Ultimate FUNGAT Preparation Guide 2024

What does FUNGAT stand for?

The Ultimate Guide to Engineering University Tests

Applying for engineering universities can be really confusing for students, especially for engineering applicants. All top universities conduct their own test, sometimes multiple times a year. These tests follow different syllabus, paper patterns, rules etc. And students looking to prepare for these tests often encounter unfamiliar terminology like FUNGAT or ECAT etc. It is often difficult just to figure out where to start your preparation.

This article will help you navigate through this confusing landscape and help you make sense of terms like FUNGAT or ECAT, answer questions like what FUNGAT stands for, differences in FUNGAT vs ECAT, and explain to you rules, syllabus and paper pattern of important universities.

What is FUNGAT Test?

FUNGAT stands for FAST, UET Lahore, NUST, GIKI Admission Test. This term is basically used for entry test preparation of some private and public engineering universities. Since most engineering universities conduct their own tests, students often have to give and prepare for multiple tests in the same year. This is why tests with similar syllabi are often lumped together. All these exams test students’ in depth knowledge of their intermediate curriculum and its applications, their proficiency in English, and often their quantitative and analytical skills. Because of similarities in their curriculum, and because they are usually conducted around the same time, students mostly prepare for all these (and other university tests) together, and institutes also offer their preparation in a single batch.

However, while these tests are derived from a similar curriculum, each test is different in terms of its paper pattern and weightages, time allowed, negative marking, allowing the use of calculators etc. These rules are set by universities along with FUNGAT test dates for 2024. We have compiled, for you, the relevant information for all of these tests below.

How should students prepare?

The first thing students need to do is decide the universities to which they want to apply. Since most application processes are highly competitive, we encourage students to apply to multiple universities and have backup plans. One mistake that students often make is getting too focused on a single university, and not keeping their options open.

Once you have decided which universities you want to apply to, you need to fully research their admission process, including dates and deadlines, entry test paper patterns and syllabus, rules and regulations, application fee etc.

Most universities test your knowledge of intermediate concepts in relevant subjects like Math, Physics etc, as well as your English proficiency. This is because most universities use English as the main language of instruction and testing. Some universities also have additional sections for analytical skills and quantitative ability. This is to test students’ basic comprehension and reasoning skills.

After acquainting yourself with paper patterns and section weightages, you should focus on understanding concepts in depth. These are concepts that you have already learned in class 11 and 12 so you just need to thoroughly revise before moving on to paper practice. To revise you concepts you can take help from Maqsad’s video lectures.

MCQ practice is the most important part of entry test preparation. It helps you get used to the question format, and helps you learn how to apply new shorter tips and tricks to solve these questions within the given time. You can start your paper practice here.

For more details on how to ace these tests, you should look here.

For your ease, paper patterns and syllabus of important universities are given below.

FUNGAT Paper Patterns

FAST Entry Test

FAST is the first university referred to in the acronym FUNGAT. FAST-NUCES conducts its own entry test but also accepts SAT, UET Lahore Entry Test and NTS-NAT results. The university releases separate merit lists for each test it accepts. FAST entry total marks are 100. FAST test pattern is given below.

FAST admission test is a computer based test, consisting of only MCQ type questions. There is negative marking in the test, and calculators are not allowed. Students are awarded one mark for a correct answer, and -0.25 for an incorrect answer. FAST entry test passing marks are not disclosed by the university. FAST entry test syllabus for each of the above sections consists of the following topics:

• Advanced Math: In this sections, question are asked from first year and second math topics including matrices, algebra, trigonometry, permutation and combination, probability, analytic geometry, calculus etc.
• Basic Math: This section contains quantitative reasoning and word problems from basic math topics such as arithmetic, algebra, percentages, cost, price, profit and loss etc.
• Analytical Skills and IQ: This section contains scenario and statement based questions, as well as sequences, patterns and directions, to test a student’s analytical thinking skills.
• English: This section contains grammar, comprehension, vocabulary and analogy questions.

UET Lahore Entry Test

The UET entry test, also know as ECAT (Engineering Colleges Admission Test) across Punjab, is accepted in most government universities in Punjab, as well as some private universities such as FAST-NUCES. There are four combinations of the test that students can choose from, depending on their group in intermediate.

1. Pre-engineering: English, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry
2. ICS: English, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science
3. General Science: English, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics
4. Pre-medical: English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry

The test consists of 100 questions, and is divided in the above subject combinations in the following weightage:

The test is computer based and each question is worth 4 marks, so maximum marks are 400. However, there is negative marking and 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks are awarded or deducted if student opts to skip a question. Calculators are not allowed. All questions would be on topics covered in Intermediate / A Level/ DAE. Details are given below:

• English: The English section will be a reading comprehension style test. A paragraph would be given and candidates would be required to answer multiple choice questions related to the paragraph.
• Physics: Questions would require the candidate to solve problems by using the skills and concepts learnt during the intermediate level studies. For example, candidates would certainly be asked questions on Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Work and Energy, etc.
• Mathematics: Questions would require the candidate to solve problems by using the skills and concepts learnt during the intermediate level studies. For example, candidates would certainly be asked questions requiring knowledge of Differentiation, Integration, Linear Algebra, Trigonometry, etc.
• Chemistry/ Computer Science/ Statistics: Questions would require the candidate to solve problems by using the skills and concepts learnt during the intermediate level studies.
• Biology: Questions would require the candidate to solve problems by using the skills and concepts learnt during the intermediate level studies.

NUST Entry Test

The NUST Entry Test (NET) happens four times in a year, and is taken in multiple cities. The NUST Entry Test syllabus is the same as intermediate curriculum, but questions can be taken from any question bank. NET tests students’ understanding of concepts by asking both theory and application questions.

NET paper pattern differs based on students’ intermediate background. The main versions for engineering tests are as follows:

• Pre-engineering students give NET Engineering. Students giving this test will be able to apply for all Engineering and Computing programmes, as well as BS Mathematics, BS Physics, BS Chemistry and BS Food Science & Technology programmes.

• ICS students give NET Computing and can apply for Engineering and Computing programmes, and BS Mathematics and BS Physics.

• Pre-medical students give NET Applied Sciences and can apply for BS Biotechnology / BS Environmental Science / BS Food Science & Technology and BS Agriculture programmes as well as BS Chemistry and Computing Programmes (BS Computer Science, BS Data Science, BS Bioinformatics and BS Artificial Intelligence)

Other than concerns about syllabus and paper pattern, students most want to know is calculator allowed in NUST entry test. The answer is no, calculators are not allowed, and there is no negative marking.

GIKI Entry Test

GIKI entry test for undergraduate engineering and computing programs is conducted each year in July. GIKI test past papers are not released by the university, so it is often difficult for students to guage the paper pattern, syllabus and level of difficulty. The GIKI test is divided into two parts; part A consists of Math and Physics questions, and part B has English questions. The question distribution is as follows:

The test is computer based, and students can only use the calculator provided on screen. There is no negative marking.

The syllabus for each of the test sections is given below.

• Mathematics: The Math section covers the following topics from the intermediate curriculum:
  • Number Systems, Set Theory, Functions: Real and Complex Numbers., Sets, Functions, Linear Equations, Matrices, Determinants, Simultaneous Equations, Polynomials
  • Quadratic Equations: Solution of equations, Relationship between roots and coefficients
  • Sequences and Series: AP, GP, HP, Basic Statistics, Probability, Permutations, Combinations
  • Mathematical Induction: Mathematical Induction, Binomial Theorem, Binomial Series
  • Trigonometry: Trigonometric Equations, Functions, Inverse Functions, Angles, Applications
  • Differential Calculus: Functions, Limits, Differentiation
  • Integral Calculus: Integration, Areas, Volumes
  • Analytic Geometry: Analytic Geometry, Conic Sections
  • Vectors: Vectors in plane and space, Scalar, Vector, Triple Product of Vectors
  • Miscellaneous: Assorted topics in Mathematics
• Physics: The Physics section contain theory, numerical and application questions from the following topics:
  • Measurements and vectors: SI, Errors, Physical Quantities, Vectors, Equilibrium
  • Motion and work: Force, Linear Motion Circular Motion, Work, Power, Energy, Fluid Dynamics
  • Waves and Oscillation: Propagation of Waves, Superposition of Waves, Stationary Waves, Doppler’s Effect, SHM, Free & Forced Oscillation
  • Optics: Principles, Instruments
  • Heat and Thermodynamics: Kinetic Theory of Gases, Laws of Thermodynamics, Entropy
  • Electricity: Electrostatics, Current, DC, AC, Potential, Laws, Electromagnetism, EM Induction, Electronics, Devices
  • Modern Physics: Relativity, Quantum Theory, Atomic Physics, Nuclear Physics
  • Miscellaneous: Assorted topics in Physics
• English: The English section contains questions from the following topics:
  • Reading comprehension: content & context understanding, idiomatic and colloquial use of language, inference, and deductive reasoning
  • Vocabulary: synonyms and antonyms
  • Correct usage: tense agreement, usage, language patterns
  • Miscellaneous: assorted topics in English language

Other important tests

While FUNGAT stands for FAST, UET, NUST, GIKI Admission tests, often times other university test preparation is also included in FUNGAT.

NTS NAT

The National Aptitude Test is a test for undergraduate admissions conducted by the National Testing Service once every month. The test has different variations depending on students’ choice of subject in intermediate. The paper consists of four sections, English, Analytical, Quantitative, and Subject in the following weightages.

The NTS NAT entry test syllabus for each of the test sections is as follows:

• English: The English section syllabus consists of sentence completion, analogies, synonyms and antonyms, and reading comprehension; in the following distribution:
  • Sentence Completion: 5
  • Analogy: 3
  • Synonyms: 3
  • Antonyms: 4
  • Comprehension: 5
• Analytical: This section tests a student’s analytical students using different kinds of IQ questions.
  • Scenario based: 12
  • Statement based: 8
• Quantitative: This section consists of basic math questions covering arithmetic, algebra and geometry concepts in the following distribution:
  • Arithmetic: 13
  • Algebra: 4
  • Geometry: 3
• Subject: This section is divided into three subsections, depending on students’ choice of subject in intermediate or A Levels, and the syllabus is also derived from their intermediate curriculum.
  • Pre-engineering students give NAT-IE and are tested on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
  • Pre-medical students give NAT-IM and are tested on Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
  • ICS students give NAT-ICS and are tested on Mathematics, Physics, and Computer.
  • General Science students give NAT-IGS and are tested on Mathematics, Statistics, and Economics.

COMSATS Entry Test

COMSATS accepts NTS NAT and also conducts their own test on the same pattern and syllabus.

NED Entry Test

NED Entry Test for engineering and computing programs is a computer based test consisting of MCQs divided over four sections of 25 marks each. Calculators are allowed for this test, and there is no negative marking. Students need to score at least 50% to pass the test. There are different variations of the test based on students’ intermediate subjects. Pre-medical students can opt for a Biology section instead of Mathematics, and ICS students can give Computer Science instead of Chemistry.

The syllabus for science subjects is dervied from class XI and XII chapters, while the English section consists of vocabulary, grammar, sentence correction, and comprehension questions.

Mehran University Entry Test

MUET pre-admission entry test has a similar pattern a syllabus to NED pre-admission entry test.

Dawood University Entry Test

Dawood entry test has two sections; compulsory and optional. Each section has 50 questions and is worth 50 marks. The compulsory section consists of english, IQ and general knowledge sections and the optional section is divided into three subsections based on students’ intermediate subjects.

1. COMPULSORY
   • English: 25 marks
   • Analytical Reasoning: 10 marks
   • General Knowledge: 15 marks
2. OPTIONAL - Students can choose between the following tests
   • Pre-engineering:
     • Physics: 20 marks
     • Chemistry: 10 marks
     • Mathematics: 20 marks
   • Computer Science:
     • Physics/Statistics: 20 marks
     • Mathematics: 10 marks
     • Computer: 20 marks
   • Pre-medical:
     • Physics: 20 marks
     • Chemistry: 10 marks
     • Biology: 20 marks

Calculators are now allowed and there is no negative marking.

PIEAS Entry Test

PIEAS entry test consists of 100 questions, duration is 3 hours and there is no negative markings. The pattern is given below.

The syllabus is the same as intermediate curriculum for each subject, except for English where grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension is tested. ICS students can choose computer science instead of chemistry and pre-medical students will be tested on matric level mathematics instead of inter level mathematics.

Air University Entry Test

The syllabus for Air University Computer Based Test (AU-CBT) is the same as NTS NAT. The only difference is in the weightage of each section.

Pre-engineering/ICS Students and Pre

Students can be exempted from AU-CBT for engineering programs on the basis of NAT, USAT, and Entrance Tests conducted by UET Lahore, NED Karachi, MUET Jamshero, NUST Islamabad, and ETEA-KPK. For all computer studies related programs, exemption is awarded on the basis of NAT or USAT.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article provided you with some clarity and what engineering university tests are like. Now you can get started on your journey to become an engineer!