NEET is a big step that students who aspire to become doctors must prepare for. The test may be frightening, but knowing the NEET exam pattern will make it very easy. Students feel bolder when they are informed of the number of questions to be asked, the manner in which they will receive the marks and the time they have.
This blog describes the NEET exam pattern, NEET question pattern and NEET marking pattern in very simple terms. It can be useful not only to students of Classes 9-12 but also to the parents who want to help children with NEET preparation.
NEET refers to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. It is the only national level entrance examination to students wishing to have a profession in the medical field in India. All students who aspire to become a doctor have to pass NEET.
NEET is mandatory in enrolments to courses like:
Government and private colleges offer other undergraduate medical and allied health courses.
NEET is a test conducted by the National testing Agency (NTA). NTA is a government body that administers clear, equitable and standardized examinations on entrance in India.
NEET acts as a common entrance test for medical admissions across the country. Earlier, students were required to take several medical entrance tests. NEET has simplified and harmonized the procedure.
Lakhs of students from various states come to NEET every year. Small mistakes will affect ranks because of the level of competition. This is why it is highly important to learn the structure, syllabus, and rules in the marking of the exam.
NEET is not just an exam; it is a gateway to a medical career. Performance in NEET decides:
NEET needs not only academic effort but also mental strength and guidance to prepare. Knowing what NEET is and how it works will make students less anxious and more focused in the preparation process.
Most students work hard, yet they feel lost during the exam. This happens because they do not fully understand the NEET exam pattern. The NEET guide helps aspirants the most.
Knowing the pattern helps students:
The students also know where to focus more and how to score better when they have knowledge of the NEET question pattern and NEET marking scheme.
The NEET pattern of 2026 is projected to be the same as 2025. NTA has eliminated optional questions and gone back to the pre-COVID format. The following is a clear description of NEET exam pattern:
| Particular | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Exam Time | 2 PM to 5 PM (IST) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 180 |
| Total Marks | 720 |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Negative Marking | Yes |
The NEET exam is introduced to assess the knowledge of a student in the basic sciences that are fundamental to a career in medicine. The test has three major subjects, and all of them are taught at the level of senior secondary (Class 11 and 12).
Physics examines the knowledge of students on the laws of nature and the scientific knowledge at the basic level. Physics question revolve around:
Physics can be a difficult subject to many students, and practice and clear understanding of concepts are important.
Chemistry includes tests on the knowledge of a student on substances, reactions and chemical processes. When it is well studied it is generally regarded as a scoring subject. The questions on chemistry are taken off:
NCERT textbooks are very strong reading and they assist a great deal in Chemistry.
The subject that is the most significant in NEET is biology since it is directly connected to medical studies. It carries in the examination half of the total marks. Biology is again subdivided into two parts which are equal:
Biological questions are mainly theoretical and directly derived out of NCERT textbooks.
Each subject in NEET has 45 questions, and each subject carries 180 marks. This means:
Each topic is relevant and students should be ready with all of them so as to score well in total.
Knowing the topics covered in NEET is useful in enabling the students to study at their own time and prepare in a balanced manner.
The NEET question pattern is easy to understand when broken down.
The NEET question paper has 180 questions, divided equally among subjects.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Botany | 45 | 180 |
| Zoology | 45 | 180 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
This clear structure helps students plan their preparation well.
The NEET marking scheme is very simple but strict. Students must be careful while answering.
| Response Type | Marks |
| Correct Answer | +4 |
| Wrong Answer | -1 |
| More than one answer marked | -1 |
| Not attempted | 0 |
This means guessing answers can reduce marks. Smart accuracy is more important than attempting all questions.
Understanding the NEET marking scheme helps students:
Students who know when to skip questions often score higher than those who attempt everything.
NEET is an offline exam, so students must fill an OMR sheet.
Important rules to remember:
Breaking OMR rules can lead to answer rejection.
NEET is conducted in 13 languages, making it student-friendly.
Available languages include:
Students are required to select the language when completing the application form. After being selected, it is impossible to modify it.
If there is any confusion in translation, the English version is treated as final.
Students should:
This helps avoid confusion during the exam.
When students understand the NEET exam pattern, they can:
Knowing the NEET question pattern makes preparation organized and stress-free.
Many students:
Avoiding these mistakes can improve scores a lot.
NEET preparation is not only about books. Stress, fear, and pressure affect students deeply. This is where the right guidance matters.
Mentrovert is India’s first platform focused on student career guidance and mental health support.
Mentrovert helps students in Grades 9 to 12 by:
The platform believes every student needs a mentor, guide, or friend during important academic years.
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The NEET exam pattern, NEET question pattern and NEET marking scheme are not that hard when one knows them well. Smartly studying students remain calm and care about their mental health, and it makes them perform better.
Success in NEET is a journey. The students can take a step forward knowing the right information, direction, and emotional assistance.
The NEET exam has 180 questions.
The total marks are 720.
Yes, there is 1 mark deduction for every wrong answer according to the NEET marking scheme.
The weightage of biology is the largest at 360 marks.
No, the language is not changeable after it is selected.
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