Free Practice Questions for DBT-BET

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Key Facts: DBT-BET Exam

100

Questions to Attempt

NTA DBT-BET Information Bulletin

3 hours

Exam Duration

NTA

₹1,300

General Application Fee

NTA 2026 Bulletin

28 years

Age Limit (General)

DBT-JRF Guidelines

300 marks

Total Maximum Marks

3 marks per question

1 mark

Negative Marking

For each wrong answer

The DBT-BET is a 3-hour exam costing ₹1,300. It requires attempting 100 questions out of 200 (50 in Section A and 50 out of 150 in Section B). Scoring: +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect. It awards DBT-JRF Category-I and II fellowships for PhD research.

Sample DBT-BET Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the DBT-BET exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a group of 100 students, 60 passed in Biochemistry, 50 passed in Molecular Biology, and 30 passed in both. How many students failed in both subjects?

A.10

B.20

C.30

D.40

Explanation: According to the principle of inclusion-exclusion, the number of students who passed in at least one subject is N(A ∪ B) = N(A) + N(B) - N(A ∩ B) = 60 + 50 - 30 = 80. Therefore, the number of students who failed in both subjects is 100 - 80 = 20.

2A fair coin is tossed three times. What is the probability of getting at least two heads?

A.1/8

B.3/8

C.1/2

D.3/4

Explanation: The sample space of tossing a coin three times has 8 possible outcomes: HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, HTT, THT, TTH, TTT. The outcomes with at least two heads are HHH, HHT, HTH, and THH (4 outcomes). Thus, the probability is 4/8 = 1/2.

3What is the pH of a 10^-8 M solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) at 25°C?

A.8.00

B.6.00

C.6.98

D.7.02

Explanation: In an extremely dilute solution of a strong acid (like 10^-8 M HCl), the concentration of H+ ions from the autoionization of water cannot be ignored. The total H+ concentration is [H+] = [H+]_acid + [H+]_water = 10^-8 + x, where x is the H+ from water. Solving the water dissociation constant equation Kw = [H+][OH-] = (10^-8 + x)(x) = 10^-14 yields a total [H+] of approximately 1.05 x 10^-7 M, corresponding to a pH of 6.98.

4Which of the following organic reaction mechanisms typically involves a carbocation intermediate?

A.SN1 reaction

B.SN2 reaction

C.E2 elimination

D.Electromeric effect

Explanation: The SN1 (Substitution Nucleophilic Unimolecular) reaction occurs in two steps. The first step involves the slow loss of the leaving group to generate a relatively stable carbocation intermediate, which is then attacked by the nucleophile in the second fast step.

5According to the Beer-Lambert law, if the path length of a cuvette is doubled and the concentration of the solute is halved, what happens to the absorbance of the solution?

A.It doubles

B.It is halved

C.It quadruples

D.It remains unchanged

Explanation: The Beer-Lambert law is given by A = ε * c * l, where A is absorbance, ε is molar attenuation coefficient, c is concentration, and l is path length. If l is doubled (2l) and c is halved (0.5c), the product c * l remains the same (2 * 0.5 = 1), so the absorbance remains unchanged.

6Which of the following electromagnetic radiations has the shortest wavelength?

A.Microwaves

B.Ultraviolet rays

C.X-rays

D.Gamma rays

Explanation: In the electromagnetic spectrum, gamma rays have the highest frequency and therefore the shortest wavelength (typically less than 10 picometers). The order from longest to shortest wavelength is: Microwaves > Ultraviolet > X-rays > Gamma rays.

7Under steady-state enzyme kinetics, if the substrate concentration [S] is equal to 4 times the Michaelis constant (Km), the initial reaction velocity (v0) will be what fraction of the maximum velocity (Vmax)?

A.1/4 Vmax

B.1/5 Vmax

C.4/5 Vmax

D.5/4 Vmax

Explanation: The Michaelis-Menten equation is v0 = (Vmax * [S]) / (Km + [S]). Substituting [S] = 4Km gives v0 = (Vmax * 4Km) / (Km + 4Km) = (4 * Vmax * Km) / (5Km) = 4/5 Vmax.

8Which of the following amino acids contains a guanidino group in its side chain?

A.Lysine

B.Arginine

C.Histidine

D.Asparagine

Explanation: Arginine contains a guanidino group (-NH-C(=NH)-NH2) in its side chain, which is highly basic and remains protonated at physiological pH. This group contributes to Arginine's high isoelectric point (pI ~ 10.76).

9Which thermodynamic parameter determines whether a biochemical reaction will occur spontaneously at constant temperature and pressure?

A.Enthalpy change (ΔH)

B.Entropy change (ΔS)

C.Gibbs free energy change (ΔG)

D.Activation energy (Ea)

Explanation: Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) is the thermodynamic criterion for spontaneity at constant temperature and pressure. A negative ΔG (exergonic reaction) indicates that the reaction is thermodynamically spontaneous, whereas a positive ΔG (endergonic reaction) is non-spontaneous.

10How many net ATP molecules are produced during the anaerobic conversion of one molecule of glucose to two molecules of lactate?

A.2

B.4

C.36

D.38

Explanation: Anaerobic glycolysis converts glucose into two molecules of lactate. This pathway yields 2 net ATP molecules (4 ATP generated in the payoff phase minus 2 ATP consumed in the preparatory phase). The NADH produced in glycolysis is reoxidized to NAD+ during the reduction of pyruvate to lactate by lactate dehydrogenase, yielding no additional ATP.

About the DBT-BET Exam

The Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) is a national-level computer-based test conducted in India for awarding the DBT-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) in Biotechnology. Organized by NTA on behalf of the Department of Biotechnology, it evaluates candidates for PhD admissions and research positions in top biotechnology and life sciences institutions.

Exam sponsor: National Testing Agency (NTA) & Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Section A (50 compulsory MCQs on Aptitude & General Biotech) and Section B (150 Specialized MCQs, attempt any 50)

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Merit-based qualifying cut-off (approx. 60% for Cat-I JRF)

Exam / Certification Fees

₹1,300

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: ~10%. based on JRF fellowship awards This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

50%

Section A: General Aptitude & General Biotechnology

Covers General Science, Mathematical/Quantitative Aptitude, Analytical Ability, and Core Biotechnology foundations (Biomolecules, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology).

50%

Section B: Specialized Biotechnology

Covers specialized electives including Agricultural, Animal, Marine, Medical, and Environmental Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Molecular Genetics, and Bioprocess Engineering.

Preparing for the DBT-BET Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Merit-based qualifying cut-off (approx. 60% for Cat-I JRF)
Assessment: Section A (50 compulsory MCQs on Aptitude & General Biotech) and Section B (150 Specialized MCQs, attempt any 50)
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam / certification fees: ₹1,300 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

DBT-BET: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master Section A basic aptitude and mathematics, as these are scoring areas and compulsory

2Focus on core molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology concepts, which form the bulk of General Biotechnology

3In Section B, select 2-3 specialized areas (e.g., Recombinant DNA Technology, Medical Biotech, or Bioprocess Engineering) and prepare them thoroughly rather than trying to study all 150 topics

4Be careful with negative marking: since each wrong answer costs 1 mark, avoid wild guessing

5Solve previous years' papers to understand the typical pattern of questions and manage your time effectively

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DBT-BET exam?

The Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) is a national entrance exam in India for awarding the DBT Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF). It allows successful candidates to pursue doctoral research (Ph.D.) in biotechnology and life sciences at recognized universities and research institutions.

What is the difference between Category-I and Category-II merit lists?

Category-I qualifiers are eligible to receive fellowships from DBT to pursue a Ph.D. in any university/institute in India. Category-II qualifiers are eligible to be appointed in DBT-sponsored projects and receive fellowships equivalent to NET/GATE, subject to institutional selection processes.

What is the structure of the DBT-BET exam?

The exam consists of two parts: Section A has 50 compulsory questions covering General Science, Aptitude, and General Biotechnology. Section B has 150 specialized biotechnology questions, of which the candidate must attempt exactly 50. Total questions attempted must be 100. Each correct answer gains 3 marks, and each incorrect answer loses 1 mark.

What are the eligibility criteria for DBT-BET?

Candidates must have an M.Sc./M.Tech/M.V.Sc. or equivalent degree in Biotechnology or Life Sciences with at least 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwD/EWS). The maximum age limit is 28 years for the General category, with age relaxation for reserved categories and female candidates.

How much is the application fee for the exam?

For the 2026 cycle, the application fee is ₹1,300 for General, OBC (NCL), and EWS candidates. For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the fee is ₹650.