Useful Articles

BITSAT Test Format and Extra Questions

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BITSAT is a highly standardised online entrance examination in India conducted for engineering courses. The exam has not been subject to any type of criticism, technical snags or paper leaks at any time in it’s history. The exam is conducted by Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (Rajasthan). BITSAT is basically a Computer Based Online test, which means that the candidate sits in front of a computer monitor and the questions are presented on the computer. The candidate has to answer the questions on the computer through the use of keyboard or mouse. Each computer in the test center is connected to a server. The prescribed server prepares set of questions and delivers them to the candidate sitting in front of the computer. The computer based online test of BITSAT is offered over a period of time. The candidates can choose the test center, the Day and Time of their convenience to take the test.

BITSAT Test Format: Duration of BITSAT is 3 hours, without any break. All questions will be in objective multiple choice questions type and each question will have a choice of four answers and only one being correct choice. Candidates will get 3 marks for each correct answer and each incorrect answer has a penalty of 1 mark (- 1 mark). No marks are awarded for questions not attempted. The candidate can skip a question and the computer will not allow choose more than one option as correct answer. Total number of questions are 150. The online test consists of four parts and number of questions for each part is described below:

1) Part I : Physics: 40 questions
2) Part II : Chemistry: 40 questions
3) Part III : (a) English Proficiency and (b) Logical Reasoning: 25 questions
4) Part IV : Mathematics: 45

Candidates should remember that there is no time limit for individual sections or parts of the BITSAT test. The answered questions can be changed at any time during the test time. If a candidate finishes answering all the 150 questions, he will have an option of attempting 12 (twelve) extra questions, if there is some time left. These extra questions will be asked from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics only and four questions from each part will be given.

Another important point to remember here is, if the candidate has opted for answering extra questions, he can not go back for corrections in the already answered 150 questions. The set of questions are so designed in a way that a good student will be able to answer all 150 questions in the stipulated 180 minutes. The extra questions will give a chance to highly meritorious candidates to score higher in BITSAT. But, candidates must keep in mind that there is a negative marking for wrong answers. Any pure guessing of the answers will not give any advantage and also result in a reduction in the score achieved from correct answers.

The questions for BITSAT Online Test will be selected at random from a large question bank. Different candidates appearing for the test will get various set of questions. All the questions and related instructions will be in English only. Candidates should bring a pen for rough work, signing etc. Candidates will be provided blank sheets for rough work, if required. Calculators and logarithmic tables are strictly prohibited in the BITSAT test centers.

Educational Networking – Using Social Media for Learning Purposes

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Educational Networking is the new buzzword that’s slowly gaining momentum in India. Educational Networking is the use of social networking for educational purposes. There are very few educationalists in India exercising this medium to impart knowledge. There is a strong belief that inclusion of this concept into Indian educational system will enhance the eco-system and be instrumental in bridging the gap between the Global and Indian education standards.

Though still at a nascent stage, the Indian education system is aligning itself by adapting the social media tools like Twitter, Facebook for reasons other than networking. Taking a cue from corporate style of functioning, where social networking sites are used as notice boards; educators are using it to give lessons and remove location barriers in the process. Tools like Twitter, Skype and Webex have fast emerged as great mediums which have larger and effective reach. This medium came to the rescue of uncommunicative students who lacked proper language skills and helped them shed inhibitions. Characteristics like portability and availability of these applications to students enable professors from Harvard or Stanford to teach students directly irrespective of the location.

The social media networking enables the professors to stay connected with the students beyond the classroom hours to help the latter with their queries and assignments. These tools have also been a source of information apart from being a platform to discuss various technical aspects. The students can communicate and interact via this social media with knowledge sources across the globe. This novel concept enables peer interaction not just within the classroom limits but through the virtual world. This results in creating an educational cohort that enables them to discuss in a forum of peers which seems to revolutionise the next generation.

R. Praveen, a student of a Delhi based university, who is using social media for purposes beyond networking says, ‘I am on Twitter most of the time posting and sharing updates on my projects and assignments with my fellow students, and professors who are mostly based outside India. This helps me get instant solutions from subject experts instead of waiting for the next classroom session’. In a nutshell, the social media is not just beneficial for promoting communication skills, social interactions, technical competencies an community activities, but can be used way beyond the current dynamics and dimensions. It can easily be said that the advent of these social networking sites has revolutionised almost every genre an sector in the world.