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 4 days ago
The LPU NEST counselling process follows several structured steps to ensure smooth admission. First, register online for counselling using your LPUNEST score or merit-based eligibility. Second, pay the counselling fee and choose your preferred programme and specialisation. Third, document verificati
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
During LPU NEST counselling, you need to carry original documents and a set of photocopies for verification. Key documents include Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates, LPUNEST scorecard, identity proof (Aadhaar card, passport, or voter ID), category certificate if applicable, migratio
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, it is necessary to have your Class 10 and Class 12 certificates during LPU NEST counselling. These certificates are required for identity verification, eligibility confirmation, and document verification before your admission is finalized. You must carry originals along with self-attested copie
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
LPU NEST counselling is conducted entirely in online mode through the official LPU admission portal. After LPUNEST results are declared, eligible candidates must register for counselling, fill their course and campus preferences, and submit required documents digitally. Seat allotment is done based
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, Lovely Professional University does release official LPU NEST counselling dates after the LPUNEST results are declared. For example, in the 2026 cycle, LPUNEST counselling began right after the result announcement on February 8, 2026, with online seat preference filling and seat allotment roun
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Anyone who is eligible for LPUNEST (Lovely Professional University National Entrance and Scholarship Test) can participate in its counselling. This includes students who have appeared for or qualified LPUNEST, as well as candidates who meet direct merit-based admission criteria for certain courses a
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Registration - 5 Jan '26 - 6 Apr '26