NEST 2020: Books, study material to prepare for NEST
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
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Preparing for NEST 2020? The national level entrance screening test is not easy to crack and in order to ace the exam, candidates need to prepare thoroughly to qualify the exam. Candidates who are able to ace NEST, are granted admission in 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.
To prepare thoroughly, candidates need preparation books. Through the prep books, candidates can understand the NEST syllabus as to what to expect in the entrance test. Candidates should purchase as at least two to three prep books to study from for NEST as the entrance exam is no child’s play. However, candidates need to purchase NEST prep books which covers most of the topics, subjects, courses and syllabus of the entrance exam. Candidates can refer to books which serve as a multi-purpose for last-minute preparation. The prep books for NEST are as follows:
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| Book |
Author |
|---|---|
| Textbook of Chemistry for Class 11th and 12th |
NCERT |
| A Textbook of Organic Chemistry for IITJEE |
RK Gupta |
| IIT Mathematics |
RD Sharma |
| Higher Algebra |
Hall and Knight |
| Textbook of Biology |
NCERT |
| Elementary Biology for Class 12 |
KN Bhatia |
| Concepts of Physics – Volume 1 and Volume 2 |
HC Verma |
| Science for Everyone: Aptitude Test Problems in Physics |
SS Krotov |
| NEST 2019 Exam Guide Book |
Sura’s |
For subject-based prep books, candidates can refer to the following prep books for NEST which are as follows:
- NEST 2020: Physics
- NEST 2020: Chemistry
- NEST 2020: Biology
- NEST 2020: Mathematics
NEST 2020: Physics
| Book |
Author |
|---|---|
| Concepts of Physics |
HC Verma |
| Aptitude Test Problems |
SS Krotov |
| Objective Physics |
Mahesh Jain |
| Practice Problems in Physics for Engineering Examinations |
S Mishra |
| Physics for Engineering and Medical Examinations |
Ajit Singh Panwar |
| Problems in Physics |
AA Pinsky |
| Post Graduate Entrance Examinations: Physics |
Arihant Experts |
| MSc Physics |
Dr N K Nayyar |
NEST 2020: Chemistry
| Book |
Author |
|---|---|
| Principles of Instrumental Analysis |
Skoog and Leary |
| Analytical Chemistry: An Introduction |
Skoog |
| Chemistry of Environment |
Bailey and Strong |
| Environmental Chemistry |
Anil Kumar De |
| A Textbook of Organic Chemistry for IITJEE |
R K Gupta |
| An Objective Approach to Organic Chemistry |
R K Gupta |
| IIT Chemistry |
O P Agarwal |
| Entrance Chemistry |
Bhakta |
| Instrumental Method of Chemical Analysis |
B K Sharma |
NEST 2020: Biology
| Book |
Author |
|---|---|
| Objective Biology |
S Biswas & A Biswas |
| Textbook of Biology |
NCERT |
| Elementary Biology for Class 12 |
K N Bhatia |
| Biology |
S C Verma |
| Biology |
A C Dutta |
| Books Objective Life Sciences: MCQs for Life Sciences Examination |
Kailash Choudhary R P Saran Ramesh Ralllya |
| Master Your Biology Vol. 1 |
Dr Subroto Dr Aman |
NEST 2020: Mathematics
| Book |
Author |
|---|---|
| Higher Algebra |
Hall and Knight |
| Problems in Calculus of One Variable |
I A Maron |
| Plane Trignometry |
S L Loney |
| Integral Calculus |
Amit M Agarwal |
| Post Graduate Entrance Exam: Mathematics |
Arihant Experts |
| Mathematics – A Complete Guide |
Suraj, Rashmi |
Through these above-mentioned prep books, candidates can purchase the books and commence preparation for NEST 2020. For more information on NEST, candidates can go through the following links:
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For more details and information on NEST, candidates can go through the following links:
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 weeks ago
NEST 2026 result was declared on June 24, 2026. The result applies only to the current academic year 2026-27.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
No, NEST exam is conducted once a year. NEST 2026 exam was conducted on June 6, 2026. The exam timing was 2 PM to 5 PM.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
In such a situation, you have to prioritise which exam you want to appear for. You might have prepared for months for the exam. Based on your preparation, you have to decide which exam you can easily qualify for and get admission to the desired course and college.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The rank needed to get a seat at this institution would depend on the category you belong to and the round you are applying in.
According to the NISER Bhubaneshwar NEST cutoff 2025 for the General AI category, the maximum cutoff accepted was 1972. Students can see the table below to know the maximum
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The total marks for NEST exam is 240 marks. However, the exam authority will consider marks out of 180 to prepare the merit list.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Candidates can calculate their NEST scoring based on marking scheme. NEST questions will carry 3 marks per answer. Negative marking is done for wrong answers.
Total Marks = 3 * Correct Answers - Wrong Answers
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The process for downloading the NEST response sheet PDF is mentioned below.
- Go to NEST 2026 website, nestexam.in
- Click on Login button
- Enter the application no./login Id and password
- Click on the NEST response sheet
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Students can check the NEST answer key through login portal. They will have to provide their application number / login ID, and password to download NEST 2026 answer key.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, the NEST response sheet was released on June 10, 2026, alongwith the answer key. Students can check their NEST response sheet through the login portal.
V
Contributor-Level 10