How does pen-and-paper NEET-UG test differ from computer model?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that NEET UG would shift to a Computer Based Test (CBT) format from next year after the latest paper leak controversy forced the government to cancel the examination and order a retest.At present, NEET UG is conducted through the traditional pen and paper method using OMR sheets. Under this model, question papers are physically printed, transported across states under security cover, stored at designated locations and later distributed at examination centres before candidates fill answers manually on optical mark recognition sheets.Investigators and officials believe the current system remains more vulnerable because the question paper passes through multiple physical stages including printing presses, packaging, transportation and storage before reaching candidates.The proposed CBT format changes that process entirely.Instead of receiving printed papers, candidates would attempt the examination directly on computers at designated centres. Question sets would be digitally delivered through encrypted systems shortly before the examination begins, reducing large-scale physical handling and paper movement.Government officials believe this may help reduce risks linked to paper transportation leaks, courier-based circulation and early access to printed question papers, though officials have also acknowledged that cyber threats remain a challenge in computer-based systems.Officials have argued that NEET’s scale, involving nearly 25 lakh candidates, made an immediate transition difficult because CBT mode requires massive computer infrastructure and may involve multiple shifts.Here is how the two systems differ:AspectOMR patternCBT pattern for 2027Mode of examPen and paperComputer basedHow questions reach candidatesPhysical printed question papers distributed to centresDigitally delivered encrypted question setsAnswering methodStudents fill circles on OMR sheets using penStudents click answers on computer screenInfrastructure neededPrinting presses, transport chain, storage centres, OMR scanningComputer terminals, servers, secure digital systemsMajor vulnerabilityPaper printing, transportation and physical handling leaksCybersecurity threats, hacking, server attacksType of leak risk seen recentlyPrinted papers allegedly circulated through WhatsApp/Telegram before examRisk shifts towards digital breaches and system hackingHuman handling involvedVery highComparatively lowerEvaluation processOMR sheets scanned laterResponses recorded instantly in systemChances of OMR tamperingPossible if sheets compromisedEliminatedScale challengeEasier to conduct in one shift for lakhs of studentsRequires massive computer infrastructure and possibly multiple shiftsRural accessibilityEasier for students unfamiliar with computersMay challenge digitally weaker candidatesGovt argumentLarge scale of NEET made OMR operationally easierCBT expected to reduce physical paper leak vulnerabilitiesSecurity logic behind shiftPhysical security modelDigital encryption and restricted access modelLeak proofNoNo, but government says it may be more secureGovernment’s reason for shiftRepeated paper leak allegations in offline formatReduce risks linked to printing, transport and paper circulation

How does pen-and-paper NEET-UG test differ from computer model?

Investigators and officials believe the current system remains more vulnerable because the question paper passes through multiple physical stages including printing presses, packaging, transportation and storage before reaching candidates

Manikant Mishra

Tribune News Service

How does pen-and-paper NEET-UG test differ from computer model?

Investigators and officials believe the current system remains more vulnerable because the question paper passes through multiple physical stages including printing presses, packaging, transportation and storage before reaching candidates

Manikant Mishra

Tribune News Service

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