NEST 2026 Exam Analysis (OUT): Paper Difficulty Level, & Question Paper (OUT)
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
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NEST exam 2026 was conducted successfully on June 6, 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM. The exam was conducted as a computer-based test. Candidates can check the NEST paper analysis to know the overall difficulty level. Get complete details on exam analysis, memory-based questions, answer key and marking scheme on this page.
NEST Exam Analysis 2026
NEST 2026 exam analysis is available now. This analysis is based on students' reactions. The overall NEST 2026 exam was moderate to tough. This year Biology sections was surprising. NEST Biology section is considered a scoring section but this year it was challenging according to students. The detailed analysis for NEST 2026 exam is provided on this page.
NEST exam 2026 was successfully conducted on June 6, 2026. The exam duration was from 2 PM to 5 PM.
Also Read: NEST 2026 response sheet
- NEST 2026 Exam Analysis
- NEST 2026 Question Paper: Official Question
- NEST 2026 Answer Key
- NEST 2026 Marking Scheme
NEST 2026 Exam Analysis
The exam analysis for NEST 2026 is available now. According to the students, the overall difficulty level of the exam was moderate. It was a balanced paper. Physics and Biology papers were challenging. Chemistry paper was moderate, while Mathematics was moderate as usual. NEST 2026 exam is tough compared to last year.
Section Wise NEST 2026 Analysis
Check the table for NEST exam analysis section-wise.
| Subject | Analysis |
| Biology |
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| Physics |
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| Chemistry |
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| Mathematics |
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Commonly asked questions
For each section, "20% of the average of the best 100 scores in that section" will be considered as the section–wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS).
For example, if the average of the best 100 scores in the Chemistry section is 43 out of 50, then SMAS for the Chemistry section would be 43*0.20 = 8.6 marks. It will be same for other section too.
SMAS for the two sessions, for any particular section, can be of different numerical values. The value of SMAS will be different for different category students i.e if it 100 for General candidates then it will be 90 for OBC and 50 for SC/ST and Divyangjan applicants.
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.
NEST 2026 Question Paper: Official Question
The authority has released the NEST 2026 question paper online. Candidates can check the NEST question paper with answer key to check their responses. Aspirants can use it for exam preparation and self-assessment. They can able to keep track of their performance and make improvements accordingly.
Also Read: NEST exam day guidelines 2026
NEST 2026 Answer Key
The authority has released the NEST answer key 2026 on June 8. The answer key is available in pdf form. Students can use the NEST response sheet and answer key to evaluate their performance. They can also challenge the key in case of any error. To download the answer key of NEST 2026, the roll number and password will be required.
Also Read: NEST 2026 expected cutoff
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NEST 2026 Marking Scheme
Candidates must be familiar with the NEST marking scheme. This will help them to calculate their marks. NEST question paper has four sections. Each section has 20 questions. There will be a total of 80 questions. Every question has 3 marks. Negative marking is done for wrong answers. No marking is done for unattempted questions. Check the page for NEST 2026 marking scheme.
| Particulars | Details |
| Total Number of Questions | 80 question |
| Total sections | 4 sections |
| Marking scheme | 3 marks for each question |
| Negative marking | -1 mark for wrong answers |
| Unattempted question | 0 mark |
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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
Answered 3 months ago
Yes, Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM) is a good college. The flagship programmes available at the college are Masters in Sports Management & Bachelor / Bachelor (Hons.) of Sports Management. The college provides good placements to students.
L
Contributor-Level 10