How to prepare for top MSc entrance exams?

Completed your graduation and planning to do masters but didn’t know how to prepare for entrance exams? If you are finding it troublesome then don’t worry this Shiksha article will provide you with all the needful details that you are looking for to crack the MSc entrance exams by going through prep tips, methods, and more.

Preparing for an MSc entrance exam needs ample patience as the competition gets tougher with each passing day. Students need to draw a blueprint on how to prepare for the top MSc entrance exams in India. From time management to studying from the right books, cracking an MSc entrance exam is not child's play but if the preparation is done right, students can enroll for admission in the best colleges and universities in the nation.

Also Read: IIT JAM 2024 Answer Key Analysis Live: Check Subject Wise Answer Key, Exam Analysis, Result Date

IIT JAM 2024 Question Paper Analysis & Expected Cut off for All Subjects

Prep Tips for MSc Entrance Exam 

At the time of appearing for a postgraduate entrance exam, the stress levels among candidates are extremely high because securing admission at a good college is one of the most important factors in building a successful career ahead. With this, the pressure of performing well in the entrance exam increases all the more for candidates.

Handling any exam requires smart work in proper studying rather than hard work to clear an entrance exam with flying colors. However, going through some tips and tricks to pass an entrance exam not only benefits the preparation but also reduces stress levels in candidates.

Most of the prestigious MSc (Master of Science) entrance tests in India are conducted between February and July.

Below are some important tips to crack the top MSc entrance exams in India.

Know the MSc entrance exam pattern

Before starting with the preparation, it is important that candidates are aware of the general pattern of top MSc entrance exams in India. According to Shiksha expert, Ruchika, “MSc entrance exam pattern usually includes MCQs that are both aptitude and subject related.”

Aspects of the entrance exam that candidates should be aware of before appearing for the test are as listed below:

• Mode: While most MSc entrance exams are conducted in the offline mode, some important exams such as IIT JAM are conducted as computer-based tests. Therefore, candidates who are especially aiming at clearing exams like IIT JAM must give some online mock tests in order to get a hang of the computer-based entrance tests. Aspirants in the first instance should look for the previous year question papers as it will give the idea of difficulty level, subjects to be covered, the approach of solving the questions, and many more.
• Duration: The duration of most of the top MSc entrance exams such as the NEST and TIFR Entrance Exam is typically three hours. However, the duration might change depending on the college/ university policy and/ or the MSc subject a candidate is giving the exam for.
• Type of questions: Questions that appear in MSc entrance exams are usually objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). However, few MSc entrance exams also include numeric questions. For instance, IIT JAM exam contains a different section for numeric questions, called Numerical Answer Type (NAT). Here, the answer for each question is a number.
• Marking scheme: Marking scheme for most MSc entrance exams is such that 1 – 3 marks are awarded for each correct answer and 0.5 to one mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. Therefore, candidates are recommended to mark their answers carefully. For exams where negative marking exists, candidates are also recommended not to attempt a question if they are unsure of the answer.
• Number of questions: Total number of questions usually varies in different MSc entrance exams depending on the pattern a college/ university is following. However, an MSc entrance exam can typically have questions ranging from 60 to 150.
• Total marks: Similar to the total number of questions, total marks that a candidate can score in an MSc entrance exam also vary. However, maximum marks that candidates can score in the entrance exam can range from 100 to 450.

Know MSc entrance exam syllabus

The syllabus for MSc entrance exams is generally released by the organising college/ university well in advance on their official website. Candidates are recommended to prepare each and every topic mentioned in the syllabus thoroughly to perform well in the exam.

It may be noted that the syllabus for most MSc entrance exams includes candidates’ BSc (Bachelor of Science) course material. Therefore, if candidates are thorough with their BSc syllabus and have a clear understanding of the concepts studied during graduation, there are high chances of clearing an MSc entrance exam with a good score.

Shiksha expert, Ruchika, states, “Candidates should be clear on the basics of the MSc specialisation (such as Physics, Mathematics, Biotechnology, etc.) they are applying for. Also, it is important to have a good analytical approach for each topic that candidates are preparing.”

Prepare for the interview round (if applicable)

For admissions in reputed Science colleges/ universities, it is important that candidates are prepared even for next stages of MSc entrance exam (if applicable). The admission process for majority of MSc courses includes appearing for an entrance exam only after which a merit list of qualified candidates is released and they are offered seats in their respective courses. However, there are some colleges/ universities such as Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) which also conduct an interview round.

Therefore, candidates are recommended to take some time out of their schedule and prepare well in advance to avoid last-minute nervousness during the interview round.

Although there is no set pattern of questions that are asked in interview rounds for MSc college admission. Here, candidates are usually tested on their reasoning ability and scientific aptitude.

Also Read: Top MSc colleges in India

Other Tips for MSc Entrance Exam Prep

Besides keeping the above-mentioned points in mind, there are also some other tips that candidates can consider in order to perform well in an MSc entrance exam.

• Solve previous years’ question papers: Solving past year question papers is a significant aspect of MSc entrance exam preparation as it gives candidates a clear idea of what to expect in the exam. Also, solving past years’ question papers helps candidates in attaining speed during the exam.

• Use reference books: Reference books are a good buy for MSc entrance exam preparation as they not only cover the complete syllabus but also contain different sample question papers as well as solved papers. There are many good books available in the market that candidates can consider buying depending on the MSc specialisation they are applying for.

• Join a coaching institute: While not all candidates require coaching classes to crack MSc entrance exams, the option can be considered for systematic preparation. In a coaching institute subject experts provide candidates with useful insights on the particular MSc subject. Also, they help candidates practice for the exam by solving previous year question papers. Usually, one year of entrance exam coaching is considered enough to get into a top-notch MSc college.

Read More:

• What is BSc course all about? Know the full-form, eligibility & scope
• What is MSc course all about? Know the Full Form, Eligibility & Scope
• 25 Best Courses After 12th for Science Students with PCM, PCB & PCMB
• Top BSc/MSc Entrance Exams in India