NEET Exam Pattern 2026: The Exam Pattern for the NEET 2026 exam includes 180 multiple-choice questions (45 each from Physics and Chemistry, and 90 from Biology), which candidates have to attempt in 180 minutes with no optional questions and additional time and the NEET 2026 Exam mode is offline, i.e., pen and paper mode (OMR-based). Accordingly to the marking scheme, candidates will get +4 marks for each correct answer, -1 for incorrect answers and 0 marks for unattempted questions. Therefore, appearing candidates must attempt all the questions mindfully to score better and secure admission in their dream college.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2026 is a national-level medical entrance exam held by the NTA for taking admissions into UG medical, dental and other allied medical courses in India. The NEET 2026 exam will be conducted on 3 May 2026 in the offline/pen-and-paper mode. The NEET Exam 2026 has also seen major changes in its pattern of exams. The earlier format that consisted of optional questions in Section B has been removed, and gone back to a pattern where all questions are compulsory. The test will now have 180 mandatory multiple-choice questions (MCQs) covering Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany and Zoology) with 45 questions each for Physics & Chemistry, while 90 questions for Biology subjects. The candidates will be given 4 marks for every correct answer, 1 mark deducted for every wrong answer and 0 marks for every unattempted question. The overall time for the test is 3 hours (180 minutes) and the maximum score is 720 marks.
Additionally, the test will be given in offline (paper-and-pen) mode and will be in 13 languages, including English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, and Urdu. Candidates must visit the official website @neet.nta.nic.in regularly to stay updated on the latest examination details.
NEET Exam Pattern Table
Feature | Detail |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 180 Multiple choice questions (MCQs) |
| Total Marks | 720 |
The NEET 2026 Exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), follows a specific marking scheme to evaluate candidates' performance in the examination. The exam consists of 180 compulsory MCQs distributed into three subjects including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
The following is the NEET Exam 2026 marking scheme:
Feature | Detail |
| Correct Answer | +4 marks |
| Incorrect Answer | -1 mark (negative marking) |
| Unanswered Question | 0 marks |
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern Change
The NEET 2026 exam now has a systematic pattern with several important features. Candidates are required to attempt all 180 questions since there is no optional question. The overall length of the exam is 180 minutes (3 hours) that gives a standard period to complete the paper. Physics and Chemistry have 45 questions each and Biology (Botany and Zoology united) has 90. The test is structured in an easy and straightforward manner with accuracy and time management as the two main objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 180 compulsory questions in total.
The exam duration is 3 hours (180 minutes).
No, all 180 questions are mandatory with no optional ones.
No, there is no sectional bifurcation; each subject has one section.
The exam covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.