MH-CET

All the slots of CET-2017 were marked by exams which were on the difficult side. In general, the exam was more difficult than CET-2016. The question types across all the four sections were also identical and all slots had the same number of questions of each particular question type.

Furthermore, like CET 2016, CET-2017 was divided into the following four sections.

There were 5 options per question and the total time allotted was 150 minutes.

The question types in each section were identical for all the slots. The Test of Logical Reasoning was marked by difficult questions while the Test of Abstract Reasoning was the easiest test in CET-2017. The Test of Quantitative Aptitude was marked by a mix of manageable and difficult DI sets and also easy to medium QA questions. The Test of Verbal Ability/ Reading Comprehension section was marked by questions at higher levels of difficulty. Furthermore, there were some new question types in the VA/RC section that had not appeared in the CET for some years.

Across all slots, sets in Logical Reasoning – especially those on arrangements - were on the difficult side. The sets in Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation required students to make use of scroll bars to view the passage and/or all the options, which made the test taking experience inconvenient.  

CET-2017 was conducted by IBPS and the test dashboard resembled the layout of standard IBPS tests. Operations at the test centres were smooth and so far we have not received any major reports of glitches or break-down of computers. Some students faced difficulty in terms of hanging of computers or automatic logout. However the authorities assigned such students a different computer and ensured that such students did not lose any time during the test. In all the slots the conduct of the exam was a smooth affair as far as the computer interface is concerned.

Following is the overall analysis of individual tests across all slots.

Test of Verbal Ability/Reading Comprehension (50 questions)

This section included the Verbal Ability (Grammar-based and Vocabulary & Usage-based) questions, certain types of Verbal Reasoning questions, and the Reading Comprehension questions. There were a total of 35 VA/VR questions and 15 RC questions in this section. This section was slightly tougher than the corresponding section last year.

The VA/VR questions covered wide ranges of levels of difficulty, with several very simple ones as well as a few very tough ones. Among the easy ones that definitely should have been attempted were the set of 8 questions in the form of a passage where eight words were highlighted and you were asked if these were the correct words in the context (somewhat resembling cloze questions, but with highlighted words instead of blanks). Since the words were all very easy, these questions were sitters. The synonym/antonym questions were also very easy, with familiar words such as ‘incessant’, ‘grandeur’ and ‘eccentric’.

On the other hand, there were a number of grammar-based questions which may have proved tricky for students, especially considering the rather complex format of some of the questions. For example, a new type of question involved sentences with three highlighted words/phrases each and three different ways of phrasing the highlighted parts, and you were asked to identify the grammatically correct combinations.

The reasoning-based questions included an old format that hasn’t been seen in CET for some years: paragraph completion (i.e. a paragraph with a missing sentence is given and you have to choose which sentence fits in best). The close options for these questions made them tricky. On the other hand, the questions where you have to identify which sentence does not contribute to the main idea were all very easy, as the incorrect sentence was the only one in each case that did not mention the topic that the others discussed.

There were two Reading Comprehension passages, both of which were fairly easy. The passage of 8 questions was slightly more challenging. One had 7 questions and was a little long, but the questions were all very easy, so it was definitely doable. Both passages featured a number of vocabulary questions based on the passages. Even if you didn’t attempt the passages, you should have definitely solved these vocabulary questions.

Most of the questions had multiple choices in the form of (A)/ (B)/ (C)/ (D) and the answer was to be chosen from options [1]/ [2]/ [3]/ [4]/ [5] which were a combination of the above choices. (Example: [1]: Only (B) and (C); [2]: Only (A) and (D) and so on.) This added to the complexity of the section.

The overall break-up of the questions in the VARC test across all the slots was as follows:

A genuine attempt of around 34-36 questions would have been a good attempt.

Test of Quantitative Aptitude

Out of 50 questions in the Test of Quantitative Aptitude, 23 questions were on Data Interpretation and the remaining 27 questions were on Quantitative Aptitude (in all the slots). The 23 questions on Data Interpretation were spread across four sets. These four sets included one set each on Table (5 questions), Caselet (6 questions), Line Graph (6 questions) and a Pie Chart (6 questions). The set on Caselet was fairly time consuming; on the other hand, the sets on the Table and Line Graph were on the easier side. As a result, it was very crucial to select the right sets to attempt.

In Mathematics, there were 6 questions on odd man out in a number series (traditionally such questions have appeared in Logical Reasoning) and 5 questions on Data Sufficiency. In all the slots, the questions on Mathematics were dominated by questions on Arithmetic (13 questions including Data Sufficiency). There were 3 questions on Numbers and 2 questions on Modern Mathematics (Probability). Additionally there was one question each on Algebra and two questions on Geometry (including Data Sufficiency).

The questions on Number Series were easy and must not have been missed.  

Following was the break-up of the topics in this test (for all the slots):

Like in CAT-2016, in one question in Geometry involving Circles & Quadrilaterals, the Square Root sign could be mistaken for Pi.

In Data Sufficiency questions, different questions had different order of options. It was important to keep this fact in mind before marking the answers.

A genuine attempt of around 32-34 questions would have been a good attempt.

Test of Logical Reasoning (75 questions)

There were 58 questions on Non-Verbal Reasoning and 17 questions on Verbal Reasoning in all the slots. The questions on Non-Verbal Reasoning were dominated by questions on Arrangements. There were 30 questions on Arrangements in 6 different sets and in addition to that, there were two standalone questions on Linear Arrangement. In all the slots, the sets on arrangements were data heavy and were time consuming. One set based on arrangements involved some numerical calculations (such as calculation of averages). There was one set on family tree (4 questions), one on directions (4 questions), one set on Sequential Output with 6 questions and one set on coding with 5 questions.

As we had mentioned earlier, some sets in Logical Reasoning – especially the ones on arrangements - were on the difficult side. Therefore, it was a better move to mark some option and move to the next question/set. Some students could even explore the possibility of solving sets apart from the arrangement type sets first and attempt arrangement sets only if they have time.

In the Verbal Reasoning sub-section, there was more emphasis on the Critical Reasoning and Syllogism questions. The Syllogisms were overall moderate but time consuming across all the slots. The Strengthen-Weaken argument type questions did require some thought, but it was possible to come to a clear-cut answer in them. The Cause and Effect also required some thought before coming up with an answer. The Critical Reasoning questions were the easiest of the VR questions. Overall the questions were of a moderate level of difficulty.  

Across all slots, this section was characterized by a majority of time-consuming questions which were of medium difficulty level.

Following was the summary of the break-up of this section for both the slots.

A genuine attempt of around 40-42 questions in Logical Reasoning would have been considered a good attempt.

Test of Abstract Reasoning

This was the easiest section in all the slots of this CET. There were 25 questions in the test, mostly at easy to medium level of difficulty. The questions were complete the series (either the last term or a middle term in the series was missing) or analogies types of questions. The questions in this test were very similar to Visual Reasoning questions that appeared in earlier CET exams.

The break-up of the questions in this test was as follows:

A genuine attempt of around 20-22 would have been considered a good attempt.

An overall genuine attempt of around 125-130 questions would have been considered a good attempt for all the slots.