Starting a journey in the world of engineering and science means dealing with tough entrance exams. There are two important exams in India for this: Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and National Entrance Screening Test (NEST). In this blog, we’ll see if preparing for JEE can help you succeed in National Entrance Screening Test too. We’ll talk about the things JEE and NEST have in common, what makes them different, and some smart ways to prepare for both.
Why should you care about these exams? Well, JEE gets you into great engineering colleges, while National Entrance Screening Test is the key to NISER and CEBS. Now, let’s get into the details of these exams.
Understanding JEE and NEST:
What Is JEE?
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is the ticket to prestigious engineering institutions like IITs, NITs, and other renowned colleges. It is divided into two parts: JEE Main and JEE Advanced:
- JEE Main assesses your understanding of subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. It serves as a qualifying exam for JEE Advanced.
- JEE Advanced is the next level, testing your analytical and problem-solving skills. The successful crack of JEE Advanced lands you in IITs.
What is NEST?
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is the key to admission in the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and the Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS).
National Entrance Screening Test evaluates candidates in four sections: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. It’s designed to identify individuals with a passion for science and research.
Comparing JEE Advanced, JEE Mains, and NEST:
| Feature | JEE Advanced | JEE Mains | NEST |
| Purpose | Entrance to top engineering colleges (IITs) | Entrance to engineering colleges across India and to qualify for JEE Advance | Entrance to integrated MSc-PhD programs in basic sciences (NISER, CEBS) |
| Syllabi | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (deeper, conceptual) | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology |
| Difficulty Level | High | Moderate | High |
| Exam Mode | Offline (pen-and-paper) | Online & Offline | Offline Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 6 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours 20 minutes |
| Competition Level | Intense | High | Less Competition but number of seats are also scarce (only 257 in 2023) |
| Eligibility | Class 12 passed with minimum 75% in PCM | Class 12 passed with minimum 50% in PCM | Class 12 passed with minimum 60% in PCM or PCB |
| Additional Tips | Focus on in-depth understanding, conceptual clarity, and problem-solving skills. | Practice time management, accuracy, and speed. | Balance conceptual understanding with application-oriented problem-solving and devote time to Biology. |
Similarities-
- Both JEE and NEST demand a solid foundation in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- All have negative marking for incorrect answers.
Differences-
- JEE Advanced is significantly tougher than JEE Mains and NEST.
- National Entrance Screening Test tests Biology along with the science subjects.
Exam Pattern:
JEE Advanced-
Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper based) Duration: 6 hours (2 sessions of 3 hours each) Sections:
- Paper 1 (9 AM to 12 PM): Physics, Chemistry
- Paper 2 (2 PM to 5 PM): Mathematics Questions: 54 in total (21 each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, -2 for incorrect Total Marks: 360
JEE Main-
Mode: Online and Offline (pen-and-paper based) Duration: 3 hours, Sections: 2 papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2)
- Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech (90 questions – 30 each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics)
- Paper 2: B.Arch/B.Planning (77 questions – 25 in Mathematics, 50 in Aptitude Test, and 2 in Drawing Test) Questions: 90 (for B.E./B.Tech)
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect Total Marks: 360
NEST:
NEST Exam Pattern Overview-
- Sections: 4 (Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry)
- Question Type: Multiple Choice (MCQ)
- Number of Questions: 17 per section (68 total)
- Marking Scheme:
- Single Correct Answer MCQs: +2.5 for correct, -1 for incorrect
- Multiple Correct Answer MCQs: +4 for all correct, no penalty for incorrect
- Total Marks: 200 (50 per section)
- Exam Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Final Scoring: Only best 3 section scores count
- Qualification: Reach or exceed minimum cut-off in at least 3 sections
Key Points to Remember-
- All three exams have negative marking for incorrect answers.
- Time management is crucial for all exams.
- Practice solving previous years’ question papers to get familiar with the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Refer to the official websites for the latest updates and detailed information.
Is NEST tougher than JEE Mains? Click here to know more.
Can JEE preparation help in NEST?
Although the syllabus and difficulty of the exam are quite same for bothe JEE Advanced and National Entrance Screening Test, the exam patterns are very different. Hence, National Entrance Screening Test preparation requires additional preparation in addition to preparation for JEE. JEE preparation can significantly boost your preparation for National Entrance Screening Test. SciAstra provides best guidance in this case. Choosing SciAstra and its mock tests in last months before NEST can give JEE students an edge of other NEST aspirants.
Analyzing Benefits of JEE preparation for NEST-
- Strong Foundation: JEE equips you with a robust understanding of the core subjects which is very necessary in NEST
- Problem-Solving Skills: JEE’s analytical approach helps in developing ability to tackle complex problems of NEST
Additional Effort Needed-
-
- Biology: National Entrance Screening Test introduces a Biology section which is not the part of JEE syllabus. Although, PCM students can skip Biology section, attempting biology section can be beneficial and gives an edge over other candidates. Hence, preparing key topics from biology can prove to be very helpful. (Click here to know if Maths/Biology is a compulsory section in NEST)
- General Aptitude Questions: Each section in the National Entrance Screening Test exam also contains few questions that tests general aptitude. Hence, you should also focus on practicing general aptitude questions.
- Familiarize Yourself With The Question Pattern of NEST: Both JEE and NEST have their own question patter. The type of problems differs in both exams. Hence, it is necessary to analyze the type of problems asked in NEST and practice such problems.
In short, although the preparation of JEE Mains is not enough for National Entrance Screening Test, the preparation for JEE Advanced can give a great boost to your National Entrance Screening Test preparation. The conceptual clarity and the understanding of core concepts from JEE preparation can help you a lot in dealing with the type of problems asked in National Entrance Screening Test. But it is not enough and you must put som extra efforts for NEST.
Strategies for Cracking NEST with JEE Preparation:
- Conceptual Clarity: JEE preparation helps in obtaining great depths of conceptual understanding and clarity. Use this to your advantage.
- Time Management: Efficiently manage your time during the exam. JEE helps you learn time management during exam which can be an advantage in National Entrance Screening Test.
- Mock Tests: Practice NEST-specific mock tests. This helps in adapting to the unique patterns of the exam.
To understand in detail on how to prepare for NEST, click here.
Conclusion:
In an nutshell, although the syllabus and difficulty of the exam are quite same for bothe JEE Advanced and NEST, the exam patterns are very different. Hence, National Entrance Screening Test preparation requires additional preparation in addition to preparation for JEE. JEE preparation can significantly boost your preparation for National Entrance Screening Test. SciAstra provides best guidance in this case. Choosing SciAstra and its mock tests in last months before National Entrance Screening Test can give JEE students an edge of other NEST aspirants.
FAQs:
- How to prepare specifically for NEST?
Take help from SciAstra. SciAstra is like your friend and mentor. Through our youtube channel and website, we do not just guide students about different exams, we also provide courses that can help you ace exams like NEST. Click here to know more.
- Can my preparation for JEE help me crack NEST?
Yes, your JEE preparation provides a strong foundation, especially in common subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. However, there are some additional areas in National Entrance Screening Test, like Biology and the General section, that need attention.
- What are the unique aspects of JEE and NEST?
NEST has a General section and Biology, setting them apart. Understanding these unique aspects is crucial for effective preparation.
- How can I leverage my JEE preparation for NEST success?
Focus on conceptual clarity, efficient time management, and practicing NEST-specific mock tests. These strategies help you adapt your JEE skills to the distinct patterns of the National Entrance Screening Test exam.
- Is solving previous year’s question papers essential for NEST preparation?
Yes, solving previous year’s papers is crucial. It helps you become familiar with the exam pattern, identify your weaknesses, and refine your preparation accordingly.
- What topics should I pay special attention to in NEST, considering my JEE background?
While your JEE background covers a significant portion of National Entrance Screening Test, give extra attention to Biology and the General section. These areas are not extensively covered in JEE and require additional focus.
- How do I manage time effectively in NEST considering my experience with JEE?
Your experience with JEE has honed your time management skills. Apply this skill to National Entrance Screening Test, keeping in mind its unique exam pattern and distribution of marks across different sections.
About us:
SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world, like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students pursue careers in science.
We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI, ISI, IISC Bangalore, etc., teach students in live classes, with study materials, mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on. If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2024, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!
To know more about us, click here OR download the SciAstra App from the Play Store and App Store!
