AIIMS BSc Nursing Exam Pattern 2026: Marks and Time

The AIIMS BSc Nursing exam pattern is simple on paper: one online test, 100 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours. AIIMS New Delhi uses this single paper to fill B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing seats at every participating AIIMS, and the 2026 prospectus confirms the same structure used in recent years. What makes it tricky is the negative marking, the tie-breaking order and, since 2026, a two-shift exam with normalised scores.

This page explains every part of the pattern in plain terms: sections, marks, timing, marking scheme, qualifying marks, how ties are broken and how shifts are normalised. It then turns those rules into a practical time plan. A short section also covers the separate two-stage pattern for B.Sc Nursing (Post-Basic).

Table of Contents

AIIMS BSc Nursing Exam Pattern at a Glance

There is no interview, skill test or second paper for B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing. Your entrance score decides your rank, and your rank decides your seat.

Section-Wise Pattern

The paper is divided into four parts. The prospectus does not set separate time limits for each part, so you can move between sections freely within the 2 hours.

The suggested time column is a planning guide, not an AIIMS rule. Physics usually needs the most time because of numericals, while Biology and General Knowledge questions are mostly recall-based and quicker to answer.

What Each Section Tests

• Physics: Class 11 and 12 concepts and short numericals on topics such as electricity, optics, motion and modern physics.

• Chemistry: A mix of physical chemistry numericals, inorganic facts and organic reactions at the Class 12 level.

• Biology: Direct, NCERT-based questions on human physiology, genetics, reproduction, cell biology, plants and ecology.

• General Knowledge: Current affairs and general awareness, including health-related news and basic static GK.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

The marking scheme applies to every question in the paper, in all four sections.

How Negative Marking Changes Your Score

Here is a simple worked example. Suppose you attempt 85 questions and get 70 right and 15 wrong.

• Marks for correct answers: 70 x 1 = 70

• Marks lost on wrong answers: 15 x one-third = 5

• Final raw score: 70 - 5 = 65 out of 100

Now compare a student who attempts only 78 questions with 70 right and 8 wrong. Her score is 70 minus 2.67, which is about 67.3. She attempted fewer questions but finished ahead because she guessed less. Accuracy, not the number of attempts, is what moves your rank.

What the Pattern Means for You

• Every question carries the same weight: A hard Physics numerical is worth the same 1 mark as a one-line GK fact. Collect the quick marks first.

• Science is 90% of the paper: General Knowledge cannot make up for a weak science section, so plan most of your preparation around Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

• A blind guess costs you on average: With four options, a pure guess has a one-in-four chance of being right. Over many guesses, wrong answers cancel out most of the gains. Guess only when you can eliminate one or two options.

• Biology is your safety net: It is the most scoring section for prepared students and is also the first tie-breaker, so aim for your highest accuracy here.

• Small differences matter: Thousands of candidates compete for 1,366 seats (2026), and a single mark can shift your rank by hundreds of places.

Shifts and Normalisation

In May 2026, AIIMS issued Notice No. 72/2026 stating that, because of the large number of applications, the 27 June 2026 exam would run in two shifts, morning and evening, on the same day. The notice said the normalisation procedure published on the AIIMS exams website would apply.

How Normalisation Works

Different shifts can have slightly different difficulty levels. Normalisation adjusts for that so that no candidate gains or loses because of the shift she was given. Under the AIIMS procedure, raw marks in each shift are converted to a percentile score on a 0 to 100 scale. The percentile shows the share of candidates in that shift who scored at or below a given raw score, and the top scorer of each shift gets a percentile of 100.

In practice, this means you should not worry about which shift you get. Your job is to score as high as possible relative to other candidates in your shift, which comes back to accuracy and time management. Older pages may still describe a single-shift exam, so follow the latest notice for your cycle.

How the Pattern Has Changed

The core paper has stayed stable across recent cycles, which makes previous year questions a reliable practice source. The main change is in how the exam is scheduled.

Whether the two-shift format continues in 2027 will depend on the next prospectus and the number of applicants. Check the notice for your cycle before you plan around it.

Inside the Computer-Based Test

If you have only written pen-and-paper exams, the CBT screen can feel unfamiliar on the day. A few features are worth knowing in advance.

• Question palette: A panel shows every question number with a colour for its status, such as answered, not answered, not visited and marked for review.

• Save and Next: An answer counts only after it is saved. Clicking a new question without saving can leave the earlier one blank.

• Mark for review: Use it to flag questions you want to revisit, but remember that a flagged question without a saved answer scores zero.

• On-screen timer: The countdown clock is always visible. The test submits automatically when time runs out.

• Language switch: Questions can be viewed in English or Hindi, as the prospectus lists both as the medium of the exam.

Exact screen details can vary, so read the instructions shown before the test starts. Practising on a similar online interface a few times removes most of the first-day nerves.

Qualifying Marks and Merit List

To be ranked, you must reach a minimum score in the entrance test. The 2026 prospectus sets the following qualifying levels for B.Sc courses.

Reaching the qualifying score only puts you on the merit list. Whether you get a seat depends on your rank, your category, your choices and how many seats are left in each round. Separate merit lists are prepared for General, OBC (NCL), EWS, SC and ST candidates.

Tie-Breaking Rules

When two or more candidates in the same category have the same marks, AIIMS breaks the tie in this order:

1. Biology: The candidate with higher marks in Biology is ranked higher.

2. Chemistry: If still tied, higher marks in Chemistry decide.

3. Physics: If still tied, higher marks in Physics decide.

4. Age: If the tie remains, the older candidate is ranked higher.

This order is a strong hint about priorities. A Biology mark is worth slightly more than a GK mark because it can also decide a tie.

B.Sc Nursing (Post-Basic) Exam Pattern

The B.Sc Nursing (Post-Basic) programme at AIIMS New Delhi is for registered nurses with a GNM diploma. Its selection has two stages.

Stage I uses the same marking scheme as the Hons. paper. In Stage II, the selection committee considers Class 12 performance, performance in the nursing examination and performance as a staff nurse. Ties are broken by higher Stage I marks, then by age.

Time Management and Exam-Day Strategy

Two hours for 100 questions gives you 72 seconds per question on average. That is comfortable only if you avoid getting stuck.

A Three-Round Approach

1. Round 1 (about 60 minutes): Go through the whole paper and answer every question you are sure about. Start with Biology and GK to build momentum, then Chemistry, then Physics.

2. Round 2 (about 40 minutes): Return to the questions you marked. Solve numericals and questions where you can eliminate two options.

3. Round 3 (last 20 minutes): Check that every answer you meant to give is saved. Leave pure guesses blank.

Exam-Day Tips

• Read every option: Biology and Chemistry options are often close. One word can change the answer.

• Watch the save button: A question marked for review without a saved answer scores zero.

• Keep a time check: Look at the clock after every 25 questions and adjust your pace.

• Use the language toggle wisely: If you studied in Hindi, switch to Hindi for unclear terms, but keep the English version in mind for scientific names.

Practising in the Exam Pattern

Knowing the pattern is not the same as being used to it. Full-length timed tests are the best way to find your own pace, test the three-round approach and see how negative marking affects your score.

Older pages may still show a single-shift exam or an aptitude section, so always follow the latest prospectus and notices on the official AIIMS exams portal. If you are still checking whether you can apply, read the AIIMS BSc Nursing eligibility criteria before you register.