NEST 2027 • Official 2026 reference
NEST Exam Pattern 2027
Looking for NEST questions, subjects, duration, total marks, negative marking or best-three scoring? This page uses the official 2026 brochure as the verified reference until the 2027 rules are released.
4 science sections
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
20 questions each
The 2026 brochure described 20 questions in each subject section.
+3 / −1 / 0
3 marks for correct, −1 for incorrect and 0 for unanswered.
240 paper marks
Each subject section carried 60 marks in the 2026 structure.
How NEST scoring is different
NEST is not just an overall-score exam. The 2026 merit rules applied section-wise SMAS, required at least three qualifying sections for merit consideration and used the best three qualifying section scores for the merit score.
NEST negative marking
The 2026 brochure used +3 for a correct answer, −1 for an incorrect answer and 0 for unanswered. Future-year marking must be verified against the current official brochure.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in NEST?
The 2026 structure had 80 questions: 20 each in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
How long is the NEST exam?
The 2026 exam duration was 3 hours. Check the active-year brochure for changes.
Do all four NEST sections count?
Candidates can attempt all four, but the 2026 merit calculation used the best three qualifying section scores after applying the section rules.
Reference cycle: NEST 2026. Future NEST rules can change.