As per NTA’s public notice dated 25th January, 2025, the NEET question paper pattern has been revised to cover the pre-covid format. This format includes 180 questions which are compulsory to answer. Earlier, the NEET exam had 2 sections, section A and section B. But based on the NEET 2025 pattern, the NEET 2026 exam will not have a separate section B.
Students must answer the 180 compulsory questions which include 45 Physics questions, 45 questions in Chemistry and 90 in Biology. During COVID, NTA had made revisions to the NEET exam pattern introducing extra time and optional questions. This change is not required to continue for the coming years as the paper will be held in pen and paper mode.
In the NEET 2026 exam, students will have to sit for 3 hours or 180 minutes and apply tricks to crack the NEET exam without being overwhelmed. You will have 1 minute per question, depending on the difficulty level of the exam time management is crucial for good marks. With no optional questions, students must compulsorily answer all questions.
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NEET Exam Pattern 2026 Changes
The latest updates regarding NEET 2026 exam pattern relate to the NEET 20205 examination pattern. Students planning to appear for the NEET 2026 exam must know the last year’s pattern to estimate the NEET 2026 exam pattern. With respect to student queries such as ‘Will NEET exam pattern 2026 change? The answer is simple. The NEET exam pattern 2026 is not expected to change as far as an official notification is concerned.
While the NTA is free to change or update or revise the NEET exam pattern 2026, as of now, no new changes have been announced. Hence, students shall rely on the NEET 2025 exam pattern to prepare for the NEET 2026 exam. The NEET 2025 exam pattern differs from the pre-covid format and includes 1 section consisting of 180 compulsory questions on Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights
The NEET 2026 exam pattern is based on the previous year pattern. No new changes have been announced by the NTA until mid 2025. Based on new announcements, the NEET exam 2026 might change but mostly, it will remain the same.
| NEET 2026 Exam Pattern Quick Highlights | |
| Aspects | Details |
| Time Required | 3 hours |
| Number of Questions | 180 |
| Total Marks | 720 |
NEET 2026 Time Management Strategy
To answer questions in the exam, students will have 3 hours or 180 minutes. Since each question is compulsory, no extra time will be given and answering each question is important. Students must develop the time management skills to answer even difficult questions in a minute. Know how to manage the 3 hours for NEET 2026 to score well in the exams.
| How to Attempt the NEET 2026 exam in 3 Hours | |
| Journey | Detailed Explanation |
| Starting Point | Biology |
| Reason to start with Biology | Students may answer Biology questions first as there are 90 questions. These questions are direct and will fetch marks if answered right. |
| Mid Point | Chemistry |
| Solve Chemistry questions | Once the Biology section is completed, start solving the Chemistry questions as it may require some calculations. |
| Ending Point | Physics |
| Reason for Physics at the last | Since Physics is more time-consuming and requires good problem solving skills, it is best to solve Physics questions in the end. |
| Last 10-15 minutes | Revise and recheck your answers and fill the OMR sheet correctly. |
NEET 2026 Offline Mode Practice
The NEET 2026 exam will be held in the offline mode. To practice how to answer questions in the offline mode, students will have to practice on pen and paper. Offline practice includes using mock tests, question papers, and study materials provided by a trusted coaching platform such as iQuanta. Here are ways to practice for NEET 2026 in offline mode.
- iQuanta NEET 2026 course offers Daily Practice Problems
- Chapter wise practice questions help in building conceptual clarity.
- Test series are the best way to improve problem solving skills.
- KOTA level study material provided by iQuanta helps in strategic preparation.
- Full length mock tests, NEET level books and free NEET crash course by iQuanta are effective ways for NEET 2026 offline mode practice.
Changes in NEET 2026 Exam Pattern Over the Years
The NEET exam has mostly remained the same. Its pattern, format and guidelines have seen a few changes over the years. For students expecting a major change to the NEET 2026 exam pattern, it is important to stay updated with NTA official notifications and announcements. For introducing changes, intimation is released by the NTA in advance. Below is a summary of all the minor changes made to the NEET exam pattern over the years.
| All Changes in NEET 2026 Exam Pattern Year Wise | |
| Year | Changes Made |
| 2017 | Moved from pen and paper to online mode |
| 2019 | NTA increased the number of attempts |
| 2020 | Negative marking introduced |
| 2024 | Pre-covid format |
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern Details
The NEET 2026 exam will comprise 180 questions for 720 marks. Students will have to prepare important topics in 3 main subjects which include Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. NEET 2026 exam will have negative marks for incorrect answers. As a result, it is important to improve problem solving skills and answer the questions correctly for securing maximum marks.
| NEET 2026 Question Pattern and Marks | |
| Particulars | Details |
| NEET 2026 Subjects | Physics, Chemistry and Biology |
| NEET 2026 Subject Wise Questions Asked | Physics – 45 Chemistry – 45 Biology – 90 |
| NEET 2026 Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answers & -1 for incorrect answers |
| NEET Exam Paper Languages | 13 |
NEET 2026 Paper Section B Removed
The NEET 2026 exam will not include a Section B. NEET 2025 exam also did not have a section B. This section was added in the previous NEET exam pattern and included optional questions. Students starting their preparations for the NEET 2026 exam must expect no change to the existing or current pattern unless officially announced by the NTA.
FAQs
NTA announces NEET 2026 exam pattern changes via official notifications. Until now, no changes have been made.
NEET 2026 exam will have 180 compulsory questions. The pattern will remain the same as NEET 2025.
The NEET 2026 marking scheme is the same as NEET 2025. No changes are expected in the marking scheme as of now. Students will receive +4 marks for correct answers and -1 for incorrect answers.