PANAJI: More than 3,000 students answered the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) (UG) from 15 centres across Goa on Sunday. As per data provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA), 2,483 females and 882 males registered to answer the test from Goa.
An attendance of more than 95% was witnessed, despite many parts of Goa receiving heavy rainfall on Sunday.
The exam was scheduled to take place from 2pm to 5pm. However, to facilitate social distancing, students’ entry into examination centres was planned in a staggered manner and exam halls began taking in students from as early as 11am.
Students had already been warned that 1.30pm is the last timing to enter the exam hall. However, like across the country, in Goa too, on Sunday, a few students were seen reaching exam centres later than the assigned time.
Students said that unexpected rainfall delayed them.
Sources at the exam halls said that most students who reached late in Goa were accommodated as far as possible. “The invigilator begins explaining the norms by 1.40pm. Though the last timing to report to the exam hall was 1.30pm, students were accommodated up to 1.40pm, considering factors like rain and other exigencies. But those who report at 1.55pm cannot be permitted. Students were aware of the timing restrictions well in advance,” an official at one exam centre said.
To be able to maintain social distancing, the number of students were restricted to 12 per examination hall. Frisking was carried out using electronic devices before students were allowed to enter the exam centres.
The examination centres were upped from 10 last year to 15 in 2021, though the number of students registered for the exam this year had dropped.
The smallest centre in Goa this year accommodated 250 students and the largest seated 660 students, sources said.
NEET (UG) was a pen and paper exam. Students answered the exam through a computer readable sheet.
