Where the written test is conducted, the paper is objective and multiple choice and is based on the class 11 and class 12 syllabus in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with English or general awareness included in some years, so preparation follows the standard higher secondary science course. The number of questions, the duration, the distribution across subjects and the marking scheme including any negative marking are stated in the prospectus issued with the notification. After the result the university publishes a merit list and conducts counselling in which candidates verify documents, fill course and college preferences and are allotted seats in government and private institutions affiliated to the university, with reservation and residence rules applied as published. Vacant seats are filled in later rounds. Course names, seat matrices and fee categories differ between government and private institutions, and all of these details come from the official prospectus for the year.

Candidates must have passed class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and usually English, as subjects, meeting the qualifying marks specified in the official prospectus, with relaxation for reserved category candidates and persons with disabilities as stated there. Some courses accept mathematics in place of biology, and each course lists its own subject requirement, so the course wise table in the prospectus should be checked. Punjab residence and category certificates are required for state quota and reserved seats. Any age condition, the accepted equivalent qualifications and the documents required at counselling are set out in the prospectus published for the relevant admission year.