How to Prepare for NSI Admission Test: Preparation Tips, Marking Scheme, Best Books

Updated By srishti chatterjee on 17 Dec, 2025 12:14

Get a good plan for the NSI admission test preparation in 2026. Check the list of the best books for better preparation.

Your Ultimate Exam Preparation Guide Awaits!

How to Prepare for NSI Admission Test

The National Sugar Institute (NSI), Kanpur, is going to conduct the NSI admission test soon. Candidates who want to take admission to multiple post-graduate diploma and certification courses in Food Science and Technology can appear for the NSI Admission Test 2026. The NSI exam preparation should be very strategic. There will be different courses for candidates to take admission, such as ANSI(ST), DIFAT, DIIPA, SECC, SBCC, and so on.

To prepare well for this exam, candidates must create a good practice of reading regularly from reliable study materials and books. Besides, every candidate should practice from previous years’ question papers and mock tests. These will help to get a good grasp on the question pattern and the overall difficulty level followed in previous years. Besides, the NSI admission test is an offline pen-and-paper test of three hours, which means candidates must learn time management to cover all the questions in the exam.

Prep Tips for NSI Admission Test 2026?

As you have gone through the detailed exam pattern along with the section-wise weightage for different courses, here is a complete study plan for you. This study plan helps all candidates to focus on each area with equal importance. Please go through the study plan given below to ace the NSI admission test. 

Complete Syllabus and Exam Pattern Knowledge

It is the most important step to understand the complete syllabus along with the exam pattern. When there is a comprehensive idea regarding the exam pattern, candidates can sort out their way of studying, the subjects with more focus required, and the pattern of questions they should go through. Along with the syllabus and pattern, candidates must be aware of the duration of the exam, marks per question, the mode of the NSI admission exam, etc. 

Create a Study Routine 

Organise a comprehensive study routine. An organised study routine helps to focus on each subject with equal importance. Along with the structured timetable, it is also important to take a few breaks to refresh minds and stay calm during the preparation.

Practice Previous Year Question Papers 

One of the most important parts of the NSI admission test preparation is to practice NSI Admission Test previous year question papers and sample question papers available with practice books. Practising these will help candidates to be aware of expected question trends. Regularly practising also increases the speed and the accuracy level of the answer. In this way, those who practice these will increase their chances of a good score. 

Self-made Notes 

During the preparation, try to make notes on your own. Self-made notes help to get a strong understanding of the basics of subjects. Besides, self-made notes increase memory power, which is helpful for remembering the questions and answers properly.

Quality Study Materials

Good study materials are important for students to score well. An ideal study material helps to prepare properly with the latest syllabus and question patterns. Choose the books and materials preferred by past top rankers or experts in the field. 

Regular Mock Tests

All candidates must appear for mock tests regularly to strengthen their preparation. Mock tests help to understand whether there are further areas where more focus should be given.

Give Ample Time for Revision 

Revise regularly. The more you revise, the greater the chance of a good score. Multiple revisions help to memorise topics easily. 

Time Management

Time management is a very important skill every candidate must adapt to. As the NSI admission test is an offline test of 3 hours, candidates must practice answering as many questions as possible within the time. Use a stopwatch or timer while practising a complete previous question paper or mock test. It will help to identify the time required to answer each question. 

Colleges Accepting Exam NSI AT :

Best Books for NSI Admission Test Preparation

Check the subject-wise best books for the NSI admission test. 

Courses in NSI 

Best books for preparation 

PGD-ST

  • Modern Physics for Engineers by SP Taneja and R Chand
  • A Course & Mathematical Analysis by S Chand and Mittal
  • Applied Chemistry by Sunita Rattan and Kataria 
  • Chemical Engineering by Nikhil Gupta and Abhinav Jain

PGD-SE 

  • Handbook of Cane Sugar Engineering by E Hugot 
  • Engineering Mechanics by Sharma
  • Basic Electrical Engineering by Ritu Sahdev or Tata McGraw-Hill

PGD IFAT

  • M.Sc. Entrance Exams Chemistry by Dr. Sunita 
  • Objective Biotechnology by RS Sengar
  • Analytical Biochemistry by Holme
  • Analytical Agricultural Chemistry by J.S. Kanwar
  • Chemical and Biochemical Engineering by AK Haghi

PGD DIIPA

  • Engineering Physics by Malik and Singh, Tata McGraw-Hill
  • Engineering Chemistry by Satyaprakash & Manisha Agrawal
  • Higher Engineering Mathematics by BS Grewal
  • Electronic Measurements by J.G. Joshi
  • Conventional & Objective Type Mechanical Engineering by RK Jain

PGD PSPMM

  • M.Sc Entrance Exams - Chemistry by Arihant 
  • Key Notes on Agriculture Chemistry by UD Chavan 
  • Analytical Agricultural Chemistry by J.S. Kanwar

PGD QCES

  • Post Graduate Entrance Examinations Chemistry by Arihant 
  • Environmental Science and Biotechnology by AG Murugesan

SBCC

  • Objective Biology by Dinesh
  • Objective Mathematics by RD Sharma
  • Objective Physics by DC Pandey
  • The art of pan boiling by S Nandah
  • Objective Chemistry by RPH Editorial

SECC

  • Objective mechanical engineering by PK Mishra
  • Objective Electrical Engineering by PK Mishra

CCQC

  • Objective Chemistry by RPH Editorial 
  • Objective Mathematics by RD Sharma

NSI Admission Test Exam Pattern

To prepare well for the NSI admission test, understanding the NSI Admission Test Exam Pattern is very important. The exam pattern is explained below. Please have a thorough look. 

Particulars 

Details 

Exam mode 

pen-and-paper mode (offline exam)

Duration of the exam

3 hours (180 minutes)

Languages available in the exam 

English and Hindi

Types of questions 

  • Objective type
  • Short-answer type
  • Subjective type of questions

Total marks in the exam 

100 marks 

Section-wise Weightage for NSI Admission Test

Check the section-wise weightage for multiple courses in the National Sugar Institute.

Subjects 

Marks in the exam 

Sectional Weightage for PGD-ST

Mathematics 

25 

Physics 

25 

Chemistry 

25 

Chemical engineering 

25 

Sectional Weightage for PGD-SE

Mechanical Engineering 

50 

Electrical Engineering

50 

Sectional Weightage for PGD-DIFAT

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering 

25 

Chemistry 

25 

Industrial Chemistry and Applied Chemistry

25 

Biochemistry and Biotechnology

25 

Sectional Weightage of PGD-PSPMM

Agricultural Chemistry 

50 

Chemistry 

50 

Sectional Weightage of PGD-DIIPA

Instrumentation Engineering

50 

Basic Engineering 

50 

Sectional Weightage of DQCES

Chemistry

50 

Environmental Science and Biotechnology

50 

Sectional Weightage of SBCC 

Section A: Pan Boiling

50 

Section B: Mathematics and Science

50 

Sectional Weightage of SECC

Mechanical Engineering 

50 

Electrical Engineering

50 

Sectional Weightage of CCQC

Mathematics 

50 

Chemistry

50 

Want to know more about NSI AT

FAQs about NSI AT Preparation Tips

How frequently should mock tests be taken to prepare for NSI Admission Test?

Candidates should aim to take regular mock tests under exam-like conditions once a significant portion of the syllabus is covered for the NSI Admission Test. This helps in assessing preparation level and identifying areas requiring further focus.

Should I make my own notes during NSI Admission Test preparation?

Yes, creating self-made notes is highly recommended for better retention and conceptual clarity for the NSI Admission Test. These notes will also serve as concise and effective material for quick revision closer to the exam date.

What types of questions are asked in the NSI Admission Test?

The NSI Admission Test question paper for most courses contains a mix of Objective Type (MCQs), Short-Answer Type, and Subjective Type of Questions. The specific mix depends on the course a candidate applies for.

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