NEET UG 2026 had 180 compulsory questions and a maximum score of 720. The bulletin set a three-hour paper. For the June re-exam, NTA added 15 minutes for all candidates, making it 195 minutes.
NEET UG 2026 exam pattern
| Subject | Questions | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Biology (Botany and Zoology) | 90 | 360 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
You mark answers on a paper answer sheet, called an OMR sheet. The paper has 180 questions and no optional sections.
Compare the current rules with our 2025 and 2026 pattern comparison so you do not practise using an older paper format.
Marking scheme and duration
A correct answer earns 4 marks. A wrong answer loses 1 mark. An unanswered question earns 0. The maximum score is 720.
For the 21 June 2026 re-exam, NTA gave all candidates 15 extra minutes to complete the paper. The total was 195 minutes, from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM IST. Separate extra-time rules applied to eligible candidates with disabilities. See NTA’s 12 June notice.
Languages
The paper was offered in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Check which exam centres offer your chosen language.
2026 examination dates and current status
The first exam was on 3 May 2026. The re-exam was on 21 June. NTA’s portal now has the scorecard and final answer key. If you are seeking a seat, follow the current counselling notices.
How to use this pattern
For the bulletin format, practise 180 questions in three hours. The June re-exam had the extra time described above. Check the syllabus through NTA. After each mock, review your errors in topics, units and calculations.
Official sources and next steps
For the next admission stage, read our MCC NEET counselling 2026 guide.
A simple marking example
Illustrative example: 100 correct answers, 10 incorrect answers and the rest unanswered give 100 × 4 − 10 × 1 = 390 marks under the stated scheme. This example is not an admission cutoff.
For topic practice, use the physics questions with worked solutions. Once you have a result, the counselling overview explains the next admission stage.
After the result, start the records in the counselling document guide before counselling opens.
Checked on 10 October 2026: NTA’s 2026 bulletin, with the later re-exam notice linked above. Use the notice for your own exam date when planning a timed paper.
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