The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2020 will be conducted on June 6 and as the day draws closer, candidates need to start preparing straight away in order to ace the national-level exam. NEST is conducted jointly by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar and Mumbai University – Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai.
NEST is conducted to offer students admission into five-year integrated Master in Science (MSc) programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Candidates who are able to qualify for the entrance test will be offered admission in NISER or UM-DAE CEBS. However, the entrance test is no child’s play as over thousands of students apply every year and in order to be granted admission in the above mentioned prestigious institutes, candidates need to prepare well, know the guidelines thoroughly, need to understand the NEST exam pattern, marking scheme and syllabus and most importantly, the applicants must put in plenty of time and dedication.
Explore colleges based on NEST
Here are certain step-wise preparation tips for NEST 2020 you could follow to ace the upcoming exam.
- Stepwise Preparation for NEST 2020
- NEST 2020 Exam Highlights
- How to Prepare for NEST 2020?
Stepwise Preparation for NEST 2020
Step 1: Know the NEST exam syllabus thoroughly.
Step 2: Understand the NEST exam pattern and marking scheme so that you can prepare accordingly.
Step 3: Get all the NEST study material such as prep books and previous years question papers in order to help better understand what to expect in the entrance exam.
Step 4: Create a day to day, weekly and monthly time table on how much material to cover on a daily basis.
Step 5: Solve question papers, sample papers and give mock tests to know one’s strengths and weaknesses.
NEST 2020 Exam Highlights
| Exam name |
National Entrance Screening Test |
| Exam frequency |
Once a year |
| Exam mode |
Online |
| Exam duration |
3 hours 30 minutes |
| Test takers |
Approx. 60,000 |
| Accepting colleges |
|
| Official website |
www.nestexam.in |
How to Prepare for NEST 2020?
NEST is a national-level entrance exam which is highly competitive and candidates appearing for the test need to have a strategy and aim in mind in order to score well and qualify. Candidates who have applied can go through the following tips while preparing for NEST.
Know the NEST Exam Pattern
First and foremost, you must be versed with the NEST exam pattern. You should know which about topics the weightage of marks lie, how many questions will be asked in the exam, how long is the NEST exam and the total number of questions asked.
Know the NEST Marking Scheme
The candidate needs to know the NEST marking scheme. Will there be negative marking? How many marks does each section have? Until the candidate is not thorough with the exam pattern and marking scheme, the candidate will have a tough time in the exam hall.
To know the NEST exam pattern and marking scheme, candidates can click here.
Know the NEST Syllabus
To perform well and ace the entrance exam, candidates have to thoroughly go through the syllabus. Aspirants need to strategize their plans on a monthly, weekly and daily basis. There is no success without hard work and in order to qualify for the entrance exam, candidates can prepare better by knowing which topics to cover in-depth and which require superficial knowledge. The candidate can do so as per the below-mentioned pointers:
- Make a list of topics, subject wise
- Segregate the subjects and topics into easy and difficult as per personal experience.
Note down topics which carry maximum weightage (as per previous year’s question papers).
To know the NEST syllabus, candidates can click here.
Go through NEST Prep books
Along with the syllabus, candidates should have prep books along with them while preparing for NEST 2020. Candidates are advised to purchase at least two to three prep books to help better understand the test.
Prepare a time table
One of the most important elements while preparing for an entrance exam is time management. Candidates need to work out a time table as to how much material to cover on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. On creating a plan, the candidate can cover all the topics which are to come in the entrance exam. Revise the syllabus and content, attempt as many question papers, mock papers and previous years question papers to better help prepare. Through this, a candidate can have a fair idea of what to expect in the entrance exam.
Refer to Past Years' Question Papers
Candidates are advised to solve last five years question papers to help better understand the exam pattern and format of questions which will be asked in NEST 2020. Through the previous questions, candidates can understand which subjects are given high importance and topics which can help the aspirant score better in the exam.
Candidates can download the NEST previous years question papers by clicking here.
Solve Sample Papers and Mock Tests
The best way for a candidate to know their strengths and weakness is by solving question papers, sample papers and mock tests. Through this, candidates can also figure out the best approach to be followed when they head out to attempt the main NEST question paper. From formulating a time management to understanding the format of the paper, solving sample papers can help candidates prepare better for the entrance exam.
For more details and information on NEST, candidates can go through the following links:
Read More:

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Student Forum
Answered 2 weeks ago
The process to retrieve the NEST password is mentioned below
- Go to NEST 2026 website.
- Click on the Login link.
- Then click on forget password.
- Provide the user id and click on "Get Password".
- Enter new password.
- Click on the Change Password button.
- Use your new password to log in.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
The following candidates are eligible to apply for NISER 2026.
- Candidates who have completed class 10+2 from a recognised board with at least three out of four disciplines - Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.
- Obtained 60% marks (55% for SC, ST and Divyangjan categories) in aggregate.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
There is no option to get NISER with 60 marks. The safe marks in NEST for NISER admission are 120+ marks.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
The NEST question paper comprises 4 sections, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Each section carries 20 questions. Each question carries three marks. NEST 2026 total marks are 240.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The authority releases the NEST answer key online. The answer key is released in pdf formation. The process to download the answer key for NEST 2026 is mentioned below.
- Visit NEST website, nestexam.in.
- Click on the Answer key link
- NEST answer key pdf will appear
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NEST question paper comprises 4 sections. Each section has 20 multiple-choice questions. The questions are based on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Each question will comprise 3 marks. Negative marking is done for wrong answers.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Based on exam analysis, NEST is of a moderate difficulty level. Students whose conceptual knowledge is good can easily crack the exam. To prepare for the test candidates must follow the exam syllabus.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NEST exam is for admission to 5-year Integrated M.Sc. programme in Biological, Chemical, Mathematical and Physical sciences offered at National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and the University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NEST 2026 result date will be announed on the official website. The result is expected to release in the last week of June 2026. NEST result link will be updated on online.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, candidates who have passed class 12 with PCM or BiPC can appear for NEST. They alos need to obtain 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/ Divyangjan) in aggregate.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Admit Card - 15 May '26