NEET 2026: One of the most misunderstood aspects of NEET is question selection. Many aspirants believe that attempting all 180 questions is the safest path to a high score. In reality, NEET is not about attempting everything; rather, it is about attempting the right number of questions with the right accuracy.
This article breaks down how many questions you should realistically leave in NEET and how smart skipping can actually increase your final score.
Accuracy Vs Attempt in NEET 2026
With negative marking of 1 for every wrong answer, blind attempts can quickly pull down a good score. Every wrong question cancels out the marks of a correct one.
What matters more than total attempts is:
- Accuracy percentage
- Risk management
- Time allocation
Top scorers rarely attempt questions they are unsure about.
Join NEET News 2026 Why Attempting All 180 Questions Is Risky
Attempting all questions usually means guessing on at least 15-30 of them. Even a 50% success rate in guesses results in significant losses due to negative marking.
Common problems with over-attempting:
- Increased silly mistakes due to fatigue
- Panic-driven guessing near the end
- Loss of marks despite strong preparation
A controlled attempt strategy often outperforms full attempts.
Ideal Attempt Range for Most Students
Based on exam analysis and topper trends, a safe and effective attempt range looks like this:
- 160 -170 attempts for well-prepared students
- 150 – 160 attempts for average-to-good students
- 140 – 150 attempts for risk-averse or accuracy-focused students
Leaving 10 – 30 questions can actually protect your score if those questions carry high uncertainty.
Subject-Wise Strategy:
Not all subjects should be treated the same.
Biology
- High accuracy subject
- Attempt most questions you’re confident in
- Leave ambiguous assertion-reason or statement-based questions. These questions require in-depth conceptual clarity. So, leave them if you feel you don’t know enough about the topic.
Chemistry
- Calculative questions with time pressure are better left if unsure
- Inorganic confusion often leads to negative marking.
Physics
- Most risky for blind attempts
- Lengthy numericals and multi-step problems should be skipped if clarity is missing
Smart skipping in Physics often saves more marks than aggressive attempts.
Read Also: NEET UG: Last 60 Days Decide 80% of Your NEET Result
The 100%-50%-0% Rule
A practical decision rule many toppers use:
- 100% sure = Attempt immediately
- 50 – 60% sure = Mark for review if time permits
- 0 – 40% sure = Leave without regret
This prevents emotional decision-making during the exam.
Time Management and Leaving Questions
Trying to attempt every question often steals time from easier, scoring ones.
| NEET UG Counselling Guide 2025 | |
|---|---|
| State-wise MBBS/BDS Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| MCC NEET UG Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| AACCC AYUSH NEET Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
Benefits of leaving difficult questions:
- More time for revision and checking
- Reduced mental fatigue
- Higher accuracy in attempted questions
A calm final 15 minutes is often more valuable than 5 risky attempts.
How Toppers Decide What to Leave
NEET toppers do not aim for perfection – they aim for control.
They:
- Accept that leaving questions is part of strategy
- Avoid ego-based attempts
- Trust accuracy over bravado
Many AIR toppers leave 15 – 25 questions intentionally.
Read Also: The Psychology Of NEET UG Toppers
How Many Should You Leave?
There is no fixed number that fits everyone. The right number depends on:
- Your mock test accuracy
- Subject-wise confidence
- Risk tolerance
But as a rule of thumb:
If a question makes you uncomfortable for more than 30 – 40 seconds, it’s probably worth leaving.
Final Takeaway
NEET rewards clarity, calmness, and smart decision-making. Leaving questions is not a sign of weakness, it is often a sign of maturity.
Attempt fewer questions with higher confidence, and you may be surprised how much your score improves.
This article offers general guidance only, and it is important to understand that the number of questions an aspirant should leave in NEET is a highly individual decision. It depends on personal factors such as subject-wise accuracy, depth of preparation, and risk tolerance.
Aspirants should avoid comparing their attempt strategy with others. Hearing a friend claim they attempted 170+ questions, or listening to a topper state they attempted 175 or more, can create unnecessary pressure and lead to poor decision-making. What works for one student may not work for another.
The most effective approach is to decide your attempt strategy based on your own mock test performance and accuracy levels. Trust your preparation, follow the strategy that has worked consistently for you, and make decisions calmly during the exam rather than being influenced by external comparisons.
Read Also: What NEET UG 2026 Aspirants Must Learn From Last Year’s Paper Analysis
