NEST

The NEST exam is conducted in computer-based mode. Questions will appear on the computer screen one by one. With the help of the mouse, they have to select the correct answer option and click on Save and Submit tabs. An onscreen clock will be provided to keep track of the time. An onscreen scientific calculator will also be given for calculation. Rough work has to be done on the paper and pen given to them at the centre. To make the candidates familiar with the NEST exam interface and navigation system, authorities will release a mock test before the actual exam is scheduled.

NEST is the entrance exam for the Integrated MSc programmes. Hence, it is an undergraduate level entrance exam. Candidates who have passed or appeared for the Class 12 Board exam are eligible for the exam. 

The NEST question papers will be in English and Hindi. Candidates have to select their question paper medium while filling out the application process. In the case of any confusion or discrepancy due to language, the question paper in English will be final.

The NEST exam is conducted once a year. Generally, the exam is scheduled for June every year. NEST is a computer-based test conducted for three hours. It is held in a single day and shift. The scores are used for admission to the Integrated MSc courses offered at the participating institutes. 

NEST scores are accepted by two institutes of India, the National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, and the University of Mumbai, Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences. Both institutes offer Integrated MSc programmes of five-year duration. 

The  Mumbai University NEST Cutoff was released for admissions to the Intergrated MSc courses. The cutoff ranged from 14 to 81 rank according to the first and last round closing ranks for NEST Cutoff 2024. The hardest MSc specialisations was Integrated M.Sc. in Physics and the easiest specialisations was Integrated M.Sc. in Mathematics, with the last round cutoff score being 14, and 81, respectively. 

Practising LPU NEST sample papers is extremely important in exam preparation. Sample Papers will help candidate understand the exam pattern. Practising sample papers regularly helps in time management. It helps the candidates understand the weakest topics. Candidates will also get to know the most frequently asked question types.

The NEST Syllabus is available on the official portal for those students who wish to appear for the exam. One needs to visit the official portal to be able to download the syllabus for all subjects. They need to click on the syllabus and information brochure link in the top right corner of the homepage. Then, students need to click on the link available for Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to access the PDFs of all these NEST Subjects. 

The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted on June 6, 2026. The exam result was declared tentatively in the second week of July 2026, after a few days, when the NEST answer Key objection window is over.