Who Says NEET Isn’t for ISC Students? From ISC to AIR 74 – The Journey of Guruprasad R Naik
When people think about NEET, one name echoes louder than most: NCERT. For years, the assumption has been simple—if you’re not in the CBSE stream, your chances at NEET are slim. But this year, Guruprasad R Naik from St. Mary’s ISC, Chikmagalur proved that notion spectacularly wrong by securing All India Rank 74 in his peer group in NEET 2025.
This isn’t just a rank. It’s a statement.
ISC + NEET: A Winning Combination
Contrary to popular belief, the ISC (Indian School Certificate) curriculum is not isolated from NEET preparation. In fact, ISC’s Class 11 and 12 syllabi are largely aligned with NCERT, particularly in core subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
What makes ISC even more powerful is that it
doesn’t just prepare students to memorise content —it trains them to think, reason, and write.
At St. Mary’s ISC – widely recognised as the best PU college in Chikmagalur for both 1st PU and 2nd PU Science, this alignment is fully optimised. Students are guided with NEET-specific material, previous year papers, structured doubt clearing, and time-bound mock tests — all while maintaining the academic integrity and broader learning experience of ISC..
More Than NEET: ISC Opens Every Door Another misconception is that ISC is only good for students aiming to study abroad. While it is true that the academic rigour and holistic exposure of ISC gives students a distinct edge for international admissions, it’s equally true that ISC students excel in national-level entrance exams like:
• NEET (Medical)
• JEE Main & Advanced (Engineering)
• KCET (Karnataka CET)
•BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEE (Private university entrance exams)
The advantage? ISC students are trained not just for one path — but for all of them.
They gain:
• Strong analytical and writing skills
• Exposure to a wide academic vocabulary
• Depth in subject knowledge beyond rote learning
• Confidence to adapt to various competitive exam formats
Guruprasad’s Journey: Quiet Consistency
When Guruprasad Naik joined the NEET coaching program at St. Mary’s ISC, he didn’t aim to prove anyone wrong. He simply followed a path of discipline, consistency, and structured mentorship. Supported by faculty who understand the unique needs of ISC students, he worked through both ISC board requirements and NEET-style practice — and excelled at both.
His success isn’t an exception; it’s a possibility for every student given the right environment.
In Conclusion: ISC is not a limitation.
It’s a launchpad.
Guruprasad’s AIR 74 isn’t an anomaly — it’s a wake-up call. To parents, to students, and to educators who still see ISC as “not for NEET.”
With the right guidance, the right mentorship, and the right school environment, ISC students can — and do — crack India’s toughest entrance exams.
So the next time someone says NEET is only for CBSE students, tell them:
St. Mary’s ISC says otherwise.
