JEST Preparation 2025: Tips, Strategy & Guide
Joint Entrance Screening Test 2024 ( JEST )
JEST 2025 Exam Preparation consists of some of the important topics and exam strategies related to the exam that help candidates feel more prepared and confident on the day of the exam. Also, knowing the exam pattern helps to build strategies during preparation time to feel at ease on the day of the exam, which also higher the chances of qualifying for the exam.
The previous year, the JEST Exam was conducted across India in 38 centres, but as per the latest notification, the exam date has been postponed. Candidates who are preparing for the JEST 2025 Exam should be well-versed in the JEST 2025 Syllabus, marking scheme, exam pattern and some of the best books for preparation. Candidates must also practice the previous year's question papers and should also be aware of the previous year's cutoff.
There are possibility that the exam pattern might change this year as well, as it was changed in the last month, if there are any such changes this Shiksha page will get updated. The previous year's JEST Exam consisted of 300 marks and there were a total of 50 questions.
Read More: JEST 2025 Examination Postponed Until Further Notice: Check Out Further Details
- Know JEST Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
- Follow Best Books For JEST Preparation
- Practise from JEST Question Papers
- JEST Preparation FAQ
Know JEST Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
To prepare for JEST Exam students must check marking scheme and exam pattern in advance and make a plan to pass exam.
| Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | 25 | 3 | -1 |
| Part B | 25 | 9 | -3 |
| Total | 50 | 300 | -- |
There are 50 questions in JEST exam.
Students will get 3 marks for each correct response from section A and for each incorrect response, 1 mark will be deducted.
Section B students will get 9 marks for each right answer and -3 marks will deduct for each wrong response.
Follow Best Books For JEST Preparation
The JEST exam is conducted for different subjects i.e. Theoretical Computer Science and Physics. Candidates must check out the best books for these subjects in the below table:
Best Books for Theoretical Computer Science Subject Preparation
Candidates must go through the following mentioned books for the JEST Computer Science exam preparation.
| Book Name |
Author/Publisher Name |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Data Structures |
Ellis Horowitz & Sartaj Sahni |
| An Introduction to Data Structures |
B.B. Laud |
| The Design & Analysis of Computer Algorithms |
Alfred V. Aho, John E. Hopcroft, and Jeffrey D.Ullman |
| Introduction to Algorithms 3rd Edition |
Al Cormen |
| An Introduction to Data Structure with Applications |
Jean-Paul Tremblay & P.G. Sorenson |
Best Books for Physic Subject Preparation
Candidates must go through the following mentioned books for the JEST Physics exam preparation.
| Name of the Topic | Book Name |
Author/Publisher name |
|---|---|---|
| Classical Mechanics |
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems | Marion and Thomtron |
| Introduction to Classical Mechanics | R.G. Takawale & P.S. Puranik | |
| Electronics | Power Electronics |
P.C. Sen |
| Integrated Circuits |
Botkar |
|
| Digital Principles and Applications |
Leach & Malvino |
|
| Quantum Mechanics | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics |
David J.Griffiths |
| Modern Quantum Mechanics |
J.J.Sakurai |
|
| Quantum Mechanics |
A.Ghatak & S.Lokanathan |
|
| Electrodynamics | Special Theory of Relativity |
Robert Resnick |
| Matrices and Tensors in Physics |
A.W. Joshi |
|
| Foundations of Electromagnetic Theory |
Reitz & Milford |
|
| Statistical Mechanics | Statistical Mechanics |
K. Huang |
| Statistical Mechanics |
Satya Prakash |
Also Read:
Practise from JEST Question Papers
Candidates must practise the previous year's JEST Question Papers to qualify for the JEST exam. This preparation method will help candidates understand the question paper trends in a better way and also some of the important topics that will be asked in the exam. There are four sections, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology and making a preparation strategy helps candidates to manage their time for each section.
The JEST Merit List will be prepared based on the marks of any three sections with maximum scores and therefore students who are preparing for the JEE Main and NEET Exam are eligible to appear for the JEST Exam.
JEST Preparation FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions For JEST Preparation
Commonly asked questions
JEST exam is conducted to shortlist applicants for PhD and Int. PhD courses. The syllabus of the PhD Physics and Computer Science is vast. Applicants who want to appear in the JEST exam must note that this preparation requires study along with doing PG. Normally applicants who qualify the exam takes around 1 to 1.5 years.
But it varies from one person to another hence candidates should prepare for the exam by following best preparation tips.
JEST Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 weeks 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 9
Answered 4 weeks ago
JEST is conducted once a year usually in the month of February, but the exam month of each year changes.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 4 weeks 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 9
Answered 4 weeks 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 9
Answered 4 weeks 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 9
Answered 4 weeks 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 9
Answered 4 weeks 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 9
Answered 4 weeks 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 9
Answered 4 weeks ago
Create a study plan, priotitise important topics and study according to it, go through syllabus. Solve previous year question paper. Also you can practice mock test to practice to track your progress. And make sure to revise regularly and learn time management during your preparation period.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 4 weeks ago
Part A: 1 mark correct answer & -1/3 incorrect answer
Part B: 3 marks correct answer & -1 incorrect answer
Part C: 3 marks correct answer & no negative marking HERE
R
Contributor-Level 9
13 Institutes accepting JEST
IIT Kanpur - Indian Institute of Technology
Kanpur • Public
4.4Sonepat • Private
St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences
Sarjapur Road, Bangalore • Private
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What documents do I need to upload during the JEST registration 2026?