The NEST 2026 exam pattern has been released along with the exam notification on the official website. NEST 2026 will be conducted on June 6, 2026 in online mode/CBT to test candidates' domain knowledge in the form of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
As per the NEST exam pattern 2026, there will be only 80 MCQs that the exam authority will ask from the mentioned NEST Syllabus 2026. The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted for 240 marks, out of which 20 marks are from each domain, like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The exam duration will be 3 hours.
Candidates must know that the merit list for both institutes will be prepared using the best three scores out of the four sections, and the section with the lowest score will not be considered. That is, scores out of 180 marks will be considered for preparing the merit list.
Candidates interested in NEST 2026 preparation must check out this SciAstra exam page to know the complete exam pattern, the NEST 2026 negative marking scheme and other details.
NEST 2025 Exam Pattern Highlights
Check out the NEST exam pattern 2026 highlights from here:
Feature | Details |
Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test - CBT) |
Exam Level | National level (Undergraduate entrance exam) |
Test Language | English only |
Question Type | Objective-type questions: • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) • Multiple Selection Questions (MSQs) |
Total Questions | 68 |
Total Marks | 200 |
Exam Shift | 2 PM to 5 PM |
NEST Exam Pattern 2026
Check out the section wise exam pattern and NEST 2026 marking scheme from here:
Subjects | Types of Questions | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
Biology | MCQ | 20 | 60 |
Chemistry | MCQ | 20 | 60 |
Mathematics | MCQ | 20 | 60 |
Physics | MCQ | 20 | 60 |
NEST 2026 Negative Marking Scheme
Check out the marking scheme of the exam from below:
Marks Awarded | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer | Unanswered/Marked for Review |
+3 Marks | +3 marks awarded | Not Awarded | Not awarded |
-1 Marks | Not Awarded | -1 marks awarded | Not awarded |
NEST 2026 Shift timings
Check out the NEST 2026 shift timings from here:
Parameter | Details |
Shift | Morning |
Reporting Time | 8:00 AM – 9:25 AM (or by 8:00 AM) |
Exam Duration | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Entry Closes | Entry closes by 9:30 AM |
Exit Restriction Ends | Allowed to leave only under medical supervision by 11:00 AM |