Summarize this Article with AI
- NEET has 200 questions across Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology.
- Each subject has Section A (35 questions, all compulsory) and Section B (15 questions, attempt any 10).
- Maximum marks: 720 (180 questions attempted correctly at +4 each).
- Marking scheme: +4 correct, -1 incorrect, 0 unattempted.
- Exam duration: 3 hours 20 minutes (200 minutes).
- Biology carries 50% weightage (360 out of 720 marks).
- NEET Exam Pattern: Overview
- Section A and Section B Explained
- Subject-wise Question Distribution
- Marking Scheme in Detail
- Exam Day Timing and Schedule
- Subject Weightage and Syllabus Coverage
- Physics: Key Topics by Weightage
- Chemistry: Key Topics by Weightage
- Biology: Key Topics by Weightage
- How to Plan Your Section B Attempt
- NEET Coaching at Suresh Dani’s Classes
- Related Reading
- Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the NEET exam pattern is not optional for serious preparation. The structure of the paper determines how many questions you must attempt, which ones carry risk, and how to allocate your 200 minutes. This article lays out the complete NEET exam pattern: the Section A and Section B framework, subject-wise question distribution, marking scheme, timing, and how to think about chapter weightage across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
1. NEET Exam Pattern: Overview
NEET UG (Undergraduate) is a national-level medical entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is the single qualifying exam for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, and other undergraduate medical and dental programmes across India.
The exam is pen-and-paper based (offline). It uses an OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer sheet. The question paper is in multiple languages, with English and Hindi as standard options, and several regional language options available based on the exam centre state.
2. Section A and Section B Explained
The NEET exam has been structured with a two-section format since 2021. This format applies identically to each of the four subjects.
| Section | Questions per Subject | Attempt Rule | Marks per Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | 35 | All 35 compulsory | 140 (35 x 4) |
| Section B | 15 | Attempt any 10 out of 15 | 40 (10 x 4) |
| Total per subject | 50 | Attempt 45 (35 + 10) | 180 |
With four subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology), the full paper has 200 questions, of which you must attempt 180. The maximum possible score is 720.
Important: If you mark more than 10 answers in Section B for any subject, only the first 10 responses in that section will be evaluated. The remaining responses are ignored, even if correct. Be disciplined about staying within the 10-attempt limit per subject in Section B.
3. Subject-wise Question Distribution
| Subject | Section A | Section B (attempt 10) | Total Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 35 | 15 | 50 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 35 | 15 | 50 | 180 |
| Botany | 35 | 15 | 50 | 180 |
| Zoology | 35 | 15 | 50 | 180 |
| Total | 140 | 60 (attempt 40) | 200 | 720 |
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Explore Our NEET Programme4. Marking Scheme in Detail
The NEET marking scheme applies uniformly across all subjects and both sections:
- Correct answer: +4 marks.
- Incorrect answer: -1 mark (negative marking applies).
- Unattempted question: 0 marks.
- Cancelled or bonus questions: +4 marks awarded to all candidates if a question is cancelled or found to be incorrectly framed by NTA.
For a deeper analysis of how negative marking affects your score and when to skip vs. attempt, see our guide on NEET negative marking rules and strategy.
5. Exam Day Timing and Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM onwards | Gates open for candidate entry and document verification |
| Until 1:30 PM | Last time for candidate entry to exam hall |
| 1:45 PM | Question booklet and OMR sheet distribution begins |
| 2:00 PM | Exam begins |
| 5:20 PM | Exam ends (200 minutes from 2:00 PM) |
Candidates are advised to reach the exam centre no later than 12:30 PM to complete biometric verification and document checks without rush. See our complete NEET dress code and exam day rules guide for what to carry and what is prohibited.
6. Subject Weightage and Syllabus Coverage
NEET draws questions from the Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT syllabus for each subject. NTA follows the syllabus recommended by the Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission). The approximate split between Class 11 and Class 12 questions varies year to year but is generally close to 45:55 in Biology and similar in other subjects.
Biology carries 50% of the total marks. With Botany and Zoology together contributing 360 out of 720 marks, a strong Biology score is the primary driver of a competitive NEET rank.
7. Physics: Key Topics by Weightage
Physics is often considered the most challenging subject for NEET aspirants because of its numerical complexity. Key topics that have historically accounted for higher question frequency include:
- Mechanics: Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion.
- Electrostatics and Current Electricity.
- Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism.
- Optics: Ray and Wave Optics.
- Modern Physics: Atoms, Nuclei, Semiconductor Devices.
- Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory of Gases.
Physics questions in NEET tend to be concept-based with numerical components. Pure derivation questions are rare; application of concepts to numerical problems is common. Our NEET repeater batch includes intensive Physics modules for students who underperform in Physics in their first attempt.
8. Chemistry: Key Topics by Weightage
Chemistry in NEET is split between Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry. Key high-frequency topics include:
- Physical Chemistry: Mole Concept, Chemical Equilibrium, Thermodynamics, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics.
- Organic Chemistry: General Principles, Hydrocarbons, Reaction Mechanisms, Biomolecules, Polymers.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic Table and Properties, Chemical Bonding, s and p Block Elements, d and f Block Elements, Coordination Compounds.
NEET Chemistry questions tend to be more factual and definition-based in Inorganic Chemistry and more numerical in Physical Chemistry. Organic Chemistry requires understanding reaction mechanisms rather than memorisation.
9. Biology: Key Topics by Weightage
Biology (Botany and Zoology combined) is the most marks-dense section at 360 marks. Key high-frequency topics include:
- Botany: Plant Kingdom, Reproduction in Flowering Plants, Genetics and Evolution (shared weightage with Zoology), Plant Physiology, Cell Biology and Cell Division.
- Zoology: Human Physiology (Digestion, Respiration, Circulation, Excretion, Nervous System), Animal Kingdom, Human Reproduction, Biotechnology, Ecology and Environment, Biodiversity.
NCERT is the primary and sufficient source for NEET Biology. Questions are rarely from outside the NCERT text, diagrams, or the information boxes within NCERT chapters. Mastery of NCERT line by line is the core Biology preparation strategy.
10. How to Plan Your Section B Attempt
The Section B structure (15 questions, attempt 10) offers a strategic opportunity that Section A does not. You can skip the 5 questions you are least confident about and avoid the negative marking risk from guessing.
Practical guidance for Section B:
- Read all 15 questions before marking any answers. Identify the 10 where you have the clearest recall or reasoning path.
- Avoid the temptation to attempt more than 10, since only the first 10 responses are evaluated. Attempting question 11 in Section B wastes time and carries no benefit.
- If you are confident in all 15 answers, still mark exactly 10 and leave the rest blank, unless you are running short on time and the extra 5 would only add redundancy.
- Use the additional 5-question filter to discard questions from chapters you know you have not revised well. This protects against negative marking from unfamiliar topics.
For a complete treatment of when attempting a question is mathematically better than skipping it, see our NEET negative marking strategy guide.
11. NEET Coaching at Suresh Dani’s Classes
Suresh Dani’s Classes has guided NEET aspirants in Mumbai for decades. Our programmes are built around the NTA exam pattern, with:
- Full-length mock tests replicating the 200-question, 200-minute format.
- Section-wise test series for targeted improvement in weaker subjects.
- Chapter-wise weightage analysis to prioritise high-yield topics.
- Post-test analysis sessions with our faculty.
- Separate NEET repeater batches for students improving on a previous score.
- Scholarship programme for eligible students.
Visit our career counselling page for guidance on how many marks you need to reach your target rank and college.
12. Related Reading
13. Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are in NEET and what is the total marks?
NEET has 200 questions across four subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology), each divided into Section A (35 questions, all compulsory) and Section B (15 questions, attempt any 10). The total maximum marks are 720, calculated as 180 questions attempted correctly at 4 marks each.
What is the difference between Section A and Section B in NEET?
Section A has 35 compulsory questions that must all be attempted. Section B has 15 questions from which you must attempt exactly 10. If you attempt more than 10 in Section B, only the first 10 attempted will be evaluated. Each section has the same marking scheme: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect.
How long is the NEET exam?
NEET is a 3-hour and 20-minute exam (200 minutes). It starts at 2:00 PM and ends at 5:20 PM. Candidates are allowed entry until 1:30 PM; after that, entry is not permitted. The question paper and OMR sheet are distributed at 1:45 PM.
What subjects are covered in NEET?
NEET covers four subjects: Physics (Class 11 and 12 syllabus), Chemistry (Class 11 and 12 syllabus), Botany (Class 11 and 12 syllabus), and Zoology (Class 11 and 12 syllabus). Botany and Zoology together constitute the Biology section, which carries 360 marks out of 720.
What is the marking scheme for NEET?
NEET marking scheme: +4 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer (negative marking), and 0 marks for unattempted questions. The maximum total marks are 720. There is no partial marking.
Is NEET conducted in multiple shifts?
NEET UG is conducted as a single-shift exam on a single day, with all candidates taking the same paper. This eliminates the need for cross-shift normalisation that applies to multi-shift exams like JEE Main.
What chapters carry the most weightage in NEET Biology?
In NEET Biology, chapters that historically carry high weightage include Genetics and Evolution, Human Physiology, Plant Physiology, Cell Biology, Ecology, and Reproduction. NTA bases questions on the NCERT syllabus for Class 11 and 12, so NCERT mastery is the primary preparation requirement.
Can I use a calculator in the NEET exam?
No. Calculators, mobile phones, electronic watches, and all electronic devices are prohibited inside the NEET exam hall. Rough work must be done in the space provided in the question booklet. No separate rough sheet is provided.
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