A shocking truth! In NEET PG, even a difference of 2–3 marks can shift your rank by thousands. In previous years, toppers scored in the 700+ range out of 800, showing how incredibly tight the race is. When the margins are razor-thin, understanding the marking scheme, scoring pattern, weightage and exam behaviour becomes a powerful strategic advantage. For many aspirants, exam stress comes not from the difficulty of subjects but from the mystery around the paper:
- How many marks?
- Which subjects carry the highest weightage?
- How much can I guess?
- How much does a wrong answer cost me?
- How do I increase marks per minute?
This guide breaks all of that down in a crisp, highly practical and deeply strategic way.
NEET PG 2026 Total Marks: Quick Overview
Here’s the most important info you need at a glance:
| Parameter | Details |
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Question Type | Single Correct Answer (MCQ) |
| Marks Per Question | 4 |
| Negative Marking | −1 |
| Unattempted Question | 0 |
| Total Marks | 800 marks |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Sections | 5 (A–E), 40 questions each |
Marking Scheme Explained
The NEET PG marking scheme is:
- Correct answer = +4 marks
- Incorrect answer = −1 mark (25% penalty)
- Unattempted = 0 marks
This looks simple, but these numbers have deep strategic implications.
Why the Marking Scheme Matters More Than You Think
Most aspirants think the exam is about knowledge.
In reality, NEET PG is 50% knowledge + 50% strategy.
Here’s why the marking scheme plays a massive role:
(A) Negative marking punishes random guessing
Expected value of a random guess =
(1/4 × 4) − (3/4 × 1) = 0 marks
Meaning:
A random guess gives you nothing.
You are getting “zero” on average.
(B) But elimination-based guessing increases your score
If you eliminate even one option, the expected value becomes positive.
Example:
- Possible answers left = 3
- Probability of correct = 1/3
Expected value = (1/3 × 4) − (2/3 × 1) = 0.66 marks
So elimination-driven guessing increases your total score, statistically.
This is why toppers focus heavily on option elimination skills.
Section-Wise Weightage: How the 200 Questions Are Distributed
Traditionally, NEET PG is divided into 5 sections, each containing 40 MCQs, making it easier for candidates to maintain pacing.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
| Part A | 40 | 160 |
| Part B | 40 | 160 |
| Part C | 40 | 160 |
| Part D | 40 | 160 |
| Part E | 40 | 160 |
| Total | 200 | 800 |
But these sections are not equal in terms of subject weightage.
NEET PG 2026 Subject-Wise Weightage
Below is the typical distribution across Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical and Clinical subjects.
Pre-Clinical Subjects (Approx. 15% Weightage)
| Subject | Typical Questions | Marks Approx. |
| Anatomy | 15–17 | 60–68 |
| Physiology | 15–17 | 60–68 |
| Biochemistry | 10–12 | 40–48 |
| Total | 40–45 | 160–180 |
Para-Clinical Subjects (Approx. 20% Weightage)
| Subject | Typical Questions | Marks |
| Pathology | 20–25 | 80–100 |
| Pharmacology | 15–20 | 60–80 |
| Microbiology | 10–15 | 40–60 |
| Forensic Medicine | 8–10 | 32–40 |
| Community Medicine | 20–25 | 80–100 |
| Total | 70–90 | 280–360 |
Clinical Subjects (Approx. 60% Weightage)
| Subject | Typical Questions | Marks |
| General Medicine | 30–35 | 120–140 |
| General Surgery | 25–30 | 100–120 |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 20–25 | 80–100 |
| Paediatrics | 10–15 | 40–60 |
| Orthopaedics | 8–10 | 32–40 |
| ENT | 8–10 | 32–40 |
| Ophthalmology | 8–10 | 32–40 |
| Dermatology | 5–7 | 20–28 |
| Psychiatry | 5–7 | 20–28 |
| Anaesthesia | 8–10 | 32–40 |
| Radiology | 8–10 | 32–40 |
| Emergency Medicine | 5–7 | 20–28 |
| Total | 120–140 | 480–560 |
Total Marks Distribution Summary Table
| Category | Approx. Questions | Approx. Marks |
| Pre-Clinical | 40–45 | 160–180 |
| Para-Clinical | 70–90 | 280–360 |
| Clinical | 120–140 | 480–560 |
| Total | 200 | 800 |
Time Management Strategy Based on Marks
Since the exam follows a sectional question grouping, the smartest plan is:
42 minutes per section
(210 minutes ÷ 5 sections = 42 minutes)
This means:
- ~1 minute per question
- You can spare only 40–50 seconds per easy question to save time for the tricky ones
- Mark tough questions for review
- Move ahead without getting stuck under time pressure
Marking Scheme Scenarios: Real-Life Score Examples
Example 1: High Accuracy Candidate
- Correct: 145
- Incorrect: 20
- Unattempted: 35
Score = (145 × 4) − (20 × 1) = 580 − 20 = 560
A score of ~560 can land you a very strong rank.
Example 2: High Attempts, Lower Accuracy
- Correct: 130
- Incorrect: 50
- Unattempted: 20
Score = (130 × 4) − (50 × 1) = 520 − 50 = 470
Although more questions were attempted, accuracy pulled the score down.
Example 3: Safe Play Strategy
- Correct: 120
- Incorrect: 10
- Unattempted: 70
Score = (120 × 4) − 10 = 470
This score matches Example 2, showing that accuracy > blindly attempting everything.
Should You Guess in NEET PG?
Scenario A: No elimination
Guess = 0 expected marks
→ Not worth it.
Scenario B: Eliminate 1 option
EV = 0.33 positive
→ Worth it.
Scenario C: Eliminate 2 options
EV = +1 marks
→ Highly worth it.
Simple Rule:
Random guess = no
Elimination guess = yes
Trick for Maximising Marks: The 50–40–60 Rule
Top NEET PG educators and high-ranking candidates often use this approach:
• 50 questions = sure-shot (your strong areas)
Target: 45–48 correct
• 40 questions = moderate difficulty
Target: 28–32 correct
• 60 questions = conceptual/clinical application heavy
Target: 30–36 correct
Remaining 50 questions = tough/ambiguous
You attempt selectively use elimination selectively.
This gives:
- High accuracy
- Balanced risk
- Maximum scoring efficiency
High-Yield Subjects Based on Previous Exams
| Rank | Subject | Reason |
| 1 | Medicine | Largest clinical weightage |
| 2 | Surgery | Lots of scoring questions + images |
| 3 | Obstetrics & Gynaecology | Predictable patterns |
| 4 | Pathology | Foundation for many subjects |
| 5 | Pharmacology | High-scoring if concepts mastered |
| 6 | Microbiology | Common in clinical scenarios |
If you have limited time, boost these first.
Top 10 Strategy Tips to Increase Your NEET PG Score
- Do not start tough questions first.
- Do 2–3 full-length mocks every week (simulate 42 minutes × 5 blocks).
- Use the 3-pass technique (easy → moderate → tough).
- Never guess blindly, elimination only.
- Reattempt marked questions only if confident.
- Focus on clinical integration, not just facts.
- Use the 80/20 rule in revision to prioritise high-yield.
- Practice image-based questions (radiology, ophthalmology, surgery).
- Maintain peak energy for 3.5 hours (practice stamina).
- Do not revise new books in the final month.
Ready-to-Use Revision Table
| Day | Task |
| Morning | 40–60 MCQs from high-yield clinical subjects |
| Afternoon | 1–2 hours image-based practice |
| Evening | Revision of weak topics |
| Night | 25 rapid revision questions + mistakes journal |
Need further help? Don’t worry, my expert team will help you out.
To Conclude with…
Understanding the NEET PG total marks, marking scheme, and subject-wise weightage is half the battle. It not only makes your preparation structured but also ensures that every hour of study converts into actual marks on exam day.