The TU IOST BSc CSIT entrance exam has 100 multiple-choice questions worth 1 mark each (100 marks total). It lasts 2 hours, has no negative marking, and you need 35 marks to pass. Subject split: Mathematics 25, Physics 25, Chemistry 25, English 15, Computer GK 10.
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Exam pattern at a glance Subject-wise distribution Marking scheme & passing marks Score to aim for Question types & difficulty Worked example questions Sample paper structure Time budget for 120 minutes Exam-day strategy Calculator, rough work & OMR rules Source & references Frequently asked questionsExam Pattern at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 100 (all multiple choice) |
| Total marks | 100 (1 mark per question) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Negative marking | None |
| Passing marks | 35 out of 100 |
| Mode | Pen-and-paper OMR (as per TU notice) |
| Language | English |
Subject-wise Distribution
The 100 marks are split across five subjects. This split does not change between years:
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | Calculations, formulas, problem solving |
| Physics | 25 | 25 | Concepts, units, quick calculations |
| Chemistry | 25 | 25 | Physical, inorganic, organic |
| English | 15 | 15 | Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension |
| Computer Science & ICT | 10 | 10 | CS basics, programming, ICT |
| Total | 100 | 100 | — |
Marking Scheme & Passing Marks
- Every question is 1 mark. There are no 2-mark questions, no multiple-response questions, and no written answers.
- No negative marking. A wrong answer costs you nothing. An unanswered question costs you a guaranteed attempt. This single fact should change your strategy: never leave a blank.
- Pass mark: 35. Scored out of 100. It is not a rank-deciding bar — seats are allotted strictly by merit, so your score, not just passing, determines your college.
Score to Aim For
The official passing mark is 35 out of 100, but passing and being admitted are two different things. Around 8,000 candidates compete for roughly 3,000 seats across 60+ TU-affiliated colleges, and seats go strictly by rank — so the higher your score, the more colleges become realistically within reach.
There is no single cutoff that applies to every college in advance; cutoff scores are announced on the official TU portal and differ by college and year. A safe mindset is to aim well above 35. As one real example: SafalTopper's founder Aayam Pokharel secured Rank 52 in his year, a result that took him to St. Xavier's College. That is his own result, not a cutoff — it simply shows that a rank in the fifties can be a strong result, and that the score you actually need depends on the year's competition.
Question Types & Difficulty
All questions are single-choice MCQs, but they fall into a few distinct styles:
- Direct recall: definitions, formulas, facts (common in English, Computer, Chemistry).
- Calculation: solve and match your result (common in Mathematics and Physics).
- Concept application: pick the correct statement or conclusion (common in Physics).
- Comprehension: read a passage and answer (English).
- Assertion–reason: judge statements as true or false (occasional).
Rough difficulty split: 30% easy (recall), 50% moderate (one concept applied), 20% hard (multi-step or tricky). Aiming for 60+ is realistic with disciplined chapter-wise practice.
Worked Example Questions
These five questions are illustrative examples we wrote in the entrance format to show you the question style and difficulty — they are not from the actual TU paper or the official model question set. Every real question is a single-choice MCQ like these, one mark each. Try each one, then tap Show answer to check yourself.
Maths (Easy) If 2x + 3 = 15, then the value of x2 − 4 is:
A) 28 B) 32 C) 36 D) 40
Answer: B) 322x + 3 = 15 gives x = 6, so x2 − 4 = 36 − 4 = 32.
Computer (Easy) Convert the binary number 1011012 into decimal.
A) 43 B) 45 C) 47 D) 49
Answer: B) 451011012 = 32 + 8 + 4 + 1 = 45.
Maths (Tricky) If x + 1/x = 3, then the value of x5 + 1/x5 is:
A) 123 B) 123.5 C) 123.75 D) 126
Answer: A) 123Use the recurrence Sn = (x + 1/x) Sn−1 − Sn−2, where Sn = xn + 1/xn. With S1 = 3: S2 = 32 − 2 = 7, S3 = 3·7 − 3 = 18, S4 = 3·18 − 7 = 47, S5 = 3·47 − 18 = 123.
Physics (Medium) A particle is projected vertically upward with an initial velocity of 30 m/s. At what height is its kinetic energy equal to its potential energy? (Take g = 10 m/s2)
A) 15 m B) 18 m C) 22.5 m D) 30 m
Answer: C) 22.5 mTotal energy E = ½mu2 = ½m(30)2 = 450m. When KE = PE, PE = 225m, so mgh = 225m → h = 225/10 = 22.5 m.
Chemistry (Medium) A hydrocarbon contains 85.7% carbon and 14.3% hydrogen by mass. If its molar mass is 56 g/mol, what is its molecular formula?
A) C4H8 B) C4H10 C) C3H8 D) C2H4
Answer: A) C4H8In 100 g: C = 85.7 g (85.7/12 ≈ 7.14 mol) and H = 14.3 g (14.3/1 = 14.3 mol). Ratio C : H = 1 : 2, so the empirical formula is CH2 (mass 14). Factor = 56/14 = 4 → C4H8.
Sample Paper Structure
A typical paper orders questions by subject, with a clear instructions page first. The flow inside the OMR booklet looks like:
- Instructions and exam-center details (not marked)
- Mathematics — 25 questions
- Physics — 25 questions
- Chemistry — 25 questions
- English — 15 questions
- Computer Science & ICT — 10 questions
You can jump between sections. Practising in this exact order builds familiarity so nothing surprises you on the day.
Time Budget for 120 Minutes
This is a recommended plan, not an official rule — reorder it to fit your strengths. The goal is to give every subject enough time while always keeping a buffer to re-check your OMR sheet.
| Subject | Questions | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Physics | 25 | 28 minutes |
| Chemistry | 25 | 25 minutes |
| English | 15 | 15 minutes |
| Computer Science & ICT | 10 | 10 minutes |
| Re-check your OMR sheet | — | 12 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 120 minutes |
Exam-Day Strategy That Matches the Pattern
- Do English and Computer first. They are fast and high-confidence, and they settle your nerves early.
- Then Mathematics. It needs the most focus, so attempt it while your mind is still sharp.
- Physics and Chemistry after. Use elimination for anything you are unsure about.
- Keep a rough time budget: about 1 minute per question, leaving 15–20 minutes to re-check your OMR.
- Mark carefully. An OMR mis-mark costs you a real attempt — double-check your bubbles every 10 questions.
- Finish with a full sweep. If time remains, revisit skipped questions and guess intelligently.