After the results of the 2019 UPSC exam are released, a question often arises: how are two students ranked differently when they score exactly the same marks? This time too, the same question arose when Aryan and Panshul both scored 715 marks, but one secured AIR-1 and the other AIR-2.
In NEET, if two students score the same number of points, their biology score is considered first, and the one with the higher score in biology is given a better rank. If their scores are also equal, their chemistry and physics scores are considered. If the scores are equal in all three subjects, the ratio of correct and incorrect answers is considered.
If you also have the same question in your mind that why the rank is different despite having the same marks, then let us understand it completely on the basis of facts.
🔷 How are ranks decided in NEET?
The NEET exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Thousands of students often score the same marks in the exam. In such cases, the NTA applies pre-established tie-breaking rules to determine rankings.
Its objective is to ensure that the ranks of all students are decided in a fair and transparent manner.
🔷 What happens if two students have the same marks?
Suppose two students have scored 715 marks each. NTA will rank them in the following order.
1. Biology marks are checked first
Biology is considered to be the most important subject in NEET.
If both the students have same total marks, then the student who has more marks in Biology (Botany + Zoology) will be given better rank.
Example:
👉 Student A – Biology: 355
👉 Student B - Biology: 350
The total marks of both are 715, but student A will get a better rank.
2. If the marks in Biology are also same
If the Biology marks of both the students are also equal, then the next basis is the Chemistry marks.
The student who has more marks in Chemistry will have a higher rank.
3. If Chemistry is also equal then Physics is considered
If both Biology and Chemistry have equal marks, then Physics marks are compared.
The student who scores more marks in Physics is given a better rank.
4. What if the marks are equal in all three subjects?
If the marks in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are the same, the NTA evaluates the candidate's correct to incorrect answer ratio (Correct/Incorrect Ratio). Students with a better correct answer ratio are awarded a higher rank.
🔷 Was the rank decided on the basis of age earlier?
Yes.
Earlier in NEET, if the marks were equal, the older student was given a better rank.
But NTA has abolished this rule.
Now the ranks are decided only on the basis of the prescribed Tie-Breaking Criteria.
🔷 Can both the students get AIR-1?
No.
Each student has a different rank on the NEET merit list. Therefore, even if the scores are the same, one student is assigned AIR-1 and the other AIR-2 based on tie-breaking rules.
🔷 What happened in the case of Aryan and Panshul?
Both students scored 715 marks. However, their subject-wise performance (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) was evaluated based on the tie-breaking rules implemented by the NTA and the established criteria. Based on this process, one student was awarded AIR-1 and the other AIR-2.
This entire process is done as per the official rules of NTA.
🔷 Why is this information important for students?
If you are preparing for NEET, it is very important not only to score well in the aggregate but also to perform well in each subject.
Strong performance in Biology in particular can play a vital role in improving your rank if there is a tie in future.
Just because students score the same NEET score doesn't necessarily mean they'll have the same rank. The NTA first considers scores in Biology, then Chemistry, and then Physics. If the scores in all three subjects are the same, the final rank is determined based on the ratio of correct and incorrect answers.
This is why a student can score AIR 1 and another AIR 2 despite scoring 715. The entire process is transparent, predetermined, and applies equally to all candidates.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided here is based on the NEET tie-breaking rules set by the NTA. Please consult the official NTA notification and the NEET Information Bulletin for any official decisions or latest changes.
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