Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) / DST India
JEST Physics Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for Joint Entrance Screening Test for Physics
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Online (CBT)
Language
English & Hindi
Negative Marking
-1
Sections
5
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical and Quantum Mechanics | 12 | +3 | 36 | 36 min |
| Electromagnetism | 12 | +3 | 36 | 36 min |
| Mathematical Physics | 12 | +3 | 36 | 36 min |
| Statistical Mechanics | 12 | +3 | 36 | 36 min |
| Electronics | 12 | +3 | 36 | 36 min |
| Total | 60 | — | 150 | 180 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+3
marks
Wrong Answer
-1
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
Part A: +3/-1; Part B: +3/-1; Part C: +3 (no negative)
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 36 questions, get 27 correct and 9 wrong:
Score = 27 × 3 − 9 × 1 = 72 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 180.0 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 108 min | 42 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 54 min | 12 Qs |
| Review & guess | 18 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 60 | 180 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 60 | 180 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 60 | 180 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~12 Easy | ~24 Medium | ~24 Hard
Based on difficulty level: very-hard. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Practice JEST Physics?
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