SNAPSHOT-MAY 2016 MAT EXAM

Number of Questions	200
Marking Scheme	1 mark per question
Negative Marking	0.25 marks per question
Number of Sections	5
Number of Choices	4(1.2,3,4)
Duration	150 minutes

This MAT exam, conducted on 1^st May 2016, had 200 questions to be attempted in 150 minutes. These 200 questions were from five test areas viz. Language Comprehension, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Indian and Global Environment with exactly 40 questions in each. Each question had equal marking and one-fourth mark was deducted for every wrong answer. For the sake of convenience, 1 mark has been taken for every correct answer.

OVERALL SUMMARY(ESTIMATED FOR MAY 2016 MAT EXAM)

The consolidated score is evaluated by taking only four areas into account. Indian and Global Environment (GK) is not the part of the consolidated score. Hence, the scoring is done out of a maximum possible score of 160 marks(@1 mark for 160 qs). However, the score card(by AIMA) doesnot give the net marks. It gives the scaled score and the percentile in each and every section. It also gives the overall composite score and the overall percentile. A net score in excess of 62 marks (excluding the score in GK) is considered to be a very good score.

Let us analyze the different types of questions from each of the test area along with the overall difficulty level of each of the test area.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

The section had questions from the Arithmetic areas like (Percentages, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Mensuration, Time and Distance, Simple Equations, Ratio, Proportion, Variation). The questions involved only the basics and those who would have done adequate practice would have found those questions quite doable. The success in this particular test area depended on one's basic conceptual skills, and calculation skills. Overall, the test area can be classified as MODERATE- DIFFICULT. A good time allocation strategy would be to spend around 35-40 min for a very good net score of 16. All the questions in this section were same as what were asked in MAT exam (Sep 2015).

AREA	DESCRIPTION	MARKS	DIFFICULTY LEVEL	ESTIMATED GOOD MARKS
Arithmetic	Time & Work, Pipes and Cisterns	3	Moderate -Difficult	14
	Time & Distance, Boats and Streams	3
	Simple Equations, Ratio, Proportion, Variation	6
	Venn Diagram	1
	Percentages, Profit, Loss, Partnership	3
	Geometry & Mensuration	7
	Averages	1
	Simple Interest, Compound Interest	9
	Coordinate Geometry	1
Higher Math	Trigonometry, Heights and Distance	3	Moderate	2
	Permutation and Combinations	1
	Probability	2
	Overall	40	Moderate -Difficult	16

DATA ANALYSIS AND SUFFICIENCY

As shown in the table below, this test area comprises DI, DS and Data Comparison, with DI accounting for 25 out of 40 questions while DS and Data Comparison put together accounting for the remaining 15 questions. The questions in DI involved were of standard model -based on observation, calculations like comparison of fractions, computing the average, percentage based calculations etc. Overall, this test area can be considered to be Moderate. A good time allocation strategy would be to spend around 35-40 min for a good net score of 16

AREA	DESCRIPTION	MARKS	DIFFICULTY LEVEL	ESTIMATED GOOD MARKS
Data Interpretation	There were two pie charts (Sales of seven different types of tyres)	5	Moderate	10
	The questions were based on data given in the form of Bar Graph + Pie Chart. Bar Graph gave fruit Production for the years 2009-14 While Pie Chart gave the break-up of six different fruits for each year.	5
	The set was based on the data given in the form of four bar charts (production of four products)	5
	The data was pertaining to caselet (distribution of land and money)	5
	The data presented in the form of 2 line charts (giving the GDP of a country and % of GDP spent on a country)	5
Data Sufficiency & Data Comparison	Data Sufficiency-> Each qs followed by two statements, A and B.	7	Easy	6
	Data Comparison	8
Overall		40	Moderate	16

INTELLIGENCE AND CRITICAL REASONING

This sections was a mix of Analytical Reasoning (32 questions) and Critical Reasoning (8 questions). A good time allocation strategy would be to spend 30-35 minutes on this section. Overall, the questions were of a moderate level of difficulty. Questions of topics like Blood Relations and Direction Sense were easy, but the questions on Distribution can be classified as moderate – difficult. A net score of 20 or more can be classified as a good score in this section.

AREA	DESCRIPTION	MARKS	DIFFICULTY LEVEL	ESTIMATED GOOD MARKS
Analytical Reasoning	Distribution (Puzzles)	4	Moderate	15
	Selection	2
	Blood Relations	3
	Direction Sense (individual question)	3
	Coding Decoding	2
	Cubes/Dice	4
	Linear Arrangement	3
	Reasoning Set (Miscellaneous)	4
	Number & letter series	3
	Seating Arrangement (Rectangular)	3
	Miscellaneous	1
Critical Reasoning	Assertion and Reasons	4	Moderate	5
	Statement & Conclusions	4
	Overall	40	Moderate	20

LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION

This section comprised a total of 40 questions. There were a total of 20 questions from 5 passages and 20 questions from Verbals as outlined below. About 15 qs in Verbal Ability were repeated from the MAT exam MAY 2015

A)Reading comprehension:A total of five passages, with 4 questions each.

Passage I:It was based on the theme “Sustainable Development”.

Passage II:The passage was based on “Environmental Ecosystem”

Passage III: The passage was based on “US Grand Area Project”

Passage IV:The passage was based on “GATIMAAN Launch”

Passage V: The passage was based on “GDP, Real Growth of Indian Economy”.

B) Best essence: There were a total of 5 questions, with medium level difficulty (same as which appeared in May 2015)

C) Fill in the blanks: There were a total of 5 questions, each with two blanks.

D) Sentence error (5 qs): Each sentence was broken down into four parts labeled (1), (2), (3), (4).

E) Para formation questions: There were a total of 5 questions (same as what were asked for the exam May 2015)

INDIAN AND GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT

The questions in this test area were, predominantly, from business, current affairs, Person and their associated fields, etc. Those who read newspapers on a regular basis will find this area comfortable. Overall this test area can be classified as Moderate. It is to be noted that the marks scored in this section is NOT counted in the consolidated score. A good time allocation strategy would be to spend around 5 minutes.