IPM-AT 2016 Exam Analysis

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

This was for the first time that IPM-AT was conducted online. As per original notification, the test was not supposed to be Computer Based, but later on the institute decided to change the mode. However, there was no sample test or online demo test given by institute. This would have surely caught some candidates unprepared. Exam conducting authorities were very strict with verifying the ID cards and due to this there were some students who could not appear for the exam. This was really disappointing but very important lesson to learn for students and parents. No technical glitches have been reported so far so in that sense, transition from paper based to online mode was smooth. There were few surprises in the form of non-mcq type questions, Matrices based questions and some questions which required application of physics too. I guess the hint was given by institute when it announced that “Maths” should be compulsory subject in boards. But, later on this rule was withdrawn and students without “Maths” were allowed to apply. I guess, this change was not communicated to paper setter J. At least it looked like that from the level of difficulty of Quantitative Section. Let us have a look at each section to understand IPM-AT in a better way.

Section 1: Verbal Ability

Total questions: 40

Looks like the section was complete replica of what was asked last year. Just that the mode of exam changed from paper based on online. Perfect balance in variety of questions in this section as it was in year 2015. Starting with Reading Comprehension, there were two passages with around 300 to 400 words each, followed by 4 questions in each passage. Questions types were sitters for anyone who has sincerely prepared for comprehensions. There was one question on cracking the meaning of word, rest of the questions were based on inference. Almost half of the section was dominated by Vocabulary having all standard formats of questions evenly distributed within it. Synonym, Antonym and Word usage were really simple while questions based on Analogy required some reasoning skills too. Questions on passage completion can be considered to be moderate primarily because very few candidates were prepared on this type of questions. Parajumbles were also easy to moderate. Overall, we can conclude that the section was easy to moderate and an attempt of 35+ can be achieved in approximately 30 to 35 minutes. Good score in this section could be 110+.

Section 2: Quantitative Aptitude

Total Questions: 60

Well, I guess all the candidates had the hint of level of difficulty that they could have expected in this section. And the exam did not surprise anyone. As expected, this section was full of tough quant questions. Dominated by higher algebra based and application based questions, this section ruled the mind of all candidates throughout the exam and after that. Finding questions on Matrices was a huge shock as such questions are not asked even in CAT. Another shocker was in the form of ‘Key-in’ or ‘non-mcq’ questions like CAT. Yes, there were 4 question based on DI which required students to ‘key-in’ the answer instead of choosing the option. Online calculator was something that most of the students did not notice. There were very few questions based on standard arithmetic concepts like Percentages, Ratio, Average, etc. So candidates were left with no choice but to scratch their head and struggle in algebra based word problems only. There were around 7 to 8 questions based on mixed application of Geometry, 5 on Coordinate, 3-4 on Logarithms, and 4 to 5 each on Set Theory, Probability and Trigonometry. Questions on finding the remainder were bit tricky but relatively easy. There were few questions which had the application of physics too. For a moment, candidates would have got confused whether they were writing Aptitude Test of JEE J. Overall, a well prepared candidate could have attempted 32+ questions with accuracy rate of 80% and above. So, good score can be anything above 90.

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