NEET 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme: What to Expect

NEET 2026 Exam Pattern: The NEET exam 2026 will be held on May 3rd, 2026, for admission to the undergraduate medical courses in India. The exam will be conducted by NTA (National Test Agency). There will be three sections in the exam paper: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, with a total number of 180 compulsory questions. The candidates must prepare accordingly and learn time management techniques to complete the exam paper in 3 hours.

Read the full blog to understand the NEET 2026 exam pattern and find out the details of the NEET exam.

NEET 2026 Exam Pattern

• NEET exam 2026 will be held in Pen and Paper mode in the designated exam cities and centres in India and abroad.

• The exam will consist of questions in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. There will be 45 questions in the Physics and Chemistry section (each) and 90 in Biology. All Questions are compulsory and are to be answered in 3 hours.

• The exam paper will be in 13 languages. However, in case of any discrepancy, English will be considered for making a decision.

• 4 marks will be allotted for each correct answer, while 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.

NEET 2026: Exam Pattern
Number of Sections	Three
Total Number of Questions	180
Total Marks	720
Duration	3 Hours
Mode of Exam	Pen and Paper Mode
Languages	13 (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, or Punjabi.)
Official Website	https://neet.nta.nic.in/

Check out NEET 2026 Subject-Wise Syllabus & Weightage: What to Focus On

NEET Subject-Wise Exam Pattern

Subjects	Number of Questions	Marks for Each Section
Physics	45	180
Chemistry	45	180
Biology	90	360
Total	180	720

Note: The optional questions in the NEET exam are eliminated in 2025. The exam pattern is revised, and all questions are compulsory.

NEET 2026 Marking Scheme

The NEET marking scheme will help the candidate to find out the score after the exam paper. The negative marking also helps them to understand the importance of accuracy in the exam. The details of the NEET marking scheme are given below:

• Each question is valued at four marks.
• Choosing the correct or most suitable answer: +4 marks.
• Marking an incorrect option: -1 mark.
• Leaving a question unanswered: 0 points.
• When numerous selections are accurate, individuals who select any of the correct options receive +4 marks.
•  If all alternatives are accurate, everyone who attempts the question receives +4 marks.
• If none of the options are correct, a question is incorrect, or it is dropped, all candidates will earn +4 points, regardless of whether they attempted the question.

NEET 2026 Eligibility Rules

The NEET 2026 eligibility criteria are expected to remain the same. Candidates must have completed the 12th grade with physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English. They should be 17 years old when they apply for the exam. The exam city will be determined by your Aadhaar card. You must ensure that all of the information in their application and documentation matches. Even slight errors can result in verification complications. This may prevent you from taking the exam. Candidates from reserved categories must have a valid caste certificate issued by a competent authority.

Important Points to Note Before the NEET 2026 Exam

Here are a few important points that must be considered before filling out the NEET preparation form:

1. Check your eligibility status before filling out the application form.
2. Enter all the details carefully and check them before submitting the application form.
3. Keep all the documents, such as a scanned copy of the qualification, passport-size photograph, digital signature, valid ID proof, etc. 
4. Choose the medium of the exam paper carefully.

Conclusion

Understanding the NEET 2026 exam pattern and marking scheme is the first step towards smart preparation. It helps you to develop a strategy, manage time properly, and improve accuracy during the exam. With a thorough understanding of the question distribution, marking criteria, and subject-specific weightage, you can focus on the relevant area and make the best decision to score more and rank higher. At Chaitanya Academy, we have a team of well-experienced faculty who can take you on the road to success and help to achieve your dream career.