NMAT 2016 (Day 1, slot-1) was similar to last year's. There were three sections with no negative marking. A student could choose the sequence of sections. The overall test taking experience was a pleasant one with no technical glitches. Although there were no scheduled breaks, a student could take a break during the test. The timer does not pause during this break.
Overall, one should have solved close to 75-80 questions (across the sections) in 120 minutes. The remaining 40 - 45 questions should also have been attempted (guesses) since there is no negative marking.
The pattern of the paper was as follows:
S. no |
Section |
No. of Questions |
Time (in Minutes) |
Difficulty Level |
Possible |
1 |
Language Skills |
32 |
22 |
Easy-Moderate |
21 - 23 |
2 |
Quantitative Skills |
48 |
60 |
Moderate |
32 - 34 |
3 |
Logical Reasoning |
40 |
38 |
Easy- Moderate |
24 - 26 |
|
Total |
120 |
120 |
|
78 - 82 |
Language Skills
There were two RC passages (450-550 words each) with 4 questions each, one of these was difficult and the other was moderate. Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms and FIB) questions were of moderate level. Two of the four Para-Jumbles were lengthy with long sentences; the other two were quite easy. Error spotting questions and FIB based on grammar were easy-moderate. Cloze test was easy and should have definitely been attempted. A student could have easily attempted 21-23 questions correctly without any guesses.
There was just adequate time (22 minutes) to do these 32 questions. Doing RC in the last 2-3 minutes could have been injurious as one might just have finished reading the passage and realized that they do not have any time to mark the answers (despite knowing them). Questions in the first passage could not be done without reading the passage completely as they were inference based. Keeping these things in mind, the order in which you attempted these questions became extremely important. This can be said to be the most scoring section in NMAT.
Topic |
No. of Questions |
Reading Comprehension Passages |
8 (2 passages of 4 questions each) |
Para Jumble |
4 |
Error Spotting |
4 |
FIB (Prepositions) |
3 |
FIBs (vocabulary) |
3 |
Synonyms |
2 |
Antonym |
3 |
Analogy |
1 |
Cloze Test |
4 |
Total |
32 |
Quantitative Skills
The Quantitative Aptitude section was of moderate level of difficulty. There were quite a few sitters in the Math questions. The DI questions were calculation intensive and time consuming. It would pay to brush up calculation skills and vedic math before the test. The DS questions were of moderate level of difficulty and were based on numbers, algebra, and arithmetic. Those who are yet to take the exam are recommended to practice DS questions for GMAT. in order to prepare well for this section. Also, it is advisable to be very thorough with your concepts in Geometry. One might get some good questions on Number System as well here. One should have been able to solve around 32 - 34 questions here and the remaining questions should have been marked randomly.
Topic |
No. of Questions |
Profit & Loss |
1 |
Percentages |
2 |
Ratio & Proportion |
3 |
Time, Speed & Distance |
1 |
Work & Time |
2 |
Functions |
1 |
Quadratic Equations |
1 |
Geometry |
5 |
Mensuration |
1 |
DS |
6 |
DI |
20 (5 sets of 4 questions each) |
Number System |
5 |
Total |
48 |
Logical Reasoning
The LR section was of moderate level of difficulty. The questions on coding, blood relations, syllogism, statement assumption, course of action and critical reasoning were easy. A few questions were calculation based and were time consuming. One could have easily solved some 24 - 26 questions in the given 38 minutes.
Topic |
No. of Questions |
Coding |
4 |
Blood Relation |
2 |
Critical Reasoning |
6 |
Statement Assumption |
2 |
Statement Conclusion |
1 |
Course of Action |
1 |
Syllogism |
1 |
LR |
8 (2 sets of 4 questions each) |
Input/output |
4 |
Diagram Based |
3 |
Mathematical Puzzles |
4 |
Singlets |
4 |
Total |
40 |