How to Avoid Negative Marking in NEET 2026

Negative marking is the nightmare of NEET aspirants. One small mistake on your OMR sheet can cost you your medical dream.
In NEET, 1 wrong answer = -1 mark, and that single mark can be the difference between selection and rejection.
The good news? With the right strategies, you can drastically reduce your mistakes.

Top 7 Tips to Avoid Negative Marking in NEET

1️⃣ Don’t Attempt Every Question

Attempting all 180 questions is not necessary. Focus on accuracy .
If you're unsure about a question, it’s often better to skip than to guess blindly. 

2️⃣ Use the Elimination Method

If you’re confused, eliminate wrong options. Often, you can narrow down to two
options, and even a 50-50 guess is better than random guessing. 

3️⃣ Master OMR Sheet Filling

Many students lose marks because of OMR mistakes:

• Bubbling in a hurry
  
  

• Marking wrong question numbers
  
  

• Leaving answers unmarked
   

Tip: Practice with real NEET-style OMR sheets daily.
👉 Download a ₹3 NEET OMR Sheet from NEETOMR.in to avoid such mistakes.

4️⃣ Don’t Overthink Easy Questions

Sometimes, your first instinct is correct.
Changing answers unnecessarily can lead to errors.

5️⃣ Avoid Silly Mistakes

Read every question carefully and completely.
Pay attention to keywords like NOT, incorrect, or except.
Underline or mark them during practice.

6️⃣ Attempt in Two Rounds

• Round 1: Solve sure-shot questions.
  
  

• Round 2: Revisit questions you're 50-70% confident about. This saves time and reduces pressure.
  
  

7️⃣ Stay Calm in the Exam Hall

Stress increases chances of error.
A cool mind performs better and marks correctly.

Stay composed, manage time, and breathe deeply before answering.