NBE (National Board of Examinations)
DNB CET Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for Diplomate of National Board Centralized Entrance Test
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Online (CBT)
Language
English & Hindi
Negative Marking
-1
Sections
1
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All clinical subjects | 120 | +4 | 480 | 180 min |
| Total | 120 | — | 480 | 180 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+4
marks
Wrong Answer
-1
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 72 questions, get 54 correct and 18 wrong:
Score = 54 × 4 − 18 × 1 = 198 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 90.0 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 108 min | 84 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 54 min | 24 Qs |
| Review & guess | 18 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 120 | 180 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 120 | 180 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 120 | 180 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~24 Easy | ~48 Medium | ~48 Hard
Based on difficulty level: hard. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Practice DNB CET?
Now that you know the pattern, test yourself with full-length mock tests, detailed syllabus, and previous year papers.