NEET Exam Pattern 2026-27: Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Subjects Distribution of Marks

To succeed in the NEET 2026-27 exam, mastering the exam pattern is essential. The exam will cover three core subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Biology—each comprising 50 questions divided into two sections: Section A with 35 questions and Section B with 15 questions. This format aligns with the NEET 2026-27 subject-wise pattern. The total marks in NEET 2026-27 will be 720, and the Is NEET 2026-27 in two phases? will remain consistent with negative marking. For every correct answer, four marks are awarded, while one mark is deducted for every incorrect response, which emphasizes the importance of strategic answering.

NEET 2026-27 is a one-tier exam that serves as a gateway to undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental programs, including MBBS and BDS courses in both public and private institutions across India. Candidates aspiring for medical or dental college admissions should pay attention to the NEET 2026-27 exam pattern changes, if any, and adjust their study plan accordingly.

By understanding the NEET 2026-27 question paper format, marks distribution, and other important details like the NEET OMR sheet guidelines and NEET pass marks, students can strategically focus on key areas such as how many questions in NEET Biology, which is a scoring subject. Keep in mind that careful preparation and a firm grasp of the NEET syllabus 2026-27 overview are essential to acing the exam.

Start your preparation early, and consider downloading the NEET syllabus 2026-27 PDF for free to stay on track.

NEET Exam Pattern 2026-27 Overview

The NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) has become the standardized gateway for medical school admissions in India, replacing the former AIPMT (All India Pre-Medical Test). Following a Supreme Court ruling, NEET scores remain the only criteria for entry into both undergraduate and postgraduate medical programs across universities nationwide.

In addition to replacing AIPMT, NEET has also taken over entrance exams conducted by institutions like JIPMER and AIIMS, solidifying itself as the sole entrance exam for undergraduate medical program admissions.

There will be a strict marking scheme, with negative marking in place for incorrect answers. Understanding the marks distribution, the NEET syllabus 2026-27 overview, and familiarizing oneself with important topics are key to effective preparation.

Check: NEET Admit Card 2026-27

NEET Exam Pattern 2026-27

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced the updated syllabus for NEET-UG 2026-27, forming the foundation for the exam. The NEET 2026-27 exam pattern will consist of two parts for each subject, following a structure similar to previous years:

• Section A: 35 Questions
• Section B: 15 Questions

In Section B, candidates will have the flexibility to attempt 10 out of 15 questions, ensuring that the total number of questions remains constant. The total number of questions per subject remains aligned with the NEET 2026-27 subject-wise pattern, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

NEET Exam Pattern 2026-27: Marking Scheme

The NEET 2026-27 exam, expected to be held on 4th May 2026-27, will follow a familiar yet slightly updated structure. The exam will consist of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), but candidates are required to answer only 180 of them.

The exam is divided into two sections for each subject: Section A and Section B. Section A will contain 35 questions, while Section B will have 15 questions, out of which you need to attempt only 10. This flexible format allows students to focus on their strengths.

The NEET 2026-27 exam is worth a total of 720 marks. For each correct answer, candidates will be awarded 4 marks, but 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer due to the NEET negative marking system. It’s crucial to fill in the NEET OMR sheet carefully, as once you mark an answer, it cannot be changed.

NEET 2026-27 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

NEET Exam Pattern 2026-27: Total Marks

To achieve success in the NEET exam 2026-27, which is expected to take place on 4th May 2026-27, you’ll need to score a maximum of 720 marks. The exam follows a familiar structure with 180 questions, each carrying 4 marks. However, there have been a few updates in the NEET 2026-27 exam pattern, particularly in Sections A and B.

1. In Section A, you’ll face 35 mandatory questions from subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany. You must attempt all these questions, and negative marking applies to both Sections A and B. In total, Section A offers a maximum of 140 marks since each question is worth 4 marks.
2. For Section B, you will encounter 15 questions, out of which you can choose to answer any 10. If you attempt more than 10, only the first 10 responses will be considered for evaluation. This section offers a maximum of 40 marks (10 questions × 4 marks each).

Thus, for each subject—Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Zoology and Botany)—you can earn 140 marks in Section A and 40 marks in Section B, bringing the total possible score per subject to 180 marks. Therefore, your overall score for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology combined will be out of 720 marks.

NEET 2026-27 Marking System

Check: NEET Application Form 2026-27

NEET Exam Pattern 2026-27: Language Options

When signing up for the NEET 2026-27 exam, it’s essential for students to be aware of the language options available. NEET 2026-27, expected to be held on 4th May 2026-27, will be conducted in 13 different languages across various exam centers, offering flexibility for students nationwide. However, the language selection depends on the specific exam center chosen during the registration process.

Here are some important details about the NEET 2026-27 language options:

• You can choose your question paper language from these options: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, or Punjabi.
• This choice is made while filling out the NEET 2026-27 exam form and is final once submitted.
• If you select English, you will receive the question paper only in English.
• Opting for Hindi will provide you with a bilingual test booklet in both Hindi and English.
• Choosing a regional language will also result in a bilingual test booklet, with the selected regional language and English.
• In case of any confusion or discrepancy in translation, the English version of the question paper will be considered the final reference.

Understanding these language options is crucial as they are part of the broader NEET 2026-27 exam structure, which includes details on the marks distribution, number of questions, and subject-wise pattern. The NEET exam pattern 2026-27 will remain consistent with previous years, ensuring fairness for all participants.

NEET 2026-27 Language Selection

As per the NEET 2026-27 exam pattern, once a language is chosen, it cannot be changed later. The medium of the question paper is to be selected while filling the NEET application form.

Check: NEET Cut off

NEET Exam Pattern 2026-27 Important Points to Remember

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. NEET 2026-27 Language Options: Candidates can choose from various language options available for the NEET 2026-27 question paper format. The language selection must be made carefully, as it cannot be modified after submitting the form.
2. English Medium Option: If a candidate chooses English as their medium, they will be provided with the question paper in English ONLY. This applies to all sections, including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as per the NEET 2026-27 subject-wise pattern.
3. Bilingual Question Paper: Candidates opting for any other language, such as Hindi or regional languages as per the NEET exam pattern 2026-27 in Hindi, will receive a Bilingual Test Booklet. The booklet will include the selected language and English. This ensures clarity, especially in understanding the NEET syllabus 2026-27 and important topics.
4. Ambiguities in Translation: In case of any error, doubt, or ambiguity in the translation of the question paper, the English version will be considered final and correct as per the NEET 2026-27 exam structure.
5. NEET Exam Guidelines: The NEET 2026-27 exam mode will be offline, with the NEET OMR sheet provided to mark answers. Make sure to follow all the NEET 2026-27 exam guidelines to avoid issues related to question paper selection.

FAQs on NEET Exam Pattern 2026-27

Is NEET 2026-27 in two phases?

No, as of now, NEET 2026-27 will not be conducted in two phases. The exam will be held as a single-phase national level test. All eligible candidates will appear for the exam on the same day, expected to be 4th May 2026-27. Any changes or updates to the NEET 2026-27 exam pattern will be communicated by the official exam conducting body, the National Testing Agency (NTA).

What is the NEET pass mark?

The passing marks for NEET are generally determined by the qualifying percentile. For general category candidates, the qualifying percentile is 50%, while for reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC, it is 40%. The actual NEET pass mark varies each year depending on factors like exam difficulty and the number of candidates. Candidates must aim to score above the qualifying cut-off to be eligible for NEET counselling.

What is the pattern of NEET 2026-27?

The NEET 2026-27 exam pattern follows a structured format where candidates will face a total of 180 questions across three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (with Biology divided into Botany and Zoology). Each question carries 4 marks, and there is negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer. The total marks for the exam are 720, and candidates are given 3 hours 20 minutes to complete the test. The exam is conducted in offline mode using an OMR sheet.

What are the languages in which NEET will be conducted?

NEET 2026-27 will be conducted in multiple languages to accommodate students across the country. The available languages include English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Punjabi, and Malayalam. Candidates must select their preferred language while filling out the NEET application form, as this choice cannot be changed later.

What is the NEET marking system?

The NEET 2026-27 marking scheme awards 4 marks for each correct answer, while 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions. The total score for NEET is calculated out of 720 marks, and candidates must aim for a high score to secure a place in medical and dental colleges across India. The English version of the question paper is considered final in case of any discrepancies in the translations.