NEET UG · Chemistry · Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids: NEET previous year questions

22 questions in ten years of NEET, in 9 of 10 papers. Pattern: Every year. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.

Asked in 10 years: 22; about 2.1 per paper
Years asked: 9/10; last asked 2026
Chance of a question next paper: 93%; historical rate, how we compute it
Weighted estimate: 2.5; model; history: 2.1 a paper on average, typically 1–4

Key findings

01
Asked in 9 of 10 papers, 22 questions in all: #6 of 204 topics by ten-year total.
02
82% of its questions since 2018 tested an idea never asked before; 1 repeated an idea from the year before.
03
The most repeated idea is Preparation of Aldehydes, Ketones and Acids, asked 3 times (2024), usually as “match list on reactions and reagents”.
04
NEET has asked 0 of the 18 ideas in this topic; 0 have never been asked, directly or indirectly.
05
Mostly asked as one-line MCQ (77%); 32% easy, 9% hard, and up from 1.7 to 2.9 questions a paper since 2024.

Questions per year

Up to 2023: 1.7; per paper
Since 2024: 2.9; +1.2
Usual gap: 1.0 yrs; between papers asking it
Swing: ±1.2; questions, year to year

Recent framings

true statement selection on aromatic aldehyde
identify end product of reaction sequence
reagent identification

Revise first

Preparation of Aldehydes, Ketones and Acids (2024); Etard Reaction (2021 2026); Grignard Addition to Carbonyls (2021 2025)

How it is asked

Difficulty, format and skill

Across all 22 questions on Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids since 2017.

Difficulty

QUESTIONS

7132

Easy7 · 32%
Medium13 · 59%
Hard2 · 9%

Format

One-line MCQ · 17 Q77%
Match the lists · 3 Q14%
Two statements · 1 Q5%
Figure-based · 1 Q5%

Skill tested

Multi-step · 8 Q36%
Application · 6 Q27%
Recall · 5 Q23%
Concept · 3 Q14%

Repeats

New idea, or one asked before?

Each column is a paper. Blue questions tested an idea NEET had not asked before; navy ones went back to an idea from an earlier paper. 2017 is the first paper, so everything in it counts as new.

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Idea asked for the first time
Idea asked in an earlier paper

Coverage of the topic

NEET has asked 0 of the 18 ideas in this topic. 0 have never been asked yet.

Asked directly0 · 0%
Touched inside another question18 · 100%
Never asked0 · 0%

Ideas come from Lumi’s syllabus map of NCERT. A never-asked idea is not a safe skip: most new questions come from exactly these.

Drill down

Idea, year, question

Every idea NEET tested in this topic, with its ten papers. Open one to read the questions.

ideaAskedShareYears’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

3 · 14%14%1/103
- 2024 · Q59
  Match List I with List II. List I (Reaction) | List II (Reagents/Condition) A. [cyclohexylidenecyclohexane] $\to$ 2 [cyclohexanone] | I.…
  mediumMatch the listsNew idea
- 2024 · Q69
  Identify the correct reagents that would bring about the following transformation. [C $_6$ H $_{11}$ ]-CH $_2$ -CH=CH $_2$ $\to$ …
  mediumOne-line MCQNew idea
- 2024 · Q97
  For the given reaction: [C $_6$ H $_{11}$ ]-CH=CH-[C $_6$ H $_{11}$ ] $\xrightarrow{\mathrm{KMnO_4/H^+}}$ 'P' (major product) 'P' is
  easyOne-line MCQNew idea
Repeated2 · 9%9%2/10
Repeated2 · 9%9%2/10
Repeated2 · 9%9%2/10
Repeated2 · 9%9%2/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10
1 · 5%5%1/10

Squares are the ten papers, 2017 to 2026; darker means more questions. Share is of the level above.

Ideas

Every idea inside this topic

16 different ideas were tested; 5 came more than once.

Preparation of Aldehydes, Ketones and Acids3×
match list on reactions and reagents
One-line MCQ · 11% next
Etard Reaction2×
identify intermediate in reaction sequence
One-line MCQ · 6% next
Grignard Addition to Carbonyls2×
predict product of reaction
One-line MCQ · 6% next
Tollens' and Fehling's Tests2×
predict product of reaction
One-line MCQ · 6% next
Physical Properties of Carbonyl Compounds and Carboxylic Acids2×
reason for property difference
One-line MCQ · 6% next
Haloform Reaction1×
identify end product of reaction sequence
One-line MCQ · 6% next
Acidity of Carboxylic Acids1×
order/ranking of property
One-line MCQ · 6% next
Partial Reduction to Aldehydes1×
reagent identification
One-line MCQ · 6% next
Clemmensen and Wolff-Kishner Reduction1×
predict product of reaction
One-line MCQ · 4% next
Cyanohydrins and Nitrile Hydrolysis1×
identify end product of reaction sequence
One-line MCQ · 4% next
Grignard Carboxylation1×
predict product of reaction
One-line MCQ · 4% next
Nucleophilic Addition-Elimination Products1×
match list on carbonyl derivatives
Match the lists · 4% next
Chemoselective Hydride Reduction1×
predict product of reaction
One-line MCQ · 4% next
Gattermann-Koch and Named-Reaction Matching1×
match list on named reactions
Match the lists · 4% next
Benzal Chloride Route to Benzaldehyde1×
identify intermediate in reaction sequence
One-line MCQ · 4% next
Carboxylic Acid Derivatives1×
predict product of reaction
Figure-based · 4% next

Idea	Times	Format	Chance next	Foundation for
Preparation of Aldehydes, Ketones and Acidsmatch list on reactions and reagents	3	One-line MCQMulti-step	11%	–
Etard Reactionidentify intermediate in reaction sequence	2	One-line MCQMulti-step	6%	–
Grignard Addition to Carbonylspredict product of reaction	2	One-line MCQMulti-step	6%	–
Tollens' and Fehling's Testspredict product of reaction	2	One-line MCQApplication	6%	–
Physical Properties of Carbonyl Compounds and Carboxylic Acidsreason for property difference	2	One-line MCQConcept	6%	–
Haloform Reactionidentify end product of reaction sequence	1	One-line MCQMulti-step	6%	–
Acidity of Carboxylic Acidsorder/ranking of property	1	One-line MCQConcept	6%	–
Partial Reduction to Aldehydesreagent identification	1	One-line MCQRecall	6%	–
Clemmensen and Wolff-Kishner Reductionpredict product of reaction	1	One-line MCQApplication	4%	–
Cyanohydrins and Nitrile Hydrolysisidentify end product of reaction sequence	1	One-line MCQMulti-step	4%	–
Grignard Carboxylationpredict product of reaction	1	One-line MCQApplication	4%	–
Nucleophilic Addition-Elimination Productsmatch list on carbonyl derivatives	1	Match the listsRecall	4%	–
Chemoselective Hydride Reductionpredict product of reaction	1	One-line MCQApplication	4%	–
Gattermann-Koch and Named-Reaction Matchingmatch list on named reactions	1	Match the listsRecall	4%	–
Benzal Chloride Route to Benzaldehydeidentify intermediate in reaction sequence	1	One-line MCQMulti-step	4%	–
Carboxylic Acid Derivativespredict product of reaction	1	Figure-basedApplication	4%	–

Chance next is the historical rate at which an idea with this record came back in the following paper. It is low for every idea, which is why learning the topic beats memorising past questions. All repeated ideas

Every question

Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids questions, year by year

The opening words of each question as it appeared in the official paper, with the idea it tested.

NEET 20262 questions

Q46
For the following reaction sequence, choose the correct option Benzene $\xrightarrow[\text{ii. NaOCl}]{\text{i. CH}_3\text{COCl, AlCl}_3}$ …
Idea: Haloform Reaction
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ · figure
Q86
Consider the following reaction, and choose the correct option. $\mathrm{C_6H_5CH_3}$ …
Idea: Etard Reaction
MediumOne-line MCQ · figure

NEET 20253 questions

Q70
The correct order of decreasing acidity of the following aliphatic acids is :
Idea: Acidity of Carboxylic Acids
New ideaEasyOne-line MCQ
Q78
The major product of the following reaction is : $C_6H_5COCH_2CH_2CN \xrightarrow{\text{(i) CH}_3\text{MgBr (excess); (ii) H}_3\text{O}^+}$
Idea: Grignard Addition to Carbonyls
HardOne-line MCQ · figure
Q83
Identify the suitable reagent for the following conversion. $C_6H_5COOCH_3 \to C_6H_5CHO$
Idea: Partial Reduction to Aldehydes
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ · figure

NEET 20244 questions

Q59
Match List I with List II. List I (Reaction) | List II (Reagents/Condition) A. [cyclohexylidenecyclohexane] $\to$ 2 [cyclohexanone] | I.…
Idea: Preparation of Aldehydes, Ketones and Acids
New ideaMediumMatch the lists · figure
Q62
Fehling's solution 'A' is
Idea: Tollens' and Fehling's Tests
Asked last yearEasyOne-line MCQ
Q69
Identify the correct reagents that would bring about the following transformation. [C $_6$ H $_{11}$ ]-CH $_2$ -CH=CH $_2$ $\to$ …
Idea: Preparation of Aldehydes, Ketones and Acids
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ · figure
Q97
For the given reaction: [C $_6$ H $_{11}$ ]-CH=CH-[C $_6$ H $_{11}$ ] $\xrightarrow{\mathrm{KMnO_4/H^+}}$ 'P' (major product) 'P' is
Idea: Preparation of Aldehydes, Ketones and Acids
New ideaEasyOne-line MCQ · figure

NEET 20233 questions

Q57
Complete the following reaction : Cyclohexanone [A] $\xrightarrow{\text{HCN}}$ 1-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carbonitrile (cyclohexanone…
Idea: Cyanohydrins and Nitrile Hydrolysis
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ · figure
Q75
Identify product (A) in the following reaction : 1-[3-(3-acetylcyclohexyl)phenyl]ethan-1-one (a cyclohexane ring bearing a COCH $_3$ group,…
Idea: Clemmensen and Wolff-Kishner Reduction
New ideaEasyOne-line MCQ · figure
Q93
Identify the major product obtained in the following reaction : 2-acetylbenzaldehyde (benzene ring with ortho COCH $_3$ and CHO groups) +…
Idea: Tollens' and Fehling's Tests
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ · figure

NEET 20223 questions

Q64
$\mathrm{RMgX + CO_2 \xrightarrow{dry\ ether} Y \xrightarrow{H_3O^+} RCOOH}$ What is Y in the above reaction ?
Idea: Grignard Carboxylation
New ideaEasyOne-line MCQ
Q79
Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Products formed) | List - II (Reaction of carbonyl compound with) (a) Cyanohydrin | (i)…
Idea: Nucleophilic Addition-Elimination Products
New ideaEasyMatch the lists
Q81
Given below are two statements : Statement I : The boiling points of aldehydes and ketones are higher than hydrocarbons of comparable…
Idea: Physical Properties of Carbonyl Compounds and Carboxylic Acids
MediumTwo statements

NEET 20214 questions

Q66
What is the IUPAC name of the organic compound formed in the following chemical reaction ?…
Idea: Grignard Addition to Carbonyls
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ
Q87
The intermediate compound 'X' in the following chemical reaction is :…
Idea: Etard Reaction
New ideaHardOne-line MCQ · figure
Q88
Match List - I with List - II. List - I | List - II (a) Benzene $\mathrm{\xrightarrow[Anhyd.\ AlCl_3/CuCl]{CO,\ HCl}}$ | (i)…
Idea: Gattermann-Koch and Named-Reaction Matching
New ideaMediumMatch the lists · figure
Q89
The product formed in the following chemical reaction is : [cyclohexanone with $\mathrm{-CH_2-CO-OCH_3}$ at C-2 and $\mathrm{-CH_3}$ at…
Idea: Chemoselective Hydride Reduction
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ · figure

NEET 20201 question

Q95
Identify compound X in the following sequence of reactions : $\mathrm{C_6H_5CH_3}$ $\xrightarrow{\mathrm{Cl_2}/h\nu}$ X…
Idea: Benzal Chloride Route to Benzaldehyde
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ · figure

NEET 20191 question

Q78
The major product of the following reaction is : Phthalic acid (benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid) + $NH_3 \xrightarrow{strong\ heating}$
Idea: Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
New ideaMediumFigure-based · figure

NEET 20181 question

Q67
Carboxylic acids have higher boiling points than aldehydes, ketones and even alcohols of comparable molecular mass. It is due to their
Idea: Physical Properties of Carbonyl Compounds and Carboxylic Acids
New ideaEasyOne-line MCQ

Questions from the official NEET UG papers published by NTA (CBSE before 2019). Topic and idea tags, counts and notes are Lumi’s.