NEET Attempts: How Many Times Can You Take NEET and What You Need to Know

When it comes to getting into medical school in India, NEET, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, is the only gateway for MBBS and BDS seats across the country. Also known as NEET-UG, it’s the single exam that determines who gets into government colleges, private institutions, and even deemed universities. Unlike older systems where states had their own tests, NEET now controls the entire process — which makes every attempt count.

The big question students ask is: How many NEET attempts can you make? The answer is simple — there’s no official limit. You can appear for NEET as many times as you want, as long as you meet the minimum age and educational requirements. That means if you didn’t get the score you needed this year, you can try again next year, and the year after that. But here’s what most people don’t realize: just taking the test over and over won’t help if your preparation doesn’t improve. The exam doesn’t get easier with repetition — your strategy has to.

What really matters is the age limit, which for general category candidates is 17 to 25 years as of December 31 of the exam year. For reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC, the upper age limit is relaxed by five years, up to 30. So even if you’re allowed infinite attempts, your window to take the test is capped by your age. And if you’re planning to retake NEET, you need to know this: each attempt costs money, time, and emotional energy. You can’t afford to treat it like a lottery. You need a plan — better study material, targeted practice, and honest feedback on your weak areas.

Some students think repeating NEET is a fallback plan. But the truth is, the top scorers aren’t the ones who tried five times — they’re the ones who prepared smart the first time. The exam pattern hasn’t changed much since 2019. The syllabus is fixed. The questions follow predictable trends. If you’re stuck in a loop of low scores, it’s not because the exam is unfair — it’s because your approach needs a reset. Look at how to analyze your mock test results, fix your time management, and stop memorizing without understanding.

And while we’re on the topic, don’t confuse NEET with other medical entrance tests like AIIMS or JIPMER — those are gone now. NEET is the only game in town. That’s why it’s so crowded. Over 2 million students take it every year. Only about 10% get into government colleges. That’s why knowing your NEET eligibility, including subject requirements (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English), minimum marks in 12th grade, and whether you’re eligible as a dropper is just as important as knowing how many times you can sit for it.

So if you’re thinking about a second or third attempt, ask yourself: What changed since last time? Did you fix your weak subjects? Did you stop wasting hours on videos and start doing actual problems? Did you get your mistakes tracked by someone who’s been through it? The system doesn’t reward persistence alone. It rewards improvement. And that’s what separates those who finally crack NEET from those who keep trying but never get closer.

Below, you’ll find real insights from students who’ve taken NEET multiple times — what worked, what didn’t, and how they turned their retries into results.