Big Change in NEET UG Exam Pattern: Key Overhaul Details Inside

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a significant update regarding the NEET UG exam pattern. As per the new announcement, the pattern and duration of the NEET UG exam will revert to the pre-COVID format. There will be no Section B. During the COVID-19 pandemic, optional questions were added to the NEET UG paper but these will now be removed. In the updated format, there will be a total of 180 compulsory questions with 45 questions each in Physics and Chemistry and 90 questions in Biology.

Additionally, the exam duration has been reduced to 3 hours, down from the previous 3 hours and 20 minutes. A notice issued by NTA stated, "All NEET UG 2025 candidates are hereby informed that the question paper pattern and exam duration will revert to the pre-COVID format. There will be no Section B. A total of 180 compulsory questions will be included (45 questions each in Physics and Chemistry, and 90 questions in Biology) to be answered in 180 minutes. Any optional questions and extra time introduced due to COVID will be removed." Previously, candidates had to answer 180 questions out of a total of 200 but now only 180 questions will be included. All 180 questions will be compulsory and there will be no option for optional questions. The inclusion of optional questions was introduced during the COVID period but will now be removed.

Candidates will be given 3 hours to attempt the 180 questions. Previously, 3 hours and 20 minutes were allotted. The paper will continue to be scored out of 720 marks, as before. NEET is used for admissions into MBBS, BAMS, BHMS, BDS and Veterinary Science (BVSc & AH) courses. Additionally, NTA clarified that the APAAR ID is not required for NEET UG 2025 registration. Candidates can use other documents for registration purposes. Earlier, in a notice dated January 14, 2025, NTA encouraged candidates to update their Aadhaar details and link their APAAR ID (previously known as Academic Bank of Credit or ABC ID). Candidates were advised to rectify any discrepancies (such as mobile number) in their Aadhaar or APAAR ID before registration.