NEET Exam Pattern 2026, Marking Scheme, Section Wise Exam Format
NEET Exam Pattern 2026: NEET 2026 is a national-level medical entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for students seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical courses in India. It is the only medical entrance exam accepted by most government and private medical colleges.
NEET is held in offline mode (pen and paper), and the questions are based on the NCERT syllabus of Classes 11 and 12. Knowing the NEET 2026 exam pattern helps students plan their study schedule and manage time during the test. It also helps them understand the number of questions, types of questions, and the marking scheme.
Students should check the complete details about the NEET Exam Pattern 2026, NEET marking scheme, exam duration, time, negative marking, and more below.
NEET Exam Pattern Format
NEET 2026 will be held in a fixed and uniform format across the country. All questions will be compulsory, with no optional sections. Knowing the exact NEET Exam Pattern 2026 helps students prepare better and manage their time effectively during the exam. Based on previous year trends, the following table provides the NEET 2026 exam structure:
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NEET Exam Pattern Format |
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|---|---|
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Particulars |
Details |
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Type of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
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Exam Duration |
3 hours (180 minutes) |
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Mode of Exam |
Offline (Pen-and-Paper OMR-based) |
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Total Number of Questions |
180 questions (45 each from Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology) |
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Language of Exam |
13 languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Urdu, Kannada, Oriya, Assamese, Punjabi, Malayalam |
Also Know: NEET Preparation Tips, Study Plan, Mistakes To Avoid
NEET Marking Scheme 2026
The NEET 2026 marking scheme rewards +4 marks for each correct answer and deducts -1 for wrong responses. Understanding the NEET 2026 scoring system is crucial for time management and guessing strategy during the exam.
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NEET 2026 Marking System |
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|---|---|
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Response Type |
Marks Awarded |
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Correct Answer |
+4 marks |
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Incorrect Answer |
−1 mark |
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Unanswered Question |
0 marks |
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More than One Option Marked |
−1 mark (treated as incorrect) |
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Maximum Marks |
720 marks |
Also Know: How to Study for NEET to Achieve Best Results, Preparation Tips, Daily Routine
NEET 2026 Total Number of Questions
NEET 2026 exam will have 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). These are divided equally between Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (which includes Botany and Zoology). Every subject has 45 questions.
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NEET 2026 Total Number of Questions |
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|---|---|---|
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Subject |
No. of Questions |
Total Marks |
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Physics |
45 |
180 |
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Chemistry |
45 |
180 |
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Botany |
45 |
180 |
|
Zoology |
45 |
180 |
|
Total |
180 |
720 |
Also Know: NEET Total Marks Marking Scheme
NEET 2026 Section Wise Time Allocation
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 includes 180 multiple-choice questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Although the NTA NEET Exam does not set separate time limits for each section, candidates are advised to divide their time wisely based on their strengths and the NEET weightage of the topics.
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NEET 2026 Section Wise Time Allocation |
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|---|---|---|
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Section |
Suggested Time Allocation |
No. of Questions |
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Physics |
45 minutes |
45 |
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Chemistry |
45 minutes |
45 |
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Biology |
90 minutes |
90 |
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Total |
180 minutes (3 hours) |
180 |
Also Know : NEET 2026 Important Topics And Weightage
NEET 2026 Negative Marking
In the NEET Marking Scheme, students are given +4 marks for each correct answer, but −1 mark is deducted for every incorrect response. This system of negative marking is a key part of the NEET Exam Pattern 2026, introduced to discourage random guessing and encourage accuracy.
If a student leaves a question unanswered, there is no penalty. However, if more than one option is selected for a single question, it is treated as incorrect and a −1 mark is deducted. The exam includes a total of 180 questions, and the maximum score a candidate can achieve is 720 marks.
Also Know: NEET NRI Quota 2026, Eligibility, Admission Process, Fees
NEET 2026 Language Options
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 includes multiple language options to make the exam accessible to students from different regions of India.
As per the NTA NEET Exam guidelines, candidates can choose to attempt the exam in one of the following 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Students must select their preferred language medium at the time of filling the NEET application form.
NEET 2026 Exam Duration Time
NEET Exam Time Duration is fixed at 3 hours (180 minutes). The exam is conducted in offline (OMR-based) mode, and includes 180 compulsory MCQs with no optional questions. This timing structure is the same for all students, as per the latest NEET Exam Pattern.
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
Q1: Is NEET 2026 in two phases?
Ans: No, NEET 2026 will be conducted in a single phase. As per the NTA exam schedule, it is likely to be held in May 2026, just like previous years.
Q2: What will be the expected diffculty level of NEET in 2026?
Ans: The difficulty level of NEET 2026 may range from moderate to difficult. It depends on NTA’s paper-setting strategy, cut-offs, and overall competition level.
Q3: Will NEET 2026 be CBT (Computer-Based Test)?
Ans: No, NEET 2026 will be held in offline mode using a pen-and-paper OMR sheet, not as a computer-based test (CBT).
Q4: Will NEET 2026 be hard?
Ans: NEET is a competitive exam, and its difficulty depends on the paper. Subjects like Physics are usually tricky. NEET 2026 may be similar to previous years in terms of toughness.
Q5: Can I crack NEET in 1 month?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to crack NEET in 1 month with a focused plan. Stick to NCERT books, revise important topics, and take daily mock tests to boost your score.
