Week before results, students find errors in NEET answer key

MUMBAI: Barely a week before results for the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) are to be announced, students have challenged the answer key released

MUMBAI: Barely a week before results for the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) are to be announced, students have challenged the answer key released by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), earlier this week. They have pointed at three questions, two under the Chemistry section and one under the Biology section, marked wrongly in the answer key.

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“A student is awarded four marks for every correct answer and minus one for a wrong one. Looking at the bulk of students who have pointed out the same mistakes, the CBSE will have to consider it,” said Rajesh Jain, from the Parents’ Association for Medical Students (PAMS). Jain said many students have already challenged these specific questions and are hoping for positive action from the authorities.

The answer key to both phases of NEET— one held on May 1 and the second on July 24 — were released by the CBSE on August 8 and the board was open to students challenging the answer key until August 10. “If our answer is correct and we have been marked wrongly, then we stand to get five marks for each correct answer. Every mark can change ranks by several notches and so, we will fight to prove our point,” said one of the students.

Rama Sharma, public relations officer, CBSE, said, “Our expert committee will look into the answers challenged by students after which we will announce the results. As of now, students will have to wait until there is some clarity over this issue.”

The phases I and II results for NEET will be announced on August 17.