Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST)
Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is a national level examination that is used for admission to Ph.D. and Integrated Ph.D. courses in institutes like IISc, IISERs, NISER, and many others. The main organizing institute is the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and is conducted across India with 37 exam centers in all the 28 states. JEST is recognized as a National Eligibility Test (NET) by the Act of parliament through Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and is a national level science entrance examination conducted in the offline mode. Candidates can pursue Ph.D. and integrated Ph.D. courses in the following streams by qualifying for the JEST examination:
- Physics
- Theoretical Computer Science
- Neuroscience
- Computational Biology
The JEST is written by about 1000 students every year for the computational science branch, whereas for Physics about 13,000 students appear for the examination. The JEST score is valid for a year.
JEST | Examination Sections
The JEST exam pattern covers the topics taught at the graduation and post-graduation level. This pen and paper mode, the offline examination is for 180 minutes (3 hours). The test is conducted in one sitting or session. A person can appear for the JEST examination in Physics or Theoretical Computer Science but not both. The examination pattern and sample papers for Physics and Theoretical Computer Science are available on the JEST website. The question paper has three sections – Part A, Part B, and Part C and all the questions in the Physics paper is multiple-choice questions.
JEST | Examination Pattern
Candidates should be well aware of the JEST exam pattern to score better in the exam. It is also recommended to go through the sample paper before appearing in the examination. This will help you to get a feel for the examination.
As the JEST examination is conducted in offline mode, candidates are given OMR sheets in case of multiple choice question form. Students need to fill the option containing the right answer in the OMR sheet with a blue or black ball pen. A total of 180 minutes is given to complete the question paper. The exam is to be completed in one session.
According to the sample paper released by the authority, the Physics paper has three sections. The sections are – part A, part B, and part C. the physics paper consist of 50 questions. The total marks of the physics paper are 100. Part A has 15 questions, Part B consists of 10 questions and 25 questions are asked in the part C section. All the questions are MCQ type. The marking scheme for each section is different. Questions in Part A and Part B carry 3 marks each whereas Part C sections have questions each of 1 mark. There is no negative marking in Part B. For every wrong answer in Part A section of the question-paper -1 mark will be deducted. In Part C for every incorrect answer -1/3 mark is taken as a penalty.
The computer science question paper is different from that of the physics paper. It will consist of questions of brief or short answer type. Also, problem-solving questions are asked in the Computer Science paper.
| JEST Exam | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Pattern | MCQs for Physics Short answer type for Computer Science. |
| Sections | Three Sections in the Physics Paper |
| Language | English |
| Questions | UG & PG Level |
| Exam Centers | 37 |
Exam pattern for Physics paper
| Section | Questions | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | 15 | +3 - 1 Negative |
| Part B | 10 | +3 No Negative Marking |
| Part C | 25 | +1 - 1/3 Negative |
| Total | 50 Questions | 100 Marks |
Institutes Participating in JEST Exam
The list of institutes that consider the marks of JEST exam for admission to Ph.D. and Integrated Ph.D. programs in their campus are as follows ARIES, IISc, IISER’s, IISST, Bose Institute, IMSc, IOP, HBNI, NRI, ICTS, IGCAR, IIA, IUCAA, JNCASR, NBRC, TIFR, DAE, NCRA, VECC, TCIS, SNBNCBS, RRI, SINP, PRL NISER.
JEST | Result Announcement
The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research releases the results in the form of marks on the official website of the JEST exam. If any aspirant wishes to know their score in the JEST test, they must log in to the official examination website and access their JEST scorecard afterward. Once a candidate logs on to the exam’s official website their scorecard will be available on the block of the left side menu. It is recommended that students download their scorecards. The marks of the JEST exam are valid for 1 year.
The scorecard contains the following information:
- Name of the candidate
- Exam roll number
- Application number
- Date of exam
- Date of birth
- Photograph of candidate
- Marks
Candidates who have obtained qualifying marks in the JEST Exam are told to check with the participating institutes for further fulfillment of the admission criteria. Candidates need to contact their choice of institutes to get details of the interview process if they qualify for the JEST test.
Candidates who have appeared on the entrance exam can review the JEST answer key, which is available on the official website. After the test is complete, the conductive body will release the response key. Candidates can raise their objections on the same after they have accessed the JEST response key. Candidates can lodge objections on the official website at – jest.tifr@gmail.com.
How to check the JEST results online?
To check the JEST results online follow the below steps:
- Visit the official Joint Entrance Screening Exam website
- Navigate to segment ‘User Login.’
- Type Password and Email id/ User Name.
- Click to Login
- Now you can check your JEST test score.
How to download the JEST scorecard?
Along with the results, candidates are given a scorecard of the JEST examination. As the result is valid for 1 year it is advisable to download and print out the scorecard. To download the JEST scorecard follow the steps as shown below:
Step 1: Visit JEST’s official website
Step 2: Candidates can find the path to the result on their homepage.
Step 3: To go to the result page, click on the link.
Step 4: Submit login credentials – username & password
Step 5: Check the marks and click on download for the future reference, take a printout.
JEST Examination Interviews
After the declaration of results, the candidates need to contact the respective colleges for further process. Some colleges take interviews as the final round of selection after the JEST exam. The institutes that conduct interviews are IISER Pune, ARIES- Nainital, IISER Bhopal, IISER Mohali, IISER Trivandrum, Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR, Mumbai), NISER Integrated, PRL, Ahmedabad, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, UGC-DAE CSR and RRCAT (Indore).
JEST exam – Who can Apply?
In order to appear for the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST), candidates must meet all the requirements provided by the participating institutes, which have their eligibility conditions. Applicants required to complete their final exams by August of each year are also entitled to appear for that year’s JEST test.
The eligibility criteria for the JEST exam are as follows:
PhD in Physics Eligibility criteria
- Applicants should have an M.Sc. In Physics, or similar fields, M.Sc./M.E / M.Tech.
- Applicants must have an M.Sc.
- At IISER Trivandrum, IISc. Bangalore, ICTS Bangalore, IMSc, IUCAA, JNCASR, NCRA, TCIS, RRI, IISER Mohali, IISER Pune, and SNBNCBS, BE or B.Tech shall also be considered
- Last year B.Sc. And M.Sc. in the first year. Students in Physics / Electronics / Astronomy / Applied Mathematics can also apply for research scholarships at IUCAA
- M.Sc. in physics, engineering physics, or applied physics, only B.Tech Engineering Physics & M.Sc .. will also be considered at IPR; at TIFR. Physics also qualifies.
Theoretical Computer Science/Neuroscience/Computational Biology
- Candidates must have an M.Sc./ME / M.Tech / MCA in computer science and related disciplines (for more details, visit IMSc. website)
- For M.Sc./ME / M.Tech? /MCA in any engineering or scientific discipline with good mathematical skills and a strong interest in computer biological problems at IMSc.
There is no limit on how many times you can turn up for the JEST exam.
There is no age limit to appear in JEST exams; however, each participating institution has its eligibility criteria.
JEST Exam Registration – How to Apply?
JEST 2020 registrations are planned for November to December. Aspirants only have to begin filling in and submitting JEST applications via online mode. One can create an email account using a valid email-id, and apply online to the JEST exam using the same email-id.
Candidates must submit the application form via the email account they have generated. A specific application number will then be sent to the email-id upon submission. To register for the JEST exam use the same number. No further modifications will be approved upon submission of the online application form.
After candidates have their email ID checked, they are led to the JEST exam application form. You need to fill your name, parents’ name, contact details, education qualifications, program preference, college preference, and test center.
Aspirants must upload scanned copies of their photographs and signature in their application form for Joint Entrance Screening Test.
Candidates then can pay the JEST application fee by Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking. Aspirants can also pay an application fee for JEST via SBI Epay.
After completing all the above steps the candidate needs to click on the ‘Submit’ button to complete the JEST exam registration process. When candidates submit their registration form successfully online they will receive an email at their registered email address. Aspirants are recommended to access this information and to keep it secure for future reference.
