JMET: 2005 - 2007

JMET 2005 to 2007 Comparative Analysis

Overall Paper Pattern: In the last three years the exam has remained consistent in its pattern in terms of duration, number of questions (overall as well as sectional) marking scheme. The only difference has been in the level of difficulty and selection of sub-skill area.

True to its essence, the quantitative section in JMET has been consistent for its high level of difficulty (once could call it Just Math and Entirely-math Test). It has continued to be a nightmare for the best of the engineers taking the test. Other sections have also remained more or less consistent in the difficulty level – usually ranging in the moderate with quite a few choices of sitters in each skill set.

Comparative analysis of difficulty level of each sub-skill

Quantitative Ability

Being a test for Engineers, this section has lived up to its expectation for its very high level of difficulty. The test has been known to test on higher math concepts which is a departure from CAT. One should be prepared to face questions from integral calculus, derivatives, complex numbers, vector  algebra, conics, trigonometry, and matrices, although in JMET 2007, the focus in this section was questions of practical application of Mathematical principles, including Differential Calculus. What is recommended is to at least surf through the following topics:

• Standard formulae of Integration and solving using substitution method.
• Limits, standard result of Limits and solving them with L-Hospital’s rule.
• Maxima / Minima using derivatives, Identities of Matrices and Determinants.
• A brief analysis of 3 years (from 2005 to 2007) for QA section and its sub-skill break up

An overall division of total number of questions shows that Algebra and Arithmetic have been preferred by the paper setter. Trigonometry, Geometry, and Mensuration make the other preferred area for testing.

Since, this section has always remained the toughest – the approach should be to look for the right kind of questions and concentrate on accurate attempts limiting the number of questions and allotting extra time per question sufficient enough to clear the sectional cut-off.

Break up of Questions

Verbal Communication (Grammar, Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension)

This section has been comparatively easy in JMET and so far it has been mainly focusing on grammar and vocabulary. With the change in pattern, the difficulty of this section however should move up a notch. Yet, with the type of question selection so far offered (provided in the table below), one can expect to capitalize on this section, if one had done one’s preparation for CAT well. Yet, it is imperative to brush up basics of grammar and vocabulary.

Reading comprehension section so far consisted of small passages ranging from 3 – 6 in number, with 200 – 350 words per passage, with 2 – 6 Q per passage. The topics were diverse and offered an easy reading. Yet in the recent years, the questions have been inferential and some were word based and comparatively difficult because of the high level of ambiguity among the given answer choices.

Break up

Logical Reasoning

The logical reasoning section in JMET is a combination of English and  Numerical Reasoning. The section has been of moderate difficulty. One must be judicious in the selection of questions, as the section is a mix of easy and difficult questions, to maximize the attempts in this section.

Break up of questions

This section usually consists of good mix of verbal and logical reasoning as well as a selection of individual and set questions (4-6 questions per set). One should try and attempt as many individual easy questions as possible and be judicious (going for the kill) with the sets to maximize the scores.

While 2007 paper had more verbal, the 2006 had more LR and the 2005 paper was a combination of both. The verbal of 2007 was more attemptable in the individual questions, while in 2006 LR was easy and in 2005 DS and LR was the easy. Thus, this has been a mixed bag and one must expect the unexpected in this section.

Data Interpretation

This section has remained the easiest of all the 4 and requires mere speed involving mathematical calculations and good observation of details. So far this was definitely a section to maximize the overall score depending on one’s skills.

Break up

It is very important to pick questions in each set that requires mere observation than calculation, which means the student should maintain high mobility between sets if required to maximize the score in this section.

Cut-off Ranks for different IITs in the year 2007:

A look at the Ranks of the year 2007:

Overall conclusion:

Going by the last three year papers, one can assume that top students have been able to attempt more than 45% of the paper with a good accuracy. This is possible by following ways:

Maximize 1 section with maximum attempts with good accuracy. Show above average performance in two more sections and attempt the weakest section with reasonably good accuracy to clear the cut-off. An example score card of some of the toppers last year will clear the above point.

Rank 12: Score: 70: VA – 15.25; LR – 25.5; DI – 11.5; QA – 17.75

Rank 23: Score 69: VA – 14.25; LR – 31.25; DI – 14.5; QA – 9

Rank 309: Score: 59.75; VA – 11.75; LR – 29.25; DI – 11.25; QA – 7

Regular advice remains: Do not neglect a section; Allot time according to strengths but avoid unduly emphasis at the cost of other sections.

All the best

Team MBAGuru

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