JEST previous year question papers for Physics are free to download here for 2015 to 2020, 2024 and 2026, with the official final key for 2024 and the updated answer key for 2026. JEST Physics now has 40 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours, in three parts, and the 2026 paper is the only one on that pattern, so solve it first for JEST 2027, expected in April 2027.
JEST Previous Year Question Papers
Pick a year to open its Physics paper; 2015 to 2020 also have a backup copy of the same PDF.
Newest papersJEST 2026 Question Paper
View 2026 papers1 paper
JEST Question Papers by Year
| Year | Papers | Answer key | Pattern that year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEST 2026 | 1 paper | Yes | 40 Q · 100 marks · 3 h | View papers |
| JEST 2024 | Answer key only | Yes | View papers | |
| JEST 2020 | 2 papers | Not available | 50 Q · 100 marks | View papers |
| JEST 2019 | 2 papers | Not available | View papers | |
| JEST 2018 | 2 papers | Not available | View papers | |
| JEST 2017 | 2 papers | Not available | View papers | |
| JEST 2016 | 2 papers | Not available | 50 Q · Parts A and B | View papers |
| JEST 2015 | 2 papers | Not available | 50 Q | View papers |
JEST Paper at a Glance
| Questions | 40 in Physics: Part A 10 MCQs, Part B 20 MCQs, Part C 10 numerical (2026 pattern) |
|---|---|
| Marks and time | 100 marks in 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Marking | Part A +1, −1/3; Part B +3, −1; Part C +3, no negative marks |
| Mode | Computer-based test at exam centres |
| Papers on this page | Physics papers for 2015 to 2020, 2024 and 2026; keys for 2024 and 2026 |
| Next exam | JEST 2027: April 2027 (expected). Application: February 2027 (expected) |
How the JEST Physics Paper Changed (2015–2026)
- 2015 and 2016: 50 questions in two parts. The 2015 paper opens with the 3-mark questions; in 2016 the 1-mark questions are in Part B (Q26 to Q50).
- 2017 to 2020: three parts, with 25 one-mark questions in Part A and 3-mark questions in Parts B and C. By 2019 Part C was numerical, and 2020 had 25, 15 and 10 questions.
- 2026: 40 questions for 100 marks: 10 in Part A, 20 in Part B and 10 numerical in Part C. Against 2020, Part A fell from 25 to 10 questions and Part B grew from 15 to 20, so 3-mark questions now carry 90 of the 100 marks.
How to Use JEST Previous Year Papers?
- Give each question its weight. Three hours for 40 questions is 4.5 minutes a question, but Part A is worth only 10 marks. Spend about 15 minutes on Part A and keep the rest for the 3-mark questions in Parts B and C.
- Treat Parts A and B with care. A wrong answer costs 1/3 mark in Part A and 1 mark in Part B, so a blind guess among four options gains nothing on average. Guess only after ruling out an option. Part C has no negative marks, so enter a number for every question.
- Solve 2026 first, then 2024, because both come with keys. The 2015 to 2020 papers have no key, so check them from your textbooks and use them for topic practice.
- Start now for April 2027. About five months remain. Working through one older paper every two weeks covers all eight years on this page well before the exam.
JEST Previous Year Question Papers FAQs
How many questions are there in JEST Physics?
40 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours, on the 2026 pattern: 10 MCQs in Part A, 20 MCQs in Part B and 10 numerical questions in Part C.
Is there negative marking in JEST?
Yes, in Physics Parts A and B. A wrong answer loses 1/3 mark in Part A and 1 mark in Part B. Part C (numerical) has no negative marks.
Does JEST release previous year papers?
No. JEST does not release old papers officially. The 2015 to 2020 papers here are typed copies, the 2024 PDF is the official final key with every question, and the 2026 updated key is from the official JEST website.
Is there a JEST 2021, 2022, 2023 or 2025 paper here?
No. The Physics papers on this page are from 2015 to 2020, 2024 and 2026.
Which JEST papers have answer keys?
2024 (the official final key, with every question printed) and 2026 (answers in the PDF plus the official updated key). The 2015 to 2020 papers have no key.
Are there TCS papers on this page?
No. This page has Physics papers only. JEST 2026 TCS had 25 MCQs and 9 descriptive questions.
When is JEST 2027?
JEST 2027: April 2027 (expected). Application: February 2027 (expected). See the JEST 2027 page for every date.