MET Examination Guide

MET is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted in a proctored computer-lab environment across designated test cities. The exam runs for 2 hours (120 minutes) and comprises 60 questions worth a total of 240 marks, split across four sections: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and English. Unlike JEE Main's 75-question, 300-mark format, MET's shorter question count means each question carries proportionally higher weight, and silly errors are costlier on a per-question basis.

Section-Wise Breakdown

Marking Scheme

For Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), MET awards +4 marks for a correct answer and deducts 1 mark for an incorrect answer, mirroring JEE Main's negative marking philosophy. For Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions — where the candidate types a numeric value rather than selecting an option — MET awards +4 for a correct answer but applies no negative marking for an incorrect attempt, which meaningfully changes attempt strategy: candidates should attempt every NAT question even under uncertainty, since there is no risk-adjusted downside, while MCQs demand more caution given the penalty.

Why English Carries Real Weight

A distinctive feature of MET compared to JEE Main, BITSAT, or most state CETs is the inclusion of a dedicated, scored 10-question English section worth 40 marks — nearly a sixth of the total score. This section typically tests vocabulary, grammar (error identification, sentence correction), reading comprehension passages, and synonym/antonym recognition, drawing from typical Class 10-12 English curriculum rather than anything advanced. Because many STEM-focused aspirants neglect verbal preparation, this section is often where avoidable marks are lost — and where a small amount of targeted practice yields disproportionate returns.

On-Screen Test Experience

• Questions are presented one at a time (or as a navigable palette) on screen; candidates can mark questions for review and revisit them within the section before final submission.

• An on-screen virtual calculator is not provided; candidates must rely on mental/written calculation for NAT questions, similar to JEE Main's rules.

• A rough sheet / scribble pad is typically provided physically at the test center for workings, to be submitted back at the end of the shift.

• No sectional time limit exists — candidates can move freely across Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and English within the full 120-minute window, allowing flexible time allocation based on individual strengths.

Comparative Difficulty Calibration

Question difficulty in MET is generally considered to sit slightly below JEE Main's toughest conceptual problems and closer to a well-framed Class 12 board-plus level, though NAT questions can occasionally demand multi-step calculation similar to JEE Main numerical questions. Mathematics tends to be the most calculation-intensive section, consistent with its higher 80-mark weight, while Physics and Chemistry lean more conceptual with moderate numerical content.

Time Allocation Strategy Within the 120-Minute Window

A commonly recommended time split, though flexible based on individual strength, allocates roughly 45-50 minutes to Mathematics given its higher question count and calculation load, 25-30 minutes each to Physics and Chemistry, and the remaining 15-20 minutes to the English section, which tends to be quicker to attempt per question. Building this pacing habit during mock practice, rather than discovering it live on exam day, is one of the most reliable ways to avoid running out of time on the higher-weighted Mathematics section.