 

What Can Students Expect Now?

By observing the paper’s difficulty, a slight dip in NEET Exam 2025 cut-offs is expected, but top-tier colleges will still demand high scores. Students who found the paper tough, especially first-time aspirants, should not be discouraged. Every attempt is a learning experience, and many successful candidates are repeaters who kept going.

For those who are waiting for results or preparing for counselling, it’s essential to stay updated with official notifications from NTA and state counselling authorities. 

Final Thoughts

Obviously, NEET Exam 2025 wasn’t easy, not just academically, but also in terms of logistics and student stress. Yet, in the face of difficulty, students, parents, educators, and even local police showed resilience and support. For every challenge faced this year, there’s a lesson to carry forward. From managing time better to staying calm under pressure, each experience adds to your growth as a student and as a person.