What Is A Good Score in NEET?

Are you preparing for NEET? Then you might have asked or searched for the question: What is a good score in NEET?

If yes, then let us tell you that the NEET score is not just another number but a score which determines your future path in medical, be it MBBS, BDS, BAMS or taking a BSc Nursing course in a government college. The competition is fierce, but knowing what makes a score "good" can give you the clarity and direction you need. So, let’s break this down completely and figure out what a good NEET score really looks like for various medical streams and goals.

What is Considered a Good Score in NEET?

Now, let’s explain this point: What is considered a good score in NEET depends on many aspects. What you want to achieve determines the way you go about it.

• Getting 600 or above is a good NEET score required for MBBS, but the state can give you permission with a somewhat lower score.
• Normally, the NEET score for BDS government colleges is between 450 and 550, based on the state.
• BAMS and BSc Nursing: The scores are usually in the range of 350–500, which varies with competition and the category chosen.

Putting it briefly, to secure a government position in MBBS, you should score more than 600. However, if you want to take BDS or BAMS, you can get similar results when you get an NEET score for BAMS government college between 400 and 500.

Tiers of NEET Scores: 300s, 400s, 500s, 600+

To make it even more practical:

So yes, there's room for movement, but the higher your score, the better your options.

Is 350 a Good Score in NEET?

Now, let's address the frequently asked question: Is 350 a good score in NEET? The short answer: It depends on your expectations. While 350 may not be enough for MBBS in a government college (especially under the general category), it can still unlock other valuable opportunities:

• BSc Nursing in government colleges (particularly in states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu)
• BAMS (Ayurvedic Medicine) in states with lower competition, like Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand
• BDS in private colleges with moderate fees
• MBBS in private colleges, but this will come with a hefty price tag

If you're from a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), 350 might actually be enough for BDS or BAMS in some states.

Limitations and Possibilities

The limitation of a 350 score is that it usually won’t get you an MBBS seat in a government college, unless you're lucky and under a special quota or in a low-demand region. However, it's a solid base to build on. If you're in your first attempt, use this score to identify weak areas and aim higher next year. Many students improve their scores by 100–200 marks with the right strategy.

Is 400 a Good Score in NEET?

Hitting a score of 400 in NEET puts you in a more flexible range. You start getting noticed by both government and private institutions, especially for courses like BDS, BAMS, and BSc Nursing.

Here’s what opens up:

• BDS in government colleges (especially in Tier-2 or Tier-3 states)
• BAMS seats in top Ayurvedic institutions
• BSc Nursing in top nursing colleges under the NEET quota
• Private MBBS in India or abroad (but again, expect high fees)

For government MBBS, 400 is typically just below the cut-off unless you belong to a reserved category or are applying under a state quota with lower cut-offs.

Expected Rank and Admission Chances

At 400, your All India Rank could be somewhere between 120,000 and 150,000. That’s not bad at all! With a smart counselling strategy, you might just get what you’re looking for.

Also, consider that some deemed universities and private medical colleges conduct spot counselling where seats go vacant. With a score of 400, you're very much in the game for such opportunities.

Is 500 a Good Score in NEET?

Now we’re getting into strong territory. A score of 500+ means you’re above average, and in a very competitive range for medical admissions. Many colleges begin to accept MBBS applications around this mark, especially under state quota or reserved categories.

With 500 in NEET, you can expect:

• MBBS in some state government colleges
• BDS in top government colleges
• BAMS in reputed institutions like Banaras Hindu University
• Eligibility for mid-tier private colleges with scholarships

If you’re targeting BDS or BAMS, this is more than enough. For MBBS, you’ll need a good backup plan and maybe even explore counselling rounds thoroughly.

BDS and BAMS Possibilities

For BDS, many top government dental colleges have cut-offs that hover between 480 and 550. Your 500 score keeps you right in the middle of that range. Same with BAMS, especially in high-demand states like Maharashtra or Karnataka, 500 can get you into some prestigious Ayurvedic colleges.

Is 600 a Good Score in NEET?

Absolutely, 600 is more than just a good score in NEET. It’s a golden ticket to many of India’s top government medical colleges. With this score, you're comfortably sitting in the top 2–3% of all NEET aspirants. That gives you access to:

• Government MBBS seats under All India Quota (AIQ)
• Top-tier state colleges like Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi or Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai
• Reputed government colleges in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Kerala

A NEET score of 600 often means a rank between 10,000 and 15,000. This rank almost guarantees a government MBBS seat for general category students under the state quota and even under AIQ in many cases.

Competition and State Quota Variability

One thing to remember is that even with 600+, some high-demand states and colleges may still have tough cut-offs. For instance, AIIMS Delhi and other elite government institutions can have closing ranks under 1000. But for most other government MBBS colleges, 600 is well within the safe zone.

State quotas can make a big difference, too. For example:

• In Delhi, competition is brutal even with 600.
• In Himachal Pradesh or the Northeast states, you could get an MBBS with 550 or less.
• Reserved categories have more flexibility, even 550–580 might be enough for MBBS in top institutions.

Factors That Influence a Good NEET Score

Seat Availability

Every year, the number of seats available in NEET counselling changes, affecting what score is considered good. Here are some quick numbers:

• MBBS Seats: Over 1 lakh (both government and private) 
• BDS Seats: Around 26,000
• AYUSH (BAMS, BHMS): Over 50,000 seats
• BSc Nursing Seats: Thousands of seats, with a growing number accepting NEET scores

So, more seats generally mean slightly lower cut-offs, but high-quality government seats still remain limited, keeping competition high.

Reservation and Category Factors

As mentioned earlier, the reservation system massively impacts your NEET target. Someone from a general category might need 620 to enter a top government medical college, while an SC candidate could secure it at 480.

Your category directly affects:

• Cut-off 
• Access to seats under the state or national quota
• Admission eligibility in centrally funded institutes

Urban vs Rural Candidates

NEET also provides a slight edge to students from rural backgrounds and economically weaker sections (EWS). Many state-level reservations are designed to uplift these students, making seats more accessible at slightly lower scores.

Urban students, despite better access to coaching and resources, often face stiffer competition.

Conclusion

A good score in NEET depends on your goal: MBBS, BDS, BAMS, or BSc Nursing. Whether you're aiming for 600+ or working with a 400, the right strategy makes all the difference.

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Also read:

10 Guaranteed Methods to Improve Your NEET Exam Scores

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