Exam Review for NEET PG 2025: Evaluating Question Paper, Assessing Difficulty, Identifying Successful Attempts
The NEET PG 2025 exam, held on August 3, 2025, evaluated the overall difficulty level and subject-specific challenges of the examination. Conducted in a single 3.5-hour shift at 185 designated centres across the country, the computer-based exam consisted of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) each carrying two marks.
The exam was predominantly clinical and concept-based, with nearly half (49.2%) being clinical case-based and 41% testing conceptual understanding. Only 9.8% of questions were direct one-liners, reflecting a shift away from rote memorization towards applied knowledge and decision-making skills.
The overall difficulty level was reported as easy to moderate by many candidates, though perceptions varied. About 82% judged it moderately difficult, 9.8% difficult, and 8.2% easy.
The section-wise difficulty levels and characteristics were as follows:
| Subject/Section | Difficulty Level | Remarks | |--------------------------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Anatomy | Moderate | Image-based, mix of conceptual and factual | | Physiology | Moderate | Core concepts and clinical cases | | Biochemistry | Moderate to Difficult | Fact-heavy, focusing on enzymes and pathways | | Pathology | Moderate | Clinical integration questions | | Pharmacology | Moderate | Focus on drug mechanisms and adverse effects | | Microbiology | Moderate | More case-based than previous years | | Forensic Medicine | Easy to Moderate | Mostly direct, fact-based questions | | Social & Preventive Medicine (SPM) | Moderate | COVID policies, screening tests, statistics | | Medicine | Moderate to Difficult | Case-heavy, clinical reasoning required | | Surgery | Moderate | Clinical decision-making questions | | Obstetrics & Gynecology | Moderate | Some repeated questions, protocols, emergencies | | Pediatrics | Easy to Moderate | Topics like immunization and milestones | | ENT | Moderate | Mainly clinical with some one-liners | | Ophthalmology | Easy to Moderate | Image-based, scoring | | Dermatology | Easy | Straightforward image-based questions | | Radiology | Moderate | Image-based, diagnostic reasoning | | Psychiatry | Moderate | Conceptual with some fact-based questions | | Orthopedics | Moderate | Trauma, fractures, emergency management | | Anesthesia | Moderate | Basic drugs and equipment questions |
The exam pattern avoided heavy reliance on simple recall; instead, it predominantly tested clinical application and integrated understanding across subjects. Questions were often clinical scenario-based, requiring candidates to apply their knowledge practically.
It's important to note that the question paper for the NEET PG 2025 examination is available only in English. The examination is an eligibility-cum-ranking examination for admission to various MD/MS and PG Diploma Courses in India. Qualifying NEET-PG is mandatory for entry to these courses under various Universities/ Institutions in the country, even for foreign nationals seeking admission to medical courses in India.
The NEET PG 2025 exam received mixed reviews from students, with the clinical section being the most challenging due to its heavy reliance on case-based questions and image interpretation. The exam analysis provides a section-wise review of the paper, helping candidates to understand the difficulty level of the papers.
In light of the NEET PG 2025 exam's focus on practical application and integrated understanding, engaging in online education platforms for education-and-self-development, particularly those offering online courses in clinical case-based learning and image interpretation, could be beneficial for future test-takers. Furthermore, developing one's learning skills and adaptability to conceptual and fact-based questions through self-study or online learning resources may also prove advantageous when preparing for similar examinations.
