Key takeaways
- NEET UG has 180 compulsory questions — 45 each in Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology — for 720 marks, with +4 / −1 marking, in 3 hours.
- NEET UG 2026 was held on 3 May, cancelled after a paper leak, and conducted again on 21 June 2026.
- The Union Education Minister has said NEET will move to computer-based testing (CBT) from 2027; NTA has not yet notified the 2027 dates or format.
- Biology is half the paper (360 marks) — NCERT-line-level reading plus regular MCQ practice is non-negotiable.
- Practise on paper and on screen until the official format is confirmed.
Last checked: 25 October 2026. Exam rules and dates change every year. Always confirm on the official websites linked under “Sources” before you plan.
What is the NEET UG exam pattern?
NEET UG is a 3-hour test with 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions — 45 each in Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology — for a maximum of 720 marks. A correct answer earns 4 marks and a wrong answer costs 1 mark. In 2026 it was a pen-and-paper (OMR) exam held in a single shift.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Botany | 45 | 180 |
| Zoology | 45 | 180 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
What happened with NEET UG 2026?
The NEET UG 2026 exam held on 3 May 2026 was cancelled after a question paper leak, and NTA conducted a re-examination on 21 June 2026, with results declared on 16 July 2026. More than 22 lakh candidates had registered. For 2027 aspirants, the lesson is simple: keep your preparation flexible. Dates can move, and your plan should not depend on a single fixed day.
Is NEET 2027 going to be computer-based?
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said NEET will be conducted in computer-based (CBT) mode from 2027, and reports in September 2026 said NTA had asked AICTE to help identify computer-based test centres. As of 25 October 2026, NTA has not issued the official 2027 notification, so the exam dates, number of days and final format are still awaited. Until then, prepare for both formats: solve on OMR sheets and also take on-screen mock tests.
A NEET plan for 11th students
- Read NCERT Biology line by line, chapter by chapter, as it is taught in class. Make short notes of diagrams, tables and exceptions.
- Don’t neglect Physics. Many NEET aspirants lose rank in Physics. Build mechanics and electrostatics concepts properly in 11th–12th.
- Solve 40–60 MCQs a day across subjects from the chapters already taught.
- Take a chapter test every week and maintain an error notebook.
A NEET plan for 12th students
| Period | Focus |
|---|---|
| Now – January | Complete the 12th syllabus. Weekly revision of one 11th unit per subject (e.g., Plant Physiology, Mechanics, Chemical Bonding). |
| February – March | Board exams (HSC written exams tentatively 8 February – 16 March 2027). Keep NEET MCQ practice at 30–40 questions a day so speed doesn’t drop. |
| After boards – exam | Full-length mock tests 3–4 times a week in the official format, followed by analysis. Revise NCERT Biology at least twice more. |
How to use mock tests for NEET
With negative marking, accuracy matters as much as attempts. After every mock, classify each mistake: concept gap, misread question, calculation slip, or guess. Our step-by-step guide to analysing mock tests shows how to turn that list into next week’s study plan.
NEET and MHT-CET (PCB) together
Maharashtra students aiming for medical, dental, pharmacy or allied courses often take both NEET and MHT-CET (PCB). The syllabus overlaps heavily, but MHT-CET has no negative marking and rewards speed. Read our MHT-CET 2027 guide for its pattern.
NEET coaching at Phadke Classes, Pune
Our NEET course covers Physics, Chemistry and Biology with application-based teaching, personalised sessions on weak areas, and regular NEET-pattern mock tests. Enquire about batches at our Satara Road, Tilak Road or Gangadham branch.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are there in NEET UG?
NEET UG has 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions: 45 each in Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology, for a total of 720 marks.
Is there negative marking in NEET?
Yes. Each correct answer earns 4 marks and each wrong answer costs 1 mark. Unanswered questions get zero.
Will NEET 2027 be computer-based?
The Union Education Minister has said NEET will move to computer-based testing from 2027, but NTA had not issued the official 2027 notification as of 25 October 2026. Prepare for both pen-and-paper and on-screen formats until it is confirmed.
Why was NEET UG 2026 re-conducted?
The exam held on 3 May 2026 was cancelled after a paper leak, and NTA conducted a re-examination on 21 June 2026.
When should I start preparing for NEET?
Ideally at the start of 11th, because roughly half of the NEET syllabus comes from Class 11. Students starting in 12th need a structured plan that revises 11th chapters alongside the 12th syllabus.
