NORCET 12 Exam Pattern 2027: The AIIMS Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET) 12 provides an excellent opportunity for BSC or Post Basic BSc Nursing candidates to work in a government hospital. Candidates with a diploma in Nursing can also apply.
AIIMS NORCET 12 recruits Nursing Officers through a two-stage examination process. Candidates appearing for NORCET should understand the structure of both stages because Stage 1 is qualifying, while Stage 2 determines merit/rank. The latest AIIMS NORCET examination scheme includes the NORCET Preliminary (Stage 1) and NORCET Main (Stage 2) examinations. Candidates qualifying Stage 1 are shortlisted for Stage 2 according to the prescribed scheme.
Note: Treat the detailed NORCET 12 notification as the final authority if AIIMS makes any changes to the examination scheme.
NORCET 12 Exam Pattern 2027: Overview
| Particular | Stage 1: NORCET Preliminary | Stage 2: NORCET Main |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Total Questions | 100 | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Question Type | MCQs | MCQs |
| Questions per Section | 20 | 20 |
| Number of Sections | 5 | 5 |
| Section Duration | 18 minutes | 18 minutes |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark for each wrong answer | 1/3 mark for each wrong answer |
| Main Focus | Nursing + General Knowledge & Aptitude | Nursing syllabus with case-scenario-based questions |
| Role | Qualifying | Used for merit/rank |
The examination scheme offers four alternatives for each MCQ and deducts 1/3 mark for every incorrect answer.
NORCET 12 Exam Pattern 2027: Stage 1
The NORCET Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the recruitment examination. It is a qualifying examination, meaning candidates who qualify in Stage 1 may proceed to Stage 2, subject to the prescribed shortlisting conditions. The Stage 1 score is not used for determining the final merit/rank.
Stage 1 Question Distribution
The 100 questions are divided into two broad areas:
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge & Aptitude | 20 | 20 |
| Nursing syllabus | 80 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
The nursing questions cover the syllabus of nursing courses taught at the level of the essential qualification.
Stage 1 Duration
Candidates get 90 minutes to complete the Preliminary examination. However, the 90 minutes are divided into five sections of 18 minutes each. Each section contains 20 questions. This means candidates cannot treat the entire 90 minutes as one unrestricted block of time.
Section-Wise Time Limit in NORCET 12
The sectional structure is important for candidates preparing for the examination.
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | 20 | 18 minutes |
| Section 2 | 20 | 18 minutes |
| Section 3 | 20 | 18 minutes |
| Section 4 | 20 | 18 minutes |
| Section 5 | 20 | 18 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 90 minutes |
Once the allotted time for a section expires, access to that section is disabled and the next section becomes active. Candidates therefore need to manage their time within each 18-minute section.
Also read:
NORCET 12 Exam Pattern 2027: Negative Marking
There is negative marking of 1/3 mark for every incorrect answer. Since every question carries one mark, candidates should avoid random guessing where they have little or no idea about the answer.
For example:
- Correct answer = +1 mark
- Incorrect answer = −1/3 mark
- Unattempted question = 0 mark
The AIIMS examination scheme specifies the 1/3 negative-marking provision.
NORCET 12 Stage I: Section-Wise Exam Rules & Qualifying Criteria
Section-Wise Examination Rules
- The exam will have sequential sections.
- Only the currently active section can be viewed and answered.
- Each section will remain active for its allotted time.
- Once the time expires, the section will be automatically disabled and the next section will become active.
- Candidates cannot return to a previous section after moving to the next section.
- Questions skipped or marked for review must therefore be attempted/reviewed within the allotted time for that section.
- The examination will be automatically submitted at the end of the 90-minute duration.
Stage I Qualifying Percentile
| Category | Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| UR | 50 percentile |
| EWS | 50 percentile |
| OBC | 45 percentile |
| SC | 40 percentile |
| ST | 40 percentile |
| UR/EWS – PwBD | 45 percentile |
| OBC – PwBD | 40 percentile |
| SC/ST – PwBD | 35 percentile |
PwBD candidates: An additional 5-percentile relaxation is provided irrespective of category. No further relaxation is applicable.
Your qualifying marks will not take you to the next round or Stage II. Therefore, you must aim for higher marks. Past trends show that candidates who score above the 90th percentile will go ahead; for the reserved category, the percentage hovers around 80 per cent.
Shortlisting for Stage II
Candidates qualifying Stage I are shortlisted for Stage II according to the prescribed scheme:
- Candidates up to 5 times the total seats in each category (UR, OBC, SC, ST and EWS) will be called for Stage II.
- All qualified PwBD candidates will be called for Stage II.
- Candidates tied with the last candidate shortlisted will also be called.
- Simply achieving the qualifying percentile does not guarantee a call for Stage II, because the Stage II shortlist is restricted according to the notified scheme.
NORCET 12 Exam Pattern 2027: Stage 2
Candidates qualifying the Preliminary examination are called for NORCET Main (Stage 2) according to the applicable shortlisting criteria.
Stage 2 consists of 100 MCQs carrying 100 marks, with a duration of 90 minutes. The questions are based on the nursing syllabus at the essential qualification level and are focused towards case-scenario-based questions for testing nursing skills competency.
Stage 2 Structure
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Question Type | MCQs |
| Sections | 5 |
| Questions per Section | 20 |
| Time per Section | 18 minutes |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark |
| Syllabus | Nursing courses at essential qualification level |
| Question Focus | Case-scenario-based nursing competency |
NORCET 12 Stage 2: Case-Based Questions
One key difference between the two stages is the nature of the questions. While Stage 1 includes General Knowledge & Aptitude along with nursing questions, Stage 2 focuses on the nursing syllabus and uses case-scenario-based questions to assess nursing skills competency.
Therefore, candidates preparing for Stage 2 should not restrict their preparation to memorising definitions and facts. They should also practise applying nursing concepts to clinical situations.
Is Stage 1 Score Added to Final NORCET Rank?
No. Under the stated examination scheme, NORCET Preliminary/Stage 1 is qualifying in nature and is not used for deciding the final merit/rank. The Stage 1 examination is therefore primarily the screening stage through which eligible candidates are shortlisted for the Main examination.
How Candidates Are Shortlisted for Stage 2
The AIIMS scheme provides for preparation of the list of candidates called for Stage 2 based on the prescribed qualifying and shortlisting conditions. The applicable notification specifies the number of candidates to be called from each category.
Candidates should therefore focus on clearing the Stage 1 qualifying requirement and then prepare specifically for the Main examination.
NORCET 12 Exam Pattern 2027: What Candidates Should Remember
There are five important points candidates should remember for NORCET 12 Exam Pattern 2027:
- NORCET has two stages — Preliminary and Main.
- Stage 1 has 100 questions for 100 marks.
- Stage 2 also has 100 questions for 100 marks.
- Both examinations have 90-minute durations and 1/3 negative marking.
- Each examination is divided into five sections of 20 questions and 18 minutes each.
NORCET 12 Preparation Strategy Based on Exam Pattern
The examination structure makes time management particularly important. Since candidates receive only 18 minutes for each section, they should practise solving questions within a fixed time rather than relying on the ability to return to earlier sections.
For Stage 1, preparation should cover both nursing subjects and General Knowledge & Aptitude. For Stage 2, candidates should give greater emphasis to nursing concepts and clinical, case-based application.
Candidates should also practise mock tests using the same 100-question, 90-minute format and include negative marking while analysing their scores.
Also read: AIIMS NORCET 12 Admit Card 2027
In The End
The NORCET 12 Exam Pattern 2027 requires candidates to prepare for two different stages. Stage 1 tests nursing knowledge along with General Knowledge and Aptitude and acts as the qualifying stage. Stage 2 focuses entirely on nursing and places greater emphasis on case-scenario-based questions and nursing competency.
With 100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes and five 18-minute sections, candidates should incorporate sectional time management into their preparation from the beginning. The 1/3 negative marking also makes accuracy important.
Candidates should check the official AIIMS examination portal for the final NORCET 12 notification and any changes to the examination scheme. AIIMS identifies NORCET among the recruitment examinations handled through its examination portal.
FAQs
1. How many questions are asked in NORCET Stage 1?
Stage 1 consists of 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 100 marks.
2. How many questions are asked from nursing in Stage 1?
According to the stated scheme, 80 questions are from the nursing syllabus and 20 questions are related to General Knowledge and Aptitude.
3. What is the duration of NORCET Stage 1?
The duration is 90 minutes, divided into five sections of 18 minutes each.
4. Is there negative marking in NORCET?
Yes. 1/3 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
5. What is the Stage 2 NORCET 12 Exam Pattern 2027?
Stage 2 consists of 100 MCQs for 100 marks, to be completed in 90 minutes. Questions cover the nursing syllabus and are focused on case-scenario-based assessment of nursing competency.
6. Does Stage 1 decide the final NORCET rank?
Under the stated scheme, Stage 1 is a qualifying examination and is not used for deciding merit/rank for final selection.