NEST Question Papers, Sample Papers PDF: Download Free
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Registration - 5 Jan '26 - 6 Apr '26
By solving NEST's previous year's question papers, applicants can make their strategy to qualify for the exam. Since the NEST exam is conducted online mode, applicants will not be given question papers of the NEST exam after the conclusion of the exam. After the conclusion of the exam, the NEST question paper PDFs, along with the NEST answer keys, will be provided on the exam portal.
By going through NEST question papers, candidates can check the exam pattern, syllabus, and type of questions that will be asked in the exam, as well as the important topics. Candidates can download NEST 2025 and other previous year question papers here. Students could download these question papers without registration to practice for the exam. It is strongly recommended that students solve the NEST's previous years' papers to prepare for the NEST 2026 exam, to be held on June 6, 2026. Candidates can check the shift-wise NEST Question paper in the section below.
- NEST Question Paper Pattern And Structure
- How to Prepare for NEST 2026
- NEST 2026 Syllabus
- NEST 2025 Analysis
- NEST 2023 Question Paper
- NEST Previous Year Questions Papers
- Prep Guides
NEST Question Paper Pattern And Structure
The NEST 2026 exam pattern is expected to remain the same as last year. The complete structure of the NEST question paper is given below.
| Section |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I - Biology |
20 |
60 marks |
| II - Chemistry |
20 |
60 marks |
| III - Mathematics |
20 |
60 marks |
| IV - Physics |
20 |
60 marks |
| Total |
80 questions |
240 marks |
Commonly asked questions
The NEST exam has 20 questions from four sections. The total number of questions is 80. Students have to attempt at least three sections or 60 questions.
For entrance exam since marks from three section are considered hence it can be said that it not compulsory. In the NEST exam your marks will be considered from any of 3 subjects out of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. but if you know basics it will help you to secure marks and for further study during campus classes.
In first year after joining NISER you would be taught basic biology. In fact many students who did not have biology in class 12 and did fairly well in the biology exams during first year.
How to Prepare for NEST 2026
Applicants, along with checking the question paper, should also know how to prepare for the NEST exam. Here we bring tips to qualify for the NEST 2026 exam.
- Prepare short notes while preparing for the exam
- Know exam pattern, question trends and marking scheme
- Practice past NEST question papers and mock tests before appearing for the exam
- Make a timetable and follow it religiously to increase the chances of qualifying
- Follow the best books to prepare for the NEST exam
By following the above-mentioned strategies to pass the exam, applicants can ensure their probability of qualifying with good marks.
Commonly asked questions
There is equal weightage for each section of the NEST exam. There are four sections, each carrying 60 marks. There is negative marking of one mark for wrong answers.
Yes, according to the NEST exam pattern, there will be negative marking. For each wrong answer, one mark will be deducted. The marks per question are three. Full marks in the exam are 240.
NEST 2026 Syllabus
The exam officials have stated that questions in the NEST exam are mainly from the science syllabus of Classes 11 and 12, which is present in NCERT/ CBSE books. Candidates must go through the NEST 2026 syllabus on this page.
NEST 2026: Subject-wise syllabus PDF Link
The table below brings the subject-wise syllabus PDF for NEST 2026.
| Subject | PDF File |
|---|---|
| Physics | Download Here |
| Chemistry | Download Here |
| Mathematics | Download Here |
| Biology | Download Here |
NEST 2025 Analysis
According to the NEST analysis of last year, the questions were from the given syllabus of NEST, which was along the lines of the Board exam syllabus. The topics were on the expected lines. Let us take a look at the section-wise topics. The overall difficulty level of the exam was moderate to tough.
Chemistry - The questions were on the NCERT level. However, there were a lot of questions from previous years' JEE Main question papers. The overall difficulty level of this section was easy. The questions were more on the lines of Inorganic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry.
Mathematics - The majority of the questions were of Class 11 level. The difficulty level was moderate to tough. Some of the topics were Probability and limits, among others.
Physics - The Physics section was the toughest. The topics were calorimetry, current electricity, capacitor, kinematics, unit and dimensions, etc.
Biology - The difficulty level of this section was easy. The topics were from the expected lines like Botany, Human Physiology, and Human Reproduction, among others.
Download previous year NEST question papers and sample papers. Use them for practice and improve your speed and accuracy. You can download NEST previous year question papers and the preparation guides for free.
NEST 2023 Question Paper
Biology Shift 1
Biology Shift 2
Chemistry Shift 1
Chemistry Shift 2
Mathematics Shift 1
Mathematics Shift 2
Physics Shift 1
Physics Shift 2
NEST Previous Year Questions Papers
Question Papers
Prep Guides
NEST Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
No, there is no provision to submit objections against the NEST final answer keys. Based on the objections received on the provisional answer keys, the expert committee will release the final answer keys. These will be final and cannot be further challenged. The NEST result will be based on the fina
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The NEST answer keys will be available in PDF format. Candidates have to log in to the exam portal to download it. Their response sheets will also be released. Based on that, they can calculate their scores.
V
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The total duration of the NEST exam is three hours. The timing of the exam is from 2 PM to 5 PM. Candidates belonging to the PWD category will be given compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour as per the Government of India guidelines. Test takers will not be allowed to leave the centre before 4 PM
L
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
No, there is no age limit to appear for the NEST exam. Candidates planning to appear for the exam must fulfil the other eligibility criteria in terms of clearing the Class 12 Board exam in the Science stream with the category-wise minimum aggregate percentage.
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The NEST exam is conducted in computer-based mode. Questions will appear on the computer screen one by one. With the help of the mouse, they have to select the correct answer option and click on Save and Submit tabs. An onscreen clock will be provided to keep track of the time. An onscreen scientifi
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
NEST is the entrance exam for the Integrated MSc programmes. Hence, it is an undergraduate level entrance exam. Candidates who have passed or appeared for the Class 12 Board exam are eligible for the exam.
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The NEST question papers will be in English and Hindi. Candidates have to select their question paper medium while filling out the application process. In the case of any confusion or discrepancy due to language, the question paper in English will be final.
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The NEST exam is conducted once a year. Generally, the exam is scheduled for June every year. NEST is a computer-based test conducted for three hours. It is held in a single day and shift. The scores are used for admission to the Integrated MSc courses offered at the participating institutes.
M
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
NEST scores are accepted by two institutes of India, the National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, and the University of Mumbai, Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences. Both institutes offer Integrated MSc programmes of five-year duration.
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
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Can I submit objections against the NEST final answer key?