NEET: Kolhapur coaching centres to offer free prep

Kolhapur: Coaching classes in Ichalkaranji and Kolhapur have decided to call their students back to hold free revision tests after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the May 3 NEET exam due to alleged paper leak concerns.Coaching centres had released students a few days before the exam so that they could return home and visit exam centres with their parents."I cut off from the exam mania by visiting relatives and tourist locations. When we got the answer key, I found I would have scored 540 out of 720 marks. This would have placed me in a private medical college for MBBS, with govt-capped fees and a scholarship. The NTA's sudden decision put me in shock," said NEET student Shradha Bhosale.Pooja Ruikar, an educator for NEET aspirants at Kishor Career Point in the Ichalkaranji area, said, "We have asked students to write to the NTA about holding a fresh NEET exam. We extended our services when the exam was postponed last time. We are ready to hold the revision sessions and tests this time, too."Ritesh Dalal, running Physics Edupoint in the Rajarampuri area, mentioned that they would not extra fees for their regular students. "We have decided to call our students back and have lots of revision tests. We are hoping that the exams are conducted soon."Manisha Shetty, counsellor for medical admissions, who runs NGO Palak Shikshak Sangh Ichalkaranji said, "The exam conducted on May 3 was easy to moderate, compared to what we learnt after interacting with the students after getting the answer key. There were students who would be getting over 700 marks. Students are ready to face the exam again, but they are worried about the exam difficulty."Many counsellors believe that holding the exam afresh was a justified step. "This is an opportunity for the students who want to improve their marks. The students should consider the exam as fair chance and should look it a positive development," said Shetty.