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The answer is yes. In the United States, many NRI and US-based students study AP, IB, or the American High School Diploma and want to appear for NEET because they are interested in the medical field.
However, many parents and students are unsure whether American curriculum students can give NEET or how the process works. In this article, we clearly explain everything related to this question, including eligibility, required subjects, documents, and the complete process for US-based students.
Download NEET Checklist For U.S Curriculum Students
An American curriculum student is someone who studies under the US school system. This includes students studying in the USA or at international schools that follow the American education style.
It depends on the type of curriculum they study, not on their nationality or where they live. Many NRI students in the USA follow programs such as:
Read Also:- How NRIs in the US Sit NEET
Follow the comprehensive NEET eligibility criteria for American curriculum students who want to appear for the exam from the USA and plan to pursue MBBS in India.
| Eligibility Criteria | Requirement for American (USA) Curriculum Students |
| Academic Requirement (PCB) | 12 years of schooling with PCB and English. |
| Minimum Marks | 50% PCB (General), 40% (Reserved), 45% (PwD). |
| Accepted US Curriculums | AP, IB, State Boards, Honors, Homeschooling, Dual Enrolment. |
| Age Requirement | Must be 17 years old by 31 Dec 2026. |
| Nationality | NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals, US passport holders. |
| Identity Documents | Valid passport or OCI/PIO card. |
| AIU Equivalence Certificate | Needed if curriculum doesn’t match Indian Class 12. |
| Exam Eligibility | Must apply via NTA portal and choose a center outside the USA. |
1. Academic Requirement (PCB): Students must complete 12 years of schooling with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
2. Minimum Marks: They must score at least 50% in PCB (General), 40% for OBC/SC/ST, and 45% for PwD candidates.
3. Accepted US Curriculums: NEET accepts students from AP, IB, US State Boards, Honors Programs, accredited Homeschooling, and Dual Enrollment, as long as PCB subjects are covered.
4. Age Requirement: Students must be 17 years old on or before 31 December 2026. There is no upper age limit for NEET.
5. Nationality: NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals, and even US passport holders are all eligible to apply.
6. Identity Documents: A valid passport or OCI/PIO card is required for identity verification during registration.
7. AIU Equivalence Certificate: This is needed only if the American curriculum does not fully match India’s Class 12 PCB standards, mainly for homeschooling or mixed-credit students.
8. Exam Eligibility: Students must register on the NTA NEET portal and choose an exam centre in India or another international country, as NEET is not conducted in the USA.
Yes, the American High School Diploma is accepted for NEET, as long as the student has studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as full-year courses and meets the age requirement.
The syllabus must include enough science credit hours and lab components to match the Indian Class 12 standard. Students following AP, IB, State Boards, Honors, or accredited Homeschooling are also eligible.
In some cases, an AIU Equivalence Certificate may be required if the US curriculum or credits do not fully match PCB requirements.
Read also: NRIs Requirement For Medical Admission In India
Follow the complete NEET eligibility criteria for AP students who take AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics and plan to write NEET for MBBS admission in India.
| Requirement | What AP Students Must Have |
| Core Subjects | Must study Biology, Chemistry, Physics & English in Grades 11 & 12 (as part of high school). |
| Required AP Subjects | AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics (1/2/C) full-year courses. |
| Full-Year Courses | Each science must be a full-year class, not a half-credit or one-semester class. |
| Lab Requirement | Chemistry and Physics must include lab work. |
| Minimum Marks | Equivalent to 50% in PCB (40% reserved, 45% PwD). |
| Age Requirement | Must be 17 years old by 31 Dec 2026. |
| Accepted Nationality | NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals, and US passport holders. |
| AIU Equivalence | Needed only if the AP/US curriculum does not fully match Indian Class 12 PCB. |
| Exam Center Choice | Must choose a NEET center in India or another country (none in the USA). |
1. Core Subjects: AP students must study Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English in Grades 11 & 12, because NEET checks if the student completed full PCB subjects across the final two years of high school.
2. Required AP Subjects: To meet NEET’s science requirement, students must take AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics (1, 2, or C) as complete, year-long subjects.
3. Full-Year Courses: NEET does not accept half-credit or one-semester science classes. Each subject must be a full-year course, similar to the Indian Class 11 & 12 system.
4. Lab Requirement: US students must complete lab-based Chemistry and Physics courses because NEET expects hands-on practical knowledge as per Indian board standards.
5. Minimum Marks: AP students must score the NEET-equivalent minimum of 50% in PCB for General, 40% for Reserved, and 45% for PwD categories.
6. Age Requirement: Students must be 17 years old on or before 31 December 2026, which is the standard age rule for all NEET applicants.
7. Accepted Nationality: AP students who are NRI, OCI, PIO, foreign nationals, or US passport holders are all allowed to apply for NEET.
8. AIU Equivalence: This certificate is needed only if the AP curriculum does not fully match the Indian Class 12 PCB level or if credit hours are too low.
9. Exam Centre Choice: AP students must choose a NEET exam centre in India or approved international countries, because there is no NEET exam centre in the USA.
Follow the NEET eligibility rules for IB students in the USA who are completing the IB Diploma and want to appear for the exam in India.
| Requirement | What IB Students Must Have |
| Core Subjects | Biology, Chemistry, Physics & English must be studied in the IB Diploma (Grade 11 & 12 equivalent). |
| IB Subject Level | Preferably Biology HL and Chemistry HL; Physics can be SL or HL. |
| Full Diploma Requirement | Must complete the 2-year IB Diploma Programme (not one-year certificates). |
| Lab Work | Science subjects must include practical/lab components. |
| Minimum Marks | Must score 50% in PCB (General), 40% (Reserved), 45% (PwD). |
| Age Requirement | Must be 17 years old by 31 December 2026. |
| Nationality | NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals & US passport holders are eligible. |
| AIU Equivalence Certificate | Required only if IB subject combination does not fully match Indian Class 12 PCB standards. |
| Exam Center Choice | Must select an exam center in India or another approved country (no center in the USA). |
1. Core Subjects: IB students must study Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English during their IB Diploma because these subjects match the Indian PCB requirement for NEET. These subjects must be taken across the two years of the IB Diploma (Grade 11 & 12 equivalent).
2. IB Subject Levels: The best combination for NEET eligibility is Biology HL and Chemistry HL since HL gives deeper conceptual and practical understanding. Physics can be taken at SL or HL, but it must be completed as a proper full-year subject.
3. Full Diploma Requirement: Students must complete the full 2-year IB Diploma Programme.
One-year IB certificates or partial IB courses do NOT meet NEET eligibility.
4. Lab/Practical Requirement: All science subjects, especially Chemistry and Biology, must include proper lab work, practical experiments, and lab reports since NEET demands hands-on scientific learning equivalent to Indian Class 12.
5. Minimum Marks: Students must score at least 50% in their PCB subjects (40% for reserved categories, 45% for PwD). IB grades are converted into percentages for NEET through AIU norms.
6. Age Requirement: The student must be 17 years old on or before 31 December 2026.
NEET has no upper age limit, so IB students can apply freely.
7. Eligible Nationalities: Students holding NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign National, or US Passport status can all appear for NEET, provided their academics meet PCB requirements.
8. AIU Equivalence Certificate: Required only if the IB subject combination does not perfectly align with Indian Class 12 standards such as missing HL sciences or insufficient lab work.
9. Exam Center Choice: IB students in the USA must choose a NEET exam center in India or an approved country like UAE, Qatar, Singapore, etc., because no NEET exam center exists in the USA.
Follow the NEET eligibility criteria for U.S. State Board and Honors Program students who study PCB subjects in high school and plan to write NEET.
| Eligibility Criteria | Requirement for U.S. State Board / Honors Students |
| Core Subjects (PCB + English) | Must study full-year Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English in Grades 11 & 12. |
| Full-Year Courses | Science subjects must be full-year; half-year or one-semester classes are not accepted. |
| Lab / Practical Requirement | Biology, Chemistry, and Physics must include lab work and practicals. |
| Minimum Marks | Must score at least 50% in PCB (40% Reserved, 45% PwD) after grade-to-percentage conversion. |
| Accepted U.S. Curriculums | All U.S. State Boards (Texas, California, New York, Florida, etc.) + Honors tracks. |
| Age Requirement | Must be 17 years old by 31 December 2026. |
| Nationality | NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals, and U.S. passport holders are all eligible. |
| AIU Equivalence Certificate | Needed only if science credits or subject structure do not fully match Indian Class 12. |
| Exam Center Choice | Must choose a center in India or approved countries (UAE, Qatar, etc.) no center in the USA. |
1. Core Subjects Required: Students must study full-year Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English in Grades 11 and 12, because these subjects are essential for NEET eligibility and must match Indian Class 12 standards.
2. Full-Year Science Courses: NEET does not accept half-year or one-semester science classes. Each science subject Biology, Chemistry, Physics must be completed as a full academic year to meet eligibility.
3. Lab/Practical Requirement: All science subjects must include proper lab work. NEET requires practical learning equal to Indian Class 12, so students must complete experiments and lab reports in PCB subjects.
4. Minimum Marks: Students must score at least 50% in PCB (40% reserved, 45% PwD). U.S. grades are converted into percentages during eligibility verification to ensure they meet NEET standards.
5. Accepted Curriculums: All U.S. State Boards, such as Texas, California, New York, and Florida plus Honors programs are accepted, as long as students complete full-year PCB subjects with labs.
6. Age Requirement: The student must be at least 17 years old by 31 December 2026. NEET has no upper age limit, so older U.S. curriculum students can also apply freely.
7. Nationality Eligibility: Students with NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign National status, or even U.S. passports are all eligible for NEET, provided they meet academic and age requirements.
8. AIU Equivalence Certificate: AIU Equivalence is needed only if the U.S. curriculum, credits, or subject structure do not fully match Indian Class 12 PCB standards, ensuring academic compatibility for NEET.
9. Exam Center Choice: U.S. curriculum students must choose a NEET exam center in India or approved countries like UAE or Qatar, because NEET centers are not available anywhere in the USA.
Yes, homeschooled American students can appear for NEET, but they must follow an accredited homeschooling program and meet the requirements mentioned below.
| Requirement | Homeschooled Student Criteria |
| Accredited Homeschool Program | Must be from an accredited U.S. homeschooling provider. |
| Core Subjects Required | Full-year Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English. |
| Lab / Practical Work | Mandatory lab work for Biology, Chemistry & Physics. |
| Minimum Marks | At least 50% in PCB (after conversion). |
| Age Requirement | Must be 17 years old by 31 December 2026. |
| Nationality | NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals eligible. |
| AIU Equivalence | Required if curriculum differs from Indian Class 12. |
| Exam Center | Must choose India or approved countries (no USA center). |
1. Core Subjects Required: Students must study full-year courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English during their high school years. These subjects must match the NEET PCB requirements.
2. Lab/Practical Work: All science subjects must include proper lab work, experiments, and practical assignments. NEET requires the same practical exposure that Indian Class 12 students receive.
3. Minimum Marks: Students must score at least 50% in PCB (40% for reserved categories, 45% for PwD) after converting U.S. grades into Indian percentage format.
4. Age Requirement: The student must be 17 years old on or before 31 December 2026. This is mandatory for all NEET candidates.
5. Nationality: Students who are NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals, or US passport holders are all eligible to take the NEET exam if they meet the academic requirements.
6. AIU Equivalence: If the homeschooling curriculum does not fully match the Indian Class 12 PCB standards, students must get an AIU Equivalence Certificate to prove eligibility.
7. Exam Center: Homeschooled students in the USA must choose an exam center in India or other approved countries (UAE, Qatar, Singapore, etc.) because there is no NEET center in the USA.
American curriculum students applying for NEET must provide documents that confirm their identity, academic eligibility, and NRI status. These NEET required documents for NRI students are checked during the online form and again in counselling.
| Document | Purpose |
| Valid Passport | Main identity proof for NRI/OCI/Foreign students. |
| OCI/PIO Card (if applicable) | Confirms OCI/PIO status for NEET registration. |
| Class 10 Marksheet | Proof of age, identity, and schooling details. |
| Class 12 Marksheet | Shows PCB subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and eligibility. |
| Grades 9-12 School | Needed for AP, IB, State Board, Honors, and Homeschool students to verify credits and lab work. |
| NRI Status Certificate | Confirms NRI status, issued by Indian Embassy/Consulate in the USA. |
| US Address Proof | Proof of residency (utility bill, lease agreement, state ID, etc.). |
| Passport-size Photograph & Signature | Required for NEET online form and admit card. |
| AIU Equivalence Certificate (if required) | Needed if the US curriculum does not fully match Indian Class 12 PCB standards. |
| Parent’s Passport Copy | Often required during counselling as proof of NRI sponsorship. |
NEET follows the NCERT Class 11 and 12 books, while AP, IB, and U.S. curriculums focus more on concepts and real-world understanding. This creates important gaps compared to the NEET syllabus, which is more factual and detail-based.
American curriculum students must fill these syllabus gaps before attempting NEET. Below is a simple comparison of each subject.
| NCERT (NEET Physics) | AP / IB / US Curriculum (Physics) |
| Covers all chapters: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics | Covers major topics but focuses more on conceptual understanding |
| Many formula-based, factual & direct theory questions | Concept-based learning; fewer factual/memory-based questions |
| Includes Semiconductor, Communication, NCERT-style Modern Physics | Often missing or lightly covered: Semiconductors, Communication, detailed Modern Physics |
| Requires fast problem-solving + memorizing NCERT explanations | AP/IB includes labs, projects, reasoning—not NCERT-style theory |
Read Also: NEET Physics Coaching Centre
| NCERT (NEET Chemistry) | AP / IB / US Curriculum (Chemistry) |
| Covers Physical, Organic & Inorganic Chemistry in full depth | Focuses mainly on concepts, labs & experimental reasoning |
| Inorganic Chemistry is memory-heavy (P-block, D-block, reactions) | Does not teach detailed NCERT Inorganic Chemistry |
| Organic Chemistry follows NCERT reaction mechanisms | Organic Chemistry is more general, less detailed |
| Many NEET questions directly match NCERT tables & diagrams | Several NEET-specific topics are missing or lightly covered |
Read Also: NEET Chemistry Coaching Online
| NCERT (NEET Biology) | AP / IB / US Curriculum (Biology) |
| Line-by-line syllabus; each definition & diagram matters | Focus on concepts like Cell Biology, Genetics, Ecology |
| Strong focus on Plant/Animal Physiology, Reproduction, Genetics, Biotech | Many NCERT topics missing or taught lightly |
| 80–85% of NEET Biology questions come directly from NCERT | Missing/low coverage: Reproduction, Plant Physiology, NCERT diagrams, NCERT Biotech |
| Detail & memory-based learning | Concept-based learning; less memorization required |
Read Also: NEET Biology Coaching Centre
Preparing for NEET while studying under the American curriculum can be challenging, but the right approach makes it manageable. Here are the most useful tips:
NEET questions come directly from NCERT, so reading every chapter, diagram, and definition is essential.
Practice at least 100-150 MCQs daily to build accuracy, speed, and familiarity with NEET-style questions.
Choose NEET online coaching that offers live classes early morning or late evening US time to maintain consistency and avoid time-zone stress.
Attempt regular mock tests to learn time management, improve problem-solving speed, and understand exam pressure.
Focus on chapters like Human Physiology, Genetics, Electrostatics, Thermodynamics, and Organic Chemistry to boost scores quickly.
NEET NRI Preparation eBook is specially designed for the NRI students which will help students to clear some of the basic questions related the NRI Quota, Preparation and others. Download the NRI NEET Prep eBook from the download button below.
1. Can American curriculum students give the NEET exam?
Yes. Students studying AP, IB, U.S. State Boards, Honors, Homeschooling, or Dual Enrollment programs can all appear for NEET, provided they have full-year Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English.
2. Is the American High School Diploma accepted for NEET?
Yes, it is accepted-as long as the student has completed full-year PCB subjects and meets the minimum marks and age requirements.
3. Do AP or IB students need an AIU Equivalence Certificate?
Only sometimes. AP/IB students need AIU Equivalence only if their subject combination or credits do not match Indian Class 12 PCB standards.
4. Are AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics accepted for NEET?
Yes. These AP subjects are accepted if they are full-year courses with proper lab work. Half-credit or one-semester courses are not accepted.
5. Is lab work mandatory for NEET eligibility?
Yes. All science subjects must include proper practical/lab components, as required in the Indian Class 12 curriculum.
6. Can U.S.-based students choose a NEET centre in the USA?
No. NEET is not conducted in the USA. Students must choose a centre in India or other approved countries like UAE, Qatar, Nepal, Singapore, etc.
7. What minimum percentage is required for NEET?
American curriculum students must have:
Percentage is calculated after converting U.S. grades.
8. Are homeschooled American students eligible for NEET?
Yes, but only if they:
They may also need an AIU Equivalence Certificate.
9. Do U.S. students need to study NCERT books for NEET?
Yes-100% mandatory.
NEET is based on NCERT Class 11–12, and U.S. curriculums do not cover many NEET-specific topics (especially in Biology and Inorganic Chemistry).
10. What documents do American curriculum students need for NEET?
Key documents include:
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