NEET Negative Marking Scheme 2026, Marking Scheme, Impact, How to Calculate

NEET Negative Marking Scheme: The NEET 2025 exam is just a few days away, and most students are busy solving questions and revising chapters. However, what many students fear the most is not the difficulty of the questions, but the negative marking system. It is common for students to feel unsure about a few questions. 

When the answer is uncertain, and students guess, they often lose marks due to negative marking. Sometimes, even correct answers lose their value because of wrong ones. We will explain everything you need to know about the NEET negative marking scheme, how it affects your score, and how to avoid it smartly from preparation to the exam hall.

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NEET Negative Marking Scheme Overview

In NEET, every question is a multiple-choice question. For each correct answer, the student gets four marks. For every incorrect answer, one mark is subtracted. If a student does not answer a question, no marks are added or cut. This process is called negative marking. It is used in the NEET exam to stop students from guessing. It also checks how well students understand the topic and how confident they are in their answers.

NEET Negative Marking Rules

It is important to understand how to avoid negative marking in NEET. The exam is divided into three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology). Each question has 4 options. Only one option is correct.

The marking rule is:

• Right answer: You get 4 marks.

• Wrong answer: You lose 1 mark.

• No answer: You get 0 mark (no gain, no loss).

This system makes the exam fair. It also makes sure that only students who know the answers get high marks.

Also Check: Good Score in NEET 2026

How to Calculate Negative Marking in NEET 2026?

It is important for every student to know how to avoid negative marking in NEET. The formula is very simple. First, count all the correct answers. Then multiply that number by 4. Then count all the incorrect answers. Multiply that number by 1. Now subtract the second number from the first. This is your total NEET score.

For example, if you answered 140 questions correctly and 20 questions incorrectly, then your score will be:

(140 × 4) = 560 marks for correct answers

(20 × 1) = 20 marks cut for incorrect answers

Final score = 560 - 20 = 540 marks 

Also Check: Most Repeated Questions in NEET Exam

Why Negative Marking Matters in NEET 2026

In NEET, even one mark can change your All India Rank by a big number. Many students score close marks, so a small loss due to negative marking can change the result. You may get a lower college or even miss a seat just because of a few wrong guesses. That is why it is very important to be careful with every answer.

Negative marking can make your total score drop quickly. Even if you answer many questions correctly, a few wrong answers can reduce your rank. For example, if two students answer the same number of questions correctly, but one of them guesses and gets more wrong answers, their rank will be lower.

So, you must avoid guessing and learn the smart way to answer in the exam. Knowing when not to answer is just as important as knowing when to answer.

Also Check: How Many Days Left for NEET 2026

How to Avoid Negative Marking in NEET Exam 2026?

Many students lose marks in NEET because of the NEET negative marking scheme. Knowing the NEET negative marking rules helps students to score better. Students can avoid negative marking in NEET if they plan smartly and stay calm during the exam. Below, we’ve mentioned how to avoid negative marking in NEET Exam 2026:

Don’t Guess Answers

The easiest way to avoid negative marking in NEET is not to guess randomly. If you are not sure about an answer, skip it. Random guessing can make you lose marks. Read the question properly and only mark the answer if you are confident.

Skip Confusing Questions

If a question looks tricky, skip it for now. You can return to it later if time allows. This helps you avoid negative marking in NEET exam 2026. Skipping hard questions saves time and stops you from making silly mistakes.

Use the Elimination Method

When you are unsure, use the method of elimination. Remove the wrong options first. This increases your chance of picking the right one. The elimination trick is a smart way to avoid negative marking in NEET exam 2026 and helps you make better guesses.

Know Your Syllabus Well

A good understanding of your syllabus helps you answer correctly. Read NCERT books carefully. Revise every chapter many times. When you know your syllabus well, you make fewer mistakes. This helps reduce errors under the NEET negative marking scheme and saves you from losing marks.

Start with Easy Questions

Always start with the questions you know well. This will build your confidence and save time. After completing the easy ones, move to the hard ones. This trick helps you stay calm and avoid negative marking in NEET because you won’t rush at the end.

Manage Time Wisely

Time is important in the NEET exam. Don’t spend too long on one question. If you get stuck, move on. Good time management lets you answer more questions correctly. This is one of the most useful tips to avoid negative marking in NEET because rushing leads to careless mistakes.

Practice with Mock Tests

Practice makes you perfect. Take mock tests regularly and solve past NEET papers. Mock tests help you know your strong and weak areas. They also make you faster and more accurate. The more you practice, the more you can avoid negative marking in NEET easily.

Be Careful, Not Overconfident

Confidence is good, but overconfidence can cost marks. Some questions may look easy but can be tricky. Always read carefully before marking your answer. Being careful helps you follow the NEET negative marking rules properly.

Stay Calm and Focused

Staying calm is the best way to do well. Don’t panic during the test. Take deep breaths and read slowly. Focus on one question at a time. A calm mind helps you think better and avoid negative marking in NEET exam 2026 effectively.

NEET negative marking scheme can be managed with practice and planning. Understanding NEET negative marking rules and applying smart techniques will help you score higher. Learn how to calculate negative marking in NEET 2026, follow tips to avoid negative marking in NEET, and stay confident during the exam. You can easily avoid negative marking in NEET if you practice well and stay calm.

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Also Check:

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• NEET Candidate Login 2026