NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is the single entrance examination for students aspiring to pursue MBBS and other medical courses in India and abroad. For NEET 2026 aspirants, understanding the exam pattern and marking scheme is the first and most important step toward effective preparation.

A clear understanding of the NEET exam structure helps students plan their study strategy, manage time during the exam, and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

NEET 2026 Exam Overview

NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as a pen-and-paper based examination. The exam tests a student’s understanding of concepts from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology based on the NCERT syllabus.

Key highlights of NEET 2026:

  • Mode of exam: Offline (OMR based)
  • Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany & Zoology)
  • Total questions: 200 (attempt 180)
  • Total marks: 720

NEET 2026 Exam Pattern – Subject Wise

The NEET question paper is divided into four sections:

Physics

  • Section A: 35 questions (all compulsory)
  • Section B: 15 questions (attempt any 10)
  • Total questions to attempt: 45
  • Total marks: 180

Chemistry

  • Section A: 35 questions
  • Section B: 15 questions (attempt any 10)
  • Total questions to attempt: 45
  • Total marks: 180

Biology

  • Botany:
    • Section A: 35 questions
    • Section B: 15 questions (attempt any 10)
  • Zoology:
    • Section A: 35 questions
    • Section B: 15 questions (attempt any 10)
  • Total Biology questions to attempt: 90
  • Total marks: 360

Biology carries the highest weightage, making it a crucial subject for NEET aspirants.

NEET 2026 Marking Scheme

Understanding the marking scheme is equally important to avoid negative marking mistakes.

  • Correct answer: +4 marks
  • Incorrect answer: –1 mark
  • Unattempted question: 0 marks

Because of negative marking, accuracy is more important than attempting every question.

Importance of NEET Exam Pattern for Preparation

Knowing the NEET exam pattern helps students:

  • Allocate time wisely to each subject
  • Focus on high-weightage areas
  • Decide when to attempt or skip a question
  • Reduce exam-day anxiety

Many students lose marks not due to lack of knowledge, but due to poor time management and misunderstanding of the paper structure.