BITSAT 2021, scheduled to be conducted tentatively from the 3rd to 4th week of May 2021. BITSAT is an all India computer based entrance exam conducted by BITS for admission into the Integrated First Degree Programs. Admission into either one of the three campuses (Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, and Dubai) for various engineering and science programs will be based on BITSAT score. With around 3 lakh students appearing for this test every year, it is one of the hardest Indian exams to crack.
Students who have appeared for their 10+2 board exam in or before the year 2019 are not eligible for BITSAT 2020. The result of this exam is valid for a year after announcement of the results. No upper age limit exists for taking the exam. Students must have an aggregate of 75% marks in their 10+2 level along with adequate knowledge of the English language to be eligible.
Total duration of the exam is 3 hours (180 minutes). Students are to answer 150 questions within this time frame, making it quite challenging for candidates to attempt all.
Candidates who have successfully completed the paper (attempted all 150 questions) will be given an option to answer another set of 12 questions if time is left.
BITSAT (BITS Admission Test) seeks to evaluate a candidate's depth of knowledge, analytical, and reasoning abilities in subjects like logical reasoning, english, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology.
The marking pattern is similar to that of the CAT exam. For each correct answer, +3 marks will be awarded and for each incorrect answer, -1 marks will be deducted.
The paper will be divided into 4 sections, each dedicated to physics, chemistry, biology/ mathematics, and english. Unlike the CAT exam, no sectional time limit is allotted for BITSAT.
The syllabus for engineering programs and pharmacy programs differs. Covering the NCERT syllabus of 11th and 12th grades is adequate. All papers however are of 450 marks in total.
Registration fee is INR 3300 for male candidates and INR 2800 for female candidates. This fee structure is applicable for all students irrespective of their category.
Most important features related to syllabus and the exam are tabulated below:
Mode of exam | Online (Computer Based Test) |
Language in which BITSAT will be conducted | English only |
Total time allotted | 3 hours (180 Minutes) |
Total number of questions | 150, all compulsory |
Total marks | 450 (3 marks for each question) |
Type of questions | MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) |
Total number of options for each question | 4 options |
Total number of sections | 4 (No sectional time limit) |
Marking pattern | +3 marks for correct response -1 mark for incorrect response 0 marks for no response |
Syllabus covered | Class 11 and 12 of NCERT |
Topics/ sections covered | Physics, chemistry, mathematics/biology, english, logical reasoning. |
Tentative date of the exam | Between third to fourth week of May, 2021 |
All major topics in BITSAT are from the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) syllabus of 11th and 12 standard. Candidates are advised to refer to the NCERT textbooks. The syllabus for engineering subjects and pharmacy subjects are not the same. Like every other competitive exam, it is crucial to understand the syllabus before preparing for the same.
40 questions out of 150 will be from Physics, making it an important topic. The syllabus can be broadly divided into 18 main topics as tabulated below. Total marks allotted is 120 (40 x 3).
1. Units & Measurement | 2. Kinematics | 3. Newton’s Laws of Motion |
4. Impulse and Momentum | 5. Work and Energy | 6. Rotational Motion |
7. Gravitation | 8. Mechanics of Solids and Fluids | 9. Oscillations |
10. Waves | 11. Heat and Thermodynamics | 12. Electrostatics |
13. Current Electricity | 14. Magnetic Effect of Current | 15. Electromagnetic Induction |
16. Optics | 17. Modern Physics | 18. Electronic Devices |
There will be 45 questions in total from Mathematics in BITSAT. Marks allotted for this section is 135 (45 x 3). 12 topics which are covered are given below:
1. Algebra | 2. Trigonometry | 3. Two-dimensional Coordinate Geometry |
4. Three dimensional Coordinate Geometry | 5. Differential calculus | 6. Integral calculus |
7. Ordinary Differential Equations | 8. Probability | 9. Vectors |
10. Statistics | 11. Linear Programming | 12. Mathematical Modelling |
This section has 40 questions in total which broadly covers 15 different topics. Marks allotted is 120 (40 x 3). The topics are listed below:
1. States of Matter | 2. Atomic Structure | 3. Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure |
4. Thermodynamics | 5. Physical and Chemical Equilibria | 6. Electrochemistry |
7. Surface Kinetic | 8. Surface Chemistry | 9. Hydrogen and s-block elements |
10. p- d- and f-block elements | 11. Principles of Organic Chemistry and Hydrocarbons | 12. Stereochemistry |
13. Organic Compounds with Functional Groups Containing Oxygen and Nitrogen | 14. Biological , Industrial and Environmental chemistry | 15. Theoretical Principles of Experimental Chemistry |
Biology has 10 main topics which must be covered and will have 45 questions from this topic. Marks allotted to Biology is 135 (45 x 3). Topics are listed below:
1: Diversity in Living World | 2: Cell: The Unit of Life; Structure and Function |
3: Genetics and Evolution | 4: Structure and Function – Plants |
5: Structure and Function - Animals | 6: Reproduction, Growth and Movement in Plants |
7: Reproduction and Development in Humans | 8: Ecology and Environment |
9: Biology and Human Welfare | 10: Biotechnology and its Applications |
This section consists of 25 questions in total (15 from English Proficiency + 10 from Logical Reasoning). A total of 75 marks (25 x 3) are allotted to this part.
This section is meant to test a candidate’s general proficiency in the English language as a means of expressing themselves and use it as an assessment for their daily life situations. Areas like basic grammar, vocabulary, reading and comprehension ability along with their ability to write effectively are put to test. English Proficiency has four main topics with several subtopics under it.
1. Grammar
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3. Reading Comprehension
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2. Vocabulary
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4. Composition
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This section is meant to be a test of the candidate’s reasoning abilities both verbally and nonverbally. In order to score well in this section, students must be able to think logically which enables them to perceive data correctly, have a good understanding of relationships, ability to figure out missing words or numbers, and logically apply rules to different situations.
Parameters such as detection of missing links, following directions, establishing sequences, classification of words, and completion of analogies are taken into account as an indicator to measure performance.
1. Verbal Reasoning
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2. Nonverbal Reasoning
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The BITSAT question paper has MCQ type questions only. 150 questions, each carrying 3 marks has to be answered by candidates. The paper is out of 450 marks and candidates who are able to complete all 150 questions before the time is over will be given an option to attempt an additional 12 questions. Candidates who have chosen to attempt the extra questions will not be allowed to correct their previous answers.
Each question will have four options from which candidates are to choose only one option. It is advisable not to attempt any questions by mere guesswork as a wrong answer means -1 will be deducted from the total. Choosing the correct answer will fetch you +3 marks while not attempting a question makes no difference.
The paper is divided into 4 parts. Unlike CAT, there is no sectional time limit for each and candidates are to divide the time according to their convenience. These part are:
Part 1 (Physics)
Part 2 (Chemistry)
Part 3 (Mathematics or Biology)
Part 4 (English Proficiency and Logical Reasoning)
Note: If the candidate has chosen to attempt the extra paper, there will be no questions from part 4; English Proficiency and Logical Reasoning
Number of questions from each paper and the total marks for each is given below:
Name of the paper | Number of Questions | Total marks |
---|---|---|
Physics | 40 | 120 |
Chemistry | 40 | 120 |
Mathematics or Biology | 45 each | 135 |
English Proficiency and Logical Reasoning | 15 + 10 (25) | 45 + 30 (75) |
The extra paper (if chosen by candidate) will have 4 questions each from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology.
From the previous year question paper, we can find out which topics are given more importance.
Important topics with marks has been given below:
Topic | Weightage of Questions | Topic | Weightage of Questions |
---|---|---|---|
Mechanical Properties | 5 | Atomic Study | 3-4 |
Current Electricity | 4 | Oscillation | 3-4 |
Dual Nature of Matter & Radiation | 3-4 | Gravitation | 3-4 |
Magnetism & Moving Charges | 3-4 | Kinematics | 2-3 |
Thermodynamics | 3-4 | Alternating Current | 2-3 |
Rigid Body Dynamics | 3-4 | Waves | 2-3 |
Work, Energy, and Power | 3-4 | Electrical Field | 2-3 |
Important topics with marks has been given below:
Topic | Weightage of Questions | Topic | Weightage of Questions |
---|---|---|---|
States of Matter | 2-3 | The Solid State | 2-3 |
Thermodynamics | 3-4 | Hydrogen and s-block Elements | 2-3 |
Atomic Structure | 3-4 | Coordination Compounds | 2-3 |
Physical and Chemical Equilibria | 4-5 | Equilibrium | 4 |
Important topics with marks has been given below:
English Language Topics | Weightage of Questions | Logical Reasoning Topics | Weightage of Questions |
---|---|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | 2-3 | Verbal Reasoning | 2-3 |
Analogies | 1-2 | Analogy | 1-2 |
Antonyms | 1 | Syllogism | 1-2 |
Conclusion | 2-3 | Classification Test | 2-3 |
Verbal Ability | 3-4 | Binary Logic | 1-2 |
Vocabulary | 1-2 | Non-verbal Reasoning | 1-2 |
Synonyms | 1 | Puzzle Test | 1-2 |
Composition | 1-2 | Alphabet Test | 2-3 |
Word Formation | 1-2 | - | - |
Important topics with marks has been given below:
Mathematics Topics | Weightage of Questions | Mathematics Topics | Weightage of Questions |
---|---|---|---|
Application of Derivatives | 6-7 | Parabola | 3-4 |
Permutations & Combinations | 4-5 | Continuity & Differentiability | 2-3 |
Circles | 4-5 | Theory of Equation | 2-3 |
Sequence & Series | 4-5 | Binomial Theorem | 2-3 |
Matrices Determinants | 3-4 | Sets, Relations & Functions | 2-3 |
Important topics with marks has been given below:
Biology Topics | Weightage of Questions | Biology Topics | Weightage of Questions |
---|---|---|---|
Biotechnology: Principles and Processes | 2-3 | Plant Growth and Development | 1-2 |
Anatomy of Flowering Plants | 2-3 | Reproduction | 5-6 |
Excretory Products and Their Elimination | 2-3 | Biological Classification | 2-3 |
Chemical Coordination and Integration | 1-2 | Molecular Basis of Inheritance | 1-2 |
Breathing and Exchange of Gases | 1-2 | Ecosystems | 1-2 |
As the syllabus for BITSAT is from class 11 and 12 books, cracking this exam should not be that hard. Dedication and implementation of the right strategy can do wonders. Apart from studying the recommended books, here are some you can take to do well.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.