NORCET Tie-Breaking Rules Explained: How Merit Is Decided When Scores Are Equal

In highly competitive exams like NORCET (Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test), it is common for multiple candidates to score the same total marks. When this happens, AIIMS applies specific tie-breaking rules to prepare the final merit list.

Understanding these rules is important because even a fraction of a mark can influence your final rank and seat allotment.

Why Tie-Breaking Rules Matter in NORCET

NORCET is a national-level exam with lakhs of aspirants and limited Nursing Officer vacancies. When scores are identical, ranking cannot be random. Tie-breaking rules ensure that:

• Merit is decided fairly and transparently

• Candidates with stronger nursing knowledge are prioritised

• Age and experience are logically considered

These rules come into play only when two or more candidates have the same total marks.

Official NORCET Tie-Breaking Criteria

When two candidates score equal marks in NORCET, merit is decided using the following order:

1. Higher Marks in Nursing Subjects

The candidate who scores higher marks in the Nursing section is ranked higher.

This highlights the importance of core nursing subjects, which form nearly 90% of the exam.

2. Higher Overall Percentage in Qualifying Examination

If the tie still persists, the candidate with a higher percentage in their qualifying nursing degree or diploma (BSc Nursing / GNM) is given preference.

3. Older Candidate Gets Preference

If marks and qualifying percentages are also equal, the older candidate (by date of birth) is ranked higher.

4. Alphabetical Order of Name

In rare cases where all criteria match, the merit order is decided based on the alphabetical order of the candidate’s name.

What Aspirants Should Learn from the Tie-Breaking Rules

These rules clearly indicate that:

• Accuracy in nursing subjects matters more than anything else

• Negative marking can affect rank even when total marks appear similar

• Strong fundamentals help not just in clearing NORCET, but in ranking higher

Even a 1–2 question difference in nursing subjects can shift your merit position significantly.

Final Takeaway

NORCET tie-breaking rules reward subject clarity, academic consistency, and experience. For aspirants, the takeaway is simple: focus on nursing subjects, avoid guesswork, and maximise accuracy.

In a competitive exam like NORCET, your rank is not decided only by how much you score—but how well you score when others score the same.

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