Passing Marks In NEET Out Of 720​ For MBBS (For General, OBC And SC Categories)

When students get ready to take the NEET exam every year, there is one question that rings in everyone's mind: “What are the passing marks in NEET out of 720?” This single digit is like the key to their MBBS aspiration for most students.

The passing marks are not the same for all students. They differ based on category; there are separate NEET passing marks for MBBS, whether you are General, OBC, or belong to SC/ST categories. It makes it important to know the minimum passing marks and the score you need to target.

Won’t you want to walk into your exam center with a crystal clear understanding? You're aware of the NEET total marks as well as the pass mark, and you also know the mark that can actually get you an MBBS seat.

We will deconstruct NEET passing marks for General, OBC, and SC categories and walk you through how to set a realistic MBBS goal.

What Do Passing Marks in NEET Really Represent?
Students confuse qualifying marks with admission cutoffs. You must understand that:

• The passing marks in NEET out of 720 for MBBS are just the minimum qualifying marks established by NTA. You need these just to get eligibility for counseling.
• Admission cutoff is much higher, though. This is the score you truly require to secure a seat in government or private colleges.
• Clearing the NEET total marks and pass mark, therefore, does not guarantee you admission. It merely makes you eligible to compete further.

NEET Total Marks and Pass Mark Explained

The NEET exam is answered in a total of 720 marks. Here's what you need to know:

• Four marks for each correct answer.
• One mark is taken away for each wrong answer.
• Unattempted questions provide zero marks.

Now, the passing marks in NEET out of 720 are determined based on a percentile system. For General category students, the passing percentile is the 50th percentile, and for OBC, SC, and ST categories, it is the 40th percentile.

NEET Passing Marks for General Category

Since you belong to the General category, your cutoff at qualification is higher than that of the reserved categories. The passing marks of NEET for General are usually in the range of about 138 or more (may vary slightly from year to year).

But the fact is: mere passing with the minimum marks won't get you a seat. Actually, you have to target much higher, ideally around 600 or above, if you are looking for government MBBS colleges. Private colleges can afford to take lower scores, but even in that case, passing is not sufficient.

NEET Passing Marks for OBC Category

For General OBC students, the cutoff at the passing marks is marked at the 40th percentile. The NEET passing marks for OBC are therefore typically below the General category and tend to fall around 108 and above.

Though this relaxation is beneficial, competition among OBC candidates remains tight. For a secure score for MBBS admission, you would need to target a minimum of 570+ marks for government colleges and 480+ for private colleges.

NEET Passing Marks for SC Category

Just like OBC, NEET passing marks for SC candidates are also at the 40th percentile. This generally implies that qualifying marks are around 108 or more, depending on the year of the exam.

But, as in other categories, qualifying is not enough. For SC candidates, a 450+ is usually a safe bet for government MBBS seats, whereas private colleges may take approximately 400+. The point to keep in mind is that reservation policies lower the qualifying cutoff but don't lower competition.

Why Do Passing Marks in NEET out of 720 Keep Changing?

Passing marks in NEET out of 720 are not the same every year. They go up or come down annually depending on:

• Paper difficulty – Passing grades can slightly lower in case the paper is more tough.
• Number of students – Having more students competing can push up the cutoffs.
• Student performance – The cutoffs automatically rise if most of the candidates do well.

Setting Your Target Score for NEET

You must create a system to set your target scores.

Step 1: Set your category (General, OBC, SC).

Step 2: Find out the qualifying marks for the previous 3–4 years.

Step 3: Give yourself a buffer of around 50–100 marks above the passing mark.

Step 4: Use this as your target in each of your mock tests.
 

For instance, if the NEET passing marks for OBC hover around 110, don’t just aim for that. Push yourself toward 500 or more, depending on the type of college you’re aiming for.

FAQs

1] What are the NEET total marks and pass mark?

NEET is marked out of 720, and the pass mark is typically 138 for General and 108 for OBC/SC/ST.

2] What are the MBBS passing marks in NEET?

Passing marks are the minimum marks, but MBBS admission needs far higher scores, typically 450–600, depending on category and college.

3] What are the passing marks for the General category in NEET?

General category students will require a minimum of 138 marks to qualify, but admission is 600+.

4] What are the NEET passing marks for SC category?

SC candidates qualify with roughly 108 marks, but for MBBS admission, a safe score is 400–450+.

5] What These Passing Marks Mean for Your MBBS Journey

Passing marks in NEET out of 720 differ for General, OBC, and SC.  It's generally 138 for the General category and 108 for OBC and SC. But don't forget, these are just the passing marks in NEET to be eligible for MBBS; they will not secure you a seat.

If you are determined to get through, target a safe mark much in excess of the cut-off. If you are General, OBC, or SC, the only real plan is to target high goals and keep your focus on your MBBS goal.

Take the Next Step with PrepMed Coaching

Don't simply have the goal to clear NEET; aim to score high. At PrepMed Coaching, we prepare students to cross the passing marks and deliver scores that guarantee MBBS seats in premium medical colleges. Join our institute and see the results for yourself.

Also read:

NEET qualifying marks

Top government medical colleges in India for MBBS - rank wise

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