NCET 2027 exam pattern is expected to remain similar to the previous year's exam pattern. The NCET 2027 exam is tentatively scheduled to be held in the third week of April 2027 in online (CBT) mode.

The exam pattern will test candidates’ domain understanding based on the  NCET syllabus through multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in Languages, Domain Subjects, General Aptitude, and Teaching Aptitude sections. Test-takers will be given 180 minutes (three hours) to complete the exam, and NCET 2026 negative marking scheme will apply for incorrect answers.

A total of 181 MCQs will be asked across all four sections, out of which candidates will be required to answer 160 questions, making some questions optional.

There will be 38 languages, from which a candidate needs to choose two, and 26 domain-specific subjects, out of which candidates can select up to three optional subjects.

Read this SciAstra exam page to get complete insights on the NCET 2027 exam pattern, including the type of questions, number of sections, total marks, and negative marking scheme.

Table of Contents

NCET 2027 Exam Pattern Overview

Candidates can check out the overview of the NCET 2027 exam pattern from here:

Particulars

Details

Exam Name

National Common Entrance Test (NCET) 2027

Conducting Authority

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Purpose of Exam

Admission to 4-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programmes (ITEP) such as BA/BEd, BSc/BEd, and BCom/BEd

Mode of Examination

Computer-Based Test (CBT) – Online Mode

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Total Duration

180 Minutes (3 Hours)

Total Sections

Four Sections – Language, Domain-Specific Subjects, General Test, and Teaching Aptitude

Total Number of Questions

181 Questions (out of which 160 are to be attempted)

Medium of Exam

13 Languages (including English, Hindi, and regional languages)

Shift Timing

Two Shifts – Morning (9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon) and Afternoon (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM)

Level of Questions

Based on Class 12th syllabus

Exam Frequency

Once a year

NCET Exam Sections and Question Distribution 2027

Candidates can check out the NCET 2027 section-wise exam pattern and distribution from here:

Section

Subjects / Tests

Questions to be Attempted

Compulsory / Optional

Section 1 – Languages

There are 38 different languages available in this section.
Candidates must choose any two languages (Language 1 and Language 2).

Two different language papers are to be chosen.
Each language paper will consist of 23 questions, out of which 20 questions need to be attempted.

20 questions per language paper (Total 40)

Optional (Choose any 2 languages)

Section 2 – Domain-Specific Subjects

A total of 26 Domain-Specific Subjects are offered under this section.
Candidates may choose any three subjects as per the eligibility and requirements of the respective University/Institution.
Three domain-specific subjects are to be chosen.
Each domain-specific subject will have 28 questions, out of which 25 questions need to be attempted.

25 questions per subject (Total 75)

Optional (Choose any 3 subjects)

Section 3 – General Test

This is a mandatory section for all candidates.
The General Test will consist of 28 questions, out of which 25 questions need to be attempted.

25 questions

Compulsory

Section 4 – Teaching Aptitude

This is also a mandatory section.
The Teaching Aptitude section will have 23 questions, out of which 20 questions need to be attempted.

20 questions

Compulsory

Candidates need to select the language option for the question paper while filling up the Application Form, and it must be noted that once the choice is fixed, it cannot be changed at a later stage. The correctness of the questions in all the question papers, the English version, will be taken as final.

NCET Exam Pattern: Section-wise

All questions in the NCET 2027 exam will be Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The detailed paper pattern is as follows:

Test Paper

Total Questions

Questions to be Attempted

To be Chosen From

Language 1

23

20

To be chosen from Section 1 (38 languages)

Language 2

23

20

Other than Language 1 in Section 1

Teaching Aptitude

23

20

Compulsory

General Test

28

25

Compulsory

Domain-Specific Subject 1

28

25

To be chosen from Section 2 (26 Domain-Specific Subjects)

Domain-Specific Subject 2

28

25

Other than Domain-Specific Subject 1 from Section 2

Domain-Specific Subject 3

28

25

Other than Domain-Specific Subjects 1 and 2 from Section 2

Total Questions

181

160

NCET 2027 Negative Marking Scheme

The candidates need to know that there will be NCET 2027 negative marking scheme for the examination. Therefore, candidates are advised to attempt only those questions they are sure of.

The NCET 2027 final score will be calculated based on the total number of correct and incorrect answers after applying the marking scheme. Check out the negative marking scheme form here:

Response Type

Marks Awarded

Marks Deducted

Remarks

Correct Answer

+4 Marks

Full marks awarded for each correct response

Incorrect Answer

-1 Mark

One mark will be deducted for every wrong response

Unanswered / Blank

0

0

No marks will be awarded or deducted

Marked for Review (if not answered)

0

0

Not evaluated unless the answer is selected

Multiple Responses

-1 Mark

Considered incorrect; negative marking applies

NCET Syllabus 2027

NTA will release the NCET 2027 syllabus in the second week of February 2027. Test takers preparing for the exam need to thoroughly emphasise the topics mentioned in the NCET syllabus 2027. Since the academic session 2027-2028 syllabus is yet to be released by the exam officials, aspirants can check out the previous year's NCET syllabus below:

NCET Syllabus 

Subject

Syllabus PDF

Languages

All Languages

Download Here

Teaching Aptitude

Teaching Aptitude

Download Here

General Aptitude Test

General Aptitude Test

Download Here

Domain Subjects

Accountancy

Download Here

Agriculture

Download Here

Anthropology

Download Here

Biology

Download Here

Business Studies

Download Here

Chemistry

Download Here

Environmental Studies

Download Here

Computer Science/ Information Practices

Download Here

Economics

Download Here

Engineering Graphics

Download Here

Entrepreneurship

Download Here

Fine Arts

Download Here

Geography

Download Here

History

Download Here

Home Science

Download Here

Knowledge Tradition Practices in India

Download Here

Legal Studies

Download Here

Mass media

Download Here

Mathematics

Download Here

Performing Arts

Download Here

Physical Education

Download Here

Physics

Download Here

Political Science

Download Here

Psychology

Download Here

Sanskrit

Download Here

Sociology

Download Here

FAQs
Is it compulsory to attempt all 181 questions in the NCET 2027 exam?

No. Although the NCET question paper contains 181 questions, candidates are required to attempt only 160 questions as per the exam pattern. Some questions are optional based on the section selected.

Are all sections compulsory in the NCET 2027 exam?

No. The General Test and Teaching Aptitude Test are compulsory for all candidates. However, candidates need to choose two language papers and up to three domain-specific subjects based on their preferences.

Can I choose any three domain subjects in NCET 2027?

Yes. Candidates can choose up to three domain-specific subjects from the available options. However, the selected subjects should match the eligibility criteria and admission requirements of the participating university or institution.

Is the NCET 2027 exam based on the Class 11 or Class 12 syllabus?

The Domain Subject section is primarily based on the Class 12 NCERT syllabus. Candidates should also prepare for the Language, General Aptitude, and Teaching Aptitude sections according to the official syllabus.

Will all candidates receive the same question paper in NCET 2027?

No. The General Test and Teaching Aptitude sections remain common, but the Language and Domain Subject papers vary depending on the subjects selected by the candidate during the application process.