NEST 2024 Important Topics: Check Subject Wise Important Chapters
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Admit Card - 15 May '26
Know the subject-wise important topics for the NEST 2024 syllabus that can help you prepare efficiently. The question paper of the NEST 2024 exam will consist of five sections; of which the first section is mandatory and there is a choice of three among the remaining four.
NEST 2024 Important Topics
The NEST (National Entrance Screening Test ) is a crucial exam for students aiming for admission into the prestigious institutions like NISER and UM-DAE-CEBS. It assesses your aptitude in four main science subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. While covering the entire syllabus is essential, focusing on important topics can optimize your preparation. NEST 2024 exam is around the corner, June 30, 2024. While preparing for the exam, candidates will understand that the NEST Syllabus 2024 is vast. There is a lot of material that you need to cover in order to be successful in the exam.
The outstanding way to prepare for the exam is by conscientiously studying the NEST 2024 important topics. Emphasizing more on the NEST important topics 2024 will enhance the student's performance at the time of the examination. It will also enhance their understanding and boost their confidence for the entrance exam, in which they are planning to appear in. In this Shiksha article, candidates will get the subject-wise important topics list, NEST previous year question paper, subject-wise syllabus, and all other latest updates.
The joint organisers of the NEST 2024 examination are 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). They conduct the entrance exam annually to shortlist meritorious students for a five-year integrated MSc programme in the following subjects:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mathematics
The key to crack an exam lies in preparing for the same as per the examination pattern and syllabus. NEST examination is no different from others, following smart preparation tips and studying important topics will help the applicants to qualify the examination.
NEST 2024 Exam Pattern
The question paper of NEST consists of four sections mentioned below. Out of the four sections, authorities will consider only three sections to prepare the merit list. Hence applicants can either solve all four sections or three sections only and their marks from the sections that have the highest marks will be considered for preparing the merit list.
| Section | Subject | No of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathematics | 17 | 50 |
| 2 | Physics | 17 | 50 |
| 3 | Chemistry | 17 | 50 |
| 4 | Biology | 17 | 50 |
Also Read: How to Prepare for NEST 2024: Best Books, Preparation Tips & Strategy
Commonly asked questions
There are many colleges affiliated with MU that offer BTech programmes. Rizvi College of Engineering, Saraswati College of Engineering and Sardar Patel College of Engineering are some of thebest colleges offering BTech under the University of Mumbai. For the best colleges, evaluate colleges per their qualifying exam score/rank and availability of specialisation.
Students who want to qualify the NEST exam first they must complete the books of class 11th and 12th.
Applicants can follow the below-mentioned books for the NEST preparation.
For chemistry, Wiley, KL CHUGH & Dinesh publication books are good
For Physics, DC Pandey & HC Verma's books.
For Mathematics, R D Sharma, SN DEY books
For Biology subject, Objective Biology by Dinesh
Along with these books NCERT & NCERT EXEMPLAR is a must for applicants for all individual subjects.
Hello candidate, Mithibai College, St Xavier's College Mumbai, Changu Kana Thakur College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Birla College of Arts Commerce and Science, and Shri Sindh Thakurnath SST College of Arts and Commerce are some of the popular affiliated colleges of Mumbai University for MA admission. A few university-affiliated colleges accept department-specific entrance tests or conduct GDPI for admission to MA. But, at most colleges, admission is based on merit scores obtained by students at the UG level.
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NEST 2024: Subject-wise Important Topics
Although each topic of all subjects has its significance, some topics are frequently asked in the NEST exam which are as follows:
Important Topics in Physics
Check out the topic-wise weightage in Physics below:
| List of Topics |
Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Oscillations and Waves |
0-1 |
| Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism |
1-2 |
| 1-2 | |
| Heat and Thermodynamics |
1-2 |
| 0-1 |
|
| Current Electricity |
1-2 |
| Optics and Wave optics |
2-3 |
| 1-2 | |
| Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body |
1-2 |
| 2-3 | |
| Electromagnetic Waves |
1 |
| Properties of Bulk Matter |
1 |
Important Topics in Mathematics
The topics from which questions are asked in the Mathematics section are mentioned below:
| Sets, Relations & Functions | 2-3 |
| Complex number & quadratic equations | 1-2 |
| Matrices & Determinates | 0-1 |
| Integral Calculus | 1-2 |
| Differential equations | 1-2 |
| Permutations & Combination | 1-2 |
| Binomial Theorem | 0-1 |
| Sequence & Series | 1-2 |
| Three-dimensional Geometry | 1 |
| Vector Algebra | 1-2 |
Important Topics in Chemistry
Below is the expected count of questions that can appear in the Chemistry section.
| List of Topics |
Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Chemical Bonding |
1-2 |
| Basic Concepts |
2-3 |
| 1-2 | |
| 1-2 | |
| Coordination Compounds |
2 |
| 2-3 | |
| Reaction Mechanism |
1 |
| d- and f-Block Elements |
2 |
| Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry |
1-2 |
| Chemistry in Everyday Life |
1 |
| 2-3 | |
| Environmental Chemistry |
0-1 |
Important Topics in Biology
| List of Topics |
Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Plant and Animal Systems |
2-3 |
| 1-2 | |
| Micro and Macronutrients |
1-2 |
| Basic concepts in genetics and evolution |
2-3 |
| Humans and environment |
1-2 |
| Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology |
1-2 |
Applicants can check the expected number of questions from all four subjects from the table mentioned above. By checking the trends of the questions applicants are advised to check NEST question paper and accordingly prepare their strategy to qualify the exam.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?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