Effect of NEET based Selection Process on the Academic Outcome of Students Pursuing Dentistry - A Cohort Study at Saveetha Dental College

Abstract

Introduction: In India, in 2016, the medical council of India introduced one single common entrance test called NEET- National Eligibility Entrance Test for admission to all the medical, dental and paramedical courses after 12th standard for government as well as private institutes. Since NEET is the first attempt by the government of India to create a central admission process, it is clearly in its early process and there is an incredible need for scientific data to evolve the system. The aim of this study is to analyze if the admissions through NEET affected the quality of students with respect to their academic performance pursuing the undergraduate dental program, especially in the private colleges. Materials and Methodology: The academic performance was measured by comparing the Dental Anatomy (DA) subject marks acquired by the students in their university exam at the end of first year of their BDS course for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. Results: There was a significant difference (<0.05) in the academic outcome of the NEET and NON-NEET batches, but there wasn’t a significant difference (>0.05) between the two NEET batches i.e. between 2016 and 2017 batches. Conclusion: The academic quality of dental graduates in first year of the BDS course could be considered better considering the marks of dental anatomy subject for both the NEET batches 2016 and 2017 compared to the NON-NEET batch of 2015.