Over 11,000 NEET candidates scored zero, negative marks

New Delhi, July 21: More that 11,000 NEET-UG candidates have scored zero or negative marks in the controversy-ridden medical entrance exam this year, according to the centre-wise results announced by the National Testing Agency.
The lowest marks scored by any candidate in the crucial exam is -180 at a centre in Bihar.
According to an analysis of the city- and centre-wise results released on Saturday by the NTA, over 2,250 candidates have scored zero marks, while over 9,400 candidates have scored marks in negative.
There are several candidates at the centre under scanner in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh who have scored less than zero marks.
While there are multiple candidates from few centres who have scored zero marks, no clusters are seen as the number of such candidates from each centre is not very high.
According to officials, zero marks in the exam doesn’t necessarily mean the answer sheets were blank or no questions were attempted.
“It is possible that the candidate attempted some questions right and some questions wrong which led to negative marking.
In the NEET-UG, for every correct answer, four marks are awarded and for every incorrect answer, one mark is deducted. No marks are awarded or deducted for questions that are not attempted.
The NTA on Saturday released city- and centre-wise results of the medical entrance exam which is under the scanner over alleged irregularities, including paper leak. (PTI)