Most Common Mistakes to Avoid During NEET Preparation 2026

Most Common Mistakes to Avoid During NEET Preparation 2026

Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon
Deep PathakUpdated on 22 Sep 2025, 02:15 PM IST
Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon

Preparing for NEET 2026 is a challenging journey that requires dedication, consistency, and smart study strategies. Many aspirants work hard but still struggle to achieve their desired scores due to certain overlooked factors. A well-structured study plan, along with proper time management and effective revision techniques, plays a major role in achieving success. Avoiding common mistakes and staying focused on the right preparation methods can significantly improve performance.

LiveNEET UG 2026 LIVE: NTA NEET syllabus out at neet.nta.nic.in; NEET brochure expected soon, updatesJan 10, 2026 | 12:08 PM IST

In the table below is the overview of the AIIMS B.Sc Nursing exam pattern

Exam
Details
Duration of exam
120 minutes (2 Hours)
Mode of exam
Computer-based test
Type of questions
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
Sections
Physics (30 marks)
Chemistry (30 marks)
Biology (30 marks)
General knowledge (10 marks)
Negative marking
Yes (-1/3)
Total marks
100
Read More
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid During NEET Preparation 2026
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid During NEET Preparation

Aspirants often face difficulties in maintaining a balanced approach while covering the vast NEET syllabus. Strategic planning, regular self-assessment, and proper guidance help in optimizing preparation. Understanding the exam pattern, practicing mock tests, and revising concepts regularly are key to boosting confidence. Identifying and correcting common mistakes early can make a significant difference in achieving a high score.

This list of most common mistakes to avoid in NEET preparation 2026 is prepared based on talks, interviews, and experiences of NEET aspirants, toppers, and experts. With the help of this article on common mistakes to avoid during NEET exam preparation 2026, candidates can correct their mistakes before it's too late. As NEET 2026 exam will be conducted on 4th May, 2026, so, it is high time candidates buckle up their NEET preparation.

JSS University Mysore 2025

NAAC A+ Accredited| Ranked #24 in University Category by NIRF | Applications open for multiple UG & PG Programs

Most Common Mistakes to Avoid During NEET Preparation

One of the most common mistakes aspirants make during NEET preparation is not focusing on NCERT books. It has been repeatedly said by NEET toppers every year, experts, and faculty that studying NCERT books line by line is a must for cracking the NEET-UG exam. Previous year NEET topper Guthi Chaitanya Sindhu AIR 6, NEET said, "My suggestion to the future aspirants is to first study from the NCERT books and complete the syllabus for all the subjects.” Candidates should not limit the use of NCERTs to just completing the NEET 2026 syllabus, but should also revise the books multiple times to become thoroughly familiar with the concepts.

NEET 2026 Free Mock Test with Solutions
Download the NEET 2026 Free Mock Test PDF with detailed solutions. Practice real exam-style questions, analyze your performance, and enhance your preparation.
Download EBook

In the list of best books for NEET preparation 2026, NCERTs are always placed at the top. NCERT books for all three subjects in the NEET syllabus 2026, that is, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are equally important. NCERTs are the best source of clearing NEET concepts. Aspirants should refer to any other books or study material only after they have finished the syllabus of the NEET exam from NCERTs.

NEET 2026 Concepts

Students are often found practicing questions directly or taking mock tests before studying the concepts completely. It must be noted by aspirants that completing the NEET 2026 syllabus but not having a crystal clear understanding of the concepts will do more harm than good. Candidates should thoroughly study all the topics included in the syllabus and understand all NEET concepts. Bhavik Bansal AIR-2 of NEET, who obtained 700 out of 720, said, "When I used to revise the chapter-wise subjects, I used to do it in an intense manner that it builds up my concepts."

While preparing for NEET Physics, students often focus more on solving numerical problems than understanding the concepts. It should be understood that to solve both theoretical and numerical problems asked in NEET 2026 exam, candidates need to have clarity in the concepts. As aforesaid, the best NEET 2026 books to understand and clear the concepts are the NCERTs.

NEET 2026 Timetable

NEET AIR -3, Himanshu Sharma said, "I had a clear plan in my mind from the very beginning as to how I will study for the exam.” While preparing for any exam, candidates tend to prepare a timetable as the first step towards preparation. However, an impractical timetable can be one of the most common mistakes students commit during NEET preparation. Having a timetable for NEET 2026 preparation is a more complex task than before.

To make the best use of the time at hand, candidates should plan a NEET preparation timetable that has realistic goals and frequent small breaks. The method of 45 minutes of study and 15 minutes of break would work well for students who face difficulty in studying for long hours in one go. NEET 2026 timetable should give equal importance to all subjects in the syllabus. Additionally, students must keep slots for practising NEET mock tests as well as past year question papers of NEET. After completing the syllabus, candidates should update their timetable and dedicate time to thorough NEET revision.

NEET 2026 Difficult Topics

There are certain topics in the NEET-UG syllabus that are difficult to understand when compared with others. Candidates often leave difficult NEET topics to be covered later. This is a very common mistake that students make in NEET preparation. The topics students leave carry a certain weightage in the exam and leaving them can cost a good number of marks in the NEET 2026 exam.

Kalpana Kumari, AIR 1 of NEET 2018, said it is important to give time to each section. “I won’t say tough but Physics used to be lengthy so I tried to give more time to this section, especially to chapters like Rotation.”

Students should go through the NEET chapter-wise weightage 2026 to understand the importance of each topic in the medical entrance exam. It is advised to candidates to not leave any topic. However, if candidates are unable to complete the syllabus, they must choose the topics to leave smartly as per their weightage in the NEET 2026 exam.

Also Download:

NEET 2026 Negative Marking

It is repeatedly advised to candidates to go through the NEET exam pattern before starting their preparation for the entrance test. According to the exam pattern of the NEET exam, candidates will be awarded four marks for every question they answer correctly. However, for every question that candidates will get wrong, one mark will be deducted. Negative marking in the NEET 2026 exam plays a crucial role in the success of candidates in the exam. Due to negative marking, the difficulty level of NEET UG increases manifold. Thus, to crack NEET 2026, candidates are required to do hard work along with smart work.

One of the best ways to get familiar with the negative marking is by practising NEET 2026 mock tests. Candidates should practice a good number of mock tests of NEET 2026 to understand the nature of questions asked in the exam, the marking scheme, and the difficulty level of the entrance test. Expert Anand Nagarajan, “Taking a good number of mock tests and model exams based on NEET 2026 will give students the feel and the ‘pinch’ of negative marking.”

While practicing mock tests, candidates should focus on learning how to choose which questions to attempt and which to leave in the NTA NEET exam. In a spree to answer all the questions, candidates often face the brunt of negative marking which adversely affects their NEET-UG percentile.

NEET 2026 Mock Tests

Practising sample papers, mock tests, and NEET previous year question papers is undoubtedly an important part of preparation. However, candidates often focus only on attempting the NTA NEET mock tests. Analysing the mock test of NEET is an equally important part of NEET-UG preparation. Bhavik Bansal AIR-2 of NEET 2019, said "For most of the time, I took the mock tests and previous years' question papers.”

By analysing the performance in NEET 2026 mock tests, candidates can judge their level of preparation, identify their strong and weak areas, learn time management in the exam, and also recognise the silly mistakes they make. While practising mock tests is a must for NEET preparation 2026, candidates should not get demotivated or overconfident on the basis of their scores on the mock test.

These are the six most common mistakes that candidates should avoid during NEET preparation in 2026. By working on these mistakes, students can bring significant improvements in their NEET preparation and crack the medical entrance exam.

Also Read:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Where can I get NEET sample paper?
A:

To download the sample papers visit - NEET sample paper.

Q: Which are the important books for NEET preparation 2026?
A:

Check the list of books for preparation at best books for NEET 2026 preparation.

Q: What is the mode of conduct for NEET UG?
A:

NEET UG is conducted in offline mode. 

Articles
|
Upcoming Medicine Exams
Ongoing Dates
Odisha BSc Nursing Counselling Date

1 Jan'26 - 15 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
UPSSSC ANM Admit Card Date

7 Jan'26 - 11 Jan'26 (Online)

Upcoming Dates
MH BSc Nursing CET Exam Date

6 May'26 - 7 May'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Biomolecules Structure Function in Health and Disease
Via All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi
Industrial Biotechnology
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Certificate Course in Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Methodology
Via Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
Nutrition in the Health Sector
Via The University of Adelaide, Adelaide
Pathology
Via Tsinghua University, Beijing
Online M.Sc Psychology
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Andhra University
Coursera
 355 courses
Futurelearn
 310 courses
Edx
 233 courses
Udemy
 191 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to NEET

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NEET ?

Hi there,

Apart from NEET and CUET you can explore the following career paths to

Students pursuing the PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) stream can explore a wide range of options apart from CUET and NEET. Their choices are not just limited to medicine and can expand to include numerous areas

Hello,

The link to the papers is attached here. Solving previous year questions will help you understanding the important topics. You can also practice the sample papers and mock test papers of careers360 which will help you analyse your in-depth performance.

https://medicine.careers360.com/download/sample-papers/neet-previous-5-years-question-papers-20212025-answer-keys-solutions-pdf-free-download

Thank you.

HELLO,

Below i am attaching the link through which you can download the NEET question paper in Hindi PDF

Here is the link :- https://medicine.careers360.com/hi/articles/neet-question-paper

Hope this will help you!

Hello Akanksha

It is possible to complete the syllabus within 4 months with discipline and clear plan. You need to be consistent everyday.

•In the first month you can complete

Units & measurement, motion in 1d and 2d, laws of motion, work power energy

Some basic concepts of chemistry, atomic

Hello,

The application process for NEET UG 2026 state quota seats in Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Puducherry is expected to begin in July 2026, after the NEET 2026 results are announced in June 2026. The exact dates are announced by each state's respective counselling authority.

I hope it will clear