NEST 2020: Books, study material to prepare for NEST
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Admit Card - 15 May '26
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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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