The Supreme Court’s order on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) on Monday evoked mixed responses from students in the state. Some students were disappointed that none of the state entrance exams was held valid. They, however, were relieved that they could at least attempt the NEET-II exam on July 24.

The Supreme Court said that students who have taken by NEET-I held on May 1 and are not convinced about their performance will get yet another chance as they can write NEET -II, should they give up their NEET -I results.

Nisha Tripathi, a student from Kendriya Vidyalaya in the city, said that since there appears to be more clarity on the issue now, she would focus on preparing for NEET II.

“I am happy that I have another chance now. However, we need to start preparing right away. I will wait and see what my scores are like in NEET I exams and then take a call on whether I have to make the second attempt,” she added.

For Shivani Patil, another student from Kalaburagi, the decision has instilled fear.

“COMEDK was cancelled. Now, we believe that there is no CET. Cracking NEET is really tough. Not only is it a national level test, there is negative marking as well,” she said. Patil said that even as it was some relief that they would have another chance, two months was very less time to prepare for the next round.

Similar was the opinion of Karthik C, a student from Excellent PU College.

“Two months is not enough time. I had largely pinned my hopes on CET. Since the chances of getting seats under NEET are minimal, I will also attend counselling for engineering seats. I am keeping my options open,” he said.

The condition that they might have to forgo the marks of NEET 1 to take up NEET II has put many students in a fix.

“What if I have average scores? How will I know whether I should take the second attempt or not?” questioned Aiyappa, another student from Raichur.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) officials and Minister for Medical Education Dr Sharanprakash Patil refused to comment as they said that they had not received a copy of the Supreme Court order yet.

Ramesh, executive officer, KEA said, “Once the government gets a copy of the order, they will direct us on what needs to be done.”