NTA Official Pattern
NEET Exam Pattern 2026
NEET UG 2026 is a 720-mark, pen-and-paper OMR exam conducted by NTA. Understanding the structure helps you plan time, decide Section B strategy, and avoid negative marking.
Marking Scheme
⚠️ Negative marking applies in Section A only. In Section B, if you attempt more than 10 questions, only the first 10 are evaluated.
Subject-wise Question Distribution
| Subject | Section A | Section B | Attempt | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
⚡Physics | 35 (compulsory) | 15 questions | 35 + any 10 = 45 | 180 |
⚗️Chemistry | 35 (compulsory) | 15 questions | 35 + any 10 = 45 | 180 |
🌿Botany | 35 (compulsory) | 15 questions | 35 + any 10 = 45 | 180 |
🧬Zoology | 35 (compulsory) | 15 questions | 35 + any 10 = 45 | 180 |
| Total | 140 | 60 questions | 180 questions | 720 |
📋 Section A — 35 Questions
- • All 35 questions are compulsory
- • No choice — you must attempt every question
- • Negative marking applies (−1 per wrong answer)
- • Covers core NCERT topics
🎯 Section B — 15 Questions (attempt 10)
- • Attempt any 10 out of 15 questions
- • If more than 10 answered, only first 10 are evaluated
- • Negative marking still applies (−1 per wrong answer)
- • Allows you to skip 5 harder questions
Time Management Strategy
Attempt all 90 questions. Biology is memory-based and highest-scoring — don't rush it.
Inorganic and Organic can be faster. Allocate extra time for Physical Chemistry numericals.
Most time-consuming subject. Attempt Section A first; skip Section B questions with long calculations.
Remaining 30 minutes: review marked questions and check OMR sheet carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are in NEET 2026?+
NEET 2026 has 200 questions in total across all four subjects, but candidates attempt only 180. Each subject has 50 questions (35 in Section A + 15 in Section B), and students attempt all of Section A plus any 10 from Section B.
What is the NEET 2026 marking scheme?+
+4 marks for every correct answer and −1 mark for every incorrect answer. Questions left unattempted receive 0 marks. The maximum score is 720.
What is the duration of the NEET exam?+
NEET is a 3-hour 20-minute (200-minute) pen-and-paper (OMR-based) exam conducted in a single session. No calculators or electronic devices are permitted.
Which subject has the most marks in NEET?+
Biology (Botany + Zoology) has the highest weightage with 360 marks out of 720 — exactly 50% of the paper. Physics and Chemistry each account for 180 marks (25% each).
Is there a difference between Section A and Section B in NEET?+
Yes. Section A contains 35 compulsory questions that every candidate must answer. Section B has 15 questions, out of which candidates can choose to attempt any 10. This applies to each subject independently.
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