NEET CBT marking, shifts and normalisation explained

NEET currently gives 4 marks for a correct answer, takes away 1 for a wrong answer, and gives 0 for an unanswered one. The paper has 720 marks. NEET has used one shift, so it has not needed normalisation. NTA has not announced shifts or a normalisation method for NEET 2027.

What is NEET's current marking scheme?

The current pattern has 180 compulsory questions in 180 minutes. The total is 720 marks. You get +4 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong answer, and 0 for an unanswered question. There are no sectional time limits.

This is the pattern used in NEET 2025 and 2026. The details come from the NEET marking scheme reported from NTA's bulletin. NTA has not announced a different marking scheme for NEET 2027.

Why would multiple shifts need normalisation?

If everyone takes the same paper at the same time, their raw marks can be compared directly. If an exam uses different shifts, each shift may get a different paper. One paper could feel harder than another. Comparing raw marks alone may then treat students unevenly.

Normalisation is a way to compare scores across shifts. The Radhakrishnan committee said multi-session exams should have a clearly documented method. For NEET, though, NTA has not announced multiple shifts or a method. You can read the latest NEET CBT status for the wider decision update.

How does JEE Main calculate a session percentile?

JEE Main runs on multiple dates, generally in two sessions per day. NTA converts raw scores in each session into percentiles. The formula is:

Session percentile = 100 × (number of candidates in your session with a raw score less than or equal to yours) ÷ (number of candidates who appeared in your session)

Here is a made-up example to show the maths. It is not a NEET prediction.

Imagine 1,000 candidates appeared in one session. Your raw score is equal to or higher than 800 candidates' scores. Your percentile is:

100 × 800 ÷ 1,000 = 80.0000000

That is a session percentile, not your raw mark. NTA reports JEE Main percentiles to 7 decimal places. The top scorer in each session gets 100. NTA does not calculate the total percentile by averaging subject percentiles.

These rules are in Appendix VIII of the NTA JEE Main 2025 bulletin. The formula tells you where your score sits within that session. It does not tell you what NEET will do.

How does CUET use equi-percentile normalisation?

CUET-UG uses the equi-percentile method for subjects held in multiple shifts. In simple terms, it compares how candidates performed within their own shifts, then uses those positions to make scores comparable across shifts. The method was set by a committee headed by an ISI Delhi professor, with professors from IIT Delhi and Delhi University. See Appendix VI of the NTA CUET-UG 2026 bulletin.

For a wider look at the two exams, see how NEET, JEE Main and CUET CBT compare.

What has NTA decided for NEET shifts and normalisation?

NEET-UG has been a single-shift exam, so it has not needed normalisation. The Centre told the Supreme Court that a move to CBT was under active consideration. As of 4 November 2026, NTA had issued no official notice on NEET 2027's mode, shifts or normalisation.

Recent reports have discussed several days or a hybrid format. Those are reports, not an official plan. Check NTA's website for official notices. You can also read our guide to the NTA CBT screen and ways to practise CBT.

What about NEET's answer key, response sheet and challenges?

NTA has not announced how answer keys, response sheets or challenges would work for a future NEET CBT. The fact that JEE Main and CUET use CBT does not confirm that NEET will follow the same steps. Wait for the NEET information bulletin before relying on any claimed process.

If NTA later announces multiple NEET shifts, it will also need to explain how it compares scores. Until then, do not use a JEE percentile calculator to guess your NEET marks or rank.

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