NEET UG 2025 Exam: Here’s How To Score 650+ Marks; Experts Explain Marking Scheme, Paper Format – News18

Last Updated:April 21, 2025, 18:44 IST

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET UG exam, is expected to release the admit cards on May 1, 2025, via the official portal neet.nta.nic.in.

With the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate courses (NEET UG) set to take place on Sunday, May 4, 2025, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch across the country. Over 20 lakh medical aspirants have registered for the crucial entrance exam, a gateway to top medical and dental colleges. As the date draws near, candidates are being urged to shift their focus from broad preparation to strategic final revision.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET UG Exam, is expected to release the admit cards on May 1, 2025, via the official portal neet.nta.nic.in. With just days remaining, educators and exam experts are emphasising the importance of understanding the revised exam pattern and marking scheme, which could make all the difference in crossing the coveted 650-mark threshold.

NEET UG 2025 Exam Pattern

Unlike the hybrid structure used between 2021 and 2022, where subjects were split into Sections A and B with optional questions in the latter, NEET UG 2025 will revert to its earlier format. That means all 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) will be compulsory, leaving no room for selective answering.

NEET UG 2025 Exam Subject-wise Breakdown

• Physics: 45 questions
• Chemistry: 45 questions
• Biology: 90 questions
• Botany (45) or Zoology (45)

These questions will be drawn directly from the NCERT syllabus of Classes 11 and 12, a fact that continues to reinforce the centrality of NCERT textbooks in NEET preparation.

NEET UG 2025 Exam Marking Scheme

The total score is 720 marks, with each correct answer fetching +4 marks. However, precision is vital, as each wrong answer results in a -1 mark penalty. Leaving a question unanswered yields no marks, and selecting more than one option for a single question is treated as incorrect, also attracting a -1 mark deduction.

• Correct Answer: +4 marks
• Incorrect Answer: -1 mark
• Unanswered: 0 marks
• Multiple Answers Marked: -1 mark

NEET UG 2025 Exam Mode and Medium

NEET UG 2025 will be held in offline mode, with candidates answering questions on a pen-and-paper OMR sheet. Examinees will receive a ballpoint pen at the centre, and only that pen may be used to mark responses. The exam will be conducted over 3 hours (180 minutes).

To accommodate the nation’s linguistic diversity, the paper will be offered in 13 languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, Malayalam, and Urdu. Candidates must choose one language only, as bilingual question papers will not be provided.

The NEET UG paper continues to uphold its balanced approach in question distribution:

1. Physics: Topics such as Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Electrodynamics from both Class 11 and 12.
2. Chemistry: Equal representation from Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry.
3. Biology: A 50-50 split between Botany and Zoology, strictly aligned with NCERT content.

NEET UG 2025 Exam Tips

With limited time left, educators recommend a disciplined revision strategy focused on:

• NCERT mastery: Prioritise textbooks from Class 11 and 12.
• Mock tests: Simulate exam conditions and review performance regularly.
• Previous years’ papers: Identify recurring themes and question types.
• Time management: Practice completing mock tests within the 3-hour window.

As the largest single-day competitive exam, NEET UG remains not just a test of knowledge but also of composure, speed, and precision. For those aiming for top ranks and elite medical colleges, the final days may well be decisive.