The NEST exam preparation requires more conceptual grip and problem-solving skills than IAT or JEE Mains exam. A common question among aspiring candidates is whether studying from the textbooks published by the NCERT is enough to pass the NEST. Many sources on the internet claim that students only need NCERT to achieve their dream colleges, while others claim that NCERT doesn’t even cover the basics of the NEST syllabus. If you are confused by so many different opinions, this blog is for you.
In this blog, we will discuss
- Understanding NEST Exam
- Subjectwise role of NCERT Book
- Beyond NCERT Book
Understanding NEST Exam:
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a competitive examination designed to evaluate the scientific aptitude of students aspiring to join NISER or CEBS. This exam covers four core subjects: mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Unlike traditional entrance exams, the NEST gives equal weight to conceptual understanding and complex problem-solving abilities in addition to the theoretical foundations of these subjects. The NEST is tougher than the JEE Mains and IAT and can be compared to JEE Advanced. Understanding the foundational ideas thoroughly becomes important and learning to apply those concepts to solve complex problems. It’s essential to have a strong understanding of the fundamentals; this is where NCERT books come into play.
The exam allows students to choose the best 3 sections among physics, chemistry, maths and biology, they are confident in. Each section has 20 questions, each with 3 marks for correct answers and -1 for incorrect ones.
Subjectwise role of NCERT Book:
NCERT textbooks cover fundamental ideas and concise explanations of each topic. That’s what the reason behind creating them. For good reason, these serve as the main textbooks for many Indian school boards:
- Strong Foundation: NCERT textbooks are crafted to offer a strong basis in every subject. This basic understanding is essential for students preparing for competitive exams such as the NEST or IAT.
- Aligned with Syllabus: The CBSE syllabus, which is heavily covered in NCERT books, and the NEST syllabus have much in common. Because of this alignment, NCERT books are a good place to start when preparing for the NEST.
- Simplicity: NCERT books make complex subjects easier to understand using simple, easy-to-understand language and presentation.
Mathematics:
For students in Classes 11 and 12, the NCERT Mathematics textbooks provide a basic foundation in fundamental ideas, including coordinate geometry, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. NCERT books contain examples and problems intended to familiarise students with basic concepts. However, these books do not contain enough depth and do not provide a lot of problems to let students develop problem-solving skills.
There are numerous difficult, application-based questions on the NEST. For this level, NCERT does not have enough practice problems available. A wider variety of problems and practice sets are available in additional question banks, like the SciAstra book and its resources, to help you improve your abilities. Check out this blog to learn more.
Physics:
For an excellent understanding of the fundamental concepts in mechanics, electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics, NCERT Physics textbooks are highly recommended. Effective examples and diagrams aid in the understanding and visualisation of difficult physical phenomena.
NCERT does a good job of covering the fundamentals but falls short on some critical topics for competitive exams. Questions are also not sufficient to familiarise students with the different kinds of questions asked in the exams. Books such as “Concepts of Physics” by HC Verma and resources offered by SciAstra offer more difficult exercises and a wider range of problems.
Chemistry:
The extensive organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry coverage in NCERT Chemistry books aligns with the NEST syllabus. NCERT books are a good place to start because they explain fundamental concepts well. After understanding the concepts you may refer to the material provided by SciAstra for a more in-depth comprehension of the material.
Biology:
NCERT biology textbooks are crucial for comprehending basic biological principles because they offer thorough explanations of concepts. Biology depends on the ability to visualise structures and processes, which is made possible by clear diagrams.
If it becomes necessary to delve deeper into some topics, then it can be obtained from additional question banks and reference materials provided by us.
Beyond NCERT Book:
If you aim for a higher rank, then NCERT alone is not enough. You must supplement your preparation with other reference materials and question banks.
- NEST is somewhat similar to JEE Advanced in terms of difficulty. So, you can use whatever material you have for the JEE Advanced in NEST preparation.
- Try to practice challenging and concept-based questions.
- PYQs play a vital role in preparation for every exam. You should thoroughly practice the previous year’s questions to gain confidence and understanding of the exam.
- Identify Weak Areas to learn more about subjects you find difficult or that are known to be crucial for the NEST, pick up extra reference books.
- Practice a lot. Consistent practice is essential. Practice a wide range of questions by using online resources, mock tests, and previous years’ question papers.
- Regular revision is the key to a good score.
- You can also refer to the SciAstra books provided along with the courses.
- If you ever face any problem, don’t hesitate to consult with educators and mentors who can offer advice and tips unique to the NEST. You can go for Sciastra mock tests and classes, as they will not only explain the topics easily to you but will also help you a lot to practice rigorously.
Conclusion:
NCERT textbooks cover many syllabi and provide clear explanations, making them a great place to start when preparing for the NEST. However, studying beyond the NCERT books is essential to doing well in the NEST. Adding extra resources to your studies, practising a lot, and making revisions regularly will improve your comprehension and problem-solving abilities and give you an advantage on the test.
Remember that the secret to success in NEST is to take an all-rounded approach, strengthening your foundation with proper resources and regular practice. We wish you all the best!!
FAQs:
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Which topics are covered in the NEST?
The four main subjects covered on the NEST are math, physics, chemistry, and biology. The final score is calculated based on the best three sections.
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Are NCERT books enough to prepare for the NEST?
Not at all. The NCERT books are a great place to start when preparing for the NEST. However, additional resources and practice materials are needed for comprehensive preparation.
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What additional resources are recommended beyond NCERT books?
SciAstra books and resources provided by us are more than sufficient to ace the NEST. Other books like HC Verma’s “Concepts of Physics,” OP Tandon’s “Physical Chemistry,” and RD Sharma’s “Mathematics” are recommended for deeper understanding and advanced problem-solving practice.
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Can NCERT books help with the theoretical part of the NEST?
Indeed, NCERT books are very helpful in helping students comprehend and become proficient in the theoretical parts of the subjects asked in the NEST.
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 in their 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!
