The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is an entrance examination conducted for admission to the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar and University of Mumbai – Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai.
The NEST exam primarily assesses candidates’ aptitude in five subjects:
Biology: This section evaluates candidates’ understanding of topics in biology, including cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and physiology among others.
Chemistry: This section covers various concepts in chemistry such as physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and analytical chemistry.
Mathematics: Candidates are tested on their mathematical abilities, including topics like algebra, calculus, trigonometry, geometry, and statistics.
Physics: This section assesses candidates’ knowledge of physics concepts including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics.
General Aptitude: This section evaluates candidates’ general analytical and logical reasoning abilities along with their comprehension and interpretation skills.
These subjects cover a wide range of topics from the science curriculum typically studied at the 10+2 level. The NEST exam aims to identify candidates with a strong aptitude and interest in pursuing a career in basic sciences.
Preparing for the NEST (National Entrance Screening Test) exam requires a strong foundation in fundamental concepts of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology.
Here are some recommended books that can help you in your preparation for the NEST exam:
Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma – This book covers fundamental concepts of physics in a clear and concise manner, making it suitable for NEST preparation.
Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker – Another excellent book for building a strong conceptual understanding of physics.
Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations by R.C. Mukherjee – This book is highly recommended for practicing numerical problems in chemistry, which are an integral part of the NEST exam.
Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd – For organic chemistry, this book is widely regarded as one of the best for building conceptual clarity.
Physical Chemistry by P. Bahadur – A comprehensive book for understanding the principles and applications of physical chemistry.
Biology by Campbell and Reece – This book provides in-depth coverage of biology topics and is highly recommended for NEST preparation.
NCERT textbooks for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology – NCERT textbooks are essential for understanding basic concepts and are often referred to as the primary study material for competitive exams.
Mathematics for Class 11 and 12 by R.D. Sharma – R.D. Sharma books are excellent resources for building a strong foundation in mathematics, which is crucial for the NEST exam.
Arihant’s Handbook of Mathematics – This handbook is useful for quick revision of mathematical formulas and concepts.
Objective Mathematics by R.D. Sharma – This book contains a wide range of objective questions that can help you practice and improve your problem-solving skills in mathematics.
Remember to solve plenty of practice questions and previous years’ question papers to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and improve your time management skills. Additionally, consider joining a coaching institute or online platform that provides mock tests and study material specifically tailored for the NEST exam.
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is an entrance exam for admission to the 5-year Integrated MSc program in basic sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics) at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar and the Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai. Here are the subjects and the structure of the NEST exam:
NEST Exam Structure and Subjects
Sections: The NEST exam consists of five sections, but only four are required for scoring. The sections are:
General Section (Section 1):
This section is compulsory for all candidates.
It tests general knowledge, current affairs, logical reasoning, and basic mathematics.
Subject Sections (Sections 2 to 5):
Candidates need to attempt any three out of these four sections.
Each section corresponds to a different subject: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
Detailed Breakdown of Subjects
General Section (Compulsory):
Topics Covered:
General knowledge
Current affairs
Basic mathematics
Logical reasoning
Analytical ability
Subject Sections (Choose Any Three):
Biology:
Cell Biology: Cell structure and function, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Genetics and Evolution: Mendelian inheritance, chromosomal theory of inheritance, molecular basis of inheritance, evolution theories.
Ecology: Ecosystems, biodiversity, environmental issues.
Human Physiology: Nervous system, endocrine system, reproduction, digestive system, respiratory system.
Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis, respiration, plant hormones, nutrition.
Biotechnology: Principles and processes, applications.
Chemistry:
Physical Chemistry: Atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, equilibrium, kinetics, electrochemistry.
Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic table, chemical bonding, coordination chemistry, main group elements, transition metals.
Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons, functional groups, organic reaction mechanisms, biomolecules, polymers.
Analytical Chemistry: Basic concepts of analysis and quantitative analysis techniques.
Mathematics:
Algebra: Quadratic equations, sequences and series, complex numbers, matrices, determinants.
Calculus: Limits, continuity, differentiation, integration, applications of calculus.
Vectors and 3D Geometry: Vectors, vector algebra, three-dimensional geometry.
Probability and Statistics: Probability theory, random variables, distributions, statistical measures.
Trigonometry: Trigonometric functions, identities, equations.
Analytical Geometry: Conic sections, straight lines, circles, parabolas, ellipses, hyperbolas.
Physics:
Mechanics: Kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy and power, systems of particles and rotational motion, gravitation.
Electricity and Magnetism: Electrostatics, current electricity, magnetic effects of current, electromagnetic induction, alternating currents.
Optics: Reflection and refraction, wave optics, optical instruments.
Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, heat transfer.
Modern Physics: Atomic structure, nuclear physics, dual nature of matter and radiation.
Waves and Oscillations: Simple harmonic motion, wave motion, sound waves.
Exam Pattern
Total Duration: 3.5 hours
Total Marks: 230
Marking Scheme:
Each section carries equal weight.
There may be negative marking for incorrect answers in certain sections.
Preparation Tips
Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly go through the syllabus for each section.
Study Materials: Use NCERT textbooks for basic concepts and refer to additional books for advanced topics.
Practice: Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests.
Focus on Weak Areas: Identify and work on your weak subjects or topics.
Time Management: Practice managing your time effectively during preparation and the exam.
By focusing on these subjects and following a structured study plan, you can prepare effectively for the NEST exam.
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a competitive exam in India for students seeking admission to the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and the Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS). This test assesses students’ knowledge across four primary subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Each section is worth 60 marks, contributing to a total of 240 marks.
The exam pattern is as follows:
Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
Marking Scheme: Candidates earn +3 points for each correct answer, while an incorrect answer deducts 1 point. Unattempted questions do not affect the score.
Best of Three: Out of the four sections, only the top three scores are considered for the final merit list, allowing flexibility for students to focus on their strongest subjects.
The NEST exam is designed to test scientific aptitude, analytical skills, and understanding in the basic sciences. Achieving a good score in NEST opens opportunities for research-focused undergraduate programs with rigorous training in science and research at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS