The entrance exam pattern for admission to Ph.D in English will differ from one University to another. Exam pattern for Ph.D in English Entrance Exam in Kurukshetra University and Pune University includes two separate papers. Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya carries out the test as a single paper. Syllabus for the exam covers topics like Indian Literature in English, Non-British English Literatures, Literary Theory and Criticism, etc. Certain Universities include Research Aptitude as part of entrance exam. In this session, one can expect questions from topics like Impact valuation, Reference citation, Research journals, etc.

Exam Pattern of Ph.D in English Entrance Exam

Kurukshetra University conducts the exam in two separate papers. First paper covers objective model questions where as second paper includes subject related questions. Time allotted for first paper is 1 hour and that for second paper is 2 hours. In descriptive or subject based paper, there will be short answer type questions as well as essay model questions.

Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya conducts Entrance Exam for Ph.D in English as a single paper. It covers both multiple choice as well as descriptive model questions. Time allotted for the completion of this test is 2 hours. Syllabus for the test covers questions from English language and Research Aptitude. One must score minimum 50% marks to clear the entrance test.

Syllabus of Ph.D in English Entrance Exam

Subject based Topics

• Chaucer to Shakespeare
• Contemporary Period
• Critical Theory
• Culture Studies
• English Linguistics
• Victorian Period
• European Literature from 18th to 20th Century
• American and other non-British Literatures
• Augustan Age: 18th Century Literature
• British Literature from 14th to 20th Century
• Indian Literature in English
• Indian Writing in English
• Jacobean to Restoration Periods
• Literary Theory and Criticism
• Non-British English Literatures
• Pragmatics
• Rhetoric and Prosody
• Modern Period
• Romantic Period
• Semiotics / Semiology
• Stylistics

Research Aptitude

• Abstracting services
• Impact valuation
• Literature reviewing
• National and international scenario of research
• Patent drafting
• Reference citation

The preparation for this exam can be done by collecting detailed syllabus of Ph.D in English entrance exam carried out by the concerned University. Based on the syllabus, one can set up time schedule for each topic. After gaining basic knowledge in individual topics, one can start with practicing model question papers. Practicing previous year questions will improve skills on time management and will help in getting familiarised with the question pattern. While preparing for the exam, one needs to make points in a separate paper.  This will help you in refreshing important points before the exam.