NEST 2025 Question Paper & Answer Key; Download PDF
NEST 2025 was conducted on June 22, 2025, in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for admission to the 5-year Integrated M.Sc. programmes offered by NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai.
NEST 2025 Question Paper & Answer Key
| Question Paper PDF | Answer Key PDF |
|---|---|
NEST 2025 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF (Jun 22, 2025) |
Download PDF |
NEST 2025 Shift Timings
NEST 2025 was conducted in a single shift across designated exam centres. Candidates were advised to report well before the gate closing time to complete verification and biometric procedures.
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Reporting Time | 7:30 AM |
| Gate Closing Time | 8:30 AM |
| Exam Timing | 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
NEST 2025 Exam Pattern
Understanding the exam pattern helps candidates become familiar with the structure, duration, and marking scheme followed in NEST.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Maximum Marks | 180 |
| Question Type | MCQs and MSQs |
| Negative Marking | Applicable for selected questions |
| Medium | English |
NEST 2025 Paper Analysis
NEST 2025 was considered moderate overall. Physics and Biology sections required strong conceptual understanding, while Mathematics featured a balanced mix of easy and moderate questions. Chemistry included both factual and application-based problems. Candidates with a solid grasp of NCERT concepts and problem-solving skills found the paper manageable.
Subject-Wise Difficulty Level
| Subject | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| Physics | Moderate |
| Chemistry | Moderate |
| Mathematics | Easy to Moderate |
| Biology | Moderate |
| Overall | Moderate |
NEST 2025 High-Weightage Topics
Based on recent trends and previous years' analysis, the following topics carried significant weightage in NEST 2025.
| Subject | High-Weightage Topics |
|---|---|
| Physics | Mechanics, Modern Physics, Electrodynamics, Thermodynamics, Oscillations |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry, Chemical Bonding, Physical Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds |
| Mathematics | Calculus, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Probability, Matrices |
| Biology | Genetics, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Cell Biology, Human Physiology |
Expected Questions & Repeated Topics
The following topics have been repeatedly asked in NEST and are expected to remain important in future exams:
- Mechanics and rotational motion numericals
- Electrostatics and current electricity problems
- Organic reaction mechanism questions
- Chemical equilibrium and thermodynamics concepts
- Differential and integral calculus applications
- Probability and permutation-combination questions
- Genetics and inheritance-based problems
- Molecular biology and cell structure concepts
- Ecology and biodiversity questions
- Modern physics and semiconductor-based questions
Benefits of Solving NEST 2025 Question Paper
Practising NEST 2025 question paper is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the exam. It helps candidates become familiar with the latest question format, understand the level of difficulty, and identify important topics. Regular practice also improves problem-solving skills and boosts confidence before the actual exam.
- Understand the latest exam pattern and question distribution.
- Identify high-weightage and frequently repeated topics.
- Improve speed and accuracy in solving science-based questions.
- Develop effective time management skills.
- Strengthen conceptual understanding across all subjects.
- Assess strengths and weaknesses before the exam.
- Build confidence through real exam-level practice.
- Enhance revision and preparation strategy.
NEST 2025 Result
NEST 2025 result was declared online after the completion of the answer key review process. Candidates could download their scorecards using their login credentials. The result included overall marks, section-wise performance, and merit rank used for admission purposes.
NEST Expected Cut Off
The official NEST 2026 cutoff will be released along with the result. Based on recent trends, seat availability, and expert analysis, the expected cutoff is likely to remain similar to previous years.
Expected Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) 2026
| Category | Expected MAP |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 90–95 Percentile |
| EWS | 90–95 Percentile |
| OBC-NCL | 85–90 Percentile |
| SC | 70–75 Percentile |
| ST | 70–75 Percentile |
| PwD/Divyangjan | 70–75 Percentile |
Expected Safe Score for NISER & CEBS
Since NEST uses the best-of-three scoring system, the effective merit score is calculated out of 180 marks. Based on recent analyses:
| Category | Expected Safe Score (Out of 180) |
|---|---|
| General | 115–130+ |
| OBC-NCL | 95–110+ |
| SC | 75–95+ |
| ST | 65–85+ |
Expected NISER Closing Rank 2026
| Category | Expected Closing Rank |
|---|---|
| General | 550–700 |
| OBC-NCL | 1100–1450 |
| SC | 150–300 |
| ST | 90–180 |
Section-Wise Expected SMAS (General Category)
Candidates must clear the Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) in at least three subjects.
| Subject | Expected SMAS |
|---|---|
| Physics | 5–10 Marks |
| Chemistry | 7–10 Marks |
| Mathematics | 6–10 Marks |
| Biology | 8–10 Marks |
NEST 2025 Counselling
NEST does not conduct a centralised counselling process. Admissions are carried out separately by NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai based on NEST merit ranks. Qualified candidates are invited to participate in the admission process and document verification according to the schedule announced by the respective institutes.
| Required Document |
|---|
| NEST 2025 Scorecard |
| NEST 2025 Admit Card |
| Class 10 Certificate |
| Class 12 Mark Sheet |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) |
| PwD Certificate (if applicable) |
| Government Photo ID |
| Passport-Size Photographs |
NEST FAQs
Ques: How many previous year question papers should I solve for NEST preparation?
Ans: Candidates should ideally solve at least the last 5–10 years of NEST question papers. This helps them understand the exam pattern, frequently asked topics, and the overall difficulty level.
Ques: How can solving NEST PYQs improve my score?
Ans: Solving previous year papers helps candidates identify recurring concepts, improve time management, and understand the type of questions commonly asked in the exam.
Ques: What happens after the NEST result is declared?
Ans: Qualified candidates are invited to participate in the admission and counselling process. They must complete document verification and confirm their seat within the given deadline.
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