NEST Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions PDFs

Updated By Debanjalee Sen on 25 Nov, 2025 15:56

NEST Previous Year Question Papers must be solved by aspirants while preparing for the exam. Working through them gives students a clear idea of the types of questions aspirants can expect in the upcoming test. Attempting old NEST question papers also helps improve time management and boosts confidence.

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About NEST Previous Year Question Papers

NEST Previous Year Question Papers are among the most valuable resources for aspirants preparing for the entrance exam. These papers reflect the actual structure of the test, giving an idea about the types of questions asked in the test.

The major subjects on which NEST questions are based include Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Solving the old questions makes it easier for the students to work on their time management and problem-solving skills. Regular practice with NEST previous year question papers ensures that you enter the exam with better clarity, reduced stress and a more organised approach. 

Aspirants can access the NEST previous year question papers from the official portal along with the NEST answer keys. To access them, visit the official website and look for the "Question Archive" segment, where the question papers are listed year-wise. Read through the page below to access the NEST question papers for 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

NEST Previous Year Question Paper Portal Link 

NEST Question Paper PDF 2025

Check the NEST question paper PDF 2025 link below:

NEST 2025 Question Paper PDF

Colleges Accepting Exam NEST :

Related Questions

Is the difficulty level similar for NEST question papers every year?

No, the difficulty varies slightly each year, but the pattern and question style remain consistent for NEST question papers.

Are NEST previous year papers released every year by the conducting authority?

Yes, typically, the conducting authority releases the NEST previous year question papers. 

NEST Question Papers PDF 2024

Provided below are the links to download NEST previous years question papers 2024 -

NEST Question Paper2024 Session 1

2024 Session 2NEST Question Paper

NEST Question Papers PDF 2023

Provided below are the links to download NEST previous years question papers 2023 -

NEST 2023 Session 1 Question Paper

NEST 2023 Session 2 Question Paper

NEST Question Papers PDF 2022

Candidates can download the NEST previous year question papers PDF 2022 by clicking on the link below.

NEST 2022 Session 1 Question Paper

NEST 2022 Session 2 Question Paper

NEST Question Papers PDF 2021

Candidates can download the NEST previous years question papers PDF 2021 by clicking on the link below.

NEST 2021 Session 1 Question Paper

NEST 2021 Session 2 Question Paper

NEST Question Papers PDF 2020

Candidates can click on the link below to download NEST previous year question papers -

NEST 2020 Session 1 Question Paper

NEST 2020 Session 2 Question Paper

NEST Question Papers PDF 2019

Candidates can click on the link below to download NEST previous years question papers 2019 -

NEST 2019 Session 1 Question Paper

NEST 2019 Session 2 Question Paper

NEST Question Papers PDF 2018

Candidates can download the NEST previous year question papers PDF 2018 by clicking on the link below.

NEST 2018 Question Paper

How to Download NEST Previous Question Papers PDF

Here's how you can download NEST previous year question paper PDFs:

  • Visit the official website and locate the link named "Syllabus and Information Brochure".
  • In the said section, you will find the tab named "Question Archive".
  • The old question papers can be found year-wise.
  • Click on the relevant year and save the soft copy of the question papers.
  • You can take a printout of the same as well.

Advantages of Solving NEST Previous Years' Question Papers

The following are the benefits of solving the NEST previous years' question papers:

  • By answering NEST pyqs, students can get an idea of the expected questions from the frequently asked topics.
  • Solving previous years' question papers is also a great way to do exam revision.
  • It also helps students to become familiar with the NEST syllabus and NEST exam pattern.
  • Taking the NEST previous years' question paper, students will get an idea about the types of questions that have been asked in previous years.
  • Regular practice of NEST question papers PDF can improve students’ time management skills and speed of solving questions.
  • Also, they can help determine students’ strengths and weaknesses about the exam.

Related Questions

Are math questions repeated in NEST from previous year papers?

Typically, exact math questions are not repeated in NEST from previous papers. However, concepts and question formats often reappear.

Can I rely only on NEST previous year papers for preparation?

No, only solving NEST previous year papers is not enough for preparation. You must finish the NEST syllabus early, followed by regular revision and mock tests for complete preparation.

NEST 2026 Preparation Tips

Check some practical NEST 2026 preparation tips here.

  • Start your preparation by revising NCERT chapters from Classes 11 and 12, as most questions come directly from familiar school-level concepts.
  • Make a habit of solving small sets of MCQs every day to build accuracy and reduce the time you need to interpret questions.
  • Keep one subject as your strength area according to the NEST syllabus and maintain steady revision in the other three, since the best three scores count for the NEST merit list.
  • Use NEST mock tests to practise navigating the CBT screen quickly, because exam-day comfort with the interface can make a big difference. After every mock test, analyse your performance and make sure not to repeat your mistakes in the next attempt.
  • Follow the right set of NEST books for effective preparation. Make sure the titles provide content as per the updated syllabus and explain the concepts in simple and easy language.

Want to know more about NEST

FAQs about NEST Question Papers

What are the key subjects of NEST question paper?

The key subjects of NEST question paper include Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. The syllabus is based on NCERT Class 11 and 12.

Is the answer key issued along with the NEST question papers?

Yes, the answer key is issued along with the NEST question papers. After solving the paper, you can cross-check your responses with the answer key and estimate your NEST scores.

Who releases the NEST question papers?

The NEST question papers are released by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM DAE CEBS Mumbai. The exam is held to grant admission to five-year Integrated M.Sc. programmes in basic sciences at the participating institutes.

Are NEST previous year question papers useful for identifying weak areas?

Yes, NEST previous year question papers are useful for identifying weak areas. Analysing mistakes in past papers makes it easy to pinpoint topics needing revision. 

Do NEST previous year papers help improve speed and time management?

Yes, NEST previous year papers help improve both speed and time management. They allow you to get used to the real exam environment, which reduces stress and hesitation. When you solve papers under timed conditions, your pace improves naturally, and your problem-solving skills become sharper.

How can I access NEST previous year question papers?

You can access NEST previous year question papers from the official website of NEST. Visit the homepage and locate the tab named "Question Paper Archive". In the said section, you can find the NEST old question paper PDFs year-wise.

How many NEST previous year papers must I solve for complete preparation?

Ideally, solving the last 5–7 years of NEST previous year papers helps understand recurring patterns and important topics. This also builds confidence and improves your exam-day accuracy.

Will NEST previous year papers help aspirants understand the nature of the exam?

Yes, the NEST previous year papers can help aspirants understand the nature of the exam. Solving them regularly gives a clear idea about the structure of the test and the types of questions expected in the exam.

Does practicing with previous year question papers will help me solve questions quickly?

Solving NEST practice papers is beneficial for students preparing for the exam. Applicants can improve their speed, accuracy, and time management skills. This will help you answer questions quickly on the day of the NEST 2025 exam.

What are the benefits of NEST previous years' question papers?

Practising with NEST's previous years' question papers helps you familiarise yourself with the exam pattern, question types, marking scheme, and time constraints. Additionally, they help you identify areas that need improvement and adjust your study strategy accordingly.

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