IOE Entrance Preparation: What it is and how to do?

The IOE Entrance Exam is held every year for admission into engineering programs under Tribhuvan University, including both constituent and affiliated colleges. To study engineering under TU, students must pass this exam first. It is highly competitive, with around 15,000 students across Nepal appearing every year. The exam does not only test theoretical knowledge. It also checks your conceptual understanding, problem-solving ability, logical and analytical thinking.

Know your exam first: The first thing every student should do is understand the exam properly. Download the official IOE Entrance syllabus and go through it carefully. This helps you know exactly what you need to study and how to prepare. The official website for IOE Entrance information is entrance.ioe.edu.np

Entrance Exam Modality : The exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. All questions are multiple-choice. The total duration is 2 hours, and there are 100 questions in total. Among them, 60 questions carry 1 mark each and 40 questions carry 2 marks each, making the total full marks 140. There is also negative marking, where 10% of the mark is deducted for every wrong answer. Students are allowed to use a non-programmable calculator, and only one A4 sheet is provided as rough paper which need to be return back after exam to the invigilator.

Marks Distribution: The subject-wise marks distribution is: Mathematics 50 marks, Physics 40 marks, Chemistry 30 marks, and English 20 marks.

Eligibility Criteria: A student is eligible to apply for the IOE Entrance Exam if he/she has completed, or appeared in the final examination of Plus Two Science with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Students from A-Level with equivalent subjects or those with an Engineering Diploma can also apply. In general, candidates must have secured at least 45% aggregate marks or a minimum C grade in each subject, including theory and practical. Both Nepali and foreign students are eligible.

Engineering Campuses in TU: Under Tribhuvan University, the Institute of Engineering has 5 constituent campuses and 10 affiliated campuses.

The constituent campuses are:

1.     Pulchowk Campus, Lalitpur 

2.     Thapathali Campus, Kathmandu 

3.     Eastern Regional Campus, Dharan 

4.     Western Regional Campus, Pokhara 

5.     Chitwan Engineering Campus, Rampur, Chitwan

The affiliated colleges are:

Total Seats in IOE : The total number of seats in IOE is 2040 in constituent campuses and 2304 in affiliated colleges.

Constituent Campus Seats Distribution:

Affiliated Campus Seats Distribution:

Fee Structure in Constituent Campus:For constituent campuses, as per academic year 2082, the fee structure is:

These admission fees may be updated for new admissions each year.

1.      Female Quota: In both Regular and Full-Fee programs, 10% of the seats are reserved for female students.

2.      Teacher/Staff Quota: for permanent IOE and TU employees and their children.

3.      Bipanna Reserved Quota: There is also a Bipanna Reserved Quota for students who studied from Grade 8 to 12 in government or community schools.

20% of the total Regular seats are reserved for this quota. For the purpose of calculation, this 20% is treated as a "new 100%" and subdivided as follows.

a.      Female=20% includes 3% for Dalit and 2% for Muslim women.

b.      Janajati=16%

c.       Madhesi=14% Includes 3% for Madhesi Dalit women.

d.      Dalit= 9%

e.      Disabled= 9%

f.        Backward/Remote Area= 7%

g.       Muslim= 7%

h.      Tharu= 10%

i.        Other= 8%

4.      Government Sponsored Quota: for those sponsored by government offices and government-owned corporations.

5.      Foreign Citizen Quota: For Full-Fee programs across all constituent campuses, 1/12 of the total seats are reserved specifically for foreign citizens.

Question Types: MCQs asked in IOE Entrance are basic, conceptual, and require short solutions with few steps. Generally, long-solution questions are not asked unless they can be solved using a simple conceptual approach. 

Books: When it comes to books, many entrance preparation books are available in the market. However, instead of following too many books, it is better to follow one book properly. Choose one good book, study it thoroughly, and revise it multiple times. Once you finish that, then you can look at other materials if needed. Along with entrance books, make sure to go through your +2 books as well, especially if you have forgotten the basic concepts.

How to crack IOE Entrance Exam/Study Tips: To crack the IOE Entrance Exam, conceptual study is more important than rote memorization. Before starting any chapter from an entrance book, first read that chapter from your Plus Two textbook for fundamental concepts and solve the MCQs given there. After that, move to the entrance preparation book. Study the theory, remember the formulas, and practice the MCQs. The exact same questions may not come in the exam, but the concepts behind them often do. So always try to understand why and how behind any question.

Start with easier questions first, then gradually move to tougher ones. One-time study is never enough for entrance preparation. Revision is the key. If you have trouble remembering formulas, you can write them down and stick them on your study room wall. It is also helpful to prepare short summary notes for each chapter so revision becomes easier later before exam.

While studying, do not depend too much on shortcuts that work only for one specific type of question. Focus more on methods and concepts that can be applied in many situations. At the same time, learning the correct use of a calculator can save a lot of time, especially in topics like limits, derivatives, integration, and other mathematics problems.

You should also practice memory-based past questions to understand the trend and question style of the IOE Entrance Exam. Since Mathematics and Physics together carry 90 marks, these two subjects should be your top priority. Give them enough time, but do not ignore Chemistry and English. Try to study all subjects every day. Make a realistic study plan, cover the full syllabus, and stay consistent, disciplined, and focused.

Mock Test: Mock tests are one of the most important parts of preparation. Many students avoid them because they are afraid of getting low marks, but that is a mistake. Mock test helps to learn time management, weak areas, exam pressure handling and build up confidence. Paper based mock tests are conducted by most of the institutes but since the real exam is on a computer also practice some CBTs. Practicing with a mouse and a screen is different from paper. Prefer the mock test that covers IOE Pulchowk difficulty level and time constraints.

 

Subject: Mathematics                                                                                      Full Marks: 50

1.1   Set, real number system, intervals, absolute value, logic, connectives, laws of logic

1.2   Function, types of functions – injective, surjective, bijective, algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic; Inverse of function, composite functions

1.3   Matrices and determinants, types and properties, inverse of a matrix

1.4   Complex numbers and Polynomial equations

1.5  Sequence and series, Permutation and Combination

1.6  Binomial theorem, exponential and logarithmic series

1.7   Trigonometric equations and general values

1.8   Inverse trigonometric functions, principal value

1.9   Properties of triangles, in-centre, ortho-centre and circum-centre, solution of triangles

1.10  Straight lines, pair of lines

1.11  Circles, equations of circle in different forms, tangent and normal

1.12  Conic sections: Parabola, Ellipse and Hyperbola, standard equations and simple properties

1.13  Coordinates in space, Plane and its equation

1.14  Limit and continuity of functions, indeterminate forms, L’Hospital’s rule

1.15  Derivatives, rules of derivatives, geometrical & physical meanings, higher order derivatives, Applications of derivative: tangent and normal, rate of change, maxima and minima

1.16  Integration, linear properties, rules of integration, standard integrals, definite integral, Applications of definite integral: area under a curve and area between two curves

1.17  Differential equations: definition, order and degree, differential equation of first order and first degree: variable separable method, homogeneous, linear and

exact differential equations, integrating factor

1.18  Vectors in plane and space, algebra of vectors, linear combination of vectors, linearly dependent and independent set of vectors

1.19  Product of two vectors, scalar and vector product of two vectors, scalar triple product

1.20  Measures of location and measures of dispersion

1.21  Correlation and regression

1.22  Basic terms of probability, conditional and compound probability, additive and multiplicative rules, Bayes’ theorem, binomial distribution

Subject: Physics                                                                                          Full Marks: 40

1.1   Physical Quantities, Vector and Kinematics: Dimensions, Resolution and Polygon laws of Vector, Vector Algebra, Equations of Motions, Projectile Motion, Relative Motion

1.2   Newton’s Laws of Motion and Friction: Conservation of linear momentum, Applications of Newton’s Laws in Equilibrium and Non-equilibrium, laws of Solid Friction and verification

1.3   Work, Energy and Power: Work-Energy theorem, Kinetic and Potential energy, Conservation of Energy, Conservative and non-conservative forces, Elastic and inelastic collisions

1.4   Circular motion, Gravitation and SHM: Centripetal force, Conical Pendulum, Banking of Track, Gravitational Potential, variation of g, Motion of satellite, Rocket launch technology, Energy in SHM, Spring -Mass system, simple Pendulum, Damped and Forced oscillation, resonance

1.5   Rotational Dynamics: Moment of Inertia, Radius of Gyration, Rotational KE, Center of gravity and center of mass, Torque, Conservation of Angular momentum

1.6   Elasticity: Hook’s law, Young modulus, Bulk modulus, modulus of rigidity, Poissons’ ratio, elastic energy

1.7   Fluid Mechanics: buoyancy, flotation, Archimedes’ principle, surface tension, capillarity and applications, viscosity, Newton, Stoke and Poiseuille’s formula, Reynold number, continuity equation, Bernoulli’s equation

1.8     Temperature and Quantity of Heat: Thermal Equilibrium, Specific heat, latent heat Method of Mixture, Measurement of specific heat and latent heat, Newton’s law of cooling, triple point

1.9    Thermal expansion: Expansion of Solid & Liquid, Measurement and Applications of expansions

1.10  Transfer of Heat: Conduction, Convection, Radiation, Thermal Conductivity, Black body radiation, Stefan- Boltzmann law

1.11  Thermal properties of Matter: Molecular Properties of matter, Kinetic Theory of gases, heat capacities of gases and solids

1.12  Laws of Thermodynamics: First law, Heat and Work, relation of specific heat of gas, thermodynamics processes, Second law, Heat engine, efficiency, Carnot Cycle, Otto Cycle, Diesel cycle, Refrigerator, Entropy.

1.13  Reflection: Plane and Curved Mirror, Mirror Formula

1.14  Refraction: Plane Surface, Critical Angle, Total Internal Reflection, Lateral shift,

Prism, Minimum Deviation, Lenses, Lens Formula, Lens maker’s formula, Combination of lenses in contact, Optical Fiber

1.15  Dispersion: Spectrum, Dispersive Power, Chromatic Aberration, Achromatism, Spherical Aberration, Scattering of light

1.16 Nature and Propagation of Light: Huygen’s principle, Velocity of light

1.17  Interference: Coherent sources, Young’s double slit experiment

1.18  Diffraction: Fraunhoffer diffraction, Diffraction grating, Resolving power

1.19  Polarization: Brewster’s law, Transverse nature of light, Polaroid

1.20  Wave Motion: Travelling and Stationary wave

1.21  Mechanical Waves: velocity of sound in solid, gas and liquid, effect of temperature, pressure, humidity

1.22  Waves in Pipes and String: closed and Open pipes, Resonance, Resonance Tube, string, laws of vibration of fixed string

1.23  Acoustic Phenomena: Pressure amplitude, intensity level, quality and pitch, Ultrasonic and Infrasonic, Doppler’s effect

 

1.24  Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law, Electric field and Gauss law, Potential and potential gradient, Capacitors, combination of capacitors, types of capacitors, effect of dielectrics, Energy stored by capacitors, polarization and displacement

1.25  DC Circuits: Ohm’s law, resistivity and conductivity, work and power, Galvanometer and Ohm meter, internal resistance, Joule’s law, Kirchhoff’s law and applications

1.26  Thermoelectric Effect: Seebeck effect, Thermocouples, Peltier effect, Thermopile, Thomson effect

1.27  Magnetic effect: Force on a conductor and charge, Torque, Hall’s effect, Biot-Savart’s law, Ampere’s law, Force between parallel conductors

1.28  Magnetic properties of matter: Earth magnetism, magnetic materials, permeability, susceptibility, hysteresis

1.29  Electromagnetic Induction: Faraday’s law, Induced emf, AC Generators, Self and mutual induction, energy stored by inductor, transformer

1.30  Alternating Currents: RMS value, Phasor diagram of capacitance, inductance and resistance, Quality factor, Power factor

 

1.31         Electrons: Millikons’s experiment, Cathode rays, specific charge

1.32         Photons & Quantization of Energy: Photoelectric effect, Plank’s constant, Bohr’s theory, spectral series, De Broglie theory, Uncertainty principle, X-ray and Bragg’s law, Laser

1.33         Solids & Semiconductor Devices: Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, P-N junction, Rectification, Zener diode, Transistor, Logic gates

1.34         Radioactivity & Nuclear Reaction: Atomic mass, Isotopes, Nuclear density, Einstein’s mass energy relation, mass defect, fission & fusion, law of radioactive disintegration, carbon dating, health hazard

1.35                Recent Trends in Physics

1.35.1            Particle Physics: Particle and anti-particle, Quarks, Lepton, Baryon, Mesons, Higgs  Boson

1.35.2             Universe: Big Bang and Hubble’s Law, Dark Matter, Gravitational Wave, Black Hole

1.35.3              Seismology: Pressure wave, Surface Wave, Internal wave

1.35.4             Telecommunication: Radio, TV and Mobile, GPS and Remote sensing

1.35.5              Environment: Energy Crisis, Environment Pollution, Ozone Layer

1.35.6                New Technology & Materials: Nano-technology, super conductor & Perfect conductor

 

 

1.1   Chemical Arithmetic: Dalton’s atomic theory and Laws of Stoichiometry, Atomic mass and Molecular mass, Empirical molecular formula and limiting Reactants, Avogadro are Hypothesis and its applications and Equivalent masses.

1.2   State of Matter: Gaseous state, liquid and solid states.

1.3   Atomic Structure and Periodic Classification of Elements:

1.4   Oxidation, Reduction and Equilibrium

1.5   Volumetric Analysis,

1.6   Ionic Equilibrium, Acid, Base and Salt

1.7   Electrochemistry

1.8   Energetic of Chemical Reaction, Chemical Kinetics, Chemical Bonding and Shape of Molecules

1.9   Non-metal: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Ozone, Water, Nitrogen and its compounds, Halogen, Carbon, Phosphorous, sulphur, Noble gas and Environment pollution.

1.10                  Metals: Metallurgical Principle, Alkali metal, Alkaline Earth metals, Coinage metals: Copper, Silver, Gold

1.11                  Extraction of Metal: Zinc and Mercury, Iron Compound

1.12    Introduction: Fundamental principles, Purification of organic compounds,

Nomenclature of Organic compounds, Structure isomerism and idea of reaction mechanism

1.13    Hydrocarbons: Alkanes, Alkenes and Alkynes, Aromatic hydrocarbons

1.14    Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

1.15    Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

1.16    Aldehydes, Ketones , Carboxylic Acid and Derivatives, Aliphatic and Aromatic

1.17    Nitro Compounds and Amines: Aromatic and Aliphatic

 

 

Subject: English                                                                                          Full Marks: 20

1   Grammar I

1.1  Sequence of Tense, Concord /Agreement

1.2  Direct and Indirect Speech

1.3   Kinds of Sentences and Transformation of Sentences

2        Grammar II

2.1  Basic Grammatical Patterns/Structures, Conditional Sentences

2.2    Parts of Speech, Active and Passive Voice

2.3   Verbal: Infinitives, Gerund and Participles

2.4   Punctuation and Use of Prepositions

2.5   Vocabulary

2.6   Idiomatic Expressions

3     Phonetics

3.2 Phonemes (Vowels/Consonants)

3.3 Syllables and Stress (Word/Sentence)

4     Comprehension

4.1   Comprehensions of reading passages on a variety of topics and style with special references to General English and Technical English

Finally, I would suggest choosing the right institute for your entrance preparation, as it can make a big difference in your journey. In my next article, I will share how to choose the best institute for yourself. Most importantly, prepare well and I wish you all the very best for your entrance preparation journey.