The NUST Entry Test (NET) is a crucial gateway to Pakistan's premier engineering university, and mathematics forms its backbone. NUST has recently updated its admission policies and test pattern, and many students are looking for strategies to help them do well in the NET. Whether you're aiming for engineering or computer science, here's your comprehensive guide to excelling in the mathematics section.
Maqsad will also be holding a live session discussing strategies on our YouTube page on Thursday, 7th Novemeber at 3 pm.
You can join the discussion live with Miss Noor, our Math teacher. Sign up here.
NET schedule and Updates
NUST has announced dates and deadlines for series 1 of NET. The schedule is given below.
In Islamabad and Quetta, a computer based test is conducted. While the test conducted in Karachi and Gilgit is paper based.
Applicants can give the test in all four series, if they wish. For each series, separate online registration form is required to be submitted. The highest score will be considered for merit calculation.
Pre-medical students who have not taken the additional math exam will also be required to pass an eight week course of condensed mathematics before the commencement of classes, as decreed by the PEC. Details about this course are yet to be shared by NUST.
NET Paper Pattern (Engineering)
Students can opt for different versions of NET based on their intermediate background and their choice of degree programs. This year, there has been an update in the paper pattern for NET for engineering and computing programs. For all students applying to any engineering or computing program, the following paper pattern will be followed.
The test is for candidates seeking admission in all Engineering or Computing Programmes. Such candidates can also opt for admission in BS Bioinformatics, BS Mathematics, BS Physics, BS Chemistry and BS Food Science & Technology programmes without payment of additional registration fee and appearing in a separate NET.
Applicants having Pre-Engineering, Pre-Medical, Computer Science, General Science, or any combination having Mathematics will have to appear in this test. Additionally, students having Pre-Engineering with Additional Bio OR Pre-Medical with Additional Math OR equivalent, applying for Engineering or Computing Programmes will appear in NET-Engineering paper.
NET Rules and Regulations
NET is both paper based and computer based, depending on your test city. The following
- Students have a total of 3 hours (180 minutes) to solve 200 questions
- There is no negative marking
- Calculators are not allowed
- Students can switch between sections, if they wish
- Students can go back and mark answers for skipped questions
- You can take a mock test on NUST website here
Test taking strategies
University aptitude tests are different from the tests you are used to taking in school. The good news is that you can use their particular structure to your advantage.
For example, on a test given in school or even on your board exam, you probably go through the questions in order. You spend more time on the harder questions than on the easier ones because harder questions are usually worth more points. You probably often show your work because your teacher tells you that how you approach a question is as important as getting a correct answer.
While these are good strategies for your college/board exams, this approach is not optimal for MCQ-based aptitude tests. On such tests, you benefit from moving around within a section if you come across tough questions because the harder questions are worth the same number of points as the easier ones. It doesn’t matter how you arrive at the correct answer, only that you mark the correct answer choice.
STRATEGY 1: TRIAGING THE TEST
You do not need to complete questions in order. Every student has different strengths and should attack the test with those strengths in mind. Your main objective should be to score as many points as you can. While approaching the questions out of order may seem counter-intuitive , it is a surefire way to achieve your best score.
To triage the test effectively, do the following:
- First, work through all the easy questions you can do quickly. Skip the questions that are hard or time-consuming
- Second, work through the questions that are doable but time-consuming
- Third, work through the hard questions
- If you run out of time, pick a Letter of the Day for remaining questions
A Letter of the Day is an answer choice letter (A, B, C, or D) that choose to select for questions you guess on.
STRATEGY 2: ELIMINATION
Even if there is no wrong answer penalty, elimination is still a crucial strategy. If you can determine that one or more answer choices are definitely incorrect, you can increase your chances of getting a right answer by paring the selection down.
To eliminate answer choices, do the following:
- Read each answer choice
- Cross out the answer choices that are incorrect
- Remember: there is no wrong answer penalty so take your best guess
STRATEGY 3: GUESSING
Each MCQ usually has four options and no wrong answer penalty. That means if you have no idea how to approach a question, you have a 25 percent chance of choosing the correct answer. Even though there’s still a 75 percent chance of selecting an incorrect answer, you won’t lose any points for doing so. The worst that can happen is that you earn zero points on a question, which means you should always at least take a guess, even when you have no idea what to do.
When guessing on a question do the following:
- Always try to strategically eliminate answer choices before guessing
- If you run out of time, or have no idea what a question is asking, pick a Letter of the Day.
NET Math Syllabus Breakdown
NET Mathematics sections covers all topics from intermediate mathematics and also has a few questions from matric level or basic mathematics. Generally, the following topics are covered:
List of Topics
- Number Systems
- Sets Functions and Groups
- Matrices and Determinants
- Quadratic Equations
- Partial Fractions
- Sequences and Series
- Permutation and Combination
- Probability
- Mathematical Induction and Binomial Theorem
- Fundamentals of Trigonometry
- Trigonometric identities
- Solutions of Triangles
- Trigonometric Graphs (to be added)
- Functions and Limits
- Differentiation
- Integration
- Analytic Geometry
- Linear Programming and Linear inequalities
- Circle
- Parabola Ellipse and Hyperbola
- Vectors
- Exponents and Logarithms
High Yield Topics
These are topics which are seen to be tested more frequently.
- Number Systems
- Sequences and Series
- Permutation, Combination, Probability
- Trigonometry
- Binomial Theorem
- Matrices
- Analytic Geometry/coordinate geometry
- Derivatives
- Integration
- functions and limits
- conics
- 25% basic math
Should we give additional math
A common question pre-medical students have is if they should give the additional math exam. While students can apply to all engineering and computing programs at NUST without it, it is generally a good idea to give the additonal math exam if you are thinking of switching to these field. Not only will it help you gain a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts that you will need to apply for your degree, it also opens opportunities in other universites like FAST or GIKI, which do not allow students in these programs without it.
Proven Study Techniques
Concept Mastery
- Understand underlying principles
- Practice derivations
- Link concepts to real-world applications
- Create concept maps
- Review FSc/A-Level textbooks thoroughly
Problem-Solving Approach
- Read questions carefully
- Identify key information
- Draw diagrams when possible
- Use elimination method for MCQs
- Double-check calculations
Conclusion
Success in NET Mathematics requires a balanced approach between understanding engineering-focused concepts and developing quick problem-solving skills. Remember, NUST looks for students who can apply mathematical concepts to real-world engineering and computer science problems.
Start your preparation with strong fundamentals and gradually move to more complex engineering mathematics problems. With consistent practice and the right approach, you can achieve a competitive score in the NET mathematics section and move closer to your goal of studying at NUST.
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