NEST 2025: Exam Shift, Dress Code, Marking Pattern and More

NEST 2025: The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2025 is just around the corner. The exam will take place on June 22, 2025. Students from across India who dream of getting into top science institutes like NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai will appear for this important exam. NEST is meant for those who want to study basic sciences and receive a strong education in research and academics. The entrance test gives candidates a chance to study at two of the most respected science institutes in the country.

The NEST 2025 exam will happen in just one shift. According to the official website, the exam is set to be held from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. That means students must reach their exam centres early and stay ready before the shift begins. The official NEST 2025 information brochure also confirms that there will be only one shift. There is no mention of any other exam timing or additional shift. Students should make sure they plan their travel and morning routine based on this timing to avoid any last-minute stress.

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Dress Code and What Students Need to Know

As far as dress code goes, the NEST authorities have not issued any strict rules. Even in the official brochure, there are no special guidelines about what to wear. That means students don’t need to follow any specific dress code. However, it’s always smart to wear something comfortable and simple to avoid any delays or confusion at the exam centre.

This exam is very important for those who want to begin their journey in science at a top institute. The article has been written to help students understand everything about the NEST 2025 admission process for the 2025–26 academic year. It includes helpful details about exam timing, dress, and instructions to follow on exam day.

Examination Guidelines for NEST 2025

Here are the NEST Important instructions candidates must remember to follow on the day of the exam and even afterwards during the NEST Admission process.

• Students must visit the NEST Exam centre at least 60 minutes before the scheduled time, i.e. 9:30 am.
• The NEST 2025 Exam is going to start at 9:00, and the total exam duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Once the exam starts, no candidates will be allowed into the examination hall.
• Candidates can leave the examination hall till 11:00 am only if there is a medical emergency.
• Students should not carry log tables and calculators inside the examination hall.
• Students must bring their pens and pencils because sharing with other students is not allowed.
• Carrying the NEST 2025 Admit Card along with a valid school photo ID or a Government-issued photo ID is mandatory on the day of the NEST Exam.
• If a student is found using unfair means, he/she will be removed from the hall.
• Any electronic gadgets, such as a mobile phone, are not allowed inside the exam premises.

For Divyangjan Category Candidates

Go through the following guidelines as well to know instructions related to Divyangjan candidates.

• NEST will obey the Government of India’s guidelines related to the scribes for Divyangjan candidates. Candidates must visit https://disabilityaffairs.gov.in/ for all details.
• Applicants are allowed 20 minutes more per hour during the exam time as per the guidelines.
• Applicants who require a scribe are allowed to bring one with them; however, the scribe should fulfil the specified criteria mentioned in the official guidelines.

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Seats Availability at NISER and CEBS (2025 to 2030)

Here is the category-wise seat intake for candidates who wish to get admission at NISER and CEBS.

NEST 2025 Marking Scheme

Here are the details related ot the NEST 2025 Scoring scheme for those who are going to appear for the NEST Exam this year.

Scoring System

1. The NEST 2025 exam consists of a total of four sections, and each section is 60 marks.
2. The NEST exam is going to be conducted in one shift as per the information available on the NEST 2025 Information brochure.
3. The NEST percentile score depends on the applicant’s performance; those who score high will be awarded the 100th percentile.
4. Out of the four, only the top three sections are counted while preparing the NEST merit list. This means the section with the minimum marks will not be included.
5. The total marks for calculating the NEST merit list are 180, because only the top three sections are considered.
6. If a question is removed or dropped, the marks will be fairly adjusted for all candidates.

Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS)

• A student’s total marks will be the sum of their top three section.
• The minimum score needed for every section (SMAS) will be “20 per cent of the average of the top 100 scores” in that section.
• Based on the students’ performance in each subject, the SMAS can vary from one section to another.
• OBC category students must score 90 per cent of the SMAS set for general category candidates.
• SC, ST, and Divyangjan (PwD) students need to achieve 50 per cent of the general category SMAS.

Overall Cut-off or Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP)

1. Candidates must also meet the overall Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP), along with SMAS in each section, to qualify for a merit rank.

• General category students must achieve a minimum of 95 per cent.
• OBC students must score a minimum of 90 per cent.
• SC, ST, and Divyangjan must score a minimum of 75 per cent.

1. If a student fails to meet the MAP, he/she will be eligible to be included in the NEST merit list, even if they clear all the section-wise cut-offs.