Exam Analysis: IPMAT 2017

Exam Analysis: IPMAT 2017
IIM Indore, 5-year Integrated Program in Management

Total Questions: 100
Duration: 120 minutes
Marking: +4 for Correct & -1 for incorrect answers

Online IPM-AT version 2 was much better than its version 1 in 2016. In its second online test, IPM-AT tried to do the balancing act. Overall, the test was conducted smoothly with no errors or issues being reported from any center. Though the paper was on expected lines, there was one surprise in the form of questions which had multiple correct answers. Thankfully there were no negative marking for these questions, but a new pattern is always surprising. There were around 10 non-mcq questions in Quantitative Aptitude section and none in Verbal Ability section. Unlike last year, an online calculator was not provided this year. Let us have a look at each section in detail.

Section 1: Verbal Ability
Total questions: 40
Duration: 45 Minutes

Verbal Ability section has consistently maintained similar pattern and level of difficulty. This year too, the break-up of questions was even. There were two passage carrying 5 questions each. The passage on the environment was an interesting read but questions were pretty direct. The passage on how technology like internet etc has changed the way people behave in social life was also interesting. It had some tougher questions based on inference like the title of the passage, the tone of the passage etc. Both the passages were around 350 words and hence a well-prepared student would have attempted almost all questions in 12 to 14 minutes. Questions based on grammar were divided into two types, phrasal verbs based question in the form of fill in the blanks which were around 5 and Sentence correction based questions which were also around 5. This year, weightage in vocabulary was reduced as there were only 10 questions divided equally into two types viz Word Usage and Fill in the Blanks. Most of these questions can be considered as easy. There were few questions on writing Passage summary as well. Interestingly, there were questions where an entire sentence was to be added in the blank. The same can be considered as Logical continuation type question. Questions based on Parajumbles were moderate as the options were relatively close. Questions on Critical reasoning were missing, though it helped in reducing the level of difficulty, it would have helped improvise the balance of questions. Because of less focus on direct vocabulary questions and better quality of RC, we can consider this section as Moderate and not easy. Good attempts in 45 minutes can be 34+ while good score assuming 85% accuracy can be 112.

Section 2: Quantitative Aptitude
Total Questions: 60
Duration: 75 Minutes

As expected, this section was again being dominated by Algebra and modern maths based questions. Questions from arithmetic were fewer. Function, Coordinate Geometry, Matrices, Log, Progression, Permutation & Combination, and Probability had the highest weightage in the entire section. Almost 40% of the section was from these topics. Questions based on concepts like Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance, Set Theory, Percentages, Averages, etc were negligible or not present at all. Questions on basic algebra and equations were also lengthy and time-consuming as they were mostly word problems. Geometry & Mensuration including trigonometry had around 11 questions. Set based on arrangements was blessings in disguise as it is generally not expected in this section. A new variety of questions were introduced for the first time where there were multiple correct answers. Around 4 questions were such which had two correct answer choices and the student had to mark both the correct choices in order to get the score from that question. Though, there was no negative marking in these questions, attempting them was time-consuming. Data comparison type questions were also asked for the first time. Though these questions were not actually tough, less practice or no prior exposure to such questions would have compelled students to either spend more time or leave the questions un-attempted. There were no questions on Data Interpretation. Overall, the section can be classified as tough as most of the questions were indirect or lengthy. Good attempts in 75 minutes can be 40+. Good score in this section can be around 135+.

Synopsis

Estimated Cut-offs (Aptitude Test Score out of 100): 55+ (General Category)

**Scaled scores are calculated as per the formula given by IIM on their website.

Also check the Video Analysis of IPMAT 2017 here.