 Tough Questions & Score Trends.png)
What is the NEET SS 2025 exam? The NEET SS 2025 is an entrance examination for postgraduate medical courses (DM/MCh) in India, for which candidates need to compete on an all-India basis. The exam was conducted on 26th and 27th December 2025 in computer-based mode at various centres. Noticeable move towards more clinical application and scenario questions, the papers challenged on knowledge as well as decision-making ability.
Day 1 — December 26, 2025
Hot topics like ENT, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Respiratory Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and Medical Oncology were discussed on the 1st day. Test takers found the test moderate in its difficulty and time-consuming because of the clinical vignettes and guideline questions.
Key observations from Day 1:
- The paper was heavily loaded with clinical scenario questions that demanded deciphering patient updates and treatment algorithms.
- Critical Care tested some real-life ICU management and ventilatory support decisions to test our theoretical knowledge.
- In orthopaedics, cases of surgical decision-making were selected since knowledge is not only theoretical but also clinically based.
- Pulmonology and Otolaryngology– Two Days: A Review Course of Recent Free Update Guidelines and Word-Based Patient Picture Studies Based on Rare Case Presentations.
- The candidates considered superior time management and the applied knowledge (even in conceptually based questions) essential because of the sectional timing in which they could not move back to previous questions.
Day 2 — December 27, 2025
On the 3rd day, specialities like Medical, Surgical, Anaesthesiology, Radiodiagnosis, Microbiology, Pathology and Psychiatry were held. Difficulty level was moderate to difficult as compared to the previous year, with image-based and multi-step reasoning questions.
Highlights of Day 2:
- Medical Specialities: Includes cardiology, neurology, gastro-hepatology and nephrology with an emphasis on diagnostic thinking and guideline-driven management.
- Surgical Specialities: Case-based questions on emergency surgery management for which you need to prioritise and apply your clinical judgments.
- Pathology & Microbiology: Analytical abilities were put to the test as we interpreted lab results, identified pathogens and applied diagnostics.
- Anaesthesiology & Radiodiagnosis: Protocol-based anaesthesia administration and imaging interpretation were tricky for a large number of candidates.
Day 2 was all about speed and precision, with a 50-minute limit on each section to answer 50 questions — not much room for guessing.
Score Trends & Cut-Off Insights
According to sources, the NEET SS 2025 question papers were moderately difficult compared to the previous year. Score ranges by Target Difficulty Level are:
- Medical & Surgical Specialities: 295–310 / 600
- ENT & Respiratory Medicine: 345–375 / 600
- Gynaecology & Obstetrics: 350–365 / 600
- Anaesthesiology & Critical Care: 275–295 / 600
- Pathology / Paediatrics: 260–300 / 600
These figures are indicative, and final cut-offs will be declared officially by the National Board of Examinations. Candidates can check the latest updates and licensing regulations on the National Medical Commission website. Doctors with foreign qualifications can refer to the FMGE guidelines for eligibility to practice in India.
Important Takeaways
- It’s the clinical application that counts: On the exam, rote memorisation has taken a back seat to scenario-based problem solving.
- Time management becomes very important: With sectional timing, strategy becomes mandatory to try all the questions accurately.
- Keep abreast of guidelines: New guidelines are challenged at every level and across all specialities.
- The visual matters: Questions about labs, images and diagnoses demand strong analytical thought.
For your preparation tips, MBBS Advisor is the reliable source for strategising your preparations while offshore, as well as for counselling and super- speciality preparatory admissions. The platform aids candidates regarding seat allotment, elite institutes and preparation tips for NEET and postgraduate medical exams.
