What is the NEST Exam? Complete Overview, Eligibility, and Preparation Tips

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) plays a crucial role for students aiming to secure admission into the five-year Integrated MSc programs offered at 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 (UM-DAE CEBS). Moreover, these programs emphasise research and scientific innovation, making NEST a vital step for aspiring researchers. Additionally, NEST evaluates students in essential science subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics, to identify top talent in the scientific community.

1. What is the NEST Exam?

The NEST exam serves as the entry point for students who wish to pursue a future in scientific research at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. Moreover, these institutes stand at the forefront of scientific education in India, offering students access to cutting-edge facilities and research opportunities. NEST is a computer-based test (CBT) that assesses students’ scientific aptitude in core subjects. Thus, it allows institutes to filter through thousands of applicants to find those with the best potential.

Besides offering a solid academic curriculum, NISER and CEBS focus on nurturing scientific talent, thereby promoting interdisciplinary research. NEST remains the only route to admission for these MSc programs, making it essential for students interested in a career in research.

2. NEST 2025 Eligibility Criteria:

Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements for NEST 2025. These criteria include educational qualifications, minimum marks, and reservation policies. Note that these criteria are as per the NEST 2024 criteria, which were updated last April 2024. It may change for this year, and you should check the official website to find the latest updates.

Educational Qualification-

Candidates must have completed their Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2023 and 2024 or must appear for it in 2025. Moreover, applicants need to have studied at least three of the four core subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Additionally, the candidate’s educational background should come from the science stream.

Minimum Marks Requirement-

• General and OBC candidates must secure at least 60% aggregate marks in their Class XII exams.
• SC/ST/Divyangjan (PwD) candidates require a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.

Since these minimum marks are mandatory, candidates must focus on their Class XII performance to ensure eligibility. Additionally, applicants should make sure they check the respective cutoffs based on their category.

Reservation of Seats

The reservation of seats follows the Government of India guidelines, and candidates must present valid documentation to claim these reserved spots.

• OBC-NCL: 27% of seats are reserved.
• SC: 15% of seats.
• ST: 7.5% of seats.
• Divyangjan: 5% of seats in each category.

Thus, students belonging to these reserved categories must ensure they meet all necessary documentation requirements to benefit from the reservation.

3. Exam Pattern:

Understanding the exam pattern is essential for planning your preparation for NEST. The exam assesses proficiency in four subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Moreover, candidates should know the exam format to make the best use of their strengths.

Exam Format-

NEST 2025 will be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) format, and candidates must answer four sections in total. Each section will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Moreover, the subjects tested will include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Physics

Since students can answer all four sections, their best three section scores will be considered for the final result. Thus, even if one section is challenging, students can still perform well based on the other three sections.

Marking Scheme-

• 3 marks are awarded for each correct answer.
• 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect response.
  However, unattempted questions have no penalty.

Because accuracy is crucial in securing high marks, candidates must focus on avoiding guesswork in the exam. Moreover, the final score considers only the top three sections, thereby giving students the flexibility to focus on their strengths.

Sectional Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS)-

The SMAS is a threshold score that candidates must exceed in at least three sections to qualify. Furthermore, the SMAS will be based on the performance of the top 100 candidates for each section, meaning that it will vary yearly. Consequently, students must ensure they meet this sectional cutoff to qualify for the merit list.

Note that these details are as per the information brochure updated last April 2024.

4. Strategies To Prepare for IAT and NEST?

You will find many guides and resources for JEE and NEET aspirants. However, there is not much resource for NEST aspirants. So, how do you know the best way to prepare for NEST? Do not worry much because SciAstra is here for you. To learn about the preparation strategies for IAT and NEST, check the following blog:

Complete Guide On How To Prepare For NEST 2025

We keep posting such guides on our website, YouTube and Instagram. To not miss any updates, follow the following steps:

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5. SciAstra Courses NEST:

Well, cracking IAT and NEST is not easy. But, with the right preparation, you can crack these exams. And for the right preparation, you need the best mentor. SciAstra offers the best courses for IAT and NEST, and we have hundreds of selections. So, start your preparation today by choosing any of the following courses:

• Vikram 2.0: If you are preparing for IAT or NEST 2025
• Kalam Batch: If you want to prepare for IAT or NEST 2025 and want the complete course in English only
• Homi 2026: If you are preparing for IAT or NEST 2026

To find the details of these courses, click here.

6. SciAstra Books For NEST:

SciAstra Books offers everything a student needs to prepare for IAT and NEST. With their focus on theory, practice, and past questions, these books provide a one-stop solution for all your preparation needs.

Click the following links to download your books now:

1. Mastering Combo- Class 11th and 12th-

https://courses.sciastra.com/courses/…

2. Mastering Combo- Class 12th Set-

https://courses.sciastra.com/courses/…

3. Mastering Combo-  Class 11th Set-

https://courses.sciastra.com/courses/…

Conclusion:

NEST 2025 offers a golden opportunity for students who are passionate about science and aspire to join NISER or UM-DAE CEBS. Moreover, by understanding the exam pattern, eligibility criteria, and preparation strategies, candidates can approach the exam confidently. Besides focusing on individual strengths, students should consistently practice mock tests and review all key concepts. Thus, with determination and the right resources, students can secure admission into one of India’s leading research institutes.

FAQs:

1. Can I skip one section in the NEST exam?
   Yes, the NEST exam allows students to skip one section because the final score considers only the best three sections out of four.
2. What is the minimum percentage required for NEST eligibility?
   General and OBC candidates need at least 60%, while SC/ST/Divyangjan candidates require a minimum of 55% in their Class XII examination.
3. How long is the NEST exam, and how should I manage time?
   The NEST exam lasts for 3 hours and 30 minutes, and candidates should practice mock tests to improve time management during the actual exam.

About Us:

SciAstra is India’s First & Largest Research Community. We’re a team of scientists and research scholars from IISc, Oxford, Harvard, and Cambridge and many more prestigious institutions around the world.

Since 2021, we have guided over 170,000 and taught more than 20,000 students, resulting in more than 2,000 top-ranked selections with AIR 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, and more in IISC Bangalore, IISER, NISER, IACS, and so on. If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST, ISI / CMI, IACS, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, PYQs with detailed solutions, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!