After so many uncertainties and multiple postponements, at last arrived the day all of us have been waiting for so long. IIM Indore could finally conduct the IPM-AT on 7th September 2020 in various centres across the country. There was a slight change in the exam pattern this year – thanks to so many reschedules. The test was a computer-based test, similar to last year, but had a reduced number of questions this time around. The questions were spread across three sections – Quantitative Ability (Short Answer Type questions), Quantitative Ability (MCQs), and Verbal Ability with 10, 20, and 30 questions respectively. Order of sections was also pre-defined. In the second and the third sections, each question carried 4 marks and there was a negative marking of 1 mark for each of the wrong responses. However, in the first section, the answers had to be typed in the box provided against each of the questions. There was no negative marking for incorrect answers in this section.

Sectional cut-off applied in all the three areas which means that the test-takers were expected to show their competence in all the sections. The total duration of the test was 90 minutes as against 120 minutes last year. The sectional time limit was 30 minutes for each of the sections and one could move to the next section only once the sectional time limit was over.

In comparison to the last year’s question paper, the exam this year had relatively easier questions.

Let us now have a look at the individual sections:

Section 1: Quantitative Ability (Short Answer Type Questions)

As the case was last year, IPM-AT had a separate section on short answer type questions in quantitative ability area. There was no negative marking in this section. This section was medium-high in terms of difficulty. The questions were predominantly asked from the topics like Logarithms, Sequence & Series, P&C, Probability, Arithmetic, Venn Diagrams, etc. Following is the distribution of the questions from various topics:

A score of (24 +/- 2) can be considered a good one in this section.

Section 2: Quantitative Ability (MCQ)

The Quantitative Ability (MCQ) section was mostly doable. The section saw questions from a gamut of topics. A significant number of questions were present from Numbers, Algebra, and Pure Maths. A single set on Data Interpretation (Five questions) was also there. The break-up of the topic-wise questions is given as under:

A score of around (45 +/- 2) can be considered a good score in this section.

Section 3: Verbal Ability

There were no surprises in the Verbal Ability section this year, as the pattern was similar to that of the last year. The section was easy-moderate, and all the questions could have been attempted in the given time.

Following is the broad distribution of questions in this section:

An attempt of 23-24 can be considered a good attempt in this section and a score of (80+/- 2) should be a good one.

Overall Verdict

Owing to the higher difficulty level of the exam, the cut-offs are expected to be around (150 +/- 5).

Disclaimer: All information on cut-offs, analysis, and scores are based on independent analysis and evaluation made by T.I.M.E. We do not take responsibility for any decision that might be taken, based on this information

All the best

Team T.I.M.E.