NEST Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme, Mode of Exam, Subjects & Scores

NEST Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme, Mode of Exam, Subjects & Scores

Team Careers360Updated on 21 Jun 2025, 09:03 AM IST

NEST Exam Pattern 2025: Students who are getting prepared to apply to different M.Sc. programs at UM-DAE CEBS and NISER Bhubaneswar required to know about the NEST 2025 exam pattern. The NEST exam is divided into four sections, each carrying marks: mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry. For NEST entrance 2025, each section consists of 20 questions. Additionally, students need to be informed that the NEST 2025 entrance has negative marking. For every incorrect answer, a deduction of 1 mark is applicable, however, there is no negative marking for unattempted questions. Only the best three scored sections are considered for the NEST result 2025. It is suggested that students study the entire article in order to gain additional knowledge regarding the marking system, exam format, and other crucial information.

This Story also Contains

  1. What is the NEST Exam Pattern 2025?
  2. NEST Marking Scheme 2025
  3. NEST Negative Marking 2025
  4. Section -Wise Division of NEST Exam pattern 2025
  5. NEST 2025 Exam Pattern - Important Points
  6. NEST Syllabus 2025
  7. Exam Day Instructions for NEST 2025
NEST Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme, Mode of Exam, Subjects & Scores
NEST 2024 Exam pattern

What is the NEST Exam Pattern 2025?

Aspirants preparing for NEST 2025 exam are advised to check all the necessary details below:

NEST 2025 Exam Pattern

Types of questions

Multiple Choice Questions

Total sections

4

NEST exam total marks

240

NEST exam duration

3 hours and 30 minutes

Marks for each section

60

NEST 2025 marking scheme

  • +3 for every correct answer

  • -1 for every incorrect answer

  • 0 for not attempting a question

NEST Marking Scheme 2025

Candidates who are getting prepared for the NEST entrance 2025 need to know how the exam will be graded. Each section of the examination has its own NEST exam marking scheme. There are negative marks in each of the four sections: biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. There may be one or more correct answers to some questions; in order to get marks, all correct answers must be marked with no incorrect responses. The number of questions for the NEST 2025 exam changes each year.

NEST Negative Marking 2025

Negative marks are awarded for incorrect answers in NEST 2025. Candidates who plan to take the NEST entrance exam 2025 should be aware of the marking scheme as it will assist in better exam preparation. All four of NEST's sections have negative marking. It is important to note that questions left unanswered do not result in a penalty point. For each incorrect response on the NEST 2025 exam, students will lose one mark.

NEST Sectional Weightage with table

Sections

Subjects

Maximum marks

Section 1

Physics

60

Section 2

Chemistry

60

Section 3

Biology

60

Section 4

Mathematics

60

NEST Total Marks


240


Note: Please be advised that when the NEST 2025 merit list is being prepared, only the top three sections will be taken into account. 180 marks will be used to calculate the effective marks.

NEST Exam Pattern 2025

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Section -Wise Division of NEST Exam pattern 2025

Aspirants can check the NEST paper pattern according to section-wise from the below table.

Section

Subject

Marks

I - Biology

20 questions

60 marks

II - Chemistry

20 questions

60 marks

III - Mathematics

20 questions

60 marks

IV - Physics

20 questions

60 marks

Total

80 questions

240 marks

NEST 2025 Exam Pattern - Important Points

It is necessary for applicants to attempt multiple choice questions on the NEST exam 2025. Applicants have to select one response from a list of four.

  • There are questions in Section II that have one or more right answers. Every applicant must mark all of the right responses.

  • Negative marks do not apply to questions that are attempted.

  • The top three subjects' grades will be taken into account for determining the NEST 2025 result.

  • Candidates should avoid answering a question he or she is unsure of in order to prevent negative marking.

NEST Syllabus 2025

In order to familiarise themselves with the subjects from which the questions in the exam come from, students planning to take the NEST exam 2025 must review the syllabus. All of the units, topics, and themes that will be covered in the entrance exam are included in the NEST syllabus 2025. The five subject areas included in the NEST 2025 syllabus are mathematics, general, chemistry, physics, and biology. Candidates can create an effective NEST 2025 preparation plan by familiarising themselves with the syllabus.

Exam Day Instructions for NEST 2025

  • Candidates must bring their NEST admit card 2025, as they are not allowed to enter the examination centre without a valid one.

  • It is strictly prohibited for candidates to bring any electronic or communication device into the examination centre.

  • It is advised that applicants arrive at the centre according to their scheduled reporting and entry time.

  • Without undergoing the required screening using a handheld metal detector (HHMD), no applicant will be allowed to enter the examination centreThere won't be any physical contact during the procedure.

Note: Candidates are not allowed to leave the NEST Exam centre before the exam gets over.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many sections are there in the NEST exam 2024?
A:

The NEST 2024 consists of four sections, which are Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.

Q: How many questions are there in the NEST 2024 exam?
A:

The NEST exam 2024 contains a total of 200 questions.

Q: What is the duration of the NEST exam 2024?
A:

The duration of NEST entrance 2024 is 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Q: How should I prepare for the Physics in NEST 2024?
A:

Students are advised to focus on understanding fundamental concepts, practise numerical problems, and solve previous years' question papers.

Q: What is the age limit to appear for NEST 2024?
A:

There is no age limit to appear for NEST exam 2024, considering the candidates fulfil the other requirements for NEST entrance exam 2024.

Q: What are the passing marks in NEST 2024?
A:

The NEST passing marks vary depending on the category of the students. The general category students usually require at least 95 marks, whereas, students who belong to OBC and SC/ ST/ PwD are required to secure at least 90 and 75 marks respectively, to qualify NEST 2024 entrance.

Q: Is Maths compulsory for NEST 2024?
A:

Yes, Mathematics is required for NEST entrance. However, students would need marks of either of these three subjects, i.e. Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.

Q: Is there negative marking in the NEST exam 2024?
A:

Yes, students will lose 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in the NEST 2024 exam.

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Questions related to NEST

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NEST ?

Hy,

If you missed the NEST (National Entrance Screening Test) result announcement and the login date has expired, you can try the following steps to check your result:

1. Contact NEST Help Desk

  • Reach Out : Contact the NEST help desk or the examination authority directly. They can provide guidance on how to access your result or advise on any possible extensions.
  • Contact Information : Check the NEST official website for the contact details of the help desk or support team.

2. Visit the Official NEST Website

  • Look for Updates : Check the official NEST website for any updates or notices regarding the result. Sometimes, results are posted on the website even after the login period has expired.

3. Check Your Email for Updates

  • Look for Notifications : Review any communication or notifications from NEST in your email. There may be instructions or additional information provided regarding the result.

4. Check for Alternative Access

  • Portal Login : Attempt to log in to the NEST portal again to see if there’s an option for late access or if the result is still accessible through the portal.
  • Alternative Methods : Some exams provide alternative ways to check results, such as through SMS or phone numbers.

5. Review Official Announcements

  • Social Media or Forums : Check NEST’s official social media accounts or forums where exam-related updates and announcements are often posted.

6. Follow Up

  • Inquire about Extensions : If the result is crucial and you cannot access it, request an extension or alternative method to view your result from the examination authority.

7. Document Your Issue

  • Record Communication : Keep a record of any communication with the help desk or authorities in case you need to provide proof of your attempt to access the results.

By contacting the examination authority and checking all available resources, you should be able to find a solution to access your NEST result.


Hy,

NISER (National Institute of Science Education and Research) and CEBS (Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences) are prestigious institutions that offer integrated M.Sc. programs in various disciplines of science. Your NEST rank of 387 in the general category is quite competitive, but admission to NISER or CEBS depends on various factors including the number of seats available, cutoff ranks, and the preferences you select during counseling.

For more information you can check the below mentioned link to get cut offs in each section category-wise:-

https://university.careers360.com/articles/nest-cutoff

No, qualifying NEST exam won't directly lead you to pursue MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery). NEST serves a different purpose.

The National Entrance Screening Test is for admission to five-year integrated M.Sc. programs at specific universities like National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and Center for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS). It focuses on Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology).

To pursue MBBS, you need to qualify for a separate medical entrance exam like the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). NEET is the primary gateway for admission to undergraduate medical programs in India.

https://medicine.careers360.com/download/ebooks/neet-pg-quick-guide-exam-admission-seats-fees-and-more

I hopeit helps!

Question : Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
The Black Drongo also known as the King Crow, is a small Asian bird of the drongo family. Previously, it was seen as a subspecies of the African Fork-tailed Drongo but is now recognized as a full species. It is a common resident breeder in much of tropical southern Asia from southwest Iran through India and Sri Lanka to southern China and Indonesia. It is a wholly black bird with a distinctive forked tail and measures 28 cm in length.
Feeding on insects, it is commonly found in open agricultural areas and light forest areas throughout its range, perching conspicuously on a bare perch or along power or telephone lines.
The species is famous for its aggressive behaviour towards much larger birds, such as crows, and never hesitates to dive-bomb any birds of prey that invade its territory. Smaller birds often nest in the well-guarded vicinity of a nesting Black Drongo
The Black Drongo has been introduced to some Pacific islands, where it has thrived and become abundant to the point of threatening and causing the extinction of native and endemic bird species there.
Drongos fly with strong flaps of the wing and are capable of fast manoeuvres that enable them to capture flying insects. With short legs, they sit upright on thorny bushes, bare perches or electricity wires. They may also perch on grazing animals.
The Black Drongo is found predominantly in open country and usually perches and hunts close to the ground. They are mostly aerial predators of insects but also glean from the ground or off vegetation.
They are found as summer visitors to northeastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan but are mainly resident south from the Indus Valley up to Bangladesh and into India and Sri Lanka.
Question:
Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

Option 1: The drongo looks exactly like a crow.

Option 2: Smaller birds are protected by the drongo.

Option 3: This bird is a native of tropical countries in south-Asia.

Option 4: The drongo is a small perching bird.

Correct Answer: The drongo looks exactly like a crow.


Solution : The first option is the correct choice.

The statement "the drongo looks exactly like a crow" is not true, according to the passage.

The passage describes the Black Drongo as a wholly black bird with a distinctive forked tail, measuring 28 cm in length. While it mentions that the Black Drongo is sometimes known as the King Crow, this is likely due to its aggressive behaviour towards larger birds, such as crows, and not because it looks exactly like a crow.

Question : Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
The Black Drongo also known as the King Crow, is a small Asian bird of the drongo family. Previously, it was seen as a subspecies of the African Fork-tailed Drongo but is now recognised as a full species. It is a common resident breeder in much of tropical southern Asia from southwest Iran through India and Sri Lanka to southern China and Indonesia. It is a wholly black bird with a distinctive forked tail and measures 28 cm in length.
Feeding on insects, it is commonly found in open agricultural areas and light forest areas throughout its range, perching conspicuously on a bare perch or along power or telephone lines.
The species is famous for its aggressive behaviour towards much larger birds, such as crows, and never hesitates to dive-bomb any birds of prey that invade its territory. Smaller birds often nest in the well-guarded vicinity of a nesting Black Drongo.
The Black Drongo has been introduced to some Pacific islands, where it has thrived and become abundant to the point of threatening and causing the extinction of native and endemic bird species there.
Drongos fly with strong flaps of the wing and are capable of fast manoeuvres that enable them to capture flying insects. With short legs, they sit upright on thorny bushes, bare perches or electricity wires. They may also perch on grazing animals.
The Black Drongo is found predominantly in open country and usually perches and hunts close to the ground. They are mostly aerial predators of insects but also glean from the ground or off vegetation.
They are found as summer visitors to northeastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan but are mainly resident south from the Indus Valley up to Bangladesh and into India and Sri Lanka.
Question:
What was the impact of trying to introduce the species to the Pacific islands?

Option 1: They decreased in numbers drastically.

Option 2: They returned to the lands of their origin.

Option 3: They proved to be a threat to the local birds.

Option 4: They did not survive in the changed climate conditions.

Correct Answer: They proved to be a threat to the local birds.


Solution : The third option is the correct choice.

The impact of introducing the Black Drongo species to some Pacific islands was that they thrived and became abundant to the point of threatening and causing the extinction of native and endemic bird species there.

The passage states that the Black Drongo has been introduced to these islands, and as a result of its successful establishment and proliferation, it poses a threat to the local bird species.