How many questions will be in NEST exam?

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.

Is Biology compulsory for NEST exam?

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.

is there any sectional weightage to any section in NEST exam?

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.

Is there any negative marking in NEST?

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 Papers, Sample Papers PDF: Download Free

367 Students Q&A

Registration - 5 Jan '26 - 6 Apr '26

Updated on Dec 24, 2025 02:36 IST

By Sreetama Datta Roy, Manager Content

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.

Table of contents

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

How to Prepare for NEST 2026

NEST 2026 Syllabus

NEST 2025 Analysis

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.