NEST Exam Pattern 2025: Dress Code, Marking Scheme, Subjects & No. of Questions

All four sections will have 17 questions each (12 MCQ & 5 MSQ). There is a differential marking scheme in the NEST exam. Each MCQ will carry 2.5 marks for each correct answer and a negative mark for each wrong answer. While MSQs will carry four marks and there is no negative marking for each wrong answer. 

Overall there will be 68 questions and 200 marks will be allotted to it. Applicants are advised to attempt questions from all four sections as their score from the top 3 sections will be considered for their qualification. 

Yes, according to the NEST previous year exam pattern, there will be differential marking scheme for MCQs and MSQs. 

Candidates can expect a negative marking in the MCQ-type questions. For each wrong answer, there will be a negative marking of one mark. For each correct answer 2.5 marks will be awarded. 

No marks will be deducted for wrong or unattempted MSQ questions, though 4 marks will be awarded for each correct answer. The latest update on the negative marking will be updated soon after the release of the NEST 2024 notification.

The NEST 2024 exam will have 17 questions in each section or subject. All these four section will be 12 will be MCQ type and five will be MSQ type questions. Each section has 50 marks each. For all four section the total number of questions will be 68 and total marks will be 200.

Applicants are advised to check the previous year questions as well to prepare for the exam and accordingly increase their chances of qualifying the exam. 

The exam authority has not mentioned any section-wise cut off marks for the NEST exam. Hence there is no minimum qualifying or passing marks in the exam. 

However, out of the four sections - the best three scores of the subject section i.e. Biology, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry will be taken for preparation of the merit list.

Hence applicants need to try to solve the questions from all four sections as the section from which applicants will score less will be ommiited and will not be consideration for preparing the merit list. 

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) examination primarily covers the following fields of study:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Mathematics
4. Physics

NEST is designed to assess a candidate's knowledge and aptitude in these core Science subjects. The examination is conducted to admit students to integrated M.Sc. programs in these disciplines at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and the University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai. Candidates can choose their preferred subject or subjects based on their interest and career aspirations.

Applicants who are planning to appear in NEST exam must note that there is no sectional weightage to any perticular section in the exam. All the sections carry same marks 50-50 each. 

The total marks for which exam will be conducted is 200 marks and total there will 17-17 questions in each four section. 

Applicants must note that the authorities will consider the marks secured in 3 best section to prepare the merit list and for the section which have less marks will be ommitted and will not be taken into consideration. 

Ideally applicants should not skip any pericular section before appearing in the NEST exam. As authority will consider the marks from top 3 sections to prepare the merit list. Hence even if one paper from any section except math if don't go well then by securing good marks in math section you can increase your chances of qualifying the exam. Along with this if there are easy questions in math section then there is high probability to secure good marks in it. 

Hence it is advised not to skip any section while preparing for the NEST exam. 

For each section, "20% of the average of the best 100 scores in that section" will be considered as the section–wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS).
For example, if the average of the best 100 scores in the Chemistry section is 43 out of 50, then SMAS for the Chemistry section would be 43*0.20 = 8.6 marks. It will be same for other section too. 

SMAS for the two sessions, for any particular section, can be of different numerical values. The value of SMAS will be different for different category students i.e if it 100 for General candidates then it will be 90 for OBC and 50 for SC/ST and Divyangjan applicants.  

Though there are not any optional subject in the NEST exam, applicants who will appear in the exam are advised to solve questions from all four section as their marks from top 3 sections will be taken into consideration for their result declaration. 

The language of NEST exam will be in English only. Applicants who want to appear in the exam must solve NEST previous year paper to increase their chances of qualifying the exam.

For entrance exam since marks from three section are considered hence it can be said that it not compulsory. In the NEST exam your marks will be considered from any of 3 subjects out of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. but if you know basics it will help you to secure marks and for further study during campus classes.

In first year after joining NISER you would be taught basic biology. In fact many students who did not have biology in class 12 and did fairly well in the biology exams during first year.