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.
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.
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.
This test score counts for 75% of the total NUST aggregate score.
NET is both paper based and computer based, depending on your test city. The following
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.
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:
A Letter of the Day is an answer choice letter (A, B, C, or D) that choose to select for questions you guess on.
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:
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:
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:
High Yield Topics
These are topics which are seen to be tested more frequently.
Practice more Math MCQs here.
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.
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.
In addition to this, keep an eye on all other entry tests and opportunities avaiable for engineering and computing students.