How to prepare for NEET along with Class 12 board exams?
If you are one of the many students appearing for NEET 2026 along with the board examinations, this article is for you. Read on to learn the art of balancing both boards and NEET preparation. NEET 2026 will be conducted in May and Central and State Board exams of Class 12 were scheduled before that. Know the tips here.
How to manage NEET and Board exams is a pertinent question among students appearing for both exams in the same year. While the NEET syllabus is similar to the Board exams, the NEET exam pattern and marking scheme vary from that of the Class 12 Board exams. Hence, a common preparation for NEET and Board exams may be sufficient, but the exam taking plan and strategy will be different for both. The NEET maximum marks for which exam is conducted 720, whereas that of the Board exams is 500 or 600. Moreover, students take one subject test at a time in the Board exam, whereas NEET is an exam of three subjects to be completed within 200 minutes.
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Balancing the preparation of NEET and Class 12 board examinations is difficult for a lot of medical aspirants. In a country like India, where many compete for a single mark, the pressure to score good marks in Class 12 boards is immense. Thus, the candidates need to know how to manage Boards and NEET efficiently.
The official website of NEET 2026 will be announced by NTA. The URL of the website in 2025 was neet.nta.nic.in. It was changed from that of 2024, which was neet.ntaonline.in. The website is hosted by NTA.
This article on ‘how to prepare for NEET along with Boards’ aims to help candidates prepare for both these examinations simultaneously. The authorities have not released the exact dates of NEET examination. But as per trends NTA might conduct NEET 2026 tentatively in May 2026, whereas the Board exams were conducted between February and April. Needless to say, a student who prepared for both these exams needs to balance them well to ensure high scores in both NEET and Board exams.
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Several students do not pay heed to the Board exam preparation or do a common preparation for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and leave out other subjects like language. Although it may result in a high NEET score, on the flip side, your Board exam result would only be average or skewed. Hence, it is important to balance out the preparation for NEET and the Class 12 board exam.
Also Read:
How to Manage NEET and Board Exam Preparation?
Read on to know the preparation tips suggested by experts and toppers, compiled together for the candidates wanting to appear for both NEET and Class 12 board examinations in the same year.
What should be the main focus?
You can follow a single good book. Try to give maximum time to NEET study. Practise few mocks and previous year papers. It is possible to score this high with six months preparation. Avoid distractions and just follow one single good book.
Mock tests are an important aspect of NEET preparation. Preparation will be incomplete without taking NEET mock tests. NEET 2026 mock test will give students exposure towards the exam structure. It will also help them understand their preparation level and mistakes to avoid. Students must get the performance analysed thoroughly by an expert or mentor. The analysis will provide insights about the areas of improvement, causes of mistakes, correct approach to attempt questions, time management, etc. The objective of the analysis is to provide an in-depth viewpoint on their performance.
Overlapping syllabus
A lot of students ask, is NEET easy for CBSE students? The answer is yes to a large extent. A misconception that has been carried forward for a long time; the syllabus for the board examinations is only what you have been taught in Class 12. This is not true. Whatever is being taught in class 11 builds a foundation for the topics to be covered next year. To score good marks in Class 12 boards you need to be thorough with the topics that were covered in Class 11 also. Hence, barring a few topics, the syllabus of Class 12 boards and NEET examination is the same for the core subjects, that is, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Last year, the NEET syllabus was revised by the National Medical Council (NMC). According to this, some of the topics or chapters have been removed in each subject and a few topics have been added, to make the syllabus attuned to some of the State Board syllabus. This year the NEET syllabus has remained the same as last year.
Also Read:
- NEET Syllabus 2026: Know Reduced/Deleted Chapters by NMC
- NEET 2026 weightage of Class 11 and Class 12
NCERT books lay the foundation for NEET preparation
NCERT books are the first books that one must choose for NEET preparation. These books are the core of NEET preparation and experts have emphasised their importance time and again. The same books will help you with Class 12 board preparation. Overlapping study material will save both time and effort. Applicants must prepare from the standard NCERT books for NEET exam.
Both have numerical-based questions
Clarity in the concepts helps with MCQs
The questions asked in the board examinations require clarity in concepts. Since these questions are subjective, a candidate with superficial knowledge of the subjects will not be able to write enough content in the examination.
An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest – Benjamin Franklin
Even if you are preparing for topics keeping NEET 2024 in mind, the knowledge you gain can always be used while attempting the Class 12 board examination. Do not hold on to unresolved queries, try to find out logical explanations for the answers.
Also Read: NEET 2026: 5 Expert Tips to Excel in Your Preparation
Dividing the time left for self-study
For example, a week before your pre-boards, you can switch to the timetable that focuses on Class 12 boards. Shift back to the NEET preparation-oriented schedule after the examination is over.
Making notes and revision
Students who are planning to appear in NEET examination must note that revision is very important for the exam. Revision is the key to success in any examination. Making short notes in a notebook or stick-on and highlighting important points is an essential part of the preparation phase. While reading any paragraph, try to find important points that can be converted to an MCQ. Highlight these lines in a different colour from that used for the other important points marked with the Class 12 board perspective.
Sample papers
The exam pattern of NEET and Class 12 board exams is different from one another. Hence, it is important to attempt sample papers of both examinations. The aim should be to attempt at least one sample paper of each type every week. To be more familiar with the NEET pattern and structure, students should go through the previous years' NEET question papers and take ample NEET mock tests.
Prepare a Timetable
To have a disciplined approach, it is important to create a timetable and abide by it. Setting a routine will help bring a rhythm to your lifestyle. In the timetable, allot more hours for NEET preparation, followed by the core subjects in Board exams followed by the other subjects. Allow adequate time for revision and taking mock tests or solving question papers. Also, remember to include time for physical activities and hobbies to keep your mind and body relaxed.
How often should you pick reference books?
Reference books are not of much value when talking about Class 12 board preparation. However, these books are essential for NEET preparation. Make these books a part of your routine. Dedicating a single day to these books will not suffice, nor will it help if you just stick to these books. Thus, it is important to give equal importance to both NCERT and reference books.
Revise Other Subjects of Board Exam Syllabus
Apart from the core subjects, the Board exam syllabus consists of some other subjects as well, such as English, Hindi/regional languages, and elective subjects. You must not shun those to prepare for NEET. While you need not spend hours a day on those subjects. You must ensure that you revise at least one of these subjects daily and in the later stages, practice question papers as well. This would keep you abreast with these unimportant subjects and would not create unnecessary stress before the exam.
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5 years ago
Q
5 years ago
How do I prepare for the NEET during a BSc Preparation of NEET UG with your on going BSc Degree. There are two things involved and I'm going to give the answer in two fragments. SEE if you are going to do your BSc From a government college where you have to study and pass your sem/annual exam with practicals then it will be lil tough for you, then remember one thing don't make a mistake of studying in last month to take exam of your college bc it will only waste your time of one month which might be very crucial from perspective of NEET and it will be a hazard if sem/annual exam falls near your NEET exam. So study for college solely by attending lecture of your teachers in college and make their notes and you can bunk your college to prepare for NEET don't waste your time in making frnds in college and make a habit of studying for college BSc In only study hours of your college and rest of the time for NEET and make sure you dedicate your focused I repeat focused 5-6 hour of time for NEET and increase it gradually. And for college exams don't take stress you have your notes just revise them before one week and you are good to go If you are doing your B.Sc. From private college then boom don't take any tension just talk to administration and you won't have to attend the college ( if they ask pay them if it's a small college they will accept the offer for 5-6k ) you don't have to attend the lecture and practicals too just go and take the exam and may be they will arrange something for you in exams too like cheating and all you will pass it without any tension. Although you can buy notes of subjects from market notes are available in market and study them before 2 weeks of your exam and you can study for your NEET exam. It would be tough to manage both of them but over-all it is rewarding so do it and ha! Don't take any pressure everything comes from practice and studying is a practice dude! Make a habit of doing meditation you will SEE the benefits within 30 days start with 5 minutes and gradually increase upto 15 minutes for first 30 days it will surely help in your studies. Don't fall for the trap that I can revise something in that 15 minutes or can chill by listening songs or watching videos nope don't do that mediation can ease your journey of preparation.