JEST

JEST is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to various PG programs. Its primary purpose is to provide a standardized platform for universities and institutes to assess the scientific aptitude and knowledge of potential postgraduate students. DST also awards financial assistance to JEST qualifiers. 

The JEST exam is administered for admission to PhD and M.Sc / Integrated PhD programmes. The difficulty level of the JEST exam varies depending on the subject and the student. When compared to IIT JAM and CSIR NET sciences exams, the difficulty level of JEST for Physics is intermediate. The JEST examination is considered a more difficult exam than others, not because of the question material, but because JEST qualification alone does not ensure entrance. After passing the JEST exams, students must participate in a variety of written exams and interviews with various research institutions.

Here is the new pattern for Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) 20324: 

Candidates will have 3 hours ( 180 minutes) to complete the examination form. The question paper will be divided into three sections. There will be multiple choice questions (MCQs) . The total number of questions asked in the examination will be 50 questions. 

The paper will be conducted in English language only . The mode of the examination is offline (pen and paper) . 

To know more about the examination, candidates can refer to the official website.

The JEST 2024 final answer key is released in online mode on March 18, 2024. The answer key is released in a PDF file which mentions the questions as well the answers. 

There are 2 answers which are changed from the JEST provisional answer key. Applicants can calculate their marks from the final answer key.  

Applicants who want to appear in the JEST exam must check the sample papers before appearing in the exam. The sample papers are available on this page. 

Students should appear in the exam after checking the question topics, trend of questions, marking scheme, nature of questions. 

It will help them to prepare the strategy to qualify the JEST exam. 

After sending the email to the exam conducting authority regarding the challange to JEST answer key, applicants are advised to wait for the release for the JEST final answer key. 

IIST will check the email and a pannel will discuss the concerns and responses of students and accordingly after discussing with subject matter experts they will release the answer key. 

The exam conducting authority will prepare the result as per JEST answer key (final). 

The JEST exam had three parts - A, B and C. 

The JEST scores will be calculated as follows-

• There were 25 questions in part A, which carry 1 mark for the correct answer and 1/3 mark will be deducted for the negative answer.

• There were 15 questions for part B, it will carry 3 marks for the correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.

• For part C, there will be no negative marking as questions were descriptive in nature and 3 marks will be rewarded for every correct answer. 

Authorities will calculate the score of applicants on the basis of questions attempted by the applicants. 

After the IIST releases JEST provisional answer key, applicants can challange the answer key of JEST exam. Candidates are allowed to challenge the answer keys within the stipulated date. 

Candidates have to send email to the authority from their registered email id while JEST registeration. The email should have details like candidate's name & roll number and solution of the questions which has discrepancy. 

Applicants need not to pay any amount for challanging the answer key. 

On the basis of JEST answer key of final stage, the result will be prepared.