Last Minute Tips for NEST 2024 - Revision, Admit Card, Mock Tests
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Registration - 5 Jan '26 - 6 Apr '26
NISER will conduct the NEST 2024 exam for the academic session 2024-2025 on June 30, 2024 at various exam centres across the nation. Candidates can read this Shiksha article to learn about the last-minute important tips for the NEST 2024 exam, Do's and don'ts, important documents to carry at the exam centres, and exam day guidelines here.
NEST 2024 Last-Minute Tips
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2024 will be conducted on June 30, 2024 in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode in two sessions on the same day. Candidates have less than seven days left for the NEST 2024. The exam will be at various NEST 2024 exam centres across the nation to test the domain knowledge of candidates for admissions to NISER and UM-DAE- CEBS institutions. Therefore, Shiksha brings here some last-minute tips for NEST 2024 that candidates can check before appearing for the exam.
Also Read: NEST 2024 Important Topics: Check Subject Wise Important Chapters
During these last few days before the NEST exam 2024, time management and revision are two key factors that can take you notches up in the Joint Admission Test. You must have had sleepless nights, missed family time, skipped meals, etc. to ensure that you perform well in the exam. To convert all your hard work into a success story, you must consider following last-minute preparation tips for the NEST 2024.
- Review the exam pattern and syllabus of NEST 2024
- Work on time-management and test-taking skills
- NEST 2204 Admit Card Download
- NEST 2024 Exam Centres Details
- NEST 2024: Do's and Don'ts
Review the exam pattern and syllabus of NEST 2024
Although, you must have prepared for NEST 2024 in a strategic manner by covering the entire syllabus of all subjects. However, the key details of the NEST 2024 exam pattern must be checked before appearing for the exam. The exam pattern of NEST 2024 is as under which are tentative based on the last year :
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam timings | Morning shift - From 9 am to 12:30 pm (Reporting at the test centre begins from 7:30 am onwards) Evening shift - From 2.30 pm to 6:00 pm (Reporting at the test centre begins from 1 pm onwards) |
| Test language | English only |
| Type of questions | Objective-type of questions |
| Total questions | 68 questions |
| Total marks | 200 marks |
| Subjects | Section A - Biology Section B - Chemistry Section C - Mathematics Section D - Physics |
| Sectional weightage | 17 questions in each section (12 MCQs + 5 MSQs) |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
Yes! Mock tests are practised to identify where one stands during the preparation period. If you get fewer marks, you will get to identify the topics that you need to give more time. Once, you start working on the weak subjects and topics and get relevant marks in your mock test then you are ready to appear for the entrance exam.
Work on time-management and test-taking skills
It is advised that you work on improving test-taking skills and time management in the remaining days. There will be sectional cut off marks - Sectional Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS), therefore you need to improve speed and accuracy to attempt maximum questions. Develop tricks of solving questions quickly (within seconds). Practice previous years question papers and mock tests to enhance the speed of attempting the exam. Also, do an analysis of strengths and weaknesses as well as, the key improvement areas. Revise everything to clear basics, make points to retain information for a longer duration. Do not start the weak or new topics as it will consume more time and, then less time for preparing and practising will be left.
Also Read:
NEST 2204 Admit Card Download
Candidates need to download their admit card for NEST 2024 from the official website from June 6 onwards tentatively. The exam authority will not send the admit card to any candidates by post. Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of candidates to download the admit card at least three days before the exam date. Also, cross-check the admit card for any discrepancies and, read the instructions mentioned on it for the exam day carefully. Download and get printouts of the admit card to carry on the exam day along with any one of the following documents:
- Voter ID proof
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Driver' License
- College ID or School ID
- Passport
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NEST 2024 Exam Centres Details
You are advised that once you download the admit card of NEST 2024, check the exam centre location and exam session details. This will save you from last-minute inconvenience on the exam day. Moreover, check the time and distance to reach the allotted test centres. The exam authority has also mentioned that test-takers report at least an hour before the exam timings for frisking before entry in the examination hall.
NEST 2024: Do's and Don'ts
The following points bring the Dos and Don’ts to be followed on the day of the NEST 2024 exam.
Early Arrival: Arrive at the exam center at least 90 minutes before the exam start time. This allows for security checks, settling in, and familiarizing yourself with the exam environment. Latecomers will not be permitted to enter the exam hall.
Reporting Time: Reach the exam center at least 90 minutes before the commencement of the exam. This allows for time for security checks and settling in.
Documents to Carry: Printed Admit Card: Download and print a clear copy of your admit card from the NEST admissions website. Ensure it's filled in and has a recent passport-sized photograph affixed.
Valid ID Proof: Bring a valid photo ID proof like Aadhaar card, passport, or driver's license.
Additional Photograph: Carry an extra photograph (same as the one on the admit card) to be pasted on the attendance sheet.
Prohibited Items: Electronic Devices: Mobile phones, earphones, calculators, cameras, and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited.
Stationery: Avoid bringing notebooks, pens (except a transparent ballpoint pen), pencils, geometry boxes, or any other writing materials.
Other Items: Food, water, handbags, purses, and any textual material are not allowed.
Dress Code: Dress comfortably and modestly. Avoid wearing clothes with elaborate designs, jewellery, or any items that could be used for unfair means.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 6 days 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 6 days 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 6 days 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 6 days ago
All the candidates who qualify in LPU NEST entrance exam can participate in the counselling. In order to appear for the entrance, candidates must fulfil the eligibility criteria. Candidates must check the eligibility criteria before appearing for the exam.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
Candidates need not register for LPU NEST counselling. All the LPU NEST qualified candidates can participate in the counselling process. Candidates must fill the course preference during counselling. The results will be announced based on the seat preference selected by the candidates.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week 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 week 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 week 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
Answered a week ago
A good score in NEST is considered to be 150+ marks. However, NEST safe score varies for each categories. To secure admission to the top programs offered at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS candidates belonging to GEN category must obtain 150+ marks, while SC/ST need to obatin 90+ marks.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Candidates can appear three times in a consecutive year for NEST. If you passed Class 12 in 2024, you are eligible to appear for NEST in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
V
Contributor-Level 10