NCET Syllabus & Pattern (Complete Guide)
Prep NCET by IITians — your concise, mobile-first syllabus with high-yield topics, study plans, and drill templates. This page is kept evergreen and links out to our free video courses, PYQs, and timed mocks.
- Exam pattern & marking
- Languages (L1 & L2)
- Domain subjects (pick 3)
- General Test (compulsory)
- Teaching Aptitude (compulsory)
- Subject combos for IIT/NIT/RIE targets
- Study plans: 8-week & 4-week
- Daily drills & error log
- FAQs
Exam pattern & marking
NCET is a computer-based MCQ exam. You select multiple sections and attempt a subset in each. Marking is usually +4 for correct and −1 for incorrect.
| Section | Your Choice | Questions | Attempt | Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language 1 | Pick 1 | ≈23 | 20 | +4/−1 |
| Language 2 | Pick different from L1 | ≈23 | 20 | +4/−1 |
| Teaching Aptitude | Compulsory | ≈23 | 20 | +4/−1 |
| General Test | Compulsory | ≈28 | 25 | +4/−1 |
| Domain Subject 1 | Pick 1 | ≈28 | 25 | +4/−1 |
| Domain Subject 2 | Different from DS1 | ≈28 | 25 | +4/−1 |
| Domain Subject 3 | Different from DS1/DS2 | ≈28 | 25 | +4/−1 |
| Total | ≈181 | 160 |
Zero-CLS tip: When you add images to notes, keep fixed width/height or our preset sizes (prep_card, prep_thumb) to avoid layout shifts.
Languages (L1 & L2)
You typically choose two different languages from a wide list (e.g., English, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Odia, Urdu, Sanskrit and others as notified that year).
Language micro-syllabus (high-yield)
- Vocabulary: synonyms/antonyms, one-word substitutions, idioms/phrases, collocations, phrasal verbs.
- Grammar & usage: parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, tenses, modifiers, articles/prepositions, voice, narration, parallelism, common errors.
- Reading comprehension: main idea, inference, tone, fact vs opinion, vocabulary-in-context.
- Sentence skills: error spotting, sentence improvement, para jumbles, fill-in-the-blanks (single/multi).
How to prepare fast: do 2 RCs daily (10–12 min each), 15 error-spotting, and 10 vocab items from your personal deck. Watch our English Crash playlist and test weekly with a sectional mock.
Domain subjects (pick 3)
Choose three distinct domains that align with your target ITEP programme. Below are high-yield units for the most common domains. (Other choices such as Agriculture, Legal Studies, Engineering Graphics, Mass Media, Home Science, etc., may be notified—revise from the year’s Bulletin.)
Science
- Physics: Kinematics & Dynamics; Work-Power-Energy; Rotational motion; Gravitation; Electrostatics; Current electricity; Magnetism & EM induction; Optics; Modern physics (photoelectric, atomic models); Units, errors & graphs.
- Chemistry: Atomic structure; Periodic trends; Chemical bonding; Thermodynamics & equilibrium; Electrochemistry; Solutions & colligative props; Kinetics; p-, d-block highlights; Organic GOC, hydrocarbons, halides, alcohol/phenol/ether, carbonyls, amines; Biomolecules; Environmental.
- Biology: Cell structure & function; Genetics & evolution; Plant physiology; Human physiology; Reproduction; Diversity of living world; Ecology & environment; Biotechnology basics; Health & disease.
- Mathematics: Sets & relations; Functions; Quadratic; Sequences/series; Binomial; Complex numbers; Trigonometry; Straight lines & conics; Limits/derivatives/applications; Integrals & applications; Differential equations (basics); Vectors; 3D; Probability & statistics; Matrices & determinants.
- Computer Science/IP: Python basics (datatypes, control, functions); Strings/lists/dicts; File handling; OOP basics; DBMS/SQL; Networking & internet basics; Data handling & visualization concepts.
Social Sciences / Humanities
- History: Ancient (Mauryas/Guptas themes), Medieval (Delhi Sultanate, Mughals admin/society), Modern (1857, reform movements, nationalism, Gandhian phase, Constitution making); World: revolutions & world wars (conceptual).
- Geography: Physical (landforms, climate, soils, biomes); Human (population, migration, settlements); Economic (resources, industries, agriculture, trade); India maps; Environment & disasters.
- Political Science: Constitution & rights; Federalism; Parliament & judiciary; Executive; Elections; Public policy & welfare; Comparative politics basics; Indian political thought highlights.
- Economics: Micro (demand/supply, elasticity, consumer/producer equilibrium, market forms); Macro (national income, money & banking, inflation, fiscal & external sector); Statistics basics; Indian economy (liberalisation, growth, poverty, unemployment).
- Psychology: Methods; Sensation & perception; Learning & memory; Intelligence; Personality; Motivation & emotion; Social influence; Development & individual differences; Applications in education.
- Sociology: Culture & socialization; Institutions; Stratification; Social change; Movements; Indian society issues (gender, caste, region, urbanization, migration).
Commerce & Others
- Accountancy: Accounting process; Bank reconciliation; Depreciation; Partnership fundamentals; Company accounts basics; Ratio analysis; Cash flow (basics); NPO accounts.
- Business Studies: Nature & principles of management; Functions; Organization; Marketing; Financial management; Consumer protection; Business environment & ethics; Entrepreneurship fundamentals.
- Physical Education: Fitness components; Training methods; Anatomy/physiology basics; Sports psychology; Health & nutrition; Rules of major games; Yoga basics & safety.
High-yield tactic: In each domain, master definitions, laws, and formulas; then practise mixed-topic MCQs. Use PYQs first, then our sectional mocks.
General Test (compulsory)
Tests speed reasoning, quantitative basics, data handling, and general awareness.
- Quant & Data: Number systems, HCF/LCM, percentages, profit-loss, averages, ratio & proportion, time & work, time-speed-distance, simple/compound interest, mensuration, basic algebra & geometry, statistics (mean/median/mode, dispersion), data interpretation.
- Reasoning: Series (alpha/number), analogies, coding-decoding, directions, blood relations, syllogisms, ranking, puzzles, Venn, clocks & calendars.
- GK/CA: National education policies & initiatives, awards, books/authors, science & tech basics, Indian polity & economy highlights, geography and environment snippets, recent government schemes (education-linked).
| Must-memorise formulas | Use |
|---|---|
| Simple & Compound Interest relations | Quick % to amount conversions in 1–3 steps |
| Alligation/mixture rule | Average & ratio problems |
| Time–work equivalence (1/x + 1/y) | Workforce & pipes questions |
| SD & variance basics | Statistics/data spreads in DI |
Teaching Aptitude (compulsory)
Core pedagogy for prospective teachers — crucial if you are targeting ITEP at reputed institutes (IIT/NIT/RIE).
- Child development & learning: Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg; milestones; individual differences; motivation; intelligence & assessment basics.
- Pedagogy & curriculum: Constructivism, Bloom’s taxonomy, lesson planning, learning outcomes, inclusive education, NEP-aligned ideas.
- Assessment: formative vs summative; rubric design; reliability/validity; feedback cycles; portfolio & alternative assessments.
- Classroom processes: management, questioning techniques, activity-based learning, ICT in classrooms, safety & ethics.
15 high-yield Teaching Aptitude concepts to memorise
- Zone of Proximal Development (Vygotsky) vs. Scaffolding
- Bloom’s revised taxonomy (remember–create) — verbs & outcomes
- Constructivist classroom: teacher/facilitator roles
- Formative assessment cycle & feedback loops
- Diagnostic vs summative tests
- Differentiated instruction & UDL basics
- Behaviourism vs cognitivism vs humanism
- Assessment validity, reliability, fairness
- Rubrics & checklists — fast design
- Misconceptions & conceptual change strategies
- Metacognition & self-regulated learning
- NEP cues: foundational literacy & numeracy
- Inclusive practices: IEP basics, accessibility
- Ethical use of tech & academic integrity
- Classroom discourse & questioning ladders
Subject combos for IIT/NIT/RIE targets
- B.Sc. B.Ed. (Secondary) — IIT/NIT/RIE: choose PCM or PCB aligned domains (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics / Biology). Language 1 & 2 as per comfort.
- B.A. B.Ed. (Middle/Secondary): choose from History, Political Science, Geography, Economics, Psychology/Sociology depending on the programme.
- B.Com. B.Ed. / B.A. (Eco) B.Ed.: Economics, Accountancy, Business Studies are natural pairings.
Always verify the year’s participating-institutions list and programme prerequisites before locking subjects.
Study plans
8-Week Plan (ideal)
- Week 1–2: Map syllabus; finish Language basics & 2 RCs/day; TA concepts 1–7; GT arithmetic foundations (ratios, %). Take 1 diagnostic mock.
- Week 3–4: Domain-1 full + 2 sectional tests; GT DI & reasoning patterns; TA assessment & classroom processes; begin PYQs.
- Week 5–6: Domain-2 full; Language advanced grammar; GT speed sets; TA inclusive education & tech; 1 full mock/week.
- Week 7: Domain-3 full; revision notes; mixed-topic drills; 2 full mocks.
- Week 8: Error log revision only; daily 1 sectional + 1 RC; last 3 full mocks under exam timing.
4-Week Accelerator
- Week 1: Domain-1 + Language basics + TA core + GT arithmetic; 1 mock.
- Week 2: Domain-2 + RC daily + TA assessment; GT reasoning; 2 sectionals.
- Week 3: Domain-3 + PYQs; 2 full mocks; revise weak chapters.
- Week 4: Only error log + timed mixed sets; 3 full mocks (alt days).
Daily drills & error log
- Language: 2 RCs + 15 error-spotting + 10 vocab items
- GT: 20 quant + 20 reasoning + 1 DI set
- Domain: 30 MCQs from a single chapter, then 10 mixed
- TA: 10 concept MCQs + 1 short note (100 words)
| Error Log | Question Type | Topic | Root Cause | Fix (note/video) | Re-test Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | RC inference | Language | Rushed read | Skim → scan → proof; see “Inference drill” video | +3 days |
| #2 | Ratio DI | GT | Unit confusion | Write base units; practice 10 sets | +2 days |
| #3 | Electrostatics | Physics | Formula recall | Flashcard set; 20 MCQs | +4 days |
FAQs
Do I need PCM for IIT/NIT ITEP? For B.Sc. B.Ed. tracks, PCM/PCB alignment is commonly required. Check the year’s programme rules before subject selection.
Can I switch domains after applying? Subject changes are governed by the correction-window rules of that year. Read the official notice carefully.
What’s a good mock frequency? Start with 1/wk; move to 2–3/wk in the last fortnight, always analysing your error log.