NEST Question Papers, Sample Papers PDF: Download Free
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Registration - 5 Jan '26 - 6 Apr '26
NISER and UM-DAE CEBS release the NEST question paper on the website, nestexam.in. NEST question paper PDF comprises questions with correct keys. Aspirants can use the question paper to prepare for the exam. Solving the NEST previous year question papers will help in self-assessment. Students will also get familiar with the National Entrance Screening Test difficulty level and know the weightage of topics section-wise. The questions in the exam will be based on Class 11 & 12 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. Students must follow the NEST exam syllabus and paper pattern to plan their preparation. The NEST 2026 exam will be held on June 6, 2026.
Various coaching institutes will release the NEST 2026 question paper after the exam is over. These questions are memory-based. Students can use the NEST question paper with solutions to verify their answer and predict the final score. The final score will be released alongwith the NEST exam result 2026. To secure good marks, students must focus on NEST pyq. The links for the NEST previous year questions are updated in this article.
- NEST Question Paper Pattern And Structure
- How to Prepare for NEST 2026
- NEST 2026 Syllabus
- NEST 2025 Analysis
- NEST Answer Key 2026
- NEST 2024 Question Paper
- NEST 2023 Question Paper
- NEST Previous Year Questions Papers
- Prep Guides
- FAQs for NEST 2026 Question Paper
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 |
Commonly asked questions
Applicants who want to appear in NEST exam must check the syllabus as well as the exam pattern before appearing in the exam. The NEST exam syllabus 2026 has been released by the exam conducting authorities along with the release of the official notification on December 15. Applicants are advised to check the NEST previous year syllabus to get an idea about the syllabus. It has remained the same as last year.
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.
NEST Answer Key 2026
NISER and UM-DAE CEBS will release the NEST 2026 answer key online. You can verify your answer using the answer key. Below are the steps to download the NEST answer key 2026.
- Go to NEST website.
- Click on answer key link.
- Download the NEST answer key PDF.
Commonly asked questions
No, the NEST answer key 2026 will be released after the exam is over. NEST answer key release date will be announced online. NISER and UM-DAE CEBS release the answer key alongwith the NEST question paper.
The exam authority will update the NEST answer key release date online. Students can download the NEST answer key pdf using the link updated on the website. The correct answers will be mentioned in the answer key PDF.
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 2024 Question Paper
NEST 2024 Question Paper Session 1
NEST 2024 Question Paper Session 2
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
FAQs for NEST 2026 Question Paper
Here we have provided frequently asked questions (FAQs) based on the NEST question paper 2026.
Commonly asked questions
The NEST question paper is divided into four sections. The questions are based on Class 11 & 12 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. Each section has 20 questions. Every question carries 3 marks. Negative marking is done for wrong answers.
NEST exam previous year question paper is available online at nestexam.in. The steps to download the NEST previous year question paper PDF are mentioned below.
- Go to the NEST website
- Select the question archive.
- The question paper pdf will display.
- Click on the NEST exam previous year question pdf link.
- The pdf will open and download the same.
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 question paper with answer will be updated on the website, nestexam.in. Students can download the question paper and answer key in PDF format. NEST previous year questions are best for the preparation of the exam.
Science exams whose registrations are closing soon
Register now and prepare to increase your chances at top colleges which accept these exams
27 Jan '26 - 5 Mar '26
1 Nov '25 - 28 Feb '26
16 Jan '26 - 27 Feb '26
Feb '26
NEST Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 6 days ago
NASM Mumbai has a state of the art infra with multiple facilities available in the college. The NASM Mumbai campus is has facilities such as virtual private network and high-speed broadband. The college has collaborated with housing service providers for giving good amenities to students. The NASM M
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
NASM Mumbai has experienced & skilled faculty members. The NASM Mumbai faculty are scholars with various degree & Diploma holders. NASM Mumbai faculty motivates students to work on their knowledge & skills.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The last date of admission in Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM) is not visible on the official website. Candidates can reach the Shiksha's official website or click here for last date of admission information.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
NEST exam is conducted once a year. For academic year 2026-27, National Entrance Screening Test will be conducted on June 6, 2026. Students can apply for the exam online.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
NEST 2026 registration window is open from January 5 to April 6, 2026. The application form link is updated on the website, nestexam.in. Students who wish to get admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programme offered at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS can apply online.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The important dates for NEST exam 2026 are as follows:
| Event | Dates |
| NEST registration | January 5 to April 6, 2026 |
| NEST form correction | April 13 to 14, 2026 |
| NEST admit card 2026 | May 15, 2026 |
| NEST exam 2026 date | June 6, 2026 |
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
NEST exam is held once a year. The exam is conducted as computer based test. NEST 2026 is scheduled on June 6, 2026.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Nest Academy of Sports Management offers programmes at UG and PG levels. The minimum eligibility required for UG programmes is passing Class 12 in any stream from a recognised Board of Education while for PG programmes, candidates must pass UG in any stream from a recognised university.
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Find below some important documents required during the admission process at NASM, Mumbai:
- 3 passport size photographs
- Photocopy of 10th marksheet and certificates
- Photocopy of 12th marksheet and certificates
- Photocopy of Graduation marksheet and Provisional Certificate / degree (applicable only for PG
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NASM, Mumbai, application process is conducted strictly in the online mode via the official NASM website. Find below the steps of the application process:
- Go to the official NASM website.
- Select 'Apply Now' on the right tab of the website.
- Fill the registration form with the required personal details.
- S
h
Contributor-Level 10
3 Institutes accepting NEST
West Bengal - Other • Public
4.6Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in...
Santacruz East, Mumbai • Public
Explore more Science exams with upcoming dates
RUASAT 2026 Application Process Session 1 1 Dec '25 - 5 Apr '26
How is the college infra at Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM)?