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    JEE Main, BITSAT Compared: What Your Preparation Strategy Should Be

    By Safeer PP
    7 Apr'22  10 min read
    JEE Main, BITSAT Compared: What Your Preparation Strategy Should Be
    Synopsis

    Birla Institute of Technology and Science Aptitude Test (BITSAT) is conducted for the admissions in the campuses of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) at Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad. Almost all the candidates who appear for BITSAT sit for the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) as well, which makes the former more competitive than the latter. This article will throw light on the commonalities and the differences between JEE Main and BITSAT which will help the candidates to prepare well for both the examinations simultaneously.

    JEE Main, BITSAT Compared: What Your Preparation Strategy Should Be
    Synopsis

    Birla Institute of Technology and Science Aptitude Test (BITSAT) is conducted for the admissions in the campuses of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) at Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad. Almost all the candidates who appear for BITSAT sit for the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) as well, which makes the former more competitive than the latter. This article will throw light on the commonalities and the differences between JEE Main and BITSAT which will help the candidates to prepare well for both the examinations simultaneously.

    Birla Institute of Technology and Science Aptitude Test (BITSAT) is conducted for the admissions in the campuses of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) at Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad. Almost all the candidates who appear for BITSAT sit for the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) as well, which makes the former more competitive than the latter. This article will throw light on the commonalities and the differences between JEE Main and BITSAT which will help the candidates to prepare well for both the examinations simultaneously.

    JEE Main: Introduction

    The Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) is the first of the two stages of JEE Advanced, a national-level entrance examination. JEE Main serves as a gateway for admission into National Institutes of Technology (NITs) Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and government-funded technical institutions (GFTIs). JEE Main is written by students who intend to study engineering, basic sciences or architecture in some of the top colleges of the country. It also serves as a screening stage for JEE Advanced which is a gateway for admission in the undergraduate (BTech) and integrated postgraduate (BTech-MTech) programmes in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

    JEE Main is conducted by the National Testing Agency and JEE Advanced by one of the IITs each year, under the aegis of the Joint Admission Board (JAB). In 2021, the organising institute for JEE Advanced was IIT Kharagpur and for 2022, it will be IIT Bombay.

    Also Read,

    BITSAT: Introduction

    BITSAT is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Birla Institute of Technology and Science for admission to undergraduate and integrated postgraduate programmes such as BE, BPharma, and Integrated MSc at BITS Pilani and other campuses. In this article the comparison is done only for BE programmes.

    JEE Main, BITSAT: Exam Patterns

    The JEE Main pattern was modified recently and numerical answer questions (questions having no options and numerical value of answer has to be entered in the input box using an on-screen keyboard) have been introduced in the examination.

    In JEE Main, there are a total of 90 questions in which students have to attempt 75 questions in 3 hours. The JEE Main has three subjects:

    • Physics

    • Chemistry

    • Maths

    JEE Main contains two sections for every subject. Section 1 contains 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) while Section 2 contains 10 Numerical response questions out of which only 5 have to be attempted.

    BITSAT is a three-hour long examination with a total of 150 questions. There are four sections in the paper:

    • Physics

    • Chemistry

    • Logical Reasoning and English Proficiency

    • Maths or Biology

    A student appearing for the BITSAT examination has to choose between Biology and Mathematics for the last section. There are 40 questions on Physics; 40 on Chemistry; 10 on Logical Reasoning and 15 questions on English Proficiency; and 45 questions on Maths or Biology.

    The BITSAT paper also includes 12 bonus questions. These additional questions can be attempted only after the candidate has attempted all the 150 questions. If a candidate opts for the bonus questions, he/she cannot edit the answers to the first 150 questions. No extra time is given for attempting the bonus questions.

    Almost all who want to score 350 or higher on the BITSAT — necessary for a seat in Computer Science in any of the BITS — (CS in any of the BITS) attempt the 12 bonus questions. These 12 additional questions are only available after you've completed the main part.

    There are four bonus questions each in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths or Biology.

    JEE Main, BITSAT: Differences And Similarities

    Both JEE Main and BITSAT exams are now computer-based. Candidates have to write them at designated exam centres. JEE Main was held twice in the years 2019 and 2020 and four times in 2021 and the best score out of the attempts was taken into consideration for the merit or rank list. BITSAT is organized only once a year.

    While JEE Main is for admission in government engineering colleges, central and also for several states. BITSAT is only for the various campuses of one of the private colleges in India.

    Over 10.48 lakh candidates registered for the four sessions of JEE Main in 2021 and about 9.39 lakh appeared in the examination. The total number of seats that are filled directly through JEE Main or via the JEE Advanced is roughly 52,453 seats, including the 16,232 in IITs and 36,221 in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs and the rest. In comparison, BITSAT 2019 attracted around 2 lakh aspirants who competed for around 2000 seats.

    The level of difficulty of JEE Main is higher than that of BITSAT since the questions in JEE Main are more concept-based. However, the BITSAT contains more questions and its candidates are usually more pressed for time.

    The marking schemes are also different. In JEE Main, each correct answer fetches 4 marks and each wrong answer leads to the candidate losing one mark in negative marking. In BITSAT, each correct answer fetches 3 marks and each incorrect answer leads to the docking of one mark in negative marking.

    In the case of JEE Main, the paper and solution are published on the official website for students to examine. Students can also ask for a review of the answer key once it has been posted on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. In the case of BITSAT, the scores are displayed immediately once the exam is over.

    BITSAT Vs JEE Main: Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy

    BITSAT questions are easier than JEE Main and require recollection of the appropriate formulae. The questions asked in JEE Main are more conceptual and require deep knowledge of concepts and techniques.So, a student preparing for JEE Main can easily appear for the BITSAT exam as well. The major difference in the syllabus of the two exams is the presence of English Proficiency and Logical Reasoning in the BITSAT.

    Given below are comparisons of questions in the two exams by subject.

    PHYSICS

    Syllabus Comparison

    The syllabus for Physics is almost the same for BITSAT and JEE Main except that the chapters Communication Systems and Experimental Lab Skills are present in JEE Main but absent in BITSAT. All remaining chapters from Class 11 and Class 12 Physics textbooks of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) are relevant to both the examinations. Students preparing for BITSAT and appearing for JEE Main should prepare these topics well.

    Weightage Comparison

    For BITSAT, focus more on Mechanics as a huge percentage of the questions are from that topic. Topics such as Modern Physics, Current, Optics, and Electrostatics also claim considerable weightage. One should refer to a good reference book for Physics to get a good grip over the concepts and formulae.

    Following is the detailed chapter wise comparison between the two exams.

    JEE Main Vs BITSAT Physics Chapter Wise Comparison

    Physics - Class 11 NCERT

    JEE Main

    BITSAT

    Units And Measurements

    Motion In A Straight Line

    Motion In A Plane

    Laws Of Motion

    Work, Energy And Power

    System Of Particles And Rotational Motion

    Gravitation

    Mechanical Properties Of Solids

    Mechanical Properties Of Fluids

    Thermal Properties Of Matter

    Thermodynamics

    Kinetic Theory

    Oscillations

    Waves

    Physics - Class 12 NCERT

    JEE Main
    BITSAT

    Electric Charges And Fields

    Electrostatic Potential And Capacitance

    Current Electricity

    Moving Charges And Magnetism

    Magnetism And Matter

    Electromagnetic Induction

    Alternating Current

    Electromagnetic Waves

    Ray Optics And Optical Instruments

    Wave Optics

    Dual Nature Of Radiation And Matter

    Atoms

    Nuclei

    Semiconductor Electronics

    Communication Systems

    Experimental Skills

    CHEMISTRY

    Syllabus Comparison

    The Chemistry syllabus of both exams includes all the topics and chapters included in NCERT textbooks of Classes 11 and 12. The chapter Stereochemistry is present in BITSAT but absent from JEE Main. The level of questions asked in the examinations may vary as questions in JEE Main require more conceptual strength and BITSAT require more application of formulae.

    Weightage Comparison

    In BITSAT, Organic Chemistry has a good weightage followed by Inorganic Chemistry. Some additional topics such as Biomolecules, Chemistry in Everyday Life, and Metallurgy should be studied in depth.

    In the following table the detailed syllabus comparison between the two exams are mentioned.

    JEE Main Vs BITSAT Chemistry Chapter Wise Comparison

    Chemistry - Class 11 NCERT

    JEE Main

    BITSAT

    Some Basic Concepts Of Chemistry

    Structure Of Atom

    Classification Of Elements And Periodicity In Properties

    Chemical Bonding And Molecular Structure

    States Of Matter

    Thermodynamics

    Equilibrium

    Redox Reactions

    Hydrogen

    The s - Block Elements

    The p - Block Elements

    Organic Chemistry Some Basic Principles And Techniques

    Hydrocarbons

    Environmental Chemistry

    Chemistry - Class 12 NCERT

    JEE Main

    BITSAT

    Solid States

    Solutions

    Electrochemistry

    Chemical Kinetics

    Surface Chemistry

    General Principle And Processes Of Isolation Of Elements

    The p-Block Elements

    The d-And f-Block Elements

    Coordination Compounds

    Haloalkanes And Haloarenes

    Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers

    Aldehydes, Ketones And Carboxylic Acids

    Amines

    Biomolecules

    Polymers

    Chemistry In Everyday Life

    MATHEMATICS

    Syllabus Comparison

    A few chapters such as Linear Programming, Mathematical modeling and Linear Inequalities are not included in the JEE Main syllabus but are asked in BITSAT.

    Weightage Comparison

    Students should focus on Calculus, Complex Numbers, Statistics, Vectors, and Trigonometry as these chapters and topics constitute a large section of the Mathematics section of BITSAT.

    In the following table, the detailed chapter wise compassion is being done.

    JEE Main Vs BITSAT Maths Chapter Wise Comparison

    Maths - Class 11 NCERT

    JEE Main

    BITSAT

    Sets

    Relations And Functions

    Trigonometric Functions

    Principle Of Mathematical Induction

    Complex Numbers And Quadratic Equations

    Linear Inequalities

    Permutations And Combinations

    Binomial Theorem

    Sequence And Series

    Straight Lines

    Conic Sections

    Introduction To Three Dimensional Geometry

    Limits And Derivatives

    Mathematical Reasoning

    Statistics

    Probability

    Maths - Class 12 NCERT

    JEE Main

    BITSAT

    Relations And Functions

    Inverse Trigonometric Functions

    Matrices

    Determinants

    Continuity And Differentiability

    Application Of Derivatives

    Integrals

    Application Of Integrals

    Differential Equations

    Vector Algebra

    Three Dimensional Geometry

    Linear Programming

    Probability

    Is BITSAT Easier Than JEE Main?

    Yes, studying for JEE Main is sufficient for BITSAT. The syllabi of both exams are nearly the same as that of Class 11 and Class 12 Science stream.

    The sole distinction to be kept in mind during JEE and BITSAT preparation is the pattern of question papers. The candidate should extensively practice questions from different reference books. Practicing mock question papers will familiarise a student with different types of questions, the marking method, and significant themes. A decent grasp of English and logical reasoning are required for the BITSAT.

    A good BITSAT score of 350 out of 450 (80%) is considered satisfactory. In 2020, 372 was the cutoff for B.E. Computer Science in Pilani campus. The pattern for JEE Main has altered significantly, and marks scored Vs rank obtained data for 2019, 2020 are not available. However, in 2018 and earlier, a score of 216 out of 360 (60 percent) would have fetched you a general category Computer Science Engineering seat in one of the top 10 NITs.

    How Should One Prepare?

    BITSAT consists of more questions to be attempted within three hours, which makes it more of a speed test. One must attempt mock test papers for both the exams as their paper patterns are different. Students should follow accuracy and time management practices to perform better in the examinations. Prepare a strategy of attempting the paper in an order that suits you and helps you in maximizing the score.

    Some suggestions are:

    a) Make a study timetable and stick to it

    b) Study the concepts thoroughly from NCERT books

    c) Use good reference books to gain knowledge and practise problems

    d) Do regular self-study and analyze your strengths and weaknesses

    e) Make revision notes so that it is easier to revise the concepts just before the examination

    f) Prepare English and Logical Reasoning for BITSAT as the other subjects are also covered in JEE Main syllabus.

    g) Attempt mock tests

    h) Improve time management skills

    i) Prepare a strategy to attempt the paper.

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