NEET MDS is scheduled for May 2, 2026. Know which are the high-scoring areas to prepare for acing the PG-level dental surgery exam here.
NEET MDS 2026 is a highly competitive dental surgery entrance exam conducted by NBEMS for admission to PG-level dental courses. Candidates preparing for the exam must note that it will be conducted on May 2, 2026, in computer-based format. All the admission-related events and activities, such as the NEET MDS application process, admit card, result, counselling, will be managed and conducted online through the official website, natboard.edu.in.
Candidates preparing for the NEET MDS 2026 must be interested in knowing the most scoring NEET MDS subjects to appear for the exam. While there are several subjects to focus on, there are a select few that will help you gain more marks with limited preparation if you are running out of time and want to appear for the upcoming attempt.
The key to cracking this exam is to know the high‑yield subjects and focus your energies on grasping the concepts belonging to these topics. Know a practical preparation strategy, exam pattern, important topics-wise strategy, and tips from the top‑rankers as per the latest NEET MDS 2026 syllabus in the upcoming sections:
- NEET MDS 2026 Exam Pattern
- Most Scoring Subjects in NEET MDS 2026
- Most Scoring Topics to Prepare for NEET MDS 2026
- NEET MDS Basic Sciences: Important Topics to Revise
- Practical Advice to Ace NEET MDS 2026
- Tips from NEET MDS Toppers
NEET MDS 2026 Exam Pattern
Take note of the NEET MDS exam pattern highlights and know the important considerations of the exam:
| NEET MDS 2026 |
Exam Pattern |
|---|---|
| Mode of exam |
Online |
| Medium |
English |
| Type of questions |
MCQ format |
| Duration |
3 hours |
| Total Marks |
960 marks |
| Number of questions |
240 (Part A – 100; Part B – 140) |
| Marking Scheme |
+ 4 for each correct response -1 for each incorrect response No mark for unattempted questions |
The exam is divided into two parts. In Part A, there are general medical subjects, and questions from generic areas will be provided. However, Part B will only carry questions from the dental specialization subjects and the knowledge of the aspirant will be tested in those focused areas only.
Yes, the pattern of NEET MDS clearly states that penalty marks will be deducted for incorrect answers. Each correct answer will fetch four marks and for each wrong answer, there will be negative marking of one mark. Hence, the negative marking applied in the NEET MDS exam is 25 per cent. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unattempted questions.
NBEMS has announced a change in the NEET MDS exam pattern and structure. There will be a time-bound sectional demarcation of questions for NEET MDS. There will be two sections, Part A and Part B, of 75 minutes and 105 minutes duration respectively. The total number of questions is 240. In Part A, candidates have to attempt 100 questions, and in Part B, there will be 140 questions. Candidates will not be able to move between two sections unless the time is over. They will have to first complete Part A for 75 minutes, after which the section will automatically switch to Part B.
Most Scoring Subjects in NEET MDS 2026
Find out the high-yielding subjects that aspirants must prepare for to ace a good rank in the NEET MDS 2026:
Clinical subjects: These subjects require strong focus and a smooth preparation strategy as they are highly scoring and easy to grasp compared to other areas of preparation.
- Oral Pathology
- Prosthodontics
- Oral Surgery
- Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
These subjects are scoring because Maximum MCQs are asked from these subjects, and they are more concept-based areas. In the question paper of the last 10 years, questions from these topics have been included in the entrance.
Dental Subjects: The topics provided below must be prepared thoroughly to ace Part B of the exam:
- Periodontics
- Orthodontics
- Oral Medicine & Radiology
These subjects will help you score a high rank as they are again seen to have repeated questions in the last five years.
Most Scoring Topics to Prepare for NEET MDS 2026
In addition to the topics provided above, here is a list of important topics that you must focus on. It is expected that a good 15–20 questions will be asked from the areas mentioned below in the upcoming exam:
- General Medicine
- Pedodontics
- General Anatomy
- General Physiology & Biochemistry
- Dental Anatomy
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- General Pharmacology
- Oral Pathology
- Benign vs. malignant lesions
- Cysts & odontogenic tumors
- Oral potentially malignant disorders
- Immunopathology
- Bone pathologies
- Prosthodontics
- Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
- Pulpal & periapical pathology
- Restorative materials
- Isolation techniques
- Access cavity preparation
- Periodontics
- Periodontal pockets
- Bone defects
- LASERs
- Local drug delivery
- Oral Medicine & Radiology
- Pedodontics
- Oral Surgery
- Local anesthesia & nerve blocks
- Surgical extraction steps
- Infection control
- Maxillofacial fractures
- Orthognathic surgery basics
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) will soon release the notification or information bulletin for NEET MDS 2026. There may not be any change in NEET MDS exam this year. Any change in the exam such as pattern or exam mode will be shared here.
Explore colleges based on NEET MDS
NEET MDS Basic Sciences: Important Topics to Revise
Here is a list of important topics which are often seen in Part A of the NEET MDS question paper. Candidates must channelize their preparation strategy to prepare for these areas in order to score good marks in the exam:
- Anatomy: Head & neck + embryology
- Physiology: Blood, CNS, CVS
- Pathology: Inflammation, neoplasia
- Microbiology: Sterilization, virology
- Pharm: General principles, LA, antibiotics
Practical Advice to Ace NEET MDS 2026
Know some good to go topics to prepare for the NEET MDS 2026 exam as provided below:
- A practical plan to ace NEET MDS 2026 is to prioritize the revision of the dental subjects first, followed by the Basic Sciences. The concepts from the second part are predictable and conceptual.
- Make notes while preparing for these areas and use them for last-minute preparation.
- Appear for the NEET MDS mock tests, which will gear up your mind to prepare for the exam in the right direction.
- Practice the previous year question papers and analyse the type of questions asked in the exam
Tips from NEET MDS Toppers
These are practical advices shared in the past by the NEET MDS top rankers. Know what you should be careful about while preparing and appearing for the exam:
- Your preparation for the major clinical subjects must be strong and thorough, as they form nearly 50% of the total questions.
- Understand that Explanation‑based learning is more effective than the MCQ-based memorisation. Therefore, grasp the concept by reading their explanation
- Make notes and read them twice a week while learning new concepts simultaneously.
- Focus your attention on the revision in the last month of preparation. There is no other remedy for passing the exam. Constant practice and revision are the only means to score well.
NEET MDS 2026 requires a candidate to score 600+ in order to get admission in the top dental colleges in India. The plan provided above is foolproof and will help you prepare for the entrance in a viable manner. Do not get distracted or waver due to any notion. Stay positive, and a good rank is sure to come in the NEET MDS exam.
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Student Forum
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates can download the NEET MDS admit card using the process shared below-
- Visit the official website- natboard.edu.in
- Click on the NEET MDS 2026 application link.
- Enter the login details- application number and password
- Download the MDS admit card
- Take its printout
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates can download the NEET MDS admit card by visiting the website of the exam- natboard.edu.in. Candidates need to login to their accounts to get their hall tickets.
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
The NEET MDS 2026 admit card has not been released yet. The NBE will release the NEET MDS admit card four days before the exam, that is, around April 28, 2026.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates can crack the NEET MDS exam in 3 months with dedication, discipline, time management and practice.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates need to keep their documents ready to apply for the NEET MDS 2026. Have a look at the list of documents required for NEET MDS application form-
- Valid Email ID and mobile number.
- Educational Qualification Details.
- DCI/ SDC registration details.
- Class 12 Board Exam or equivalent details.
- Interns
U
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates can apply online for NEET MDS exam using the process shared below-
- Visit the official website- natboard.edu.in.
- Select NEET MDS exam.
- Click on application link.
- Go to the new registration link.
- Register for the exam and fill the online form.
- Upload the documents.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit t
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
The NEET MDS counselling is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). The counselling process is taken over by the MCC after the exam results. The NBE role ends with the release of NEET MDS result and cutoff. The MCC conducts MDS counselling for 50 per cent All India Quota seats and the
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
NEET MDS stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery. It is a national-level entrance exam for admissions to postgraduate dental courses in India. The exam is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE).
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
The NEET MDS 2026 exam will be held on May 2, 2026. Have a look at the NEET MDS exam timing for the events that will take place on the day of examination-
Event | Time |
|---|---|
Entry to the exam centre | 12.00 PM |
Closing of centre gates | 01.30 PM |
Candidate Login | 01.45 PM |
Reading instructions | 01.50 PM |
Exam Starts | 02.00 PM |
Exam Ends | 05.00 PM |
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
The NEET MDS 2026 information bulletin is expected to be released in February 2026. The information bulletin will be displayed at natboard. edu.in. Candidates will be able to download the PDF by visiting the official website.
P
Contributor-Level 6
Exam On - 2 May '26
NEET MDS is a computer-based exam of three hours duration with two time-bound sections. Part A was for 75 minutes and had 100 questions. Part B had 140 questions to be solved in105 minutes. The timing of the exam was 2 PM to 5 PM. There were a total of 240 objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from the NEET MDS syllabus. Each question has four marks and there will be negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer. The following table brings the overview and structure of the NEET MDS exam pattern.
The NEET MDS 2025 exam pattern has been revised from last year.