The OJEE syllabus changes with the programme you choose: B.Pharm candidates are tested on physics, chemistry and either maths or biology, MCA candidates on mathematics and computer awareness, MBA candidates on four aptitude sections, and lateral entry, M.Tech, M.Pharm and nursing candidates on the subjects of their previous qualification. Most papers follow a plus 4, minus 1 marking scheme, and nursing papers carry one mark per question with no penalty.
OJEE is the state entrance test of Odisha, delivered on computers at test centres, with English as the only medium. Note that first year B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Plan seats in Odisha are filled through JEE Main scores, not through the main OJEE paper. Everything in the tables on this page is taken from the current brochure.
Exam at a glance
Conducted by
OJEE Committee, Government of OdishaMode
Computer based test, English mediumMarking (most courses)
+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 unattemptedMarking (nursing)
+1 correct, no negative markingLongest papers
B.Pharm, MCA, MBA and LE Tech (diploma): 120 questions in 2 hoursRank rule
Attempt at least one question in each section to be rankedB.Tech first year
Through JEE Main scoresOfficial website
OJEE exam pattern for every course
| Course | Subjects (questions) | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Pharm | Physics (40), Chemistry (40), Mathematics or Biology (40) | 120 | 2 hours |
| MCA | Computer awareness (60), Mathematics (60) | 120 | 2 hours |
| MBA | Analytical and logical reasoning (30), Quantitative techniques (30), Verbal reasoning and comprehension (30), General awareness and business fundamentals (30) | 120 | 2 hours |
| Integrated MBA | The same four MBA sections, 15 each | 60 | 1 hour |
| LE Tech (diploma holders) | Engineering mathematics (40), Engineering mechanics (40), Basic electrical and electronics engineering (40) | 120 | 2 hours |
| LE Tech (B.Sc holders) | Mathematics (30), Physics (15), Chemistry (15) | 60 | 1 hour |
| M.Tech | Branch subject (60), Engineering mathematics (20), Analytical and logical reasoning (10) | 90 | 2 hours |
| M.Arch / M.Plan | Architecture or planning (60), Reasoning (30) | 90 | 2 hours |
| M.Pharm / LE Pharm | B.Pharm syllabus / D.Pharm syllabus | 60 | 1 hour |
| B.CAT | English, Everyday science, General knowledge, Reasoning (15 each) | 60 | 1 hour |
| Nursing courses | Course specific; see below | 100 | 2 hours |
For courses on the plus 4 scheme, maximum marks are four times the questions: 480 for a 120 question paper, 360 for 90 and 240 for 60. A special or second OJEE is sometimes held for leftover seats with shorter 60 question papers, including a B.Tech paper on physics, chemistry and maths. Its pattern is announced separately each time.
OJEE marking scheme and rank rules
- All questions are single answer MCQs with four options.
- Non nursing papers: plus 4 when right, minus 1 when wrong, 0 when skipped.
- Nursing papers: 1 mark per right answer, no deduction for wrong answers.
- A candidate who leaves the entire paper blank is not ranked, and the brochure asks you to attempt at least one question in every section to appear in the merit list.
With minus 1 against plus 4, a random guess among four options has an expected value of zero. Once you can eliminate one option the odds turn in your favour, and once you can eliminate two, guessing is clearly worth it.
OJEE syllabus for MCA: maths and computer awareness
The MCA paper splits evenly between two subjects.
Mathematics (60 questions)
- Logic, sets and number systems
- Matrices and determinants, quadratic equations and polynomials, sequences and series
- Trigonometry, coordinate geometry and vectors
- Differential and integral calculus
- Probability and statistics
Computer awareness (60 questions)
- Computer basics, hardware and organisation of a computer
- Data representation and computer arithmetic
- Fundamentals of programming in C
- Networking and data communication
- General computer knowledge
Sixty computer questions is a heavy share, so graduates without a computing background should start there. The CUET PG MCA syllabus and the NIMCET syllabus share much of this ground if you plan to write more than one MCA entrance.
Syllabus for the MBA paper
- Quantitative techniques: number system, percentages, profit and loss, time, speed and distance, algebra, geometry and mensuration, data from tables and graphs
- Analytical and logical reasoning: coding, blood relations, series, sequencing, statements and conclusions, syllogisms, puzzles and data based reasoning
- Verbal reasoning and comprehension: reading passages, grammar and sentence correction, vocabulary, fill in the blanks, jumbled paragraphs
- General awareness and business fundamentals: current affairs, economy and business news, corporate and sports awards, markets and stock exchanges, basics of computers
The four sections carry equal weight, so a weak section hurts more here than in a test where one section dominates. Integrated MBA aspirants face the same four areas at a gentler pace, 15 questions each in an hour.
B.Pharm, lateral entry and M.Tech papers
B.Pharm follows the higher secondary science course. Alongside physics and chemistry you pick maths or biology to match your plus two stream, and each part has 40 questions. Your class 11 and 12 NCERT books or the Odisha council textbooks are the right base.
LE Tech for diploma holders tests three first year diploma subjects: engineering mathematics (algebra, matrices, trigonometry, analytical geometry, vectors, calculus, differential equations, probability), engineering mechanics (forces and moments, centroid and moment of inertia, friction, simple machines, stress and strain, dynamics) and basic electrical and electronics (DC and AC basics, measuring instruments, wiring, electronic devices and circuits, transducers). B.Sc graduates seeking lateral entry write a separate one hour paper on maths, physics and chemistry.
M.Tech asks 60 questions from your branch at B.Tech level, 20 on engineering mathematics and 10 on reasoning. Branch syllabi are close to the corresponding GATE syllabus papers, so GATE material doubles as OJEE preparation.
Nursing papers
All four nursing tests have 100 questions of one mark each, in English, over two hours. Basic B.Sc Nursing covers physics, chemistry, biology, English and aptitude for nursing, 20 questions each. Post Basic B.Sc Nursing is set from the GNM course, M.Sc Nursing from the B.Sc Nursing courses, and Post Basic Diploma Nursing from the GNM and B.Sc Nursing courses.
Nursing ranks use qualifying percentiles. For Basic B.Sc Nursing, the latest brochure sets a qualifying mark at the 50th percentile for unreserved applicants, while SC, ST, OBC and SEBC applicants need the 40th, with lower thresholds for candidates with disabilities. You must also be at least 17 years old as on 31 December of the year of the test.
Preparing for the OJEE paper you will write
Because every course has its own paper, generic preparation does not work well. Start with your own row of the pattern table and count the marks: in MCA, half the paper is computer awareness; in M.Tech, two thirds is your branch; in B.Pharm, the three subjects are equal.
For other routes into engineering and management, see the JEE Main syllabus, the CAT syllabus or the full list of entrance exams.
Frequently asked questions
What is the OJEE marking scheme?
For all courses except nursing, a right answer is worth 4 and an error takes 1 away; skipped questions stay at zero. Nursing papers give 1 mark per correct answer and have no negative marking.
Is B.Tech admission done through OJEE?
First year B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Plan admission in Odisha is based on JEE Main. OJEE runs the counselling, and a special OJEE with a B.Tech paper has been held in some years to fill vacant seats.
What is the OJEE exam pattern for MCA?
The MCA paper has 120 questions in 2 hours: 60 on mathematics and 60 on computer awareness, for 480 marks under the plus 4, minus 1 scheme.
Does OJEE use pen and paper?
No. The test runs on screens at notified OJEE centres, and every paper is set in English.
Is the OJEE syllabus for B.Pharm the same as class 12?
Yes, it is drawn from the higher secondary science course. Physics and chemistry are fixed; the third part is maths or biology, whichever you studied at plus two.
Do I need to attempt every section?
The brochure says a candidate must attempt at least one question in each section to be placed in the merit list. Leaving a whole section untouched can cost you your rank.