JEST Exam Analysis & Pattern 2026: Syllabus, Marking Scheme

The Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST) conducts the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST). This National-level entrance examination is conducted to check the eligibility of students who wish to apply for a PhD and an Integrated PhD in Physics, Theoretical Computer Science, or Computational Biology. With the scorecard of the JEST examination, students can only take admission in the participating Universities. 

The JEST exam is conducted once a year; the JEST June 2026 will announce the exam dates soon. Students who are appearing for the JEST exam in June need to understand the exam pattern well to score better marks. 

Students who wish to pursue their higher studies in a PhD can also enroll in an online DBA program. An online DBA is the short form of Doctorate in Business Administration, a three-year program that is considered equivalent to a regular full-time PhD program. An online DBA offers a variety of specializations for students to consider. 

Exam Highlights

Students who are appearing for the JEST examination 2026 need to consider the following points for a better understanding of the pattern and nature of the exam.

• The exam will be conducted in pen and paper mode (Offline).
• The exam will be conducted in three sections. f
• Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be MCQ-based questions, and Paper 3 will be descriptive.
• The total number of questions asked in the JEST exam is 50 out of a total of 100 marks.
• Students will get into participating universities based on their scores and the university’s criteria.

Exam analysis

In the JEST exam, a total of 50 questions will be asked, which will be distributed in 3 sections. Here is the breakdown of the number of questions based on the sections. 

Marking scheme

The JEST examination will be conducted in three sections. The marking scheme, as per the sections, is provided for students’ reference. 

JEST analysis 2024

Students who appear for JEST 2024 consider that the exam ranges from moderate to difficult.

The JEST 2024 analysis was based on the expected number of questions and the cut-off marks. 

Here is the topic-wise bifurcation of the Physics subject held in the year 2022:

JEST exam preparations

Here are some useful preparation tips that can guide you to get better scoring marks- 

• Know the exam pattern- Understand the exam pattern and be familiar with the number of questions and the marks each sections carry. 
• Study the syllabus-  Go through the JEST exam syllabus, and try to focus on the topics that are more important and harder for the exam. Try not to miss any of the topics. 
• Solve the previous year papers- Try to solve previous year question papers each day to understand the pattern of the questions. 
• Manage your time- Try to manage your time and give equal attention to all the sections. 
• Take mock tests- Mock tests help students understand the time taken by the students in each question. It will also help you to improve your speed and track your progress, along with the sections that require more attention. 
• Revise the topics- Revise the concepts and topics regularly, which will reduce the chance of forgetting the important topics. 

JEST Not for You? Choose DBA

Students who wish to pursue their PhD without appearing for any entrance exams can enroll in an online DBA program. The online DBA(Doctor of Business Administration) is an alternative to a PhD, having equal importance as a regular program. 

In an online DBA program, students who are working can get their dream of earning a “Dr.” title without leaving their jobs. 

Features of an online DBA:

• An online DBA is a three-year program 
• Students will get their doctoral degrees from globally recognized universities.
• Students will be able to do research work and submit it within their three-year program.
• A DBA specializes in practical knowledge and management, which they can use in National and International markets
•  The classes will be held online; hence, the students can take up their classes at their convenience
• Eligibility criteria here:
  • Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience
  • Master’s degree or equivalent 

Online DBA programs

Here are a few universities that offer an online DBA program with their specializations: