One of the biggest reasons for NEET PG 2026 high cutoff is negative marking. Even highly prepared candidates lose 10–30 marks simply due to panic, misreading, or improper guessing.
Now is the time for building the exam discipline required to avoid negative marking and increase accuracy, with the NEET PG 2026 exam expected in June–July.
Why Negative is a game-changer in NEET PG?
Unlike FMGE, NEET PG is a rank-based competitive exam. Every single mark you save from negative marking improves your rank dramatically.
Negative marking usually happens due to:
- Overthinking
- Guessing without logic
- Misreading long clinical questions
- Confusing similar-sounding options
- Exam pressure and mental fatigue
Even losing 10–15 marks can push you hundreds of ranks below where you deserve to be.
NEET PG 2026: Proven Strategies to Avoid Negative Marking
1. Follow the Two-Pass Strategy — The Gold Standard
This is the strategy used by most high-rankers.
Pass 1 – Attempt only the “sure-shot” questions
- Attempt the questions you know immediately
- Don’t think too much
- Don’t try to “over-solve” simple questions
This builds confidence and saves time.
Pass 2 – Work on the marked questions
- Attempt only after eliminating 2 options
- Do not get emotionally attached to difficult questions
- Take thoughtful risks, not blind ones
This reduces impulsive answering.
2. Do NOT Attempt a Question Blindly
In NEET PG, every wrong answer hurts.
Avoid:
- Random guessing
- Clicking something because “it feels right”
- Attempting questions from weak topics without logic
Golden Rule:
👉 If you cannot eliminate at least 2 options, skip it.
This alone saves 15–20 marks.
3. Master the “MCQ Elimination Technique”
Most NEET PG questions can be cracked through selective elimination.
Look for:
- “Always, never” type absolutes
- Options that contradict standard references
- Values outside the physiological range
- Words that don’t fit the clinical scenario
- Mismatched drug–disease combinations
Eliminate → Narrow down → Choose logically.
4. Don’t Change Answers Unnecessarily
Your first instinct in NEET PG is often correct.
Changing answers leads to:
- Double confusion
- Over-analysis
- Increased negative marking
5. Maintain a Time Discipline
Not More Than 60–70 Seconds Per Question
Long clinical questions can trap you.
If you spend too long:
- You panic
- You rush later blocks
- You click wrong answers fast
Stick to:
- 60–70 seconds max per MCQ
- Mark tough questions for review
- Return in Pass 2 calmly
This prevents fatigue-induced negative marking.
Conclusion: Strategy Can Save More Marks Than Studying
Avoiding negative marking in NEET PG 2026 is not about attempting fewer questions—it’s about attempting wisely.
If you follow:
- Two-pass exam strategy
- Option elimination
- Strict time control
- Logical decision-making
- Calm, focused exam behaviour
…you will save 15–25 marks, improve your accuracy, and push your rank significantly higher.
Every mark matters in NEET PG—your rank is built on accuracy, not aggression.
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