SNAPSHOT- SEP 2015 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 6^th Sep 2015, 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 SEP2015 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 60 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.

DATA ANALYSIS AND SUFFICIENCY

As shown in the table below, this test area comprises Data Interpretation (DI), Data Sufficiency (DS) and Data Comparison, with DI accounting for 25 out of 40 questions while Data Sufficiency and Data Comparison put together accounting for the remaining 15 questions. The questions in DI involved were based on observation, calculations like comparison of fractions, computing the averages , percentage based calculations etc. The types of charts were related to Line Graphs, Bar Charts, Tables, Pie Charts and Caselet. 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 marks.

AREA	DESCRIPTION	MARKS	DIFFICULTY LEVEL	ESTIMATED GOOD MARKS
Data Interpretation	There were two pie charts given. These two charts gave the water usage by different departments over the years 2011 and 2014.	5	Easy-Moderate	10
	These questions were based on 3 different line graphs. These graphs gave the details regarding the funds raised through various financial instruments in Capital Market.	5
	The set was based on the data given in the form of two different tables.	5
	This set was based on a caselet.	5
	These questions were based on three different charts. The first graph (in the form of line graph) gave the average price(in Rs lakhs) per car. The second graph was related to Bar Graph, which gave details related to the Car Production (in thousands) across various years. The third graph (line graph) gave details pertaining to the % growth in the entire car industry on Volume Basis (year wise).	5
Data Sufficiency & Data Comparison	Each question followed by two statements, A and B.	10	Moderate	6
	Data Comparison	5
Overall		40	Moderate	16

INTELLIGENCE AND CRITICAL REASONING

This test area is a mix of Analytical reasoning (27 questions) and Critical reasoning (13 questions). A good time allocation strategy would be to spend around 30 min. Overall, the questions on Analytical Reasoning were of easy-moderate difficulty level and a good student would have found this area manageable. For e.g, one of the questions, as based on the memory, pertaining to the same was “If CONSTABLE is coded as 91, then how is the word ALICE coded ? Overall this test area can be classified as MODERATE. A net score of 19 marks or above is considered to be a good score in this section.

AREA	DESCRIPTION	MARKS	DIFFICULTY LEVEL	ESTIMATED GOOD MARKS
Analytical Reasoning	5 sets of questions on small puzzles with 3 qs in each set (4 sets of puzzles related to Distribution model)	15	Easy -Moderate	15
	Blood Relations (individual questions)	3
	Direction Sense (individual questions)	2
	Quants based Reasoning	1
	Number & Letter series	4
	Miscellaneous	2
Critical Reasoning	Assertion and Reasons	4	Moderate	4
	Statement & Conclusions	5
	Course of Action	4
	Overall	40	Moderate	19

LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION

This test area, once again, had a good mix of 20 questions from Reading Comprehension and 20 questions from Verbals. A good time allocation strategy would be to spend around 30-35 min. There were five passages and each passage had four questions to be answered. The passages were of length ranging about 400 words. The questions in Verbal require basic knowledge about English usage & functional grammar. Overall, the test area can be classified as MODERATE. A good score is estimated to be 18 in the time limit of 30-35 min.

AREA	DESCRIPTION	MARKS	DIFFICULTY LEVEL	ESTIMATED GOOD MARKS
Vocabulary	Fill in the blanks (2 blanks)	4	Moderate	6
English Usage and Grammar	Most appropriate restatement	4	Moderate
	Para-Jumbles	4	Moderate -Difficult
	Question format: “Which of the following, if true, would account for the above situation, except”	4	Moderate -Difficult
	Error Identification	4	Moderate
Reading Comprehension	Passage with the theme: "Video Games are harmful to Kids”	4	Easy-Moderate	12
	Passage with the theme: Indian & Global Economy	4
	Passage with the theme: Economics	4
	Passage with the theme: Education Sector	4
	Passage with the theme : Lack of Reading Habits among Young People	4
Overall		40	Moderate	18

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

The paper predominantly 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 14.

AREA	DESCRIPTION	MARKS	DIFFICULTY LEVEL	ESTIMATED GOOD MARKS
Arithmetic	Time & Work, Pipes and Cisterns	2	Moderate -Difficult	12
	Time & Distance, Boats and Streams	3
	Simple Equations	4
	Ratio, Proportion, Variation	3
	Percentages, Profit, Loss, Partnership	6
	Geometry & Mensuration	5
	Progressions	1
	Venn Diagram	1
	Simple Interest, Compound Interest	8
Higher Math	Trigometry, Heights and Distance	3	Moderate -Difficult	2
	Permutation and Combinations	2
	Probability	2
	Overall	40	Moderate -Difficult	14

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 for a good net score of 7 marks.