What Is the BITSAT? And How to Prepare For It?

The BITSAT, known as the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Admission Test, assesses chemistry, physics, mathematics/biology, and English proficiency. It establishes eligibility for candidates who seek to enter an integrated first-degree programme at BITS Pilani and its related campuses. 

In this article, you will learn the purpose of the BITSAT, the steps for applying, and how to prepare for BITSAT. 

Purpose of the BITSAT

The BITSAT is an entrance exam focusing on science and engineering. The Birla Institute of Technology and Science has used the test since 2005 to admit students whose test scores qualify. As of 2020, NIIT University will also accept BITSAT scores for its admissions criteria.

BITS has campuses in Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Dubai. Students pursuing first-degree programmes on the Pilani, Hyderabad, and Goa campuses must take the BITSAT. Degree programmes include:

• Bachelor of Engineering (BE)

  • Chemical Engineering

  • Civil Engineering

  • Computer Science

  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering

  • Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering

  • Electronics and Communication Engineering

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Manufacturing Engineering

• Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)

• Master of Science 

  • Biological Sciences

  • Chemistry

  • Economics

  • Mathematics

  • Physics

  • General Studies

What to expect when applying to take the BITSAT

The BITSAT is considered a highly competitive exam. Here are a few things that you should note when applying to take the test. 

Test eligibility

To take the BITSAT, you must meet the eligibility requirements of the test geared towards pharmacological, science, and engineering students. Eligible students must meet these criteria as of 2024:

• Passed their 10 + 2 or equivalent exam from a central or state board

• Have the qualifying subjects of physics, chemistry, and maths

• Have adequate proficiency in English

• Attained qualifying aggregate marks in physics, chemistry, and maths of 75 percent total, with at least 60 percent in each subject individually 

• Passed class 12th examination in the same year or the year before they conducted the BITSAT 

For BITS students applying to the BPharm programmes, having a biology course in their qualifying subjects in addition to or instead of maths is important. You must have 75 percent total marks in physics, chemistry, and maths/biology with at least 60 percent in each subject individually. 

How to apply for the BITSAT

The BITSAT is held annually, and applications should become available early in the year. The test is typically given in two sessions between May and June, but this can vary from year to year. To be up to date with application forms and deadlines, please always refer to the BITSAT website [1]. 

To apply, you must register on the BITSAT website, upload a photo of yourself, and sign your name in the required format. Then, you must fill out personal details, including your email ID, registered ID, and phone number. 

Be prepared to pay the application fee. For male candidates, it’ll cost ₹3,400 for the first session or ₹5,400 for both sessions and ₹2,900 or  ₹4,400, respectively, for female candidates [2]. Also, once your application form is complete and verified, you must have a hard copy. 

Exam structure

The BITSAT is online, and it lasts three hours. Every correct answer is worth three points, while every wrong answer is a deduction of one point. Administered in English, the BITSAT consists of 130 multiple-choice questions with the opportunity to answer 12 extra questions if time allows. The exam is split up into four parts: 

• Physics

• Chemistry

• English proficiency and logical reasoning

• Maths or biology (for BPharm candidates)

Each learner can attempt the BITSAT twice within a calendar year. 

Syllabus

The basis of the BITSAT syllabus is on Class 11 and 12 subjects and concepts. Here is an overview of the following concepts on the syllabus:

• Physics: Units of measurement, kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, impulse and momentum, work and energy, rotational motion, gravitation, mechanics of solids and fluids, oscillations, waves, mechanics of solids and fluids, heat and thermodynamics, electrostatics, current electricity, magnetic effect of current, electromagnetic induction, optics, modern physics, electronic devices.

• Chemistry: States of matter; atomic structure; chemical bonding and molecular structure; thermodynamics; physical and chemical equilibria; electrochemistry; chemical kinetics; hydrogen and s-block elements; p-, d- and f-block elements; principles of organic chemistry and hydrocarbons; stereochemistry; organic compounds with functional groups containing oxygen and nitrogen; biological, industrial and environmental chemistry; theoretical principles of experimental chemistry

• Mathematics: Algebra, trigonometry, two-dimensional coordinate geometry, three-dimensional coordinate geometry, differential calculus, integral calculus, ordinary differential equations, probability, vectors, statistics, linear programming, mathematical modelling

• Biology: Diversity in the living world; cell structure and function; genetics and evolution; structure and function of plants; structure and function of an animal; reproduction, growth, and movement in plants; reproduction, and development in humans; ecology and environment; biology and human welfare; biotechnology; and its applications

• English proficiency and logical reasoning: Grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, composition, verbal reasoning, nonverbal reasoning 

Preparing for the BITSAT

The BITSAT is a demanding and competitive exam. Due to its length and the number of subjects covered in only three hours, administrators recommend that you start studying for it as soon as possible. 

Here are some tips on BITSAT preparation.

Make a study plan

To set yourself up for success, make and follow a study plan. You can download the most current syllabus and understand the exam format to create a plan. Knowing the setup of the exam and the topics it includes, you can break up the content in a way that works for you. Identify your strengths and needs in certain areas, and study accordingly to best prepare for each subject. 

Test prep books

Focus on books recommended by the BITS website that are written in ways that work for your study habits. This will likely be more helpful than other prep books published elsewhere. Reviewing your Class 11 and 12 syllabi can also be helpful. 

Practice exams and previous exams

You can take advantage of the BITSAT sample test on the BITSAT website. Mock exams, practice exams, and previous exam questions can also help you understand the wording of questions, how scorers grade exams, how you manage your time, and where you stand with your knowledge of each subject. 

Use these exams to analyse where you are. If your first practice exam does not go as planned, use your results to guide where you need to spend your time preparing. Reviewing your Class 11 and 12 syllabi can also be helpful. 

Accessing results

After you take the BITSAT in 2024, your test results will be given immediately after you take the online exam. You can also check your score on the BITS website the day after you take your test and print out a score report. You can register for the second exam session during a period after the first session if your results are not what you expected. 

What is a good BITSAT score?

The cutoff marks for BITSAT candidates differ yearly and by campus. Still, some consider an excellent  BITSAT score around 320+, with a perfect score and guaranteed admission being 370+ for most disciplines. 

Cutoff scores tend to be slightly higher for the Pilani campus than for Goa and Hyderabad, and a significantly higher score is typically required to qualify for a BE Computer Science programme. 

Next steps

The BITSAT is a challenging and competitive entrance exam, but you’ll find many ways to succeed on the exam and pursue your chosen career. The exam is about preparation, time management, and syllabus knowledge. 

To get a start on your education and to prepare for the BITSAT exam, discover courses on Coursera that can advance your understanding of your chosen field. For example, you can take How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics, offered by the University of Virginia, or Mathematics for Engineers Specialisation, provided by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.