NEST 2026 Paper Analysis - Section-wise Difficulty Level, Expected Cutoff, Chapterwise Weightage

Updated By Debanjalee Sen on 05 Dec, 2025 15:41

NEST paper analysis helps you understand question trends, difficulty level, and section-wise performance expectations for the exam. It highlights which topics were most scoring in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Checking the NEST paper analysis of the last few years helps with preparation and better exam strategy.

Get NEST Sample Papers For Free

About NEST 2026 Exam Analysis

NEST exam analysis 2026 will be provided here within a while after the examination, based on the feedback of the aspirants. The paper analysis is crucial as it indicates the difficulty level of the examination, major topics, and expected cutoff. 

NEST is conducted every year by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM DAE CEBS Mumbai for admission into their five-year Integrated M.Sc. programmes. The major subjects on which questions will be asked include Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Overall, the complexity level of NEST has been moderate based on previous year trends.

NEST Paper Analysis 2025

NEST 2025 entrance exam was administered on June 22, 2025, in CBT mode (computer-based test) from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.NEST 2025 question paper had 4 sections. CollegeDekho's expert team provided an analysis of the NEST 2025 exam for students here.

Exam Date & Day

Timings

Exam HighlightsDetailed Exam Analysis

June 22, 2025 (Sunday)

9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

The overall difficulty level was moderate.
  • Chemistry: The Chemistry paper was based on NCERT. Questions were asked from previous years' JEE Main question papers. The difficulty level was easy. Inorganic and Physical Chemistry has more weightage.
  • Mathematics: Maximum questions were asked from Class 11 level. Overall difficulty level was moderate to difficult. Probability and limits are a few topics asked in the paper. 
  • Physics: The most difficult paper was Physics. Topics asked were capacitor, kinematics, unit calorimetry, current electricity, and dimensions, etc.
  • Biology: The Biology paper had easy questions. The topics were from the expected lines like Human Reproduction, Botany, Human Physiology, etc.
Colleges Accepting Exam NEST :

Related Questions

What was the difficulty level according to NEST 2025 paper analysis?

The difficulty level, according to NEST 2025 paper analysis, was moderate. Typically, questions in NEST are of Class 11 and 12 level.

Why is NEST paper analysis important for preparation?

Checking the NEST paper analysis helps the aspirants gain an idea about understanding the overall difficulty level of each section. It also shows which topics frequently appear and where maximum scoring opportunities exist.

NEST Exam Analysis 2024

The NEST 2024 entrance exam was administered on June 30, 2024, in CBT mode (computer-based test). The NEST exam was being held in two sessions. The first session was from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. The second session was from 2:30 to 6:00 pm. The NEST 2024 question paper had 4 sections. Each subject section had 17 questions, 12 of which were multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer and 5 with multiple correct answers. NEST 2024 was being conducted for 200 marks. 

CollegeDekho's expert team has provided an analysis of the NEST 2024 exam for aspirants.

Exam Date & Day

Timings

Exam HighlightsDetailed Exam Analysis

30 June 2024 (Sunday)

Session I (9:00 AM to 12:30 PM)
Session II (2:30 PM to 6:00 PM)

Overall NEST 2024 exam difficulty level was moderately easy.

Physics Questions were difficult to solve and had high-order thinking questions. 

Maths section was also quite tough. A few questions were from Probability and limits, etc.

NEST Exam Analysis 2023

The NEST 2023 entrance exam was conducted on 24 June 2023. The exam was conducted in two sessions. The first session began at 09:00 am and ended at 12:30 pm. The second session was held from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm. NEST 2023 was conducted in CBT Mode (Computer Based Test). NEST 2023 question paper consisted of 4 sections. Each subject section had 17 questions out of which 12 questions were of single correct answer MCQs, and the remaining 5 questions were of multiple correct answer MCQs. NEST 2023 was conducted for 200 marks. The CollegeDekho expert team has conducted a detailed NEST 2023 exam analysis for the candidates. 

Exam Date & Day

Timings

Exam HighlightsDetailed Exam Analysis

24 June 2023 (Saturday)

Session I (9:00 AM to 12:30 PM)
Session II (2:30 PM to 6:00 PM)

  • The overall difficulty level of the exam was Easy to Tough.
  • Maximum questions were asked from inorganic Chemistry. 
  • Physics -  Moderate 
  • Mathematics - Moderate to Tough
  • Chemistry - Easy
  • Biology - Moderate 

NEST Exam Analysis 2022

NEST 2022 was successfully conducted on June 18, 2022. The first shift of the exam was held from 09:00 AM to 12: 30 PM, while the second shift was held from 02:30 PM to 06:00 PM. 

Exam Date & Day

Timings

Exam HighlightsDetailed Exam AnalysisQuestion Paper Link

June 18, 2022 (Saturday)

Session I (9:00 AM to 12:30 PM) & Session II (2:30 PM to 6:00 PM)

  • Chemistry & Biology had most of the questions from NCERT while the Mathematics section was a bit lengthy.
  • The overall difficulty level of the exam was Easy to Moderate.
NEST 2022 Question Paper Analysis (Out), Answer Key, SolutionsNEST 2022 Question Paper: Download Memory-Based Questions

Related Questions

How can the NEST paper analysis help in revision planning?

By reviewing the NEST paper analysis, you can identify which subjects need more focus based on past performance trends. It also helps you prioritise high-weightage topics while revising.

What does a NEST paper analysis usually include?

A NEST paper analysis provides insight into how challenging the exam is. It also highlights the question patterns, conceptual weightage, and expected cutoff.

NEST 2020 Candidate Reaction

When it comes to speaking with candidates who have taken the recent NEST examination, the experts at CollegeDekho are always proactive. On this page, candidates and future aspirants can learn about the reactions of those who took the exam on the aforementioned date. Meanwhile, candidates are encouraged to review the responses recorded by CollegeDekho experts of candidates who took the NEST examination last year.

Previous Year's NEST Exam Candidate Reactions 

The NEST exam experts at CollegeDekho spoke to some of the candidates who appeared in the NEST 2020 exam which was conducted on 29th September 2020. The experts spoke to the candidates about each and every aspect of the NEST exam and were able to unearth the following major points listed below - 

  • The paper was tough and time-consuming

  • Most of the questions in the general aptitude section were from current affairs and modern topics

  • Although the paper was tough and time-consuming, a majority of the candidates were able to submit their final responses within the given time period

  • A total of 70 questions were asked in the paper and the maximum mark was 230

The question and marks distribution of NEST 2021 exam can be found from the table below - 

Name of the Section

Total Number of Questions

Maximum Marks

Physics

15

50

Chemistry

15

50

General Aptitude

10

30

Mathematics

15

50

Biology

15

50

Grand Total

70

230

The candidates were also very happy with the arrangements in their respective NEST 2020 exam centres and those who were sceptical about going to the exam centres due to the fear of contracting COVID-19 were also pretty satisfied with the arrangements.  

Want to know more about NEST

FAQs about NEST Exam Analysis

When will the NEST 2026 paper analysis be released?

NEST 2026 paper analysis will be released on CollegeDekho’s portal. It will be published within a short span after the exam is over.

Should I analyse multiple years’ NEST paper analysis?

Yes, you should analyse multiple years’ NEST paper analysis. Checking them helps spot consistent trends and accordingly plan your preparation.

Can I use NEST paper analysis to predict expected questions?

While the NEST paper analysis cannot guarantee exact questions, it points out chapters that frequently reappear. This helps identify which topics are key.

Will the NEST paper analysis help me judge time consumption per section?

Yes, the NEST paper analysis highlights which parts of the exam take longer to solve. This knowledge helps you prepare effectively for the test time well and avoid rushing while attempting the examination.

Does NEST paper analysis show section-wise difficulty trends?

Yes, NEST paper analysis shows section-wise difficulty trends. It clearly indicates the complexity level of the question paper. This information helps you develop a smarter strategy for each section.

Where can I find reliable NEST paper analysis?

You can find reliable NEST paper analysis from websites and YouTube channels of coaching centres and exam experts. Make sure the insights are based on genuine feedback from real test takers.

View More

Still have questions about NEST Exam Analysis ? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Top