The All India Pre-Medical Test/Dental Test (AIPMT) was an entrance exam conducted before enrolment in medical and dentistry courses in various institutions. This test was applicable for admission in both government-funded and private colleges. The PMT has been replaced by the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, abbreviated as the NEET. The Central Board of Secondary Education supervises the PMT for students nationally on a particular date. Several criteria are used to determine the student’s eligibility before taking the exam. Furthermore, the CBSE provides an application form. Medical institutions consider the PMT (NEET) scores during undergraduate and postgraduate admission.
PMT schedules
There is a regular schedule followed during the preparation for the entrance examination. The Central Board of Secondary Education issues a notice announcing the exam dates and application deadlines in the first week of December. Students are expected to submit their applications from that time to the fourth week of December.
Any further applications past this date may incur late fees. Students are also allowed to make corrections in their applications via online portals. Moreover, the admission cards are released in April. Eventually, the PMT is done in the first week of May. The results were released in June.
Application forms
Candidates are provided with brochures detailing the necessary information and appropriately filling the application form. Most institutions offer online applications only. These institutions do not accept printed copies of applications. Students should also provide scanned passport photographs and virtual signatures. The image and signature should be in JPG format.
Furthermore, exam candidates must pay an application and keep a printed copy of the payment confirmation. The application fee may vary depending on the course and can be paid online through various options, including credit cards, debit cards, net banking, and e-wallet. Students should reach out to their institution to ascertain the appropriate mode of payment.
Eligibility criteria
- People of all nationalities can apply to do the PMT. They include Indian nationals, non-resident Indians, overseas Indian citizens, persons of Indian origin, and foreign nationals.
- Candidates should present an Aadhaar card and number to be eligible.
- The minimum age limit is 17 years.
- There is no upper age limit.
- Candidates must attain at least 50% in sciences, including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Candidates are allowed a maximum of three attempts in the PMT.
PMT exam pattern
The exam is held physically at designated locations. The entire exam lasts for three hours. The PMT syllabus includes science courses such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Biotechnology, with 45 questions each. There are a total of 180 questions which are objective-type questions. The question paper is written in Hindi and English. Moreover, each correct response gets four marks, while each incorrect answer results in a mark deduction.
How to prepare for the PMT?
There are various tips students can employ in their PMT preparation. Candidates should increase their study time early on while preparing. Students can study for ten to twelve hours to adequately cover their syllabus. Additionally, they should preserve physical health. To protect their physical health, candidates should prioritise seven hours of sleep, a healthy diet, and some exercise. These practices allow students to feel fresh and enhance the mind’s ability to memorise and recall various topics.
Furthermore, using class 11 and 12 Biology and Chemistry textbooks is very helpful. The questions set in the PMT are derived from classes 11 and 12 syllabuses. Students should focus on diagrams used in Biology textbooks and highlighted points in Physics textbooks. The multiple-choice questions provided in textbooks are also beneficial in studying.
Experts recommend doing previous PMT practice questions to familiarise the candidate with the exam pattern. Speed is also paramount while doing the exam, especially in solving Physics equations. Candidates should also leave difficult questions. Guessing in PMT can be disadvantageous as each wrong answer deducts a mark.
Conclusion:
The pre-medical test, the PMT, was the official national exam conducted to secure admission into MBBS and BDS courses. Eligible students interested in MBBS and BDS should complete their Secondary School Leaving Certificate board examinations and pre-university assessments before applying for the PMT. The PMT has been beneficial in enhancing indiscriminate access to medical education by making scientific knowledge the main criteria for selection. Presently, the PMT has been replaced by the NEET. The NEET was created in 2013 and serves as a gateway into medical institutions for eligible candidates looking to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in medicine and dentistry.