NEST Exam Pattern 2027: Subjects & Number of Questions, Marking Scheme

National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma
Updated on Sep 6, 2026 02:50 IST

By Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

NEST 2027 exam pattern: NISER & CEBS will release the NEST exam pattern 2027 online. Candidates will have to check the information brochure for the exam pattern. They can check the NEST exam pattern to know the structure of the question paper and marking scheme. This will help them in planning their preparation section-wise. NEST exam 2027 will be held online for 180 minutes (3 hours). Candidates can check detailed information on the NEST exam pattern 2027 on this page.

Table of contents
  • NEST 2027 Exam Pattern
  • NEST 2027 Sectional Weightage
  • NEST 2027 Syllabus
  • Instructions to Mark Answers in NEST 2027
  • NEST 2027 Exam Pattern FAQs
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NEST 2027 Exam Pattern

NISER will soon release the NEST paper pattern 2027 online. The exam pattern gives insight into the marking scheme, exam duration, mode of exam, duration of test, etc. NEST question paper will have four sections. Each section will have 20 questions. Every question carries 3 marks, and negative marking will be applied for wrong answers. Check the table for the NEST exam pattern.

NEST Exam Information
Mode of exam Online mode - CBT 
Level of exam National level - Undergraduate exam 
Language of NEST Exam English and Hindi
Duration 3 hours
Exam Timing 2 PM to 5 PM
Type of questions

Objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Total Questions 80 questions 
Number of Sections 4 - Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics
Minimum Number of Sections to Attempt 3
Total marks  240 marks
Number of Options Per Questions 4
Marking Scheme
  • 3 marks for each correct answer
  • 1 mark for each wrong answer
  • 0 for unanswered questions
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NEST 2027 Sectional Weightage

The NEST 2027 exam pattern, or structure, is explained in the table 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 

240 

Candidates have to attempt at least three sections. PWD category candidates shall be allowed compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour as per the Government of India rules. Candidates will not be allowed to enter the exam hall after 3 PM, and the earliest one can leave is 4 PM, on medical grounds only.

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NEST 2027 Syllabus

NISER and CEBS will release the NEST exam syllabus for 2027 online. The exam syllabus will be based on the CBSE curriculum (2025-26). Candidates can refer to Class 11 & 12 NCERT textbooks for exam preparation. This will help to score good marks in NEST 2027.

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Instructions to Mark Answers in NEST 2027

Candidates appearing for the NEST 2027 exam must be familiar with the marking scheme. We have mentioned above that each question in NEST carries 3 marks, while -1 is deducted for wrong answers. Here we have mentioned a few points to remember while marking the answer.

  • Read the questions and options carefully.
  • Mark your answer if you are confident about the answer.
  • No guesswork. Wrong answer and mark will be deducted.
  • Skip the unknown question.
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NEST 2027 Exam Pattern FAQs

Take a look at the frequently asked questions regarding the NEST 2027 exam pattern.

Q:   Is Biology compulsory for NEST exam?
A: 

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.

Q:   What is good score in NEST exam?
A: 

For each section, "20% of the average of the best 100 scores in that section" will be considered as the section–wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS).
For example, if the average of the best 100 scores in the Chemistry section is 43 out of 50, then SMAS for the Chemistry section would be 43*0.20 = 8.6 marks. It will be same for other section too. 

SMAS for the two sessions, for any particular section, can be of different numerical values. The value of SMAS will be different for different category students i.e if it 100 for General candidates then it will be 90 for OBC and 50 for SC/ST and Divyangjan applicants.  

Q:   is there any sectional weightage to any section in NEST exam?
A: 

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.

Q:   Is there any negative marking in NEST?
A: 

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. 

3 Institutes accepting NEST

Azim Premji University

Hosur Road, Bangalore Private

Admissions 2026

Azim Premj
B.Sc. in Mathematics
  • 14.74 Lakh
  • 4 years
  • |
  • Full Time
Integrated M.Sc. in Biology
  • 20,000
  • 5 years
  • |
  • Full Time
Integrated B.Sc. + M.Sc
  • 60,000
  • 5 years
  • |
  • Full Time

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