NMAT 2018 - Analysis

The paper pattern was as follows:

Logical Reasoning

The Logical Reasoning section was easy-moderate.

There were 25 questions based on Analytical and logical reasoning. Most of the questions were from predictable areas. There were two LR sets, first one was 4 variables based arrangement set in which 5 different people ,their co producers ,their cities and other information were given and had to be arranged accordingly while in the second set, 6 friends were there and their age were given along with certain conditions. The second set was slightly time consuming. The singlets were pretty easy. Questions based on machine input output were tricky as some numeric values were given for letter based input and then these numbers were coded in further steps. The blood relation questions were very easy. Questions based on coding-decoding had variety in terms of logic in all three questions, out of which one was very tricky.

There were 15 questions from Verbal Logic. Eight of those were critical reasoning questions. The paragraphs were short and easy to read. So, the difficulty level remained moderate. The options were not too close. Any student, with a basic understanding the fundamentals of verbal logic, could have attempted these without any difficulty. The two decision making paragraphs required one to apply the basic codes of ethics and integrity. Reading on the concepts of leadership and responsibility can help with these questions. The syllogism question (only one) was a sitter. There was a question (based on fact and statement) which was basically a syllogism question in disguise. The remaining questions in verbal logic ranged from easy to moderate level of difficulty.

Overall, as compared to last year, this section was easy. An attempt of 25-29 with 90% accuracy was achievable.

Quantitative Skills

The Quantitative Aptitude section was of easy-moderate level. As per the trend, Arithmetic and Number system dominated the section. The Data Sufficiency questions varied across topics such as Number system, Profit and loss, and Average. These questions were of moderate-difficult level. The requisite for solving these questions was clarity in terms of basic concepts. There were 5 DI sets which included pie-chart, line graph, mixed graphs, and tables, each containing 4 questions. Questions from mixed graph were calculation intensive and questions from Pie chart were time consuming . The remaining 3 sets were easy and less calculation intensive. For a well prepared student 35 – 38 proper attempts were certainly possible.

Language Skills

The vocabulary questions have been relatively easy this year. The number of analogy based questions has reduced in comparison. The cloze test question with three blanks were easy to answer. Only one particular blank might pose some confusion.

The two Reading Comprehension passages made all the difference in this section as the passages were lengthy and the options were tedious to read. However, with a bit of common sense, a student could have attempted these questions.

There were four para-jumble questions. These were not difficult. The remaining were grammar based. The preposition based Fill-in-the-blank questions were quite easy. The sentence correct questions were easy too and out of the three questions, two were based on subject-verb agreement errors.

Overall, the section was of moderate level of difficulty keeping in mind the time constraint. An overall attempt of 26-28 with 95% accuracy is realistic. The other questions could have been educated guesswork.

TEAM CL