NEET Exam Pattern 2025: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical courses like MBBS, BDS, and other allied medical fields in India. As we approach the NEET 2025 examination, there have been some important changes in the exam pattern that every aspirant must be aware of. These updates come after years of temporary modifications due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the National Testing Agency (NTA) has now decided to revert to the older exam format.
This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the NEET Exam Pattern 2025, highlighting the major changes, marking scheme, topic distribution, and preparation strategies. So, whether you’re a first-time candidate or preparing for a retake, this guide will help you navigate the NEET 2025 exam successfully.
Detailed Overview of the NEET 2025 Exam Pattern
| Exam Name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Mode of Examination | Pen-and-paper (OMR-based) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Number of Questions | 180 (Compulsory) |
| Total Marks | 720 marks |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer |
| Languages | 13 languages (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Punjabi) |
| Official Website | neet.nta.nic.in |
Major Changes in the NEET 2025 Exam Pattern
The NEET 2025 exam will witness a significant change after four years. The most notable change is the removal of Section B, which was initially introduced to assist students during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the key updates for NEET UG 2025:
- No Optional Questions:
- Previously, Section B had optional questions, giving candidates the choice to skip some questions. However, the 2025 NEET exam will no longer have this section. All questions will be compulsory, eliminating any option to leave out questions.
- Exam Duration:
- The duration of the exam will remain 3 hours (180 minutes). This means that candidates will have the same amount of time to complete 180 questions as they did in previous years.
- There will be no sectional timing, and candidates can attempt the questions in any order.
- Number of Questions:
- The total number of questions in the exam will be 180, consisting of 45 questions in Physics, 45 in Chemistry, and 90 in Biology (Botany and Zoology combined).
- Return to Pre-COVID Format:
- The exam is returning to its pre-COVID format, where all questions are compulsory. The extra time and optional questions that were introduced during the pandemic for the benefit of students will no longer be a part of the 2025 exam.
- Pen-and-Paper Mode:
- NEET 2025 will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode, which means candidates will mark their answers on an OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet.
Let’s take a closer look at how these changes will impact the overall structure of the exam.
Marking Scheme for NEET 2025
The NEET 2025 exam will continue to follow the same marking scheme, ensuring that candidates are rewarded for correct answers and penalized for incorrect responses. Here’s a quick summary of the marking system:
| Response Type | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct answer | +4 marks |
| Incorrect answer | -1 mark |
| Unanswered question | 0 marks |
| More than one correct answer | +4 marks (if all correct options are marked) |
Important Points:
- If a candidate chooses the correct option, they will earn +4 marks.
- If the answer is incorrect, there will be a -1 mark penalty.
- Unanswered questions do not attract any negative marking.
- If there is more than one correct option for a question (in case of multiple correct answers), all options that are marked correctly will earn +4 marks.
Subject-wise Question Distribution for NEET 2025
In the NEET UG 2025 exam, candidates will encounter a set number of questions in each subject. This year, there will be no optional questions or extra sections. Here’s how the questions will be distributed:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Botany | 45 | 180 |
| Zoology | 45 | 180 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
Key Changes in NEET 2025 Exam Format
- No Section B:
- Previously, the NEET exam included two sections (A and B) with Section B offering some optional questions. In 2025, the exam will only have Section A, and all 180 questions will be compulsory.
- This change means students will no longer have the luxury of skipping questions, so every question must be attempted within the given time.
- 180 Questions in Total:
- While NEET 2024 had 200 questions in total, the number of questions will be reduced to 180 questions in NEET 2025. This will make the exam slightly less lengthy, but candidates will need to work efficiently to complete it within the time limit.
- 3-Hour Duration:
- The total duration of the exam remains 3 hours (180 minutes), with no additional time given for specific sections. Candidates must manage their time wisely to ensure they have sufficient time to attempt all 180 questions.
- Pen-and-Paper Mode:
- Unlike some competitive exams that may be conducted online, NEET will be pen-and-paper based, meaning candidates will mark their answers on an OMR sheet.
- It’s essential to practice filling out the OMR sheet beforehand to avoid mistakes on exam day.
Important Instructions for OMR Sheet
When filling out the OMR sheet during the NEET exam, candidates must follow these important instructions:
- Use a ballpoint pen to mark the answers (this will be provided at the exam centre).
- The OMR sheet must be filled carefully as any changes once the answer is marked cannot be erased or corrected.
- Mark the test booklet code on the OMR sheet correctly.
- Ensure that only one option is marked for each question; multiple markings will lead to penalties.
NEET 2025 Syllabus and Topic-wise Weightage
The NEET syllabus is vast and covers three major subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. It’s important to have a clear understanding of the topic-wise distribution of questions to focus on high-weightage topics during preparation. Below is the subject-wise weightage based on the NEET exam analysis from previous years.
NEET Physics: Topic Distribution
Physics is often considered one of the toughest subjects in NEET. Here’s the topic-wise weightage for NEET Physics:
| Unit | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| Physical World and Measurement | 2% |
| Kinematics | 7% |
| Laws of Motion | 7% |
| Work, Energy, and Power | 4% |
| System of Particles and Rotational Motion | 4.5% |
| Gravitation | 4.5% |
| Properties of Bulk Matter | 9% |
| Oscillations and Waves | 7% |
| Thermodynamics | 4.5% |
| Electrostatics | 4% |
| Current Electricity | 9% |
| Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism | 7% |
| Electromagnetic Induction and AC | 4% |
| Optics | 4.5% |
| Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation | 4% |
| Atoms and Nuclei | 7% |
| Electronic Devices | 7% |
NEET Chemistry: Topic Distribution
NEET Chemistry is divided into three major sections: Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. Here’s a breakdown of the topics and their approximate weightage:
| Category | Chapter | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Chemistry | Solid State, Thermodynamics, etc. | 15-20 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | Chemical Bonding, s-block, p-block | 15-20 |
| Organic Chemistry | Hydrocarbons, Alcohols, Carbonyl Compounds | 15-20 |
NEET Biology: Topic Distribution
Biology plays a major role in NEET and is considered the key subject for most candidates aiming for a high score. Here’s how the topics are distributed:
| Unit | Chapters | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Class XI | Diversity in Living World, Plant Physiology, etc. | 45% |
| Class XII | Genetics, Human Physiology, Ecology, etc. | 55% |
Important Links
Preparation Strategy for NEET 2025
With the NEET 2025 exam pattern in place, here are some tips and strategies to help you succeed:
- Focus on High-Weightage Topics: Prioritize topics with higher weightage in each subject.
- Time Management: Practice managing your time during mock tests. Aim to answer questions faster without compromising accuracy.
- Avoid Guesswork: With negative marking in place, avoid guessing answers unless you’re certain.
- Practice OMR Sheets: Familiarize yourself with the OMR sheet filling process to ensure there are no mistakes on the exam day.
- Solve Previous Year Papers: Solving previous year’s NEET question papers will help you understand the exam pattern and the types of questions asked.
Conclusion… The NEET UG 2025 exam will be conducted in a revamped format, with significant changes compared to previous years. Understanding the updated exam pattern and preparing accordingly is crucial for candidates aiming to secure a seat in medical colleges across India. Make sure you stay updated on the latest announcements from NTA and tailor your preparation to focus on the high-weightage topics for all three subjects.
