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UNDERGRADUATE

ISI

ENTRANCE

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE

The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) is an esteemed, world-renowned, educational institute, funded by the Indian Government. It is solely dedicated to advanced research in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, and Library Science. It was founded by Dr. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, who is known as the Father of Indian Statistics, in 1931 and has continually been at the pinnacle of academic research. It is also responsible for conducting the Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) and has coordinated the Indian National Olympiad (InMO) from the eastern region. 

Entry into this prestigious institution is regulated by a challenging entrance test. The ISI entrance exams are designed to test a candidate's aptitude for the subject and are heavily depended on the theoretical and quantitative understanding of the subject as a whole.

ABOUT THE COURSE

The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) has two world class courses for Mathematics and Statistics: the B.Math. and B.Stat. courses. Besides the enormous amount of pride and confidence that comes on getting selected for any of the courses, a candidate goes through rigorous grooming and training, and at the end of the three-year long course,  becomes a cut above the rest. Not only does the candidate get to work with stalwarts in the field of Mathematics and Statistics, but the student also gets the orientation and mentoring from the best, in order to be the best on a worldwide level. It is a well-known fact that many Fields Medallists visit the campus and conduct seminars, which the students of the Institute are encouraged to attend and interact.

 

Besides the academic prospects, a student may also get to apply for jobs with high remuneration from multinational companies as a mathematician or statistician. 

 

 

EXAM PATTERN

The entry into both the B.Math. and B.Stat. courses are governed by a tough entrance examination consisting of a two-round written exam and an interview. This written examination is common for both the B.Math. and B.Stat. aspirant. The written part for both the streams are held on the same day but usually, it's held in different exam centers: One allotted for B.Stat. and the other for B.Math., so a student cannot opt for both the streams simultaneously. However, there is a provision for changing streams before the final interview. 

 

For now, let us take a look at the pattern for the written interview:

 

Round 1: MCQ

 

  • There will be 30 questions of 4 marks each. 

  • An unattempted question fetches 1 mark

  • A wrong answer fetches 0 marks.

  • Time allotted: 2 hrs

 

There are no provisions for awarding negative marks.

 

 

Round 2: Descriptive

  • There will be 8 questions

  • Attempt as many as possible

  • Marking scheme to be decided by the Institute

  • Partial marks will be awarded for partial answers. 

  • Usually, even if the student is unable to arrive at the answer but the approach is correct, then partial marks are awarded.

 

Interview Round

Conceptual Questions will be asked pertaining to the syllabus

 

 

 

 

SYLLABUS

The ISI B.Stat. and B.Math. entrance exam is governed by a deceptively small and nondescript syllabus consisting mainly of the topics covered at school in the 10 + 2 level. This consists of :

  • Arithmetic

  • Set Theory

  • Interpretation of tables and charts