NEST Exam Pattern 2026: Subjects & Number of Questions, Marking Scheme
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Admit Card - 15 May '26
NEST 2026 exam pattern is available online. Candidates can check the exam pattern of NEST 2026 to know the marking scheme, mode of exam, exam duration, types of questions and more. Knowing the exam pattern, candidates get familiar with the structure of NEST question paper. Moreover, they must check the NEST syllabus to plan their preparation strategy. National Entrance Screening Test will be conducted on June 7, 2026.
Knowing the exam pattern and syllabus is not enough for exam preparation. Candidates must practice NEST question paper regularly. This will help in self assessment and help in identifying the high weightage topics. Check the page for the detailed NEST exam pattern 2026.
- NEST 2026 Exam Pattern
- NEST 2026 Sectional Weightage
- NEST 2026 Syllabus
- Instructions to Mark Answers in NEST 2026
- NEST 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs
NEST 2026 Exam Pattern
NISER conducts the NEST exam online as computer based test. The duration of exam is three hours. NEST question paper has four sections. Each section has 20 multiple-choice questions. Each question carries 3 marks. Negative marking is done for wrong answers. No marking is done for unattempt question. NEST 2026 exam pattern is mentioned below.
| NEST Exam | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode of exam | Online mode - CBT |
| Level of exam | National level - Undergraduate exam |
| Language of NEST Exam | English and Hindi |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Timing | 2 PM to 5 PM |
| Type of questions | Objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 80 questions |
| Number of Sections | 4 - Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics |
| Minimum Number of Sections to Attempt | 3 |
| Total marks | 240 marks |
| Number of Options Per Questions | 4 |
| Marking Scheme |
|
Commonly asked questions
The NEST exam has 20 questions from four sections. The total number of questions is 80. Students have to attempt at least three sections or 60 questions.
NEST 2026 Sectional Weightage
The NEST 2026 exam pattern, or structure, is explained in the table below.
| Section |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I - Biology |
20 |
60 marks |
| II - Chemistry |
20 |
60 marks |
| III - Mathematics |
20 |
60 marks |
| IV - Physics |
20 |
60 marks |
| Total |
80 |
240 |
Candidates have to attempt at least three sections. PWD category candidates will be allowed compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour as per the Government of India rules. Candidates will not be allowed to enter the exam hall after 3 PM, and the earliest one can leave is 4 PM, on medical grounds only.
Commonly asked questions
NEST is the entrance exam for the Integrated MSc programmes. Hence, it is an undergraduate level entrance exam. Candidates who have passed or appeared for the Class 12 Board exam are eligible for the exam.
NEST 2026 Syllabus
The authority has released the NEST 2026 syllabus online. The syllabus of NEST 2026 is based on CBSE curriculum (2025-26). Candidates can refer NCERT books of classes XI-XII to prepare for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Preparing for NEST exam through NCERT textbook will help to score good marks in NEST 2026. Below are the important topics for NEST 2026 exam.
Commonly asked questions
The NEST Syllabus is available on the official portal for those students who wish to appear for the exam. One needs to visit the official portal to be able to download the syllabus for all subjects. They need to click on the syllabus and information brochure link in the top right corner of the homepage. Then, students need to click on the link available for Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to access the PDFs of all these NEST Subjects.
Instructions to Mark Answers in NEST 2026
Candidates appearing for the NEST 2026 must be familiar with the marking scheme. We have mentioned above that each question in NEST carries 3 marks, while -1 is reduced for wrong answers. Here we have mentioned a few points to remember while marking the answer.
- Read the questions and options carefully.
- Mark your answer if you are confident about the answer.
- No guesswork. Wrong answer and mark will be deducted.
- Skip the unknown question.
Commonly asked questions
The total duration of the NEST exam is three hours. The timing of the exam is from 2 PM to 5 PM. Candidates belonging to the PWD category will be given compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour as per the Government of India guidelines. Test takers will not be allowed to leave the centre before 4 PM for medical reasons. Entry will not be allowed after 3 PM. Students have to attempt at least three sections in the exam.
The NEST question papers will be in English and Hindi. Candidates have to select their question paper medium while filling out the application process. In the case of any confusion or discrepancy due to language, the question paper in English will be final.
NEST 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs
Take a look at the frequently asked questions regarding the NEST 2026 exam pattern.
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.
Yes, according to the NEST exam pattern, there will be negative marking. For each wrong answer, one mark will be deducted. The marks per question are three. Full marks in the exam are 240.
There is equal weightage for each section of the NEST exam. There are four sections, each carrying 60 marks. There is negative marking of one mark for wrong answers.
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.
NEST Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
The process to retrieve the NEST password is mentioned below
- Go to NEST 2026 website.
- Click on the Login link.
- Then click on forget password.
- Provide the user id and click on "Get Password".
- Enter new password.
- Click on the Change Password button.
- Use your new password to log in.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The following candidates are eligible to apply for NISER 2026.
- Candidates who have completed class 10+2 from a recognised board with at least three out of four disciplines - Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.
- Obtained 60% marks (55% for SC, ST and Divyangjan categories) in aggregate.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
There is no option to get NISER with 60 marks. The safe marks in NEST for NISER admission are 120+ marks.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The NEST question paper comprises 4 sections, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Each section carries 20 questions. Each question carries three marks. NEST 2026 total marks are 240.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The authority releases the NEST answer key online. The answer key is released in pdf formation. The process to download the answer key for NEST 2026 is mentioned below.
- Visit NEST website, nestexam.in.
- Click on the Answer key link
- NEST answer key pdf will appear
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NEST question paper comprises 4 sections. Each section has 20 multiple-choice questions. The questions are based on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Each question will comprise 3 marks. Negative marking is done for wrong answers.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Based on exam analysis, NEST is of a moderate difficulty level. Students whose conceptual knowledge is good can easily crack the exam. To prepare for the test candidates must follow the exam syllabus.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NEST exam is for admission to 5-year Integrated M.Sc. programme in Biological, Chemical, Mathematical and Physical sciences offered at National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and the University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NEST 2026 result date will be announed on the official website. The result is expected to release in the last week of June 2026. NEST result link will be updated on online.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, candidates who have passed class 12 with PCM or BiPC can appear for NEST. They alos need to obtain 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/ Divyangjan) in aggregate.
V
Contributor-Level 10
3 Institutes accepting NEST
West Bengal - Other • Public
4.6Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in...
Santacruz East, Mumbai • Public
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