How to Prepare for NEET/AIIMS 2026 Exam?

Since 2020, the separate AIIMS MBBS entrance examination has been discontinued. AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) admits students to its MBBS programme through the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) exam. Hence, preparation for AIIMS admissions focuses on preparing for the NEET exam.

Here are some of the most effective NEET preparation tips by askIITians experts that will help you fulfil your dream of studying medicine at some of the best medical colleges of India:

NEET Syllabus

One of the first NEET preparation tips is to understand the syllabus and exam pattern of the NEET exam. The official NEET (UG) 2026 syllabus was notified for the examination by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and is available through the official NTA website. Candidates should use the latest official syllabus as the primary reference for their preparation.

You also need to chalk out your study plan according to the number of topics you need to cover, the time you have in hand, etc. Make sure you give more time to the topics that are your weak areas. Regular revision, question practice and mock tests should be included in your study schedule.

NEET Exam Pattern

The NEET (UG) 2026 exam pattern consists of 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions that must be attempted in 180 minutes. The paper covers Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany and Zoology). Understanding the pattern helps students plan their time and improve accuracy during the examination.

NEET 2026 consists of 180 multiple choice questions for a maximum of 720 marks. Physics has 45 questions for 180 marks, Chemistry has 45 questions for 180 marks, and Biology (Botany and Zoology) has 90 questions for 360 marks. Each correct answer carries 4 marks, while an incorrect answer attracts a deduction of 1 mark. Unanswered questions receive no marks.

Physics: 45 questions carrying 180 marks

Chemistry: 45 questions carrying 180 marks

Biology (Botany + Zoology): 90 questions carrying 360 marks

Important Topics for the NEET 2026 Exam

Some of the important topics that you need to focus on while preparing for the NEET exam are:

Physics

Physics and Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Properties of Solids and Liquids, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory of Gases, Oscillations and Waves, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents, Electromagnetic Waves, Optics, Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation, Atoms and Nuclei, Electronic Devices, and Experimental Skills.

Chemistry

Organic Chemistry: Some Basic Principles and Techniques, Hydrocarbons, Haloalkanes and Haloarenes, Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers, Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, Amines and other topics included in the official NEET 2026 syllabus.

Inorganic Chemistry: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, p-Block Elements, d- and f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, and other topics included in the official NEET 2026 syllabus.

Physical Chemistry: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Atomic Structure, Chemical Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions and Electrochemistry, Solutions, Chemical Kinetics, and other topics included in the official NEET 2026 syllabus.

Biology

Botany: Diversity in the Living World, Structural Organisation in Plants, Cell Structure and Function, Plant Physiology, Plant Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Ecology and Environment, and Biotechnology.

Zoology: Animal Kingdom and Structural Organisation in Animals, Cell Structure and Function, Human Physiology, Human Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Human Health and Disease, and other topics included in the official NEET 2026 syllabus.

Best Books for NEET Preparation

Physics

NCERT Physics Class 11th and 12th
Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma
Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick and Walker
NEET Physics practice and previous year question books

Chemistry

NCERT Chemistry Class 11th and 12th
Organic Chemistry by O.P. Tandon
Concise Inorganic Chemistry by J.D. Lee
Physical Chemistry by P. Bahadur
NEET Chemistry practice and previous year question books

Botany

NCERT Biology Class 11th and 12th
Objective Biology for NEET preparation
Plant Physiology reference material
NEET Biology practice and previous year question books

Zoology

NCERT Biology Class 11th and 12th
Objective Biology for NEET preparation
Human Physiology reference material
NEET Biology practice and previous year question books

You can choose to buy askIITians' exclusive NEET study material which covers the NEET syllabus and has been prepared by experienced faculty. It includes a study planner, revision notes, and mind maps which can help you cover and revise the syllabus effectively.

You can also take NEET online mock tests on askIITians to test your preparation level and identify your weak areas. Regular mock tests can help you improve speed, accuracy and time management according to the NEET examination pattern.

NEET Preparation Tips

Physics

Many NEET aspirants find Physics difficult as it involves numerical and application-based questions. The trick to scoring well in Physics is to first understand the concepts clearly and then apply them to solve numerical problems.

For solving numerical questions, you need to have a good hold on the formulas and be able to apply them correctly. You can make your own formula sheet by revising important formulas from NCERT and other Physics books.

If you have 2 years in hand, you should:

Start with the NCERT books and make sure you understand the concepts clearly.
Solve as many problems as possible from H.C. Verma and other suitable Physics practice books.
Take mock tests and solve previous years' papers to understand the type of questions asked in the exam from the chapter or topic you are studying.
Revise regularly to ensure that the concepts are clear in your mind.

If you have 1 year in hand, you should:

Focus on solving previous years' papers and mock tests.
Study all topics included in the official NEET 2026 Physics syllabus systematically.
Solve a lot of numerical problems to improve your problem-solving skills.
Revise what you have studied at the end of the day, and attempt tests regularly.

A month before the NEET exam, you should:

Revise all the topics thoroughly. If you are having doubts, talk to askIITians experts to get them clarified at the earliest.
Solve as many mock tests and previous year papers as possible to get a feel of the exam.
Solve full-length NEET sample papers, mock tests, or previous years' exams regularly under timed conditions.
Focus on your weak areas and work on them.
You can boost your Physics scores by trying to understand and derive the formulae, instead of trying to memorise them without understanding.
Make sure you are well-rested and have a positive attitude on the day of the exam.

Chemistry

Chemistry is one of the important subjects in NEET, and you need to put in consistent effort to score well in it. The best way to prepare for Chemistry is by starting with the NCERT books and then solving questions from suitable reference books and previous year papers.

NCERT should be studied carefully, particularly for concepts, definitions, reactions, facts and examples relevant to the official NEET syllabus. You should understand the concepts clearly and practise questions regularly before moving on to additional reference material.

If you have 2 years in hand, you should:

Start with the NCERT books and make sure you understand the concepts clearly.
Solve as many problems as possible from suitable Chemistry reference books. You can also take help from askIITians' exclusive NEET study material which comprises video lessons, concept maps, and revision notes.
Study the Class 11 and Class 12 Chemistry syllabus systematically rather than postponing either part.
You can also take online Chemistry mock tests at the end of every chapter or topic to identify your weak areas.

If you have 1 year in hand, you should:

The Chemistry syllabus for NEET is extensive. So, you should focus on your weak areas and work on them.
Important areas include chemical calculations, atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, solutions, equilibrium, redox reactions, electrochemistry and chemical kinetics, along with the Organic and Inorganic Chemistry topics prescribed in the official syllabus.
If you have limited time in hand, focus on solving mock tests and previous year papers to understand the type of questions asked in the exam.
A one-year study plan for Chemistry must include time for making short notes, revising the topics you have studied, and solving mock tests.

A month before the NEET exam, you should:

Some students find Organic Chemistry difficult. They should focus on understanding the concepts and spend more time solving problems from that section. In the last month, revise all the topics thoroughly instead of trying to learn large amounts of new material.
If you are struggling with solving Chemistry numericals, you might be lacking in practice. Solve as many mock tests and previous years' NEET papers as possible.
Most questions need careful reading and application. Check solutions of NEET sample papers and previous years' question papers to understand efficient solving methods.

Botany

Botany is an important part of the Biology section of NEET. It requires consistent study and revision because the syllabus covers a wide range of concepts, processes, diagrams and factual information.

For all medical aspirants, Botany is a subject that requires consistent effort throughout the year as the syllabus is extensive.

If you have 2 years in hand, you should:

Learn the concepts from NCERT and a reliable teacher or study resource.
Share your understanding of the subject with your peers and teachers and clarify doubts regularly.
Quiz yourself on plant structures, processes and classifications as you revise.
Learn important terminology, scientific names and classifications prescribed in the syllabus.
Explore how plants adapt to their environment, their roles in ecological balance, how they reproduce, how they obtain nourishment, and how they protect themselves.

If you have 1 year in hand, you should:

Start with the basics of plant morphology, including the study of external and internal features of plants, their classification, and identification.
Understand the plant cell - its structure and function - as it forms the basic unit of plant life.
Study plant physiology, including topics such as photosynthesis, respiration and transportation, according to the official syllabus.
Learn about plant reproduction, including asexual and sexual reproduction, pollination and fertilisation.
Study the economic importance and uses of plants covered in the syllabus.
Don't forget to revise what you have studied throughout the year and solve as many mock tests and previous year papers as possible.

A month before the NEET exam, you should:

Focus on solving mock tests and previous year papers. This will help you understand the type of questions asked in the exam and improve time management.
Check your revision notes and mind maps. You can also find ready-made ones for NEET on askIITians.
Do not depend only on rote-learning at this stage. Revise concepts, diagrams, definitions and important NCERT-based information carefully.

Zoology

Zoology is the study of animal life and covers topics including animal diversity, anatomy and physiology, reproduction, genetics, evolution, human health and disease, and ecology. It is an important component of Biology preparation for NEET.

If you have 2 years in hand, you should:

Do comparisons such as animal cell vs plant cell, animal physiology vs plant physiology, animal metabolism vs plant metabolism, and differences and similarities between organisms.
Make connections between animal anatomy, physiology, locomotion, digestion, ecological roles and other concepts included in the syllabus.
Explore concepts such as evolution, natural selection, genetic drift, sexual selection, survival of the fittest, and convergent and divergent evolution.
Make your own revision notes, tables, and mind maps. It will help you remember concepts better.

If you have 1 year in hand, you should:

Start with the basics of animal morphology, including the study of external and internal features of animals, their classification, and identification.
Understand the cell - its structure and function - as it forms the basic unit of animal life.
Study animal physiology, including topics such as respiration, circulation, excretion and osmoregulation, according to the official syllabus.
Learn about animal reproduction, including fertilisation and embryological concepts included in the syllabus.
Study the economic importance of animals and other relevant topics prescribed in the NEET syllabus.
Don't forget to revise what you have studied throughout the year and solve as many mock tests and previous year papers as possible.

A month before the NEET exam, you should:

Focus on solving mock tests and previous year papers. This will help you understand the type of questions asked in the exam and improve time management.
Check your revision notes and mind maps. You can also find ready-made ones for NEET on askIITians.
Do not try to memorise large amounts of new material at this stage. Revise important concepts and clarify doubts.
To boost your Zoology scores, pay special attention to labelled diagrams and anatomical structures included in the syllabus.

Botany and Zoology together constitute the Biology section of NEET and account for 90 questions and 360 marks in the NEET 2026 examination. With the right strategy, regular NCERT revision and consistent practice, students can improve their Biology performance.

NEET Preparation Tips by Toppers You Must Read

Tanishka Yadav, AIR 1 in NEET 2022, shared, "I did six to seven hours self-study apart from attending school and coaching classes. Also, I never hesitated to ask questions until the concept became clear to me. I really wanted to learn what I was studying and that helped me a lot."
Rucha Pawashe, AIR 4 in NEET 2022, emphasizes, "Study the question paper and its pattern closely. Do not aim to study 24 hours a day. Proper time management, genuine interest in learning the subject, and facing the exam with confidence are keys to score better."
Bhavik Bansal, AIR 1 in AIIMS 2019, said, "You should have a genuine interest in Biology. You should not rote learn Biology but actually understand and learn it. Revise it repeatedly. Also writing more than reading helped me remember concepts better."
Eliza Bansal, AIIMS topper in 2018, advises, "NEET exam preparation focuses on speed and accuracy. AIIMS preparation requires in-depth knowledge of subjects. A good coaching institute and a solid study plan can make it easier for you to crack the exam."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal time to start preparing for the NEET exam?
While many students begin systematic NEET preparation in Class 11, starting earlier can help students build strong fundamentals. The most important factors are consistency, understanding concepts, regular revision and sufficient question practice.
What is the syllabus for the NEET 2026 exam?
The NEET 2026 syllabus is based on the syllabus notified by the National Medical Commission and published through the official NTA NEET website. Candidates should always use the official 2026 syllabus rather than relying on older syllabus lists.
What are the best books for NEET preparation?
NCERT books for Classes 11 and 12 are an essential foundation for NEET preparation. Students can supplement them with reliable subject-specific reference books, previous year question papers, mock tests and suitable NEET study material.
How can I score well in NEET?
There is no fixed number of marks that guarantees a particular percentile or rank because the relationship between marks, percentile and rank varies from one examination year to another. To improve your performance, focus on completing the official syllabus, strengthening concepts, practising previous year questions, taking timed mock tests and analysing your mistakes.

How can I join askIITians?
You can join askIITians by subscribing to our website. We offer NEET coaching and study resources, including online coaching programmes, study material, mock tests and other preparation resources.