If you are in 12th and studying PCB, you might be preparing for NEET. But many NEET aspirants keep National Entrance Screening Test as their backup plan. But can your NEET preparation help you crack NEST? A backup plan must be a fail-safe plan. You can not afford your backup to fail. Hence, it becomes necessary to understand if NEET prepartion is enough for NEST. In this article, we will try to answer the same question in detail.
What is NEET?
NEET is the national-level exam conducted by NTA for admission into MBBS and BDS programs in India. There were more than 17 lakh candidates last year who were competing for around 80,000 medical seats all across India.
NEET is a 3-hour exam where you need to answer 180 multiple-choice questions. In each science subject (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), there are two parts: A and B. Part A has 35 “must-do” questions, and you should answer all of them for 4 points each. Part B has 15 questions, and you can choose your favorite 10 to answer, also for 4 points each. However, be cautious because if you get a question wrong, you lose 1 point. Physics and Chemistry have 50 questions each, while Biology has 100 questions (covering both plants and animals).
What is NEST?
NEST is also a national-level entrance exam conducted by NISER for admission into a 5-Year Integrated M.Sc. programme. For around 250 seats, there were around 50,000 candidates who appeared for National Entrance Screening Test last year.
This exam is the key to getting into five-year Integrated MSc programs at NISER (Bhubaneswar) and UM-DAE CEBS (Mumbai). It usually happens in June and is a computer-based test that you need to take at the designated center. The exam has four sections: Maths, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry, each with questions testing general aptitude as well. Every section is worth 50 marks and includes 17 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). For single correct answer MCQs, you get +2.5 marks for the right answer and -1 mark for the wrong one. In multiple correct answer MCQs, you get +4 marks for choosing all the correct answers, and there’s no penalty for wrong answers. The total time for the exam is 3 hours and 30 minutes. You can attempt all sections, but only the best three section scores will be considered for your final marks. To qualify, you must achieve equal to or above the sectional cut-off in at least three sections.
To understand the similarities and differences in the exam pattern of NEET and National Entrance Screening Test exam pattern, click here.
Differences and Similarities:
Both exams emphasize Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, albeit with varying depths and applications. NEST also includes Mathematics, while NEET focuses heavily on medical terminology and application-based questions.
Although both NEET and NEST have sections comprising questions from Physics, Chemistry and Biology, the type of questions are very different. Questions in NEET are very straight-forward and is application-based. Wherease questions in NEST are complex and conceptual and requires problem-solving abilities. Most of the questions in National Entrance Screening Test are multi-step problems and challenging.
When it comes to difficulty, National Entrance Screening Test is absolutely more difficult than NEET. But the amount of time that you have per question is more in NEST than in NEET. Hence, NEET becomes a race against time where National Entrance Screening Test is a problem-solving challenge. Also, due to extremely large number of students appearing for NEET, NEET is far more competitive than NEST. Around 18 lakh students appeared for NEET in 2023 whereas number of candidates taking the National Entrance Screening Test exam were only around 50,000. Exam strategies and coaching institutes are well established for NEET and hence the competitions is fierce. But NEST can be less competitive due to less number of people appearing for this exam and little awareness about it.
If you are a NEST aspirant, fear not. Click here to understand how you can prepare for NEST.
How can you prepare for NEET?
Know The Syllabus and Exam Pattern: The first thing that you should do is to know in detail the syllabus and the exam pattern. This has been discussed above in detail.
Effective Strategies-
- Structured learning: Create a study schedule focusing on core concepts and practice questions.
- Resource selection: Utilize high-quality study materials, reference books, and online resources.
- Mock tests and practice papers: Simulate the exam environment and analyze your strengths and weaknesses.
- Time management: Develop efficient strategies for time allocation during the exam.
Resources-
- Check for SciAstra Courses
- Practice tests and mock papers from reputed sources. You can download theSciAstra app to practice mock tests and analyze the pattern of the National Entrance Screening Test exam and to solve the PYQs
- Educational websites and YouTube channels like SciAstra
How To Prepare For NEST?
Know The Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Although the syllabus for National Entrance Screening Test and NEET is same except for the Mathematics section in NEST, the exam pattern is very different. See above to know this in detail.
Effective Strategies-
- Go beyond rote learning: Build a strong foundation in core concepts and problem-solving skills.
- Master Mathematics: Sharpen your mathematical skills for tackling National Entrance Screening Test-specific problems.
- Focus on deeper understanding: Develop a critical and analytical approach to scientific concepts.
Resources-
- Previous years’ NEST question papers and solutions
- Books and study materials specifically designed for National Entrance Screening Test preparation.
- SciAstra’s best online courses specializing in IAT and National Entrance Screening Test preparation
- Download SciAstra app and browse our free and paid resources for preparation of NEST, IAT and competitive exams.
Can NEET Preparation Help in Cracking NEST?
Although NEET and NEST are very different exams, both exams has same syllabus. Hence, NEET preparation can aid in National Entrance Screening Test exam but won’t be enough. For National Entrance Screening Test, you need to have additional preparation. You must solve PYQs and mock papers to understand the question pattern of NEST. Please see below to understand where NEET can help in National Entrance Screening Test preparation and where you’ll have to put some extra efforts:
Overlapping Topics-
- Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (especially Botany & Zoology) form a significant portion of both exams.
- The core scientific concepts and fundamental knowledge tested in NEET hold relevance for National Entrance Screening Test as well.
- Effective study habits and time management skills developed for NEET can be advantageous for NEST preparation.
How NEET Preparation Aids NEST:
- NEET builds a strong foundation in science, especially Biology, providing a head start for National Entrance Screening Test.
- Practice in solving MCQs and adhering to time constraints in NEET translates well to National Entrance Screening Test preparation.
- The analytical and problem-solving skills honed for NEET prove valuable for tackling National Entrance Screening Test questions.
Areas for Additional Preparation-
- Mathematics: NEST demands mastery of Mathematics, which requires dedicated practice beyond NEET preparation.
- Deeper Conceptual Understanding: NEET focuses on application, while National Entrance Screening Test demands a more profound understanding of core concepts.
- NEST-specific Topics: Familiarize yourself with NEST-specific topics and problem-solving styles not covered in NEET preparation.
- Start early with National Entrance Screening Test-specific preparation: Allocate dedicated time to Mathematics and deeper conceptual understanding beyond NEET syllabus.
- Practice NEST-style questions: Familiarize yourself with the question patterns and problem-solving techniques unique to NEST.
- Seek guidance from National Entrance Screening Test experts: Consult teachers or mentors with expertise in NEST preparation for tailored advice.
- Join online communities: Connect with fellow National Entrance Screening Test aspirants to share resources, strategies, and support. Join the SciAstra telegram channel to keep yourself updated about the latest information on NEST, IAT and other exams.
- Stay motivated and focused: Believe in your abilities and maintain a consistent study schedule.
Conclusion:
While NEET and National Entrance Screening Test cater to distinct career paths, their overlapping areas and complementary skills make it possible to utilize NEET preparation to excel in National Entrance Screening Test. By recognizing the strengths of your NEET foundation, strategically addressing NEST-specific requirements, and employing smart study techniques, you can conquer both exams and unlock a future brimming with possibilities in either medical or science domains.
Remember, with dedication, perseverance, and strategic planning, you have the potential to triumph in both NEET and NEST, opening doors to promising careers in medicine or research. But also note that NEET preparation is not enough for NEST and you will have to put some extra efforts for NEST. You can always choose the courses offered by SciAstra to help you in preparing for NEST. If you practice the PYQs and mock papers and familiarise yourself with the pattern of National Entrance Screening Test exam, you will be able to crack NEST with NEET preparation.
FAQs:
- Where can I get more information on NEST and other competitive exams?
SciAstra is the hub for information and articles like this. At SciAstra, we help everyone with right guidance. Also, SciAstra offers several courses that can help you prepare for exams like NEST, IAT, etc. Click here to know more.
- What is NEET, and how is it different from NEST?
NEET is a national-level exam for MBBS and BDS programs, while National Entrance Screening Test is for admission to 5-Year Integrated M.Sc. programs. NEET is more competitive and focuses on medical seats, while NEST is less competitive, catering to a specific set of science programs.
- How does the exam pattern of NEET differ from NEST?
NEET is a 3-hour exam with 180 MCQs in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. National Entrance Screening Test includes Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, with 17 MCQs per section. National Entrance Screening Test is known for complex, conceptual questions, making it more challenging than NEET.
- Can my NEET preparation help me with NEST?
While NEET and NEST share a similar syllabus, National Entrance Screening Test requires additional preparation, especially in Mathematics. Your NEET foundation can aid in science subjects, time management, and problem-solving skills, but NEST demands a deeper conceptual understanding and specific preparation in certain areas.
- What are the key differences in difficulty between NEET and NEST?
NEST is generally more difficult than NEET, with complex, multi-step problems. NEET is a race against time due to its high competitiveness, while National Entrance Screening Test provides more time per question. The exam strategies and coaching for NEET are well-established, making it fierce, whereas National Entrance Screening Test can be less competitive due to lower participation.
- How should I prepare for NEET and NEST simultaneously?
For NEET, focus on core concepts and practice questions using high-quality materials. For National Entrance Screening Test, go beyond rote learning, master Mathematics, and develop critical thinking. Utilize previous years’ papers, specific study materials, and online courses tailored for each exam.
- Can I use NEET preparation for NEST without additional effort?
While NEET preparation builds a foundation, National Entrance Screening Test requires extra effort, especially in Mathematics and deeper conceptual understanding. Utilize NEET strengths in science and problem-solving skills but dedicate specific time for NEST-style questions and topics.
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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!
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