CMAT Feb 2014 – back to pre-Sep 2013 pattern, easy & scoring (first day first slot analysis)

CMAT Feb 2014 is being conducted over a 5 day test window from 20

th Feb to 24

th Feb across 2

time slots (9:30 am to 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm). Overall the test was easy and students will score more than they did in the Sep CMAT. Quant and LR were easy. Quant especially had no time consuming questions. LR also did not have the lengthy and three variable arrangement questions. The questions were easy and some could be solved by eliminating options smartly. Language comprehension section had easy grammar and vocabulary based questions. It had 5 RCs with 3 questions each. These could make a difference for some students if they are not well prepared. Lastly, the General awareness section as always will be the key differentiator for high scoring students. Now coming to the sectional feedback: Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation This section can be rated as easy. Like the previous CMATs it had all single questions and no set based ones. The section had 10 odd questions (sitters) which were implementation of basic concepts in arithmetic, numbers and algebra. A few questions tested multiple concepts but were again on the easier side provided one is aware of those concepts. 20+ would be a good attempt. A general snapshot is as follows:

Area # of Questions Specifics

Arithmetic 8 to 9 Time Speed & Distance, Mixtures & Allegations, Simple Interest, Profit & Loss, Ratios, Averages

Numbers 3 Cyclicity rule, Percentages, Surds & Indices

Geometry 3 Co-ordinate Geometry, Mensuration, Congruence of Triangles

Modern Math 3 Permutations and Combinations, Progressions, Logarithm

Algebra 4 Simultaneous equations, Roots of Quadratic Equation, Inequalities

DI 2 Pie Chart, Table

Logical Reasoning This section can again be rated easy. The questions were not lengthy even those in case of groups and conditionalities. Secondly, there were hardly any arrangement based questions in 3 variables. Number of questions in Groups & Conditionalities was more than twice that on arrangements. The section again had single questions only and no set based ones. Again 18 to 20+ would be a good attempt. A general snapshot is as follows:

Area # of Questions Specifics

Arrangements 3 to 4 Circular arrangement, Linear arrangement

Groups & Conditionalities

8 to 9

Family tree 1

Logical Puzzles 1

True False 1

Series 2

Directions 2

Data Sufficiency 2

Visual Reasoning 1

Language Comprehension (LC) This section mirrored the Sep CMAT. There were 5 passages with 3 questions each. The passages had varied topics and contained 150-300 words. Barring one passage, the others filled almost 3/4

th of the computer screen. The questions that followed passages were not straight

forward. Most of the questions were inference based. The options too were close which made these questions moderately challenging. The remaining 10 questions were simple for someone who had been preparing vocabulary and grammar. The vocabulary based questions were not difficult and revolved around words that are used on a day to day basis. A general snapshot in Slot 1 is as follows:

Area No. of Qs. Specifics

Grammar 2 Sentence correction

Vocabulary 3 Analogy, synonym, multiple usage

FIJ 1

Paracompletion 1

Parajumbles 1

Critical Reasoning 8 Assumption, strengthen, weaken

Reading Comprehension 7 Tone, inference, meaning of phrases

General Awareness (GA)

This section was similar to the Sep CMAT. Around 6-7 questions were based on current affairs and the rest were static. The questions were spread across all areas: science, history, geography, literature, Indian culture, sports, business and economics. There were 2 image based questions. This section is the differentiator amongst the top score. If you are able to answer 10 to 15 odd questions in this section then you can easily get a 250+ overall CMAT score.

Results will be declared on 14th

March.