The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a highly competitive entrance exam conducted for admission to the 5 year Integrated MSc program in basic sciences—Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. This 5 year program is offered by 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 (UMDAE CEBS), Mumbai. For NEST 2024, understanding the Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) is crucial for aspirants aiming to secure a seat in these prestigious institutions. In this article, we will explain the details of MAP along with other important information about NEST. Are you planning to appear for NEST 2025? If yes, then SciAstra has something for you. Keep reading the article to find out.
Exam Pattern of NEST:
NEST is structured to assess the candidates’ knowledge and aptitude in basic sciences. The exam pattern is as follows:
- Sections: The examination consists of four sections—Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Each section is worth 60 marks, making the total maximum score 240 marks.
- Sessions: The exam is conducted in two sessions with different sets of question papers. The percentile scores are calculated based on the relative performance of candidates within each session.
- Merit List Calculation: For the preparation of the merit list, the best three scores out of the four sections are considered. Therefore, the maximum score for merit list purposes is 180 marks.
Click here to learn more about the NEST exam pattern.
Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS):
To be eligible for the merit list, candidates must achieve the Sectionwise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) in at least three out of the four sections. SMAS is calculated as 20% of the average of the best 100 scores in each section. This means that the SMAS for different sections can vary and can be different for each session of the exam.
For example, if the average of the best 100 scores in the Chemistry section is 48 out of 60, then the SMAS for Chemistry would be 480.20 = 9.6 marks. This calculation is similarly applied to other sections.
Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP)
In addition to achieving the SMAS, candidates must also score equal to or above the Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) to secure a merit rank. The MAP for NEST 2024 varies by category:
- General Category: 95 percentile
- OBC Category: 90 percentile
- SC/ST/Divyangjan Category: 75 percentile
Candidates scoring below the MAP will not be allotted any merit rank, regardless of whether they have achieved the SMAS in all sections.
Eligibility Criteria:
To appear for NEST 2024, candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates should have passed the Class XII board examination in the science stream in 2022 or 2023 or be appearing for the same in 2024 from any recognised board in India.
- Minimum Marks: General and OBC category candidates must secure at least 60% in aggregate in their Class XII examination. For SC/ST/Divyangjan candidates, the minimum requirement is 55%.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in the NEST 2024 examination.
Click here to learn more about the eligibility criteria for NEST.
Reservation of Seats:
NISER and UMDAE CEBS follow the rules of the government of India regarding the reservation of seats. The reservation breakdown is as follows:
- OBC-NCL: 27%
- SC: 15%
- ST: 7.5%
- Divyangjan: 5% of seats in each category
Additionally, there are provisions for reservation for candidates from economically weaker sections (EWS) and supernumerary seats for eligible candidates from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
How Can I Prepare For NEST 2025?
As we had promised, if you are a NEST 2025 aspirant, SciAstra has something for you. Preparing for an exam as competitive as NEST requires dedicated study and a clear understanding of concepts. SciAstra offers comprehensive courses designed to help NEST aspirants excel. Their courses include:
- Expert Faculty: Most of the faculty members at SciAstra are IISER and NISER graduates. They, themselves, have cracked these exams and, hence, know it better than anyone.
- Practice Tests: SciAstra courses consist of regular mock tests that simulate the actual exam environment and help improve time management and accuracy.
- Personalised Mentorship: SciAstra provides unique one-on-one sessions to address individual doubts and customize learning plans.
Which SciAstra Course Should I Choose For NEST 2025 and NEST 2026?
If you are a NEST aspirant who is looking for a program, SciAstra has come to your rescue. SciAstra has recently launched two courses that can help you excel in NEST. These two courses are Vikram 1.0 and HOMI 2026. Details of these courses are given below:
Vikram 1.0 Batch 2025-
The Vikram 1.0 Batch 2025 is designed for students aiming to excel in competitive exams like NEST, IAT, and other science entrance exams. This batch targets the 2025 examination cycle and provides a comprehensive learning experience.
Key Features of Vikram 1.0 Batch 2025:
- Comprehensive Curriculum:
- Detailed coverage of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.
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- All SciAstra books are provided in PDF format.
- The complete syllabus of the 12th will be covered along with the revision of the 11th syllabus.
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- Personalised Mentorship:
- One-on-one mentorship sessions to address individual learning needs
- Continuous guidance and motivation from mentors throughout the course.
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- Private telegram group of the course
- Special doubt clearing groups
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- Resource Accessibility:
- Access to research study materials, question papers from previous years, and practice questions.
- SciAstra app for easy access to course content and additional resources.
- Focused Preparation for NonMath and NonBio Students:
- Emphasis on non-maths and bio students
- Strategies and tips for tackling complex questions and improving performance.
HOMI 2026 Batch
Key Features of Homi 2026 Batch:
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- Curriculum:
- Complete Syllabus of 11th
- Best course for IISc, NISER, IISER, etc
- Special guidance for non-biology and non-mathematics students to excel in competitive exams
- Curriculum:
- HighQuality Study Materials:
- Best research level study materials
- All 8 SciAstra Books in PDF format, featuring the best theory and question bank
- Interactive Learning and Support:
- Weekly interaction sessions with flexible timings
- Private Telegram group for course participants
- Special doubt clearing groups for each subject (PCMB)
- Interaction and seminar talks with top researchers and scientists
- Holistic Development:
- Meditation and stress buster sessions to help cope with exam pressure
Enroll Now! Click here to learn more about these courses.
Conclusion:
The MAP is a crucial benchmark for candidates aspiring to secure a seat through NEST 2024. Understanding the exam pattern, achieving the SMAS, and aiming for the MAP percentile specific to your category are essential steps in this competitive journey. With the right preparation and resources like SciAstra, you can navigate the challenges of NEST and move closer to your goal of studying at NISER or UMDAE CEBS.
FAQs:
- What is the Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) for NEST 2024?
The MAP for NEST 2024 is the percentile threshold that candidates must meet or exceed to be eligible for the merit list. It varies by category:
- General Category: 95 percentile
- OBC Category: 90 percentile
- SC/ST/Divyangjan Category: 75 percentile
- How is the Sectionwise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) calculated for NEST 2024?
SMAS is calculated as 20% of the average of the best 100 scores in each section. Candidates must achieve the SMAS in at least three out of the four sections to be considered for the merit list.
- What is the exam pattern for NEST 2024?
NEST 2024 consists of four sections—Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics—each worth 60 marks. The best three scores out of the four sections are considered for the merit list, making the total maximum score 180 marks for merit list purposes.
- What are the eligibility criteria for NEST 2024?
Candidates must have passed the Class XII board examination in the science stream in 2022 or 2023, or be appearing for the same in 2024. General and OBC category candidates need a minimum of 60% in aggregate, while SC/ST/Divyangjan candidates need 55%.
- What are the key features of the Homi 2026 Batch offered by SciAstra?
The Homi 2026 Batch includes:
- Complete syllabus coverage of 11th grade.
- Best researchlevel study materials.
- Special guidance for nonbiology and nonmathematics students.
- All 8 SciAstra books in PDF format.
- Weekly interaction sessions, private Telegram group, and special doubt clearing groups.
- Interaction with top researchers and scientists.
- Meditation and stress buster sessions.
- How can SciAstra courses help in preparing for NEST 2025?
SciAstra provides comprehensive courses with expert faculty, detailed study material, regular assessments, and personalised mentorship. These resources help students build a strong foundation, practice effectively, and improve their overall performance in exams like NEST.
- What is the process for enrolling in the Vikram 1.0 Batch 2025 or Homi 2026 Batch?
Students can enrol in these courses by visiting the SciAstra website. The Vikram 1.0 Batch targets students preparing for the 2025 exams, while the Homi 2026 Batch is designed for students aiming for the 2026 exams.
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!
