NEET vs JEE Main vs CUET: how NTA's CBT exams compare
As of 4 November 2026, NEET-UG is still a pen-and-paper OMR exam. JEE Main and CUET already use computer-based tests, so their NTA rules show how a CBT screen can work. But NTA has not announced NEET 2027's mode, shifts, or rules. Here is what is known, and what you can learn from the other exams.
How do NEET, JEE Main and CUET compare?
| Exam detail | NEET-UG | JEE Main | CUET-UG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Pen and paper in 2025 and 2026. The 2027 mode has no official notice. | CBT. | CBT. |
| Shifts or sessions | NEET has been held in one shift. The 2027 schedule is not decided. | Held on multiple dates, generally in two sessions per day. | Some subjects are held in multiple shifts. |
| Normalisation | No method has been announced for NEET CBT. It has not needed normalisation as a single-shift exam. | Raw scores in each session are converted to percentiles under the NTA method. | The equi-percentile method is used for subjects held in multiple shifts. |
| Palette and buttons | NEET uses an OMR answer sheet today. If CBT is chosen, its screen and buttons have not been announced. | The screen has a question palette and buttons such as Save & Next, Mark for Review & Next, and Clear Response. | The NTA CBT bulletin has similar navigation guidance and review rules. |
| Rough work | NEET's 2027 arrangements are not announced. | Rough sheets are provided at the centre and returned to the invigilator. | Rough sheets are provided at the centre and returned to the invigilator. |
| Calculator | NEET CBT rules are not announced. | Calculators are prohibited. The bulletin does not provide an on-screen calculator. | Calculators are prohibited. The bulletin does not provide an on-screen calculator. |
The NTA JEE Main 2025 bulletin and CUET-UG 2026 bulletin set out the CBT rules. These are useful examples, not confirmed NEET rules.
The NTA bulletins confirm five palette states. The exact colours can vary, so follow the legend shown on your screen. If you want to learn the buttons before a mock, see our NTA CBT screen guide.
Why was NEET not CBT until now?
NEET serves about 22–25 lakh candidates each year. In 2026, about 22.79 lakh registered for the exam. The Centre told the Supreme Court that NEET stayed on paper because of its large scale and the need to ensure inclusivity. It also raised concerns about rural and low-connectivity candidates, and a shortage of test centres in some regions. Read the report on the Centre's affidavit.
That helps explain why a change needs planning. A computer seat must be available for each candidate in a single sitting. Multiple sessions would bring other questions, such as how to set papers and compare scores fairly. The Centre has said the move is under active consideration. The final choice depends on the Nandan Nilekani-led task force and consultation with the Health Ministry and NMC.
As of 4 November 2026, NTA had not issued an official notice on NEET-UG 2027 mode. Its website showed no NEET 2027 notice. Recent reports suggest the exam could stay on paper or use a hybrid option, but neither is confirmed. Read the hybrid-mode report, and check the NEET CBT status page for updates.
What can NEET students learn from JEE Main and CUET?
You can practise the screen habits now, even while NEET remains on OMR. In the existing NTA CBT interface, Save & Next saves your answer. Mark for Review & Next also saves a selected answer. NTA says an answered question marked for review is evaluated. A question marked for review without an answer is not.
One easy mistake is clicking a question number before saving the answer on the current screen. The NTA bulletin says that moving through the palette does not save that answer. Build a simple routine: choose an answer, save it, then move on. Return to marked questions when time allows.
At the centre, JEE Main and CUET candidates receive rough sheets and return them to the invigilator. Both bulletins prohibit calculators. These are the current rules for those exams. NEET candidates should wait for NTA's own instructions before assuming the same rules will apply.
Try a screen practice test to get used to reading a question, using the palette, and saving an answer. Our practice page copies the interface used in NTA CBT exams. It is not an official NEET CBT, because NTA has not released one.
Will NEET become exactly like JEE Main or CUET?
NTA has not announced that. The Centre has considered both a single-stage exam and a two-stage format modelled on JEE Main and Advanced. It has not chosen either option. NEET's number of shifts, normalisation method, screen, rough-sheet rules, and calculator policy are also undecided.
The exams also have different purposes and patterns. The current NEET pattern has 180 compulsory questions for 720 marks in 180 minutes. That was the pattern in 2025 and 2026, according to the NEET 2025 bulletin summary. It is not a confirmed 2027 pattern. For how a computer screen differs from OMR, read CBT vs OMR for NEET students.
Questions students ask
Is NEET 2027 confirmed as a CBT?
No. NTA has not issued an official notice on the mode as of 4 November 2026. The Centre said the move is under active consideration, and recent reports differ about what may happen.
Is JEE Main a computer-based test?
Yes. JEE Main uses CBT and may run on multiple dates, generally in two sessions per day. NTA describes the screen, buttons, and session percentiles in its bulletin.
Does CUET use CBT and normalisation?
Yes. CUET-UG uses CBT. NTA uses the equi-percentile method for subjects held in multiple shifts.
Will NEET have the same palette as JEE Main?
NTA has not shown a NEET CBT screen or announced its rules. JEE Main and CUET use a question palette, but do not assume NEET's future screen will be identical.
Will NEET CBT have multiple shifts and normalisation?
That is not decided. JEE Main and CUET have ways to handle some exams or subjects held in multiple sessions, but NTA has not announced a NEET method.
Can I use a calculator in NEET CBT?
NEET CBT calculator rules are not announced. The JEE Main and CUET bulletins prohibit calculators, so wait for NEET's official instructions before relying on a rule.