National Entrance Screening Test also known as the NEST exam is conducted by the Department of Atomic Energy for admission to the integrated MSc programme after the 12th. We have collected the complete details for you about this exam. If you want to know about it kindly go through this page.
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What is NEST Exam?
If you want to take admission to NISER (National Institute of Science Education and Research), Bhubaneshwar or to the Centre for Excellence in Basic Science University of Mumbai, then you have to appear for the NEST exam which is held every year at the national level. According to the ranking and availability of seats, candidates will be admitted to their chosen course.
NISER campus is situated in Jatni town which is about 25 km away from Bhubaneshwar city. The campus is spread across 300 acres. NISER have the following department in their campus.
- School of Physical Science
- School of Chemical Science
- School of Biological Science
- School of Mathematical Science
- School of Earth and Planetary Science
- School of Computer Science
- School of Humanities and Social Science
NISER institute is associated with Homi Bhabha National Institute Mumbai which is a deemed University and a part of the Department of Atomic Energy Government of India. This institute offers an integrated 5year M.Sc programme to 12th pass candidates. A candidate can further apply for PhD programmes from this institution and they will get ready for various R & D organisations in the country and abroad.
NISER have a hostel facility on its campus, Fees are comparatively low and the quality of education is high as it is a government institute. The students who have taken a decision of pursuing a PhD in biology, maths, physics or chemistry after their 12th should seek admission to NISER.
Another institute in which you can seek admission by scoring in the NEST exam is the Centre for Excellence in Basic Science in Mumbai also known as CEBS. The campus is situated in the University of Mumbai which is a 150-year-old campus. CEBS is governed by the Department of Atomic Energy and it offers the integrated 5-year MSc course to 12th pass-out candidates.
CEBS has its own hostel facility. There are about 200 seats per year. Student can choose their subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics for their integrated MSc degree. The students can also apply for a KVPY scholarship after taking admission to this institute. Compare to the other institute the fees are low for education in this institute.
Eligibility for NEST Exam?
For appearing in the NEST exam a candidate should not be of age more than 20 years. There is an age relaxation of 5 years for the SC/ST/PH candidates.
A candidate should have passed their 12th or equivalent exam in the last two years not more than that. A candidate who has appeared in the 12th or equivalent exam in the current year and waiting for the results may also apply for this exam.
A General candidate should have scored a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in the 12th or equivalent exam and SC/ST/PH candidate should score a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in the 12th or equivalent exam.
The candidates who are waiting for their class 12th results may appear for the NEST exam but their admission to the institute will be on depending on the fulfilment of minimum aggregate marks in the class 12th exam.
How to Apply for the NEST Exam?
Candidates have to Apply online for the NEST exam on its web portal. By filling in all the necessary information, the candidate will be provided with the user id and password. There is only an online method available for the application of this exam.
Candidates have to pay a fee by online payment.
For all General and OBC candidate fee is Rs. 1200/- and for other and all female candidate fee is Rs 600/-. After the successful application candidate will be provided with an admit card by which they can appear for the exam.
Syllabus of the NEST Exam :
The syllabus of the NEST exam consists of 4 subjects as follows:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mathematics
Each section consists maximum of 50 marks and the total exam is for 200 marks. The time duration for solving the exam is 4 hours.
Candidate can solve all 4 subjects but for merit list the best of 3 subject marks are considered. The subject with the least marks will not be considered for the ranking of candidates. If a candidate selects the wrong answer, then a mark will be deducted from their total marks. In each subject, two questions are asked in a way to know the general scientific approach of the candidate about the subject.
The questions for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics have been asked from the syllabus of NCERT and CBSE for class XI and XII.
You can also download the complete syllabus of the NEST exam from its website.
FAQs
Above 125 out of 200 will be consider as a very score for NEST Exam.
No, You have to give the NEST exam with all subjects viz. Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. However, for the ranking, the score of the best 3 subjects is considered.
Yes, there is a negative marking in NEST Exam. Hence for scoring a good ranking accuracy is needed in this exam.
Yes, Nest Exam is a Computer based online Exam in which questions are of MCQ type.
NEST Exam is conducted every year in the month of May to June.