Getting started with BITSAT 2018

By Ashutosh Modi

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success” said Alexander Graham Bell. This saying holds completely true for BITSAT 2018 aspirants. Engineering aspirants must perform well in order to get admission into one of the three best colleges – BITS Pilani, BITS Hyderabad and BITS Goa.

The examination is aimed at checking a student’s subject concept, speed, focus, decision making power and of course time management. The selection rate of BITS is only 1.71% which is actually even lower than that of the IITs. In order to get through to the BITS Campus and secure a seat, a student needs to have a BITSAT score of more than 300.With little time left for the BITSAT 2018 exam, it is imperative that aspirants are aware of some tips and tricks aimed to enhance their BITSAT 2018 Preparation.

Nonetheless, before you read the tips, it is important that you understand the basics of BITSAT:

BITSAT comprises 150 multiple choice questions testing the individual’s knowledge in five subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics, English and Logical Reasoning. The applicant is given a total of 3 hours or 180 minutes to appear for the test.

• The examination is an online computer based test.
• There are a total of 150 questions in the examination. Once the 150 questions are attempted, there are 12 bonus questions.

BITSAT Preparation Tips

While you prepare for the BITSAT examination, you would need to have the appropriate syllabus, ample amount of concentration and a planned schedule that would help you come out with flying colors. Here are a few tricks on how to crack BITSAT. These would help you score more than 300:

• Prepare as per the BITSAT syllabus provided in the brochure. The brochure is easily available online.
• All the topics covered in BITSAT are not covered in IIT-JEE. Revise all the topics that you are comfortable with so that you can make the most of these easy scoring sections. All formulae should be memorized by heart. Your speed is of immense importance in the BITSAT.
• Once revision of old topics is complete, spend an hour per day on new topics.
• The subjects included in the BITSAT include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English Proficiency and Logical Reasoning. Have all  the Mathematical formulae down pat. Write down vital chemical reactions, particularly from Organic Chemistry so that you have them handy when required. Questions from the topic that you find difficulties in are to be practiced vigorously in order to get a good score in the exam.
• A lot of practice is required in the subject of Mathematics. The subject is more mechanical than logic based; therefore you need to use brain power. Time is spent in solving these problems, so you need to have a good speed to solve them.
• It is important for you to attempt 100 questions correctly. Negative marking also exists in the BITSAT. Therefore, to remain on the safer side, you should attempt a minimum of 120 questions. Answering 120 questions correctly means a score of 360 which is suitable for admission into BITS Pilani.
• To be able to attempt 120 questions in all, divide the examination in such a manner that you attempt 20 questions in English and logical reasoning, 35 each in Chemistry and Mathematics and 30 in Physics.
• Start the paper with a subject that you are competent with, moving on to English and Logical Reasoning. This strategy usually turns out to be extremely effective.
• Spend only one minute per question in the beginning one and a half hour of the examination. Wasting too much time on a question in the beginning could result in chaos in the end.
• As BITSAT is an online exam, get yourself equipped to be comfortable for online exams. Practice as much as you can on computer only and appear in as many sample tests as you can online only. There are several mock tests available online for preparing for BITSAT 2018.
• Sample papers and past year BITSAT papers: Practice from the BITSAT sample papers and the BITSAT past papers for a better understanding of the questions and the format they are to be asked in the BITSAT 2018.

There are lots of BITSAT test series available online and these can help you understand the exam pattern and the technique in which you must answer. Accuracy and speed are two essential keys to cracking the BITSAT. If you have enough information about BITSAT, and know how the paper has to be attempted, there will be no confusion and the paper will seem like a cakewalk, leading the way to your entry in to one of the most coveted colleges in India.

About the author:

Ashutosh Modi has pursued his management studies at S P Jain School of Global Management, Singapore & Dubai. Currently, he is the executive director at Jivam Education. He has worked for close to 3 years with Larsen & Toubro Infotech in Mumbai as a software engineer and his career with L&T has taught him the power of ethical business and employee delight.