NEST Exam Pattern 2026: The UM-DAE CEBS, in collaboration with the NISER Bhubaneswar, conducts the NEST exam for admission to MSc programmes. Candidates who are willing to appear in the NEST examination must be aware of the exam pattern. The NISER Bhubaneswar released the NEST exam pattern 2026 on its website. The NEST 2026 exam pattern consists of four sections: mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry.
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It must be noted by the aspirants that only the best 3 marks will be considered while preparing the NEST merit list 2026. To understand the NEST exam pattern, one needs to know its marking scheme and other details very thoroughly. This article will help the aspirants to understand the NEST exam pattern very well.
The exam pattern of the NEST exam includes details such as time duration, maximum questions, total marks, number of sections and marking scheme. Aspirants preparing for the NEST 2026 exam are advised to check all the necessary details below:
Types of questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
Total sections | 4 |
NEST exam total marks | 240 |
NEST exam duration | 3 hours (180) minutes |
Marks for each section | 60 |
NEST 2026 marking scheme |
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Candidates who are getting prepared for the NEST entrance exam 2026 need to know how the exam will be graded. Each section of the examination has its own NEST exam marking scheme. There are negative marks in each of the four sections: biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. There may be one or more correct answers to some questions. The number of questions for the NEST 2026 exam changes each year.
Negative marks are awarded for incorrect answers in NEST 2026. Candidates who plan to take the NEST entrance exam 2026 should be aware of the marking scheme, as it will assist in better exam preparation. All four of NEST's sections have negative marking. It is important to note that questions left unanswered do not result in a penalty point. For each incorrect response on the NEST 2026 exam, students will lose one mark.
Sections | Subjects | Maximum marks |
Section 1 | Physics | 60 |
Section 2 | Chemistry | 60 |
Section 3 | Biology | 60 |
Section 4 | Mathematics | 60 |
NEST Total Marks | 240 |
Note: It must be noted that when the NEST 2026 merit list is being prepared, only the top three sections will be taken into account. 180 marks will be used to calculate the effective marks.
Aspirants can check the NEST paper pattern according to section-wise from the table below.
Section | Subject | Marks |
I - Biology | 20 questions | 60 marks |
II - Chemistry | 20 questions | 60 marks |
III - Mathematics | 20 questions | 60 marks |
IV - Physics | 20 questions | 60 marks |
Total | 80 questions | 240 marks |
It is necessary for applicants to attempt multiple-choice questions on the NEST exam 2026. Applicants have to select one response from a list of four.
Every applicant must mark all of the right responses.
Negative marks do not apply to questions that are not attempted.
The top three subjects' grades will be taken into account for determining the NEST 2026 result.
Candidates should avoid answering a question where he or she is unsure, in order to prevent negative marking.
To familiarise themselves with the subjects from which the questions in the exam come, students planning to take the NEST exam 2026 must review the syllabus. All of the units, topics, and themes that will be covered in the entrance exam are included in the NEST syllabus 2026. The five subject areas included in the NEST 2026 syllabus are mathematics, general, chemistry, physics, and biology. Candidates can create an effective NEST 2026 preparation plan by familiarising themselves with the syllabus.
Candidates must bring their NEST admit card, as they are not allowed to enter the examination centre without a valid one.
It is strictly prohibited for candidates to bring any electronic or communication device into the examination centre.
It is advised that applicants arrive at the centre according to their scheduled reporting and entry time.
Without undergoing the required screening using a handheld metal detector (HHMD), no applicant will be allowed to enter the examination centreThere won't be any physical contact during the procedure.
Note: Candidates are not allowed to leave the NEST Exam centre before the exam is over.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Candidates will be awarded +3 for every correct answer marked, and -1 will be given for each wrong answer.
Marks of the best three will be considered to prepare the NEST merit list.
The duration of the NEST entrance is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
There are four sections in the NEST exam: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.
On Question asked by student community
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If you missed the NEST (National Entrance Screening Test) result announcement and the login date has expired, you can try the following steps to check your result:
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NISER (National Institute of Science Education and Research) and CEBS (Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences) are prestigious institutions that offer integrated M.Sc. programs in various disciplines of science. Your NEST rank of 387 in the general category is quite competitive, but admission to NISER or CEBS depends on
No, qualifying NEST exam won't directly lead you to pursue MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery). NEST serves a different purpose.
The National Entrance Screening Test is for admission to five-year integrated M.Sc. programs at specific universities like National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and Center
For the NEST exam, the eligibility criteria typically require a minimum of 60% in Class 12 for general category candidates and 55% for SC/ST candidates. Since you scored 53.8% overall in Class 12, it might be challenging to meet the criteria. However, you should confirm with the official NEST guidelines
Correct Answer: The drongo looks exactly like a crow.
Solution : The first option is the correct choice.
The statement "the drongo looks exactly like a crow" is not true, according to the passage.
The passage describes the Black Drongo as a wholly black bird with a distinctive forked tail,
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