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Aspiring to become a doctor? Then you must have come across NEET and MCAT. Both of them are medical entrance exams conducted to test whether you have the potential to become a doctor or not! NEET is a mandatory exam for pursuing a medical profession in India whereas MCAT is an admission test for international colleges in the US, Canada, Australia and the Caribbean Islands. Wondering which one is more difficult to crack? Find out with this exclusive blog on MCAT vs NEET 2021!
Table of Contents
What is NEET?
Until 2013, NEET – the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test was called All India Pre-Medical Test. This is the entrance exam that students aspiring to be in the medical field have to undertake in order to start their education at the UG and PG level in the medical discipline for both medical and dental courses. Since 2019, the examinations have been supervised by the NTA, i.e. National Testing Agency, which conveys the results to the Directorate General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
However, due to the distinct laws under which they were authorized, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), do not fall under the NEET umbrella.
Check Out – NEET Books and NEET Eligibility Here!
What is MCAT?
Considered amongst the most prominent medical entrance exams in the world, the Medical College Admission Test [MCAT] is a standardized examination for medical ability testing which is offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC]. Further, institutions utilize these exam scores to check the suitability of the candidate with the nature and requirements of the offered programs. While the degrees may vary, MCAT is most widely adopted for admissions into courses after MBBS or other first-cycle medical degrees. An important fact for prospective candidates is that if you wish to begin medical practice in India after completing your course from abroad, qualifying for the FMGE exam is mandatory.
MCAT vs NEET
For the benefit of applicants we have compiled a list of all the details you would need to choose between NEET and MCAT:
| Comparison | NEET | MCAT |
| Conducting bodies | National Testing Agency [NTA] | The Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC]. |
| Degree | For MBBS in India | For MD in US, Canada, Australia |
| Eligibility criteria | For UG courses 1. Candidate should score according to the cut offset by the Medical Council of India (MCI). 2. Candidate should be from the medical stream. For PG courses |
1. Candidate should be planning to apply to a health professions school 2. As an international student, one must be enrolled or should hold and an MBBS degree |
| Number of applicants | Approximately 15 lack students | Approximately 85,000 students |
| Difficulty level | Tough | Moderate |
| Chances of passing on first try | About 0.5 – 5% | About 50% |
| Number of permissible attempts | No limit | 7 times in a lifetime4 times in two consecutive years3 times in a single test year |
| Frequency in a year | Twice | Thrice |
| Validity of score | 3 years | 2-3 years |
| Application fees | General category – Rs.1500OBC category – Rs. 1400SC/ST – Rs.800 | $320 application fees + $115 for international applicant = $435 (Approx. Rs. 30,750) |
FAQS on MCAT VS NEET
We have provided a list of all the differences and similarities of MCAT and NEET above. Hopefully they will help.
Becoming a doctor in India is way more difficult than in the US. So it is not necessarily difficult for a dedicated and diligent Indian student.
Yes, you can apply for MCAT after 12th class.
Yes Indians can give MCAT exam. Although the exam does not take place in India , students from India are allowed to appear for the exam.
Check Out – Cheapest Medical Colleges in India
We hope that this blog must have helped you in choosing what path you want for achieving your goals. For more information on the exams and help in the admission and application process for NEET or MCAT contact our experts and get guidance throughout the process on Leverage Edu.
Leave a Reply
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Eligible 4yr Degree for MCAT? Can any bachelor degree like: liberal arts, design or any other than B.Sc can be eligible for giving MCAT exam?
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please continue this great work to share latest information. quality content is what always gets the visitor coming.
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Thank you!
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9 comments
Eligible 4yr Degree for MCAT? Can any bachelor degree like: liberal arts, design or any other than B.Sc can be eligible for giving MCAT exam?
please continue this great work to share latest information. quality content is what always gets the visitor coming.
Thank you!
but there isn’t any point in giving MCAT after 12th right? cause to enroll in foreign universities by MCAT you need to have an MBBS degree which means 5.5 years after 12th.
Hi Saachi,
Yes, you are absolutely correct! MCAT is a computer-based standardized examination for prospective medical students who wish to study in the United States, Australia, Canada, which requires international students who are pursuing or have completed their MBBS degree.
So is it necessary that Indian students should have mbbs degree to sit for exam if so then on what context is it said that class 12 th students can also apply.?
Hello,
NEET is an entrance examination for medical courses in India. Therefore, it is taken by those who wish to pursue MBBS after their 12th. And if you wish to pursue MD after MBBS in India, you have to take the NEET PG exam to be eligible in the medical schools. Hope we have cleared the confusion!
My querie is that , I’m from India and I want to know that can a 12 pass student can apply for MCAT ? For abroad mbbs studies. Please reply asap
Hi Sneha,
Yes, you can apply for MCAT after the 12th class. The only binding eligibility criteria for taking the MCAT exam is that you must be planning to apply to a health professions school. Further, as international students, one must be enrolled or hold an MBBS degree. In cases where applicants do not intend to apply at a health professions school or are already enrolled in medical courses excluding MBBS, ‘special permission’ must be obtained. You can know more about this competitive exam here: https://leverageedu.com/blog/mcat/