NEST Preparation 2025: Check Best Books, Tips & Strategy

National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 5 Jan '26 - 6 Apr '26

Sreetama Datta Roy
Updated on Nov 6, 2025 13:46 IST

By Sreetama Datta Roy, Manager Content

NEST 2025 Preparation strategy is prepared by those students who wish to appear for the NEST Entrance Exam. The NEST Syllabus is vast and consists of various important topics from science stream subjects of class 11 and 12: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. 

It is better to use the best books for NEST Preparation to improve the score to qualify for the NEST exam. Being aware of the NEST Syllabus and exam pattern will also benefit students who are preparing for this exam. Students should also pick out important topics from the past year's question papers and should practise mock tests. 

The NEST 2025 exam mode is online, Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, and the exam is conducted in two sessions on the same day. Candidates appearing for the Integrated MSc entrance exam by NISER and CEBS can check here for NEST preparation tips, including study plan, exam pattern, syllabus, and books.

Table of contents
  • How to prepare for NEST?
  • What is the marking scheme for the NEST 2025?
  • Best Books for NEST 2025 Preparation
  • Take NEST 2025 Mock Tests
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How to prepare for NEST?

Since four different subjects are expected in the question paper of NEST 2025 from last year's trend, candidates should go for a section-wise preparation strategy. For this, the candidates should: 

  1. Make a proper study plan 
  2. Know the exam pattern of NEST
  3. Get the books and study material 
  4. Know the NEST exam syllabus of each section
  5. Practice mock test papers/ online mock tests 
  6. Solve the paper in time bound manner it will give applicants the feel the exam like pressure at home. 
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are good books for NEST preparation?
A: 

Students who want to qualify the NEST exam first they must complete the books of class 11th and 12th. 

Applicants can follow the below-mentioned books for the NEST preparation.

  1. For chemistry, Wiley, KL CHUGH & Dinesh publication books are good

  2. For Physics, DC Pandey & HC Verma's books.

  3. For Mathematics, R D Sharma, SN DEY books

  4. For Biology subject, Objective Biology by Dinesh

Along with these books NCERT & NCERT EXEMPLAR is a must for applicants for all individual subjects. 

 

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What is the marking scheme for the NEST 2025?

It is essential to know the pattern including test paper structure, type of questions, and marking scheme before appearing for the national-level Integrated MSc exam. The details of the NEST exam are mentioned below. 

  • Exam mode - The exam will be held in a CBT mode wherein candidates will be allotted systems to take the exam.
  • Test paper language - All the NEST questions will be in the English language only.
  • Type of questions - NEST question papers will be of an objective-type nature i.e. carrying multiple choices, and candidates have to darken the correct option in OMR sheets.
  • Total number of questions - The total number of questions to be attempted is 70 divided into five sections.
  • Total marks - The results will be evaluated out of 180 marks for the General section and the 'best three' of the subject sections. 

These things will work as NEST 2025 preparation tips 2025.

 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How do I prepare for NEST exam in 2 months?
A: 

The NEST entrance exam is one of the toughest exams among all the science entrance exams according to the previous years' exam analysis. Candidates should invest a minimum of six months of NEST Preparation to score well in the NEST exam. However, if the candidate preparation strategy is really good then 2 to 3 months would be sufficient.

Q:   How do I prepare for NEST mock test?
A: 

Read the following points to understand the ways to prepare for the mock test.

  • Make important points and mark important topics in your revision notes.

  • Ensure you get some leisure time along with studying to avoid stress.

  • Make a revision schedule. 

  • Practise previous year's question papers. 

  • Be aware of the marking criteria. 

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Best Books for NEST 2025 Preparation

Candidates must refer to the best study material to prepare for each section of NEST 2025. Listed below are some books considered best for NEST 2025 that cover the entire syllabus and, will help prepare for the examination in 3 months:

Subject 

Books for NEST 2022 preparation 

Biology  

Biology by Dinesh

Chemistry 

Chemistry by RPH Editorial 

Mathematics 

Mathematics by RD Sharma

Physics 

Physics by DC Pandey

 

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Take NEST 2025 Mock Tests

Along with the books and study material, candidates should also practice the mock test papers in online mode as well as the question papers of NEST from previous years. By attempting mock tests and previous years' papers, candidates would be able to know the exact status of their preparation. The mock tests will give an analysis of the candidate's strengths and weaknesses along with improving the speed and accuracy of taking the exam. Therefore to improve test skills, and to score well in each section of NEST 2025, candidates must practice mock tests. 

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NEST Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered Yesterday

Hey, for LPU NEST counselling, you'll need to carry these docs to make things smooth—LPU keeps it straightforward so you can focus on joining their awesome campus life.
Class 10th marksheet and certificate for basic ID and birth proof. Class 12th marksheet and certificate to verify your scores. LPUNE

...Read more

S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 3

Answered Yesterday

Yeah, LPU totally releases the LPU NEST counselling dates on their official site—it's super organized and student-friendly. For 2026, they've got it starting February 8th onwards for B.Tech, with online seat preferences from Feb 8-10, results on 12th, and admissions up to late Feb. Results drop quic

...Read more

S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 3

Answered Yesterday

Hey, so from what I've checked on LPU's official site, the NEST counselling is mainly done online, which is super convenient for us students anywhere in India. You just log in after your results, pick your preferred courses and seats based on your rank, and lock it all in digitally—no need to travel

...Read more

S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 5 hours ago

Hey, as a fellow student checking out B.Tech options, LPU's pretty solid for engineering. The campus is massive with top-notch labs, modern hostels, and all the facilities you need to actually learn stuff hands-on.​
Faculty-wise, many are from IITs/NITs, super qualified, and they focus on practical s

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S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 5 hours ago

Yeah, for LPU NEST counselling, you pretty much need your Class 10 and 12 certificates or at least the marksheets handy. They're super important to verify your age from 10th and check eligibility via 12th before they lock in your seat or scholarship—LPU's process is smooth like that, making sure eve

...Read more

S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 3 days ago

The  Mumbai University NEST Cutoff was released for admissions to the Intergrated MSc courses. The cutoff ranged from 14 to 81 rank according to the first and last round closing ranks for NEST Cutoff 2024. The hardest MSc specialisations was Integrated M.Sc. in Physics and the easiest specialisation

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

Practising LPU NEST sample papers is extremely important in exam preparation. Sample Papers will help candidate understand the exam pattern. Practising sample papers regularly helps in time management. It helps the candidates understand the weakest topics. Candidates will also get to know the most f

...Read more

M

Mohit Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 6 days ago

The candidates who qualify in the LPU NEST 2026 examination can participate in the counselling process. The candidates must enter their seat preferences during the counselling process. After entering the course preference, they should complete the admission process by paying the admission fee and up

...Read more

S

Shikha Hazarika

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The NEST Syllabus is available on the official portal for those students who wish to appear for the exam. One needs to visit the official portal to be able to download the syllabus for all subjects. They need to click on the syllabus and information brochure link in the top right corner of the homep

...Read more

I

Ishita Chauhan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted on June 6, 2026. The exam result was declared tentatively in the second week of July 2026, after a few days, when the NEST answer Key objection window is over. 

I

Ishita Chauhan

Contributor-Level 10

3 Institutes accepting NEST

Visva Bharati University

West Bengal - Other Public

Visva Bhar
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  • 95,650
  • 5 years
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  • 20,000
  • 5 years
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