NEET UG · Chemistry · The p-Block Elements (Class 12)

p-Block Elements (Groups 15-18): NEET previous year questions

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

Asked in 10 years: 23; about 2.2 per paper
Years asked: 10/10; last asked 2026
Chance of a question next paper: 84%; historical rate, how we compute it
Weighted estimate: 1.9; model; history: 2.2 a paper on average, typically 1–3

Key findings

01
Asked in 10 of 10 papers, 23 questions in all: #5 of 204 topics by ten-year total.
02
55% of its questions since 2018 tested an idea never asked before; none repeated an idea from the year before.
03
The most repeated idea is Trends in Groups 15 to 18, asked 4 times (2018, 2021, 2024), usually as “incorrect statement on halogens”.
04
NEET has asked 0 of the 15 ideas in this topic; 0 have never been asked, directly or indirectly.
05
Mostly asked as one-line MCQ (43%); 35% easy, 4% hard, and down from 2.5 to 1.6 questions a paper since 2024.

Questions per year

Up to 2023: 2.5; per paper
Since 2024: 1.6; -0.9
Usual gap: 1.0 yrs; between papers asking it
Swing: ±1.1; questions, year to year

Recent framings

statement I/II on halide oxidation by MnO2
match list on molecular shapes and hybridization
statement I/II on p-block elements

Revise first

Trends in Groups 15 to 18 (2018 2021 2024); Group 16 Hydrides (2019 2022 2024); Preparation of Halogens (2026)

How it is asked

Difficulty, format and skill

Across all 23 questions on p-Block Elements (Groups 15-18) since 2017.

Difficulty

QUESTIONS

814

Easy8 · 35%
Medium14 · 61%
Hard1 · 4%

Format

One-line MCQ · 10 Q43%
Two statements · 5 Q22%
Match the lists · 5 Q22%
Assertion–reason · 2 Q9%
Figure-based · 1 Q4%

Skill tested

Recall · 13 Q57%
Concept · 7 Q30%
Multi-step · 2 Q9%
Figure reading · 1 Q4%

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 15 ideas in this topic. 0 have never been asked yet.

Asked directly0 · 0%
Touched inside another question15 · 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

Repeated4 · 17%17%3/102
- 2024 · Q72
  Among Group 16 elements, which one does NOT show $-2$ oxidation state?
  easyOne-line MCQ
- 2021 · Q73
  Statement I : Acid strength increases in the order given as HF << HCl << HBr << HI. Statement II : As the size of the elements F, Cl, Br,…
  easyTwo statements
- 2021 · Q100
  In which one of the following arrangements the given sequence is not strictly according to the properties indicated against it ?
  mediumOne-line MCQ
- 2018 · Q50
  Which of the following statements is not true for halogens ?
  mediumOne-line MCQNew idea
Repeated3 · 13%13%3/10
Repeated2 · 9%9%2/10
Repeated2 · 9%9%2/10
Repeated2 · 9%9%2/10
Repeated2 · 9%9%2/10
1 · 4%4%1/10
1 · 4%4%1/10
1 · 4%4%1/10
1 · 4%4%1/10
1 · 4%4%1/10
1 · 4%4%1/10
1 · 4%4%1/10
1 · 4%4%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

14 different ideas were tested; 6 came more than once.

Trends in Groups 15 to 184×
incorrect statement on halogens
One-line MCQ · 6% next
Group 16 Hydrides3×
statement i/ii on hydride boiling points
Two statements · 6% next
Xenon Fluorides and Oxides2×
match list on shapes of xenon compounds
Match the lists · 6% next
Noble Gases: Properties and Uses2×
assertion-reason on noble gas use
Assertion–reason · 6% next
Oxoacids of Sulphur2×
identify oxoacid with specific linkage
Match the lists · 6% next
Interhalogen Compounds2×
assertion-reason on interhalogen reactivity
Assertion–reason · 6% next
Preparation of Halogens1×
statement i/ii on halide oxidation by mno2
Two statements · 6% next
Group 15 Hydrides and Oxides1×
statement i/ii on p-block elements
Two statements · 6% next
Ammonia and the Tetraamminecopper(II) Complex1×
identify end product of reaction sequence
One-line MCQ · 4% next
Industrial Processes in the p-Block1×
match list on industrial processes
Match the lists · 4% next
Phosphorus Halides1×
incorrect statement selection on pcl5
One-line MCQ · 4% next
Structures of Halogen Oxides and Oxoacids1×
identify correct structure of compound
Figure-based · 4% next
Reducing Properties of SO21×
identify gas with given chemical test
One-line MCQ · 4% next
Structures of Sulphur Oxoanions1×
identify pair of ions with a bond type
One-line MCQ · 4% next

Idea	Times	Format	Chance next	Foundation for
Trends in Groups 15 to 18incorrect statement on halogens	4	One-line MCQRecall	6%	–
Group 16 Hydridesstatement i/ii on hydride boiling points	3	Two statementsConcept	6%	–
Xenon Fluorides and Oxidesmatch list on shapes of xenon compounds	2	Match the listsRecall	6%	–
Noble Gases: Properties and Usesassertion-reason on noble gas use	2	Assertion–reasonRecall	6%	–
Oxoacids of Sulphuridentify oxoacid with specific linkage	2	Match the listsRecall	6%	–
Interhalogen Compoundsassertion-reason on interhalogen reactivity	2	Assertion–reasonConcept	6%	–
Preparation of Halogensstatement i/ii on halide oxidation by mno2	1	Two statementsConcept	6%	–
Group 15 Hydrides and Oxidesstatement i/ii on p-block elements	1	Two statementsRecall	6%	–
Ammonia and the Tetraamminecopper(II) Complexidentify end product of reaction sequence	1	One-line MCQMulti-step	4%	–
Industrial Processes in the p-Blockmatch list on industrial processes	1	Match the listsRecall	4%	–
Phosphorus Halidesincorrect statement selection on pcl5	1	One-line MCQConcept	4%	–
Structures of Halogen Oxides and Oxoacidsidentify correct structure of compound	1	Figure-basedFigure reading	4%	–
Reducing Properties of SO2identify gas with given chemical test	1	One-line MCQRecall	4%	–
Structures of Sulphur Oxoanionsidentify pair of ions with a bond type	1	One-line MCQRecall	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

p-Block Elements (Groups 15-18) questions, year by year

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

NEET 20261 question

Q65
Given below are two statements: Statement-I : Heating NaCl with concentrated $\mathrm{H_2SO_4}$ and $\mathrm{MnO_2}$ results in oxidation…
Idea: Preparation of Halogens
New ideaMediumTwo statements

NEET 20252 questions

Q52
Given below are two statements : Statement I : Like nitrogen that can form ammonia, arsenic can form arsine. Statement II : Antimony…
Idea: Group 15 Hydrides and Oxides
New ideaMediumTwo statements
Q64
Match List - I with List - II List-I | List-II A. $XeO_3$ | I. $sp^3d$ ; linear B. $XeF_2$ | II. $sp^3$ ; pyramidal C. $XeOF_4$ | III.…
Idea: Xenon Fluorides and Oxides
MediumMatch the lists

NEET 20242 questions

Q72
Among Group 16 elements, which one does NOT show $-2$ oxidation state?
Idea: Trends in Groups 15 to 18
EasyOne-line MCQ
Q81
Given below are two statements: Statement I : The boiling point of hydrides of Group 16 elements follow the order H $_2$ O > H $_2$ Te >…
Idea: Group 16 Hydrides
EasyTwo statements

NEET 20232 questions

Q62
Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R : Assertion A : Helium is used to…
Idea: Noble Gases: Properties and Uses
EasyAssertion–reason
Q92
Match List - I with List - II : List - I (Oxoacids of Sulphur) | List - II (Bonds) A. Peroxodisulphuric acid | I. Two S-OH, Four S=O, One…
Idea: Oxoacids of Sulphur
MediumMatch the lists

NEET 20222 questions

Q62
Given below are two statements : Statement I : The boiling points of the following hydrides of group 16 elements increases in the order…
Idea: Group 16 Hydrides
EasyTwo statements
Q67
Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : ICl is more…
Idea: Interhalogen Compounds
MediumAssertion–reason

NEET 20213 questions

Q73
Statement I : Acid strength increases in the order given as HF << HCl << HBr << HI. Statement II : As the size of the elements F, Cl, Br,…
Idea: Trends in Groups 15 to 18
EasyTwo statements
Q82
Noble gases are named because of their inertness towards reactivity. Identify an incorrect statement about them.
Idea: Noble Gases: Properties and Uses
New ideaEasyOne-line MCQ
Q100
In which one of the following arrangements the given sequence is not strictly according to the properties indicated against it ?
Idea: Trends in Groups 15 to 18
MediumOne-line MCQ

NEET 20202 questions

Q101
Which of the following oxoacid of sulphur has $-O-O-$ linkage ?
Idea: Oxoacids of Sulphur
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ
Q129
Urea reacts with water to form A which will decompose to form B. B when passed through $\mathrm{Cu^{2+}}$ (aq), deep blue colour solution…
Idea: Ammonia and the Tetraamminecopper(II) Complex
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ

NEET 20195 questions

Q48
The correct structure of tribromooctaoxide is :
Idea: Structures of Halogen Oxides and Oxoacids
New ideaHardFigure-based · figure
Q56
Which is the correct thermal stability order for $H_2E$ (E = O, S, Se, Te and Po) ?
Idea: Group 16 Hydrides
New ideaEasyOne-line MCQ
Q58
Match the following : (a) Pure nitrogen | (i) Chlorine (b) Haber process | (ii) Sulphuric acid (c) Contact process | (iii) Ammonia (d)…
Idea: Industrial Processes in the p-Block
New ideaMediumMatch the lists
Q76
Identify the incorrect statement related to $PCl_5$ from the following :
Idea: Phosphorus Halides
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ
Q79
Match the Xenon compounds in Column - I with its structure in Column - II and assign the correct code : Column - I | Column - II (a)…
Idea: Xenon Fluorides and Oxides
New ideaMediumMatch the lists

NEET 20181 question

Q50
Which of the following statements is not true for halogens ?
Idea: Trends in Groups 15 to 18
New ideaMediumOne-line MCQ

NEET 20173 questions

Q65
In which pair of ions both the species contain S $-$ S bond ?
Idea: Structures of Sulphur Oxoanions
MediumOne-line MCQ
Q67
Match the interhalogen compounds of column I with the geometry in column II and assign the correct code. Column I | Column II (a) XX' |…
Idea: Interhalogen Compounds
MediumMatch the lists
Q82
Name the gas that can readily decolourise acidified $\mathrm{KMnO_4}$ solution :
Idea: Reducing Properties of SO2
EasyOne-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.