Conducting Body: NISER Bhubaneswar & UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai National Level Entrance Exam 2026
Official Portal

NEST: National Entrance Screening Test

Comprehensive student gateway for 5-Year Integrated M.Sc in Basic Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) admissions. Access official registration schedule, question papers with solutions, cutoff ranks, college predictors, and counselling guides.
5-Year Integrated M.Sc in Basic Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) Duration: 3.5 Hours (210 Minutes) Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT) Total Marks: 200 Frequency: Once a Year (June) Fee: ?1,400 (General/OBC Male) / ?700 (Female/SC/ST/PwD)
200
Total Score
10
PYQ Papers (PDF)
10
Cutoff Records
3.5 Hours (210 Minutes)
Time Allotted
National
Exam Scope
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Overall Difficulty Meter Subject-wise Breakdown Topic Distribution Matrix Student Reactions Expected Good Attempts Analysis FAQs

NEST 2026 Paper Analysis & Difficulty Level

Shift-wise Faculty Review

Consolidated expert faculty review and student feedback across shifts for NEST. The overall paper difficulty is rated Moderate to Challenging with a balanced distribution across core subject areas.

Overall Difficulty
Moderate
Balanced question spread
Time Pressure
High / Lengthy
Multi-step numericals
Good Attempts (99 %ile)
75% - 82%
With 90%+ accuracy

Section-Wise Difficulty Breakdown

Section / Subject Difficulty Rating Key Topic Highlights Expected Good Attempts
Section 1 (Core Concepts) Moderate Formula-based, direct definitions, theoretical recall 80% - 85%
Section 2 (Application & Problem Solving) Moderate to Tough Multi-concept linkages, multi-step reactions / calculations 65% - 75%
Section 3 (Analytical / Numerical) Lengthy / Tough Rigorous numerical calculations, data analysis caselets 55% - 65%

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Paper Analysis

How is the shift-wise paper difficulty normalized in NEST?
The conducting authority uses a standard percentile normalization formula based on the relative performance of all candidates across each shift, ensuring no candidate is disadvantaged by an inherently tougher paper.
What constitutes a 'safe score' in NEST for Tier-1 colleges?
Aiming for an 80%+ raw score or 99+ percentile generally secures admission into top-tier institutes and premier branches across India.

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