Free Resources for IAT and NEST Preparation: PYQs, Mock Test & Lectures

Free Resources for IAT and NEST Preparation: Preparing for the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) and the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) can feel overwhelming when students cannot find the right preparation materials.
There are multiple resources available for IAT and NEST preparation in the market, including full-length courses, crash courses, and books. Many of these resources are highly expensive, which can be a financial constraint for students preparing for these exams.
Courses can certainly provide guidance for IAT 2026 and NEST 2026, but that does not mean students cannot prepare using free resources. They need in-depth knowledge of Class 11 and Class 12 PCMB concepts and free preparation materials, such as mock tests, PYQs, and revision lectures, to prepare effectively.

This SciAstra article provides free IAT and NEST preparation resources, including courses, PYQs and mock tests.

What are the Free Resources for IAT & NEST Preparation?

Both IAT and NEST focus on conceptual clarity, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Therefore, students do not always need expensive coaching to begin their preparation. With the right strategy and quality free resources, aspirants can prepare effectively from home.

The best free resources for IAT and NEST preparation are the following:

1. Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs)

2. Mock Tests

3. Revision Lectures

4. Free Courses

IAT & NEST Free Resources for Preparation

The NEST 2026 will be conducted on June 6, 2026. On the very next day, IAT 2026 will be held on June 7, 2026.

In the final phase of preparation for these exams, some free resources can be highly beneficial in boosting candidates’ performance.

All the most important free resources for IAT and NEST preparation are available below.

IAT and NEST PYQs

PYQs are among the most important resources for exam preparation. Solving PYQs of IAT and NEST can provide candidates with the following benefits:

• Understand exam pattern

• Identify important topics

• Improve speed and accuracy

• Learn question trends

Free PDFs for IAT and NEST are available below for download.

Mock Tests

Mock tests can help candidates understand the types of questions that will be asked in the exams. They can also help them understand the overall structure of the question papers and practice a strategy to approach the questions.

The direct links to the official mock tests for IAT and NEST have been provided below.

Revision Lectures

SciAstra provides free revision lectures for candidates specifically targeting IAT and NEST. These lectures are called “Maharevision”.

We also provide video lectures on the 50 most important questions for Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology.

The links to all these videos are available below.

IAT & NEST Maharevision

IAT & NEST 50 Most Important Questions for PCMB

Can Free Materials Alone Help You Crack IAT & NEST?

Yes, many students have successfully cleared IAT and NEST using free materials combined with disciplined self-study. Free resources are highly useful for achieving the following objectives:

• Concept building

• Practice

• Revision

• Strategy preparation

However, students enrolled in structured preparation IAT/NEST courses often gain a competitive edge in these exams. A well-designed course provides systematic learning, expert mentorship, regular mock tests, doubt-solving support, performance analysis, and a disciplined study plan. These benefits help students prepare more efficiently and confidently.

This is especially important for IAT and NEST because the exams test analytical thinking and application-based understanding rather than simple memorisation.

SciAstra provides both free and structured paid preparation resources for aspirants, including:

• Free lectures

• Mock tests

• PYQ discussions

• Mentorship support

• Strategy sessions

• Structured study plans

• Advanced practice material

• Detailed test analysis

SciAstra courses are specifically designed for IAT and NEST aspirants and help students stay consistent, focused, and exam-ready throughout their preparation journey.

Explore SciAstra IAT/NEST Courses

Conclusion

IAT and NEST preparation does not always require expensive coaching. Today, students can access high-quality free resources, including NCERT books, YouTube lectures, mock tests, PYQs, online communities, and revision notes.

The key to success is not the number of resources but how effectively students use them. Consistent practice, strong conceptual understanding, proper revision, and regular mock tests can significantly improve performance.