If you're a medical aspirant, you've probably heard the terms NEET and NEET PG countless times. For you, the distinction might be crystal clear. But for your parents—who are your biggest supporters and often your pillars of motivation—it might all sound like the same thing. And that’s okay! But understanding the difference between NEET and NEET PG isn’t just about knowing what they stand for—it’s about recognizing how vastly different they are in purpose, level, competition, and preparation strategy.
So here’s a simple, clear breakdown that you can even share with your family to help them understand what you're working so hard for—and how each exam fits into your medical journey.
What is NEET? (Undergraduate Level)
NEET means National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. It's the entrance test students appear immediately after Class 12 for admission into undergraduate medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, and a few AYUSH courses (such as BAMS, BHMS, etc.).
Important Features:
Eligibility: 10+2 pass with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Level: High-school level (as per NCERT syllabus).
Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA).
Purpose: Admission into undergraduate medical courses.
Exam Structure:
720 Marks
200 Questions (180 to be answered)
Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany + Zoology)
Competition: More than 20 lakh students appear annually.
What is NEET PG? (Postgraduate Level)
NEET PG stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses. It's the entrance exam for medical graduates (MBBS graduates) who desire to specialize and pursue MD, MS, or PG Diploma courses in India.
Key Features:
Eligibility: MBBS degree with internship completion.
Level: Graduate-level medical knowledge.
Conducting Body: National Board of Examinations (NBE).
Purpose: Admission to postgraduate medical courses.
Exam Structure:
800 Marks
200 MCQs
Subjects: Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects of MBBS curriculum
Competition: Approximately 2 lakh candidates, but for a very limited number of seats.
How Preparation Is Different
Though both the exams require consistency and discipline, the strategy differs extensively:
NEET (UG) Preparation:
Concerned with concepts of NCERT books (particularly Biology).
Very strong focus on speed and accuracy in objective-type questions.
Practice and coaching are typically based on board exam + entrance pattern.
Revision of simple formulas, reactions, and diagrams is very important.
NEET PG Preparation:
Requires intense clinical knowledge of medicine.
Practice of MCQ, clinical case, and image-based questions constitutes preparation.
Time management for subjects in multiples is a must.
Comprises mock tests, revision timetables, and tougher mental endurance.
NEET and NEET PG are both major stepping stones—but they serve different purposes in a medical student’s career. Cracking NEET gets you into medicine. Cracking NEET PG helps you shape your role in it—as a surgeon, pediatrician, gynecologist, psychiatrist, and more.
So the next time someone (especially your parents) asks, “Didn’t you already clear NEET?”—you can say, “Yes, but NEET PG is where I get to decide what kind of doctor I’ll become.”