JEST Exam Pattern 2025: Check Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science Pattern & Marking Scheme
Joint Entrance Screening Test 2024 ( JEST )
JEST 2025 Exam Pattern helps candidates to make a preparation strategy that can be beneficial to qualify for the JEST Exam 2025. The exam pattern includes some important details such as the scores allotted for each question, total questions, total sections and more such details for candidates to imagine their JEST Question papers before appearing for the exam to get an idea about the exam pattern.
There are a total of 50 questions in the JEST Exam and it consists of three sections. The negative marking is there in only two sections with MCQs compared to the other sections which are descriptive. Previous year the JEST Exam was conducted for 100 scores, so it may differ for the academic year 2025.
The exam duration is three hours and it is a paper-pencil-based test (PBT). The JEST Exam 2025 is conducted for those candidates who wish to pursue PhD courses in Theoretical Computer Science, Physics, Neuroscience and Computational Biology. The exam language is English and the JEST Syllabus consists of different important topics from post-graduation and graduation levels.
- JEST 2025 Exam Pattern
- JEST 2025 Marking Scheme
- JEST Sample Questions for Physics
- JEST Sample Questions for Theoretical Computer Science
- JEST 2025 Exam Pattern FAQs
JEST 2025 Exam Pattern
Students must know that JEST Exam Pattern has been different for past 2 years, but still it is important for students to be aware of exam pattern to prepare well for exam.
JEST 2025 Exam Pattern
| Total Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | 25 | 25 |
| Part B | 15 | 45 |
| Part C | 10 | 30 |
| Total | 50 | 100 |
In this exam pattern, total marks allotted for JEST exam were 100 for three sections.
Commonly asked questions
There are various premier research institutes and universities in India that accept JEST scores for admissions purposes. Each institute has its own eligibility and selection criteria for the exam takers. So, it is advisable for all the applicants to go through the eligibility criteria of the institute if they wish to get admission so that they exactly know whether they are eligible to appear for the exam or not.
JEST 2025 Marking Scheme
The marking scheme is different for each section because there is a differential marking technique in the JEST exam. The following table conveys the precise new marking scheme for the JEST 2025 exam.
JEST Exam Marking Scheme
| Section | Marks for Each Correct Answer | Marks for Each Incorrect Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | +1 | -1/3 |
| Part B | +3 | -1 |
| Part C | 1 | |
| Maximum Marks | 100 | |
* There was no negative marking for wrong answers for Part C questions.
Commonly asked questions
Candidates with an MSc or an advanced BSc degree in Physics or Computer Science are eligible, based on the programme and the institute's eligibility criteria they want to apply for. So, the best suggestion is to check out the eligiblity criteria of all the institutes a candidates wish to get admission to avoid any sort of confusion.
Here are the list of courses offered by JEST. Candidates who wish to appear for the exam must be aware of the following courses to prepare for the JEST Exam accordingly.
- MSc, PhD, and Integrated PhD in Physics
- PhD and Integrated PhD in Theoretical Computer Science
- PhD in Neuroscience and Computational Biology
JEST Sample Questions for Physics
Here is the download link for the JEST 2024 Physics sample paper.
Download Now: Physics Sample Paper 2024
Below is the JEST 2020 sample question for Physics for students' reference.
JEST Sample Questions for Theoretical Computer Science
Here is the JEST 2020 sample question for theoretical Computer Science for candidates' who want to appear for JEST 2025 Exam.
JEST 2025 Exam Pattern FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions of JEST Exam Pattern
Commonly asked questions
Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is an entrance exam test for admission to PhD and International PhD programme of different participating institutes for two subjects Physics and theoretical Computer Science/Neuroscience.
This exam is conducted in offline mode/ pen-paper mode. This year exam conducting authorities have changed, earlier it used to be Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) but now it has changed to Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). Hence the final validation will be declared along with releasing of notification but as per previous year JEST exam pattern it will be conducted in offline mode only.
Applicants need to follow the below mentioned tips to qualify JEST exam.
Go through the exam pattern and structure of the test.
Follow best books for JEST preparation and make short notes.
After completing the syllabus, they should take regular mock tests and analyse their performance.
Solving JEST previous year question papers will also help them to understand the question trends and types to expect in the actual exam.
No, apart from Physics, JEST is also for those candidates who are interested in pursuing Theoretical Computer Science, Neuroscience, and Computational Biology at the PhD level. Therefore, candidates who wish to appear for the JEST Exam must go through the eligibility criteria in detail before filling out the JEST Application Form.
JEST Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
You will have to upload your photograph (passport size photo) and your signature (on a white background) during the JEST 2026 registration.
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
JEST is conducted once a year usually in the month of February, but the exam month of each year changes.
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
JEST 2026 eligibility criteria depends on the specific programme and participating institute, but generally require a master's or bachelor's degree in relevant Science or engineering field.
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
JEST 2026 Eligibility criteria depends on the specific programme and participating institute, but generally require a bachlor's or master's degree in relevant Science or engineering field.
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
There are many important documents for JEST 2026 but a photograph (a clear, recent passport size photo) and a signature (on a white background).
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
The application fee for JEST 2026 is given below. Students are advised to go through these details:
General Category: INR 950
Non SC/ST female: INR 475
SC/ST (male), EWS, and differently abled: INR 475
SC/ST female: Fully Waived
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Here is the list of some JEST participating colleges 2026 students shall know about:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Previous year students who appeared for the JEST exam found that the exam is moderate to difficult. And therefore, JEST 2026 is assumed to be moderate to difficult. Candidates are advised to study hard for their exam.
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Use this prep strategy for JEST 2026 to score exceptionally good marks:
First you should create a study plan, priotitise the important topics and study according to it, go through the syllabus once. Solve the previous year question paper. Also, you can practice mock test to practice to track your pro
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Students can go through the marking scheme of JEST 2026 exam:
Part A: 1 mark for a correct answer & -1/3 for an incorrect answer
Part B: 3 marks for a correct answer & -1 for an incorrect answer
Part C: 3 marks for a correct answer & no negative marking for incorrect answer
R
Contributor-Level 8
13 Institutes accepting JEST
IIT Kanpur - Indian Institute of Technology
Kanpur • Public
4.4Sonepat • Private
IIT Tirupati - Indian Institute of Technology
Chittoor • Public
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