NEST Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Mode of Exam, Subjects & Scores

NEST Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Mode of Exam, Subjects & Scores

Team Careers360Updated on 12 Nov 2025, 11:26 AM IST

NEST Exam Pattern 2026: The UM-DAE CEBS, in collaboration with the NISER Bhubaneswar, conducts the NEST exam for admission to MSc programmes. Candidates who are willing to appear in the NEST examination must be aware of the exam pattern. The NISER Bhubaneswar will release the NEST exam pattern 2026 on its website. The NEST 2026 exam pattern consists of four sections: mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry.

This Story also Contains

  1. What is the NEST Exam Pattern 2026?
  2. NEST Marking Scheme 2026
  3. NEST Negative Marking 2026
  4. Section -Wise Division of NEST Exam pattern 2026
  5. NEST 2026 Exam Pattern - Important Points
  6. NEST Syllabus 2026
  7. Exam Day Instructions for NEST 2026
NEST Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Mode of Exam, Subjects & Scores
NEST 2026 Exam pattern

It must be noted by the aspirants that only the best 3 marks will be considered while preparing the NEST merit list 2026. To understand the NEST exam pattern, one needs to know its marking scheme and other details very thoroughly. This article will help the aspirants to understand the NEST exam pattern very well.

What is the NEST Exam Pattern 2026?

The exam pattern of the NEST exam includes details such as time duration, maximum questions, total marks, number of sections and marking scheme. Aspirants preparing for the NEST 2026 exam are advised to check all the necessary details below:

NEST 2026 Exam Pattern

Types of questions

Multiple Choice Questions

Total sections

4

NEST exam total marks

240

NEST exam duration

3 hours and 30 minutes

Marks for each section

60

NEST 2026 marking scheme

  • +3 for every correct answer

  • -1 for every incorrect answer

  • 0 for not attempting a question

NEST Marking Scheme 2026

Candidates who are getting prepared for the NEST entrance exam 2026 need to know how the exam will be graded. Each section of the examination has its own NEST exam marking scheme. There are negative marks in each of the four sections: biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. There may be one or more correct answers to some questions. The number of questions for the NEST 2026 exam changes each year.

NEST Negative Marking 2026

Negative marks are awarded for incorrect answers in NEST 2026. Candidates who plan to take the NEST entrance exam 2026 should be aware of the marking scheme, as it will assist in better exam preparation. All four of NEST's sections have negative marking. It is important to note that questions left unanswered do not result in a penalty point. For each incorrect response on the NEST 2026 exam, students will lose one mark.

NEST Sectional Weightage with table

Sections

Subjects

Maximum marks

Section 1

Physics

60

Section 2

Chemistry

60

Section 3

Biology

60

Section 4

Mathematics

60

NEST Total Marks


240

Note: It must be noted that when the NEST 2026 merit list is being prepared, only the top three sections will be taken into account. 180 marks will be used to calculate the effective marks.

Section -Wise Division of NEST Exam pattern 2026

Aspirants can check the NEST paper pattern according to section-wise from the table below.

Section

Subject

Marks

I - Biology

20 questions

60 marks

II - Chemistry

20 questions

60 marks

III - Mathematics

20 questions

60 marks

IV - Physics

20 questions

60 marks

Total

80 questions

240 marks

NEST 2026 Exam Pattern - Important Points

It is necessary for applicants to attempt multiple-choice questions on the NEST exam 2026. Applicants have to select one response from a list of four.

  • Every applicant must mark all of the right responses.

  • Negative marks do not apply to questions that are not attempted.

  • The top three subjects' grades will be taken into account for determining the NEST 2026 result.

  • Candidates should avoid answering a question where he or she is unsure, in order to prevent negative marking.

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NEST Syllabus 2026

To familiarise themselves with the subjects from which the questions in the exam come, students planning to take the NEST exam 2026 must review the syllabus. All of the units, topics, and themes that will be covered in the entrance exam are included in the NEST syllabus 2026. The five subject areas included in the NEST 2026 syllabus are mathematics, general, chemistry, physics, and biology. Candidates can create an effective NEST 2026 preparation plan by familiarising themselves with the syllabus.

Exam Day Instructions for NEST 2026

  • Candidates must bring their NEST admit card, as they are not allowed to enter the examination centre without a valid one.

  • It is strictly prohibited for candidates to bring any electronic or communication device into the examination centre.

  • It is advised that applicants arrive at the centre according to their scheduled reporting and entry time.

  • Without undergoing the required screening using a handheld metal detector (HHMD), no applicant will be allowed to enter the examination centreThere won't be any physical contact during the procedure.

NEST Question/Sample Papers
Candidates can download NEST Question/Sample Papers from here.
Download Now

Note: Candidates are not allowed to leave the NEST Exam centre before the exam is over.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: From where will the NEST exam pattern 2026 be downloaded?
A:

The conducting authority will release the NEST exam pattern on the NEST website at nestexam.in.

Q: What is the marking scheme for the NEST 2026 exam?
A:

Candidates will be awarded +3 for every correct answer marked, and -1 will be given for each wrong answer.

Q: How are the final marks calculated for the NEST 2026 merit list?
A:

Marks of the best three will be considered to prepare the NEST merit list.

Q: What is the duration of the NEST exam 2026?
A:

The duration of the NEST entrance is 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Q: What are the sections in the NEST 2026 examination?
A:

There are four sections in the NEST exam: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.

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Questions related to NEST

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NEST ?

Hello,

Yes, as a PCB (physics, chemistry, biology) student you can appear for the NEST (National Screening Test) exam, as it is open to all science students, and they can appear for any three of the four sections (biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics). With the NEST exam, you can get admission to institutes like NISER and CEBS.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hey:)

Thanks for reaching out!

You can attempt the NEST exam multiple times since there's no fixed limit on the number of attempts, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria for that particular year. On the other hand, the IISER Aptitude test (IAT) allows a maximum of three attempts in consecutive years after your class 12th. Both exams are conducted once a year,so, stay updated on eligibility rules and make the best use of the opportunity.

Hope this helps!


Yes, your NEST 2025 rank of 470 is quite competitive for getting admission into CEBS Mumbai. In previous years, CEBS has admitted students with ranks even beyond 500 in later rounds, depending on the availability of seats and withdrawals. So with your rank, you definitely stand a good chance, especially in Round 1 itself.

Also, keep in mind:

  • You must fill out the CEBS-specific admission form after your NEST result.

  • Be ready with your documents like Class 12 marksheet, NEST scorecard, ID proof, etc.

  • Fee structure is also subsidized due to DAE support and scholarships are available for meritorious students.

So yes, you are in a good position for CEBS Mumbai admission. Just follow the official admission updates and don’t miss the deadlines.


Hello!

So according to your rank that is 1713 in NEST you chances of getting NISER is very difficult because the cutt off of general category usually closed at 1000 rank and seats are very limited,  You rank 1713 is above that. You can try for other institutes that accept low rank if you are open to other options.


Yes, with a PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) background, you can pursue a B.Tech in Biotechnology, especially if you've taken relevant entrance exams like NEST, CUET, or have appeared for NEET. While some B.Tech programs may require Mathematics as a core subject, many universities offer programs that accommodate PCB students, either through specific tracks or by providing bridging courses in Mathematics during the first year.