The New Way To Give Exams: NEET 2020

16.84 lakh students registered for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam that was scheduled to conduct on July 26. However, given the current scenario, the number of Coronavirus cases has been through the roof making it dangerous for the students to sit for exams. As a result, protests on social media to postpone the exam were held. The students wanted the authorities to delay the examination. Their voices were heard and on July 3, the Union Minister, Dr. Ramesh Pokriyal Nishank, set the new dates for the exam. It will now take place on September 13 (Sunday).

To ensure the safety of the students, the National Testing Agency (NTA) reached out to the experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP). This SOP has been designed on the recommendations made by the medical experts and could serve as a manual for other exams such as JEE or UGC NET.

What are the measures taken by the NTA?

To tackle the situation, the National Testing Agency has doubled the centers bringing the number from 2600 to 4500. This will not only keep the students from cheating but would also ensure social distance. Furthermore, there are rules and regulations set that every candidate has to follow.

Before entering the exam hall

1. Besides the admit card and ID, candidates must come with a face mask, gloves, and a small hand sanitizer.
2. The NEET 2020 admit card will indicate a time slot for reporting at the examination centre to ensure staggered timings.
3. Candidates will enter the exam center in batches of 15 girls and 15 boys, making the total count to 30.
4. There will be no physical frisking as before
5. 9000 hand-held metal detectors to check for any listening devices
6. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi presence will also be checked and there will be jammers and CCTVs
7. Each candidate will be asked to show their admit card for verification and remove the mask for the security staff to avoid impersonation
8. Candidates with above normal temperatures will be placed in a separate room

Read: What Exams During COVID 19 Times Will Look Like?

There are certain guidelines for inside the center.

1. The exam center will be thoroughly sanitized before and after the exam.
2. Seating plan to ensure social distancing
3. The question paper will come with a surgical mask for the candidate to use while taking the exam
4. For the washroom, an invigilator will accompany the candidate and the candidate has to wash before going back to the exam hall
5. Candidates will have to bring their own water bottles
6. Attendance and handwriting samples will be taken at the seat
7. The exam staff also have to bring their own masks and gloves