Top Msc Life Science Entrance Exam List For Admission Into State & Private Universities
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MSc Entrance Exam List – Life Sciences For Admission Into State & Private Universities + Tips to Crack Them

MSc is the standard Master’s qualification for Science and Technology subjects. It is the abbreviation for Magister Scientiae, which is Latin for ‘Master of Science’. Master of Science is an academic degree that holds higher than a bachelor’s degree and lower than a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree. It is a degree awarded by universities or colleges for in-depth knowledge and industry-oriented training in a particular branch of science, technology, etc.

One usually pursues this two-year postgraduate degree in biotech / Life science, to obtain further specialization, after a related undergraduate Bachelor’s degree – which can be done by attempting an Msc Entrance Exam. The reason being the basic knowledge about the individual subject must be clear to understand and apply it at a higher level. The generally chosen scientific fields are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Microbiology, Botany, Biotechnology, Food Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences, and so on. A Master of Science degree imparts scientific as well as professional entry-level proficiency to students. This course offers progressive theoretical as well as practical knowledge to students in their chosen field of specialization.

By being

an MSc student of Life Sciences, one will be a part of a fast-evolving field in which modern Biology is incorporating molecular techniques in order to solve biological problems such as diseases, loss of biodiversity and climate change.

Admission in Masters Degree in Life Science Field

One can pursue a master degree in science after completion of a minimum of 3 years at the bachelor degree level. There are numerous colleges and universities that offer such postgraduate courses in India. The general admission criteria may be as follows;

  1. Completion of a related undergraduate 3 or 4-year program in India or it’s equivalent abroad with a minimum percentile and a certain subject combination.
  2. The applicant may be required to clear an entrance examination and interview conducted by the institute.
  3. The applicant may be required to complete an MSc Entrance Exam – National/State Level Entrance Examination followed by counseling and an interview.
  4. Generally no age limit, however, standard reservation norms may apply.

Upon securing admission, a student generally undergoes a 4-semester academic education, which includes industrialized training, field training or projects conducted at a research laboratory or an aseptic environment. This allows the student to transition from their theoretical based knowledge to an industrially accepted standard that ultimately helps them fit into various R&Ds, companies or even makes them ready to create their own thesis and validations while pursuing a doctorate degree.

Entrance Exams for MSc Life Science – MSc Entrance Exam

The applicant must complete their undergraduate degree with a certain score or must be in the result awaited category, to be eligible to appear for the entrance examinations conducted by Universities at a State Level or at a National Level. The cutoff percentage for admission to a range of MSc degree courses varies depending on the type of the institute. A few universities provide admission without any entrance exams i.e. purely on the basis of academic performance and personal interview.

MSc Entrance Exams List – Top entrance exams for M.Sc.Life Science Biotech is listed below:

  • TIFR Graduate School Admissions (GS)
  • All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS PG ) exam
  • Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST)
  • Indian Institute of Technology – Joint Admission Test (IIT JAM )
  • Indira Gandhi National Open University Entrance Exam (IGNOU )
  • Indian School of Mines Entrance Exam
  • Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE)
  • Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET)
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University Combined Entrance Examination for Biotechnology (JNU CEEB)
  • National Entrance Screening Test (NEST)
  • Forest Research Institute M Sc (FRI MSC)
  • Indian Statistical Institute Admission Test (ISI Admission Test)
  • Integral University Entrance Test (IUET)
  • Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)

MSc Entrance Exams List – Additional State Level and Private University Msc Life science / Biotech Entrance Examinations:

  • University of Pune Entrance Exam
  • Pant Nagar University Entrance Exam
  • Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT)
  • Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Entrance Exam (IPU CET )
  • Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET )
  • Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU PET)
  • Tezpur University Entrance Exam (TUEE)
  • Mahatma Gandhi University Common Admission Test (MGU CAT)
  • Maharashtra Council of Agriculture Education and Research Common Entrance Test (MCAER CET)
  • Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology (UPCATET)
  • GITAM Institute of Science (GSAT)
  • Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board (CG PAT)
  • Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (AGRICET)
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (AIEEA)
  • Rajasthan JET
  • Cochin University of Science and Technology Common Admission Test (CUSAT CAT)
  • Jain Entrance Test (JET)
  • Shiksha o Anusandhan University Admission Test (SAAT)
  • Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV CET)
  • Andhra University Common Entrance Test (AUCET)
  • Manipal University Online Entrance Test (MAOET)
  • Himachal Pradesh Common Entrance Test (HPCET)
  • Uttar Pradesh Combined Agriculture And Technology Entrance Test (UPCAAET)
  • Purvanchal University Combined Admission Test (PUCAT)
  • Aliah University Admission Test (AUAT)
  • Acharya Nagarjuna University Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (ANUPGCET)
  • Osmania University Common Entrance Test (OUCET)
  • Dibrugarh University Entrance Exam (DUEE)

Read Also: Top 30 Competitive Entrance Exam List For M.sc Biotech Admissions

While appearing for a postgraduate entrance exam- MSc Entrance Exams, the stress levels of candidates are soaring high because getting admission into a good college is one of the most crucial factors of building a fruitful career ahead. Along with this, the burden of fair performance in the entrance exam increases for the candidates. Preparation for any exam requires thorough preparation and takes a lot of effort for candidates to qualify with flying colors. In India, the majority of the prestigious MSc (Master of Science) entrance tests are conducted between the months of February and July.

MSc Entrance exam pattern

Prior to the preparation, it is essential that the candidates are aware of the general pattern of top M.Sc. entrance exams in India. M.Sc. entrance exam patterns usually include MCQs which are both aptitudes as well as subject related. The subject matter asked in the exam in usually from basic science background pursued at the +2 level and Bachelor’s degree along with general sciences and aptitude.

  • Mode: Though most of the MSc entrance exam is conducted in the offline mode, a few important exams such as IIT JAM are conducted as computer-based tests. Thus, candidates who are especially aiming to clear exams like IIT JAM must practice giving online mock tests so that they get familiar with computer-based entrance examinations.
  • Duration: Duration of most of the MSc entrance exams such as TIFR and NEST is typically three hours. Conversely, the duration might change according to the university/college policy and/ or the subject in which the candidate is appearing the exam.
  • Type of questions: Questions asked in MSc entrance exams are usually objective-type, i.e., Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Nevertheless, a few M.Sc. entrance exams also consist of numeric questions. For example, IIT JAM exam includes a separate section for numeric questions, called Numerical Answer Type (NAT).
  • Marking scheme: For most MSc entrance exams marking scheme is such that 1 – 3 marks are awarded for each right answer and for each incorrect answer around 0.5 – 1 mark gets deducted. Thus, candidates are advised to mark their answers carefully. For such exams where negative marking exists, candidates are recommended not to attempt questions whose answers they are unsure about.
  • A number of questions: In different MSc entrance exams, the total number of questions vary depending upon the pattern followed by a university/college. However, a typical range of questions in an MSc entrance exam is from 60 – 150.
  • Total marks: Total marks that can be scored by a candidate in an M.Sc. entrance exam varies. However, maximum marks that candidates can score in the entrance exam can range from 100 – 450.

Tips to clear MSc Entrance Exam

  • Create a Study Plan: There is no harm in planning ahead. If you are sure of the stream you wish to follow, you may also choose to sit for integrated M.Sc or PhD courses. For such exams, you will have to thoroughly prepare your +2 subjects and also have a good idea about general aptitude and general sciences. For other entrance exams create a revision plan for your basics as well as undergraduate degree education. Look for the past year question papers and practice papers, to give you an insight into the exam and the type of questions expected.
  • Read the questions cautiously: In MSc Entrance Exams, It is a thumb rule of any exam to have 60% questions simple, 20% relatively analytical and 20% extremely difficult, to judge the student’s knowledge and potential. So, even though the questions may appear to be very simple, re-read them to understand its true nature, before you answer. For Numerical Type questions, the student is expected to be very precise and must know about short methods to save time.
  • Plan your exam strategy: If you have a question paper split into sections, plan to first attempt the section you are strong and comfortable in. Save time for the sections which are relatively difficult and also save time for a quick revision and last-minute attempts.
  • Keep a track of dates: Since one would be planning to attempt multiple exams, it is vital to keep a track of the exam dates and notifications. You must plan your exam-specific study accordingly. At a time, try and focus on an individual exam rather than studying it as a holistic segment.
  • Keep last minute revision notes handy: While you study, prepare revision notes, tables, figures and pointers. These will help you in your last-minute revision and also will help boost your memory and retention during study hours.
  • Plan according to your strength: There will be many take away pointers and many guidance tips that you would hear about, but make sure you plan your study according to your strength, be it the number of hours you put in or the books you refer, etc.

Career & Jobs after MSc

M.Sc. degree encompasses a significant area in career prospects. Generally, M.Sc. degree holders specialize in a specific field. They can point their way to various jobs according to the field of their study. The course has a great room and there are countless opportunities available for the M.Sc. graduates. An M.Sc. degree holder has the opportunity to work in both private as well as government sectors.

One may associate himself with various domains like the public sector, education, healthcare, technology, energy and information technology, etc. Some universities and colleges also appoint M.Sc. degree holders as an assistant lecturer or professor along with CSIR NET qualification. After completion of the degree in M.Sc, one can also go for further higher studies such as research programs or Ph.D. courses. Nevertheless, they can also opt for performing research work in an array of industries and R&Ds. After obtaining an M.Sc. degree, one can work in various companies and organizations. 

Some of the widely held job profiles of M.Sc. degree holders are mentioned below:

  • Research Scientist: A Research Scientist plays the role of designing, undertaking and analyzing information obtained from controlled lab-based investigations and experiments. As a Research Scientist, a student can choose to work in an environmental organization, in a government lab, etc.
  • Junior Research Fellow: The job role of a Junior Research Fellow comprises of conducting research, performing research-related developmental activities, publishing novel scientific work and its results and so on. Along with JRF (Junior Research Fellowship), candidates are also usually involved in pursuing a Ph.D. program.
  • Educator: An M.Sc. degree holder can also opt for becoming a teacher in his/ her respective subject of science. However, at present, for the same, candidates need to pursue BEd after their post-graduation if he is to teach in a school, and has to qualify NET if he has to teach in a college or university.
  • Biochemist: A biochemist is the one who plays a chief role in developing medicines to fight against a number of diseases. As a part of his daily function, biochemists analyses enzymes, DNA and other molecules to investigate the effects of food and drugs on biological processes.
  • Food & Drug Inspector: The foremost job of a food and drug inspector is to make sure that products are safe for consumption by humans. A food and drug inspector is also known as a quality control inspector. His role is to examine food and pharmaceuticals at different stages of the manufacturing process and to ensure that quality standards are being met.

There are many universities and institutes to choose from, but a student must always patiently pursue his or her dream or aspiration. Since there is no age limit for higher education, a student can take a few month’s time, prepare thoroughly for MSc Entrance Exams and then appear for such examinations to ensure that they get their institute and degree of choice. Getting a chance to study in a reputed and renowned institute automatically sharpens the knowledge of the student and offers them a brighter career choice ahead. The faculties a student encounters during their lifetime, become their guiding beacon for the path lying ahead. A good institute offers good resources, well-equipped infrastructure, in-depth knowledge, industry exposure, hands-on expertise and also begins building a good network for recommendations and guidance required ahead. It is always advised to choose and plan your career path early. If one is sure about pursuing higher education in a certain scientific field, they must begin preparing for it right from their Bachelor’s course. The more you know, learn and practice, the easier it is to choose, pursue and establish.

About the Author: This article has been compiled after thorough analysis & research done by our two eminent Academic experts at Biotecnika – Mrs. Rashmi Sanyal & Dr. Preeti Saini.

Keywords: MSc Entrance Exams, MSc Life Science Entrance Exams, MSc life science State University Entrance Exams, MSc life science Private University Entrance Exams, MSc life science national level Entrance Exams

Shekhar Suman is the Co-founder of BioTecNika Info Labs Pvt. Ltd. He is an Entrepreneur, Writer, Public Speaker, and a Motivational Coach. In his career, he has mentored more than 100,000+ students toward success in the Biopharma Industry. He heads the BioTecNika Group, which comprises BioTecNika.com, BioTecNika.org, and Rasayanika.com. An avid reader and listener who is passionate about BioSciences. Today Biotecnika is India's largest Biotech Career portal, with over 5 Million subscribers from academia & Industry. It's ranked among the top 50 websites worldwide in the Biology category.

3 COMMENTS

  1. I got 53% marks in graduation may i apply ffor m.sc. this entrance test and tell me the last date of the apply

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