SIMCET 8 EXPERTS TAKE

So how easy was SIMCET 8 ? Very, very easy. For those who have ironed out all of their
weakness and are in fine testtaking fettle, this test would have seemed like a cakewalk.
SimCET 8 was a simulation of an easy slot/paper of the CET. So many test takers would have
scored their best score of the season and would be happy at their achievement. But as all of you
know, it is only your percentile that eventually matters.An easy test is no good, whenever
there is relative grading or percentiles involved. So unlike when you did in school and college,
there is no point in praying for an easy test.
There were hardly any difficult questions in this paper . So, a score of 135+(which should be
your ideal score for a CET paper at this level of difficulty if you are targeting the top 8-10
MBA colleges in Maharashtra ) is achievable for a student who has a good reading speed, is
comfortable with all areas and practices regularly The following analysis gives an area-wise
break up of easy, medium and difficult questions, which will help you benchmark your
performance

VerbalAbility

The 30 Verbal Ability questions in this test were evenly distributed among easy and medium
ones 14 of both and there were 2 tough ones as well.
We hope that you have been studying sincerely so far, and have learnt all the necessary concepts.
With just 2-3 days left for the exam, there really isnt any time to learn anything new or even
improve your existing skills. So it would be best to spend these days identifying your strengths
and weaknesses, and honing your test-taking strategy to takes these into account.
One weakness that we have observed over and over again is a tendency to make silly mistakes.
Because of the time constraints of the CET, students tend not to read a question fully before
answering it. While this is understandable to a certain extent, it can backfire in grammar-based
questions, because in order to identify a grammatical error, you need to read a sentence
thoroughly. For example, only 14% of test-takers got Q. 40 correct, though it tests a very simple
concept that you would have learnt early on in your studies (subject-verb agreement). Only if
you were reading the sentence superficially and far too fast would you identify relationship,
rather than attitudes, as the subject of the verb explains. Remember that you need to
understand a sentence in order to see if it is grammatically correct, and in order to do that, you
have to read it fully.
Since this is the last SimCET, we will go over a few general pointers for VA questions:
VA questions like Synonyms & Antonyms, Cloze, Incorrect Words, etc. take very little time
to read, which is vital in a test like CET which has such a huge number of questions. So
make sure you solve these questions.
That said, these questions dont necessarily offer the most scoring potential: the words in
Synonyms & Antonyms may be tough, or the Incorrect Words questions may involve an
obscure idiomatic phrase, and so on. So dont pin all your hopes on these questions. Solve as
many questions as you can, and focus on your strengths, whatever they might be.

Mark an answer for all questions, whether or not you solve them. (This applies to all
questions, not just the VA ones.)

The overall break-up of the questions was as follows:

Area
Easy
Synonyms & Antonyms
1
Phrase Meaning
Incorrect Words
2
Grammar Highlighted Phrases
4
Cloze (2 passages, 5 blanks each)
4
Grammar Sentence Combination
3
Total
14

Medium
2
1
2
1
6
2
14

Difficult Total
1
4
1
1
5
5
10
5
2
30

Verbal Reasoning
The 26 VR questions in this test were predominantly easy: 18 were easy, 8 were medium and
none were difficult.
Since this is the last SimCET, we will just go over a few general pointers for VR questions:
If you hope to answer VR questions correctly, you need to have strong concepts. If there are
some types of questions that you are simply not good at for example, there are many people
who find it difficult to wrap their heads around Syllogisms then its better to just admit it to
yourself and avoid those questions, rather than wasting time solving something that you
know you probably wont get right. (Of course, you should always mark the answer, so that
you have at least a random chance of getting it right.)
Reasoning-based questions, such as Critical Reasoning or Strengthen/Weaken the Argument
can be tough to answer even if your concepts are strong, because there is an element of
subjectivity to them: what the exam setter thinks is a strong argument may not seem like one
to you and vice versa. These questions also involve considerable reading. Leave them till the
end, and solve them only if you have the time to understand them fully.
Remember to read the directions. This applies to all types of questions, but especially VR
ones. For example, the directions for the Syllogisms may state that the correct conclusion
should be inferable from more than one premise, in which case a conclusion that can be
validly inferred from only one premise would be incorrect.
The overall break-up of the questions was as follows:
Area
Critical Reasoning (1 set of 2 questions, 3 single
questions)
Course of Action
Jumbled Paragraph
Syllogisms
Incorrect Sentence in Context
Strengthen/Weaken the Argument
Total

Easy

Medium Difficult Total

2
1
5
4
4
2
18

3
1
1
8

5
1
5
7
5
3
26

Reading Comprehension
The two RC passages in this SimCET had 5 questions each. The majority of the questions were
easy, and there were no tough ones at all.
The first passage (Qs. 44-48 the one on Dj Vu) was a little difficult to read, but the questions
were straightforward. The second passage (Qs. 100-104 the one on the Slice of Life genre)
was extremely simple, as were the questions.
Since this is the last SimCET, we will go over a few general pointers for RC questions:
Solving RC questions takes a lot of time, so leave them for the end of the test.
Solve the questions only if you have time to read them; otherwise, just mark an answer at
random.
Time is of the essence in CET, so dont read the entire passage unless its a very short one.
Preferably skim it only, and scan for particular information after reading the questions.
If you do take the time to solve RC questions, do it right. Try to understand the passage and
read the questions and options fully. There is no point in spending precious time on the
questions and then doing them only half-heartedly.
The overall break-up of the questions was as follows:
Area
Passage Dj Vu
Passage Slice of Life
Total

Easy
4
4
8

Medium Difficult Total

1
5
1
5
2
10

LOGICAL REASONING
In terms of level of difficulty , this area was on par with SIMCET 7. The set based on Matrix
Arrangements (Q 105-111)should have been left for the end as it was quite time consuming .The
remaining question sets were of an easy-medium level and were all quite solvable.The accuracy
rate for the questions based on Odd Man Out Series and Sequential Output was very low ,with
just about 1 out of 4 test takers getting these correct.However,these questions should always be
attempted ,however difficult they are as it takes very less time to analyze these questions.
Generally questions based on Series & Coding involve you to understand a logic and should
take not more than 30-45 seconds to get the same .Even a set based on Sequential
Output should not take you more than 90-120 seconds to get the underlying pattern .Within these
time limits if you are not able to understand the pattern /logic for the question/set it would be
advisable to mark the answers and move on.

An area-wise analysis is given below

Area
Family Tree
Linear Arrangements
Circular Arrangements
Matrix Arrangements
Sequential Output
Symbol based Logic
Conditional Coding
Odd Man Out -Series

Easy

Medium

Difficult
6
2
6
6
6

5
6
6

At this stage, we would recommend students to first attempt all the questions on those areas
they are comfortable with and that can be solved quickly rather than spending time on
time-consuming questions.Students are strongly advised not to spend too much time on
questions but to move on to other questions. Remember that if you find the questions to be
difficult or time-consuming most other candidates are also likely to feel the same way. Under
these circumstances, it is important to not lose patience or feel disheartened. If many questions
are very time consuming,your ability to identify and attempt easy questions (and not waste too
much time on each individual question) will fetch you more marks in and bring you closer to
your dream B-school..
QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
What we observed in this SIMCET again is that a lot of you are not aware of the basic formulae
and concepts in Geometry and Modern Math .Take the case of Q24,161 and Q163 ,where all
required was the knowledge of basic formulae of Volume of a Cone,Total Surface Area of
Sphere & Hemisphere and Distance between 2 points.Just about 1 in 4 test takers have got
these questions right.At this stage if you cannot get such questions right ,it would be nearly
impossible to clear the cutoff for the top colleges.
An area-wise analysis is given below
Area
Geometry (Circles&Triangles,3D-Objects,Circles
&Polygons,Triangles)
Arithmetic(Partnership,Mixtures,Averages,TSD,Pipes&Cisterns,
Profit&Loss)
Algebra Simultaneous Equations
Numbers -Divisibility,HCF &LCM
Modern Math (P&C,Sequences& Series ,Set
Theory,Probability)
Quantitative Comparison (TSD ,Probability ,3-D Objects ,Coordinate Geometry , ,BODMAS,Arithmetic/Geometric Mean)

Easy

Medium

Difficult

1
1

2
2

In the remaining time before the actual CET, you are advised to focus on the areas of your
strength. Make sure that you are familiar with all the concepts, formulae and shortcuts. If
you dont understand a particular problem or are unable to find the right approach, wherever
possible, try to eliminate options that cannot be correct, before marking the answer. Several
students find questions on Modern Mathematics (Permutations & Combinations and Probability)
difficult. If you still havent worked on other important topics in Arithmetic and Algebra (that
have traditionally dominated problem solving questions in CET), make sure that you are
comfortable with those areas first before you start working on P&C or Probability
VISUAL REASONING
The Visual Reasoning questions were by far the easiest in this SIMCET as compared to the
previous SIMCETs ,with an average accuracy rate of 60% and this was a major factor
contributing to the high scores .All questions in Visual Reasoning should have been attempted.

The overall break-up of the questions is given below:

Area

Easy

Medium

Difficult

Vis R - Dissimilar pair amongst 5 pairs

Vis R - Similar pair to Master Pair

Vis R - 4 figure Analogies
Vis R -Series (Completion ) -6 FIGURE
Vis R -Series (Missing) -5 FIGURE

4
8

1
3
5
5

In Visual Reasoning ,a lot of students find questions with multiple elements (generally 5 or
more) very confusing .Remember,when you have multiple elements in a block, focus on the
behavior of the individual elements (and not on the whole block). See the behavior of the
individual elements (their movement in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction/ their inversion/
their mirror or water image etc). That will help you eliminate options. The most effective way
of solving Visual Reasoning questions is eliminating options. In most cases at least 2, or at
times even 3, options can be eliminated.

DATA INTERPRETATION & DATA SUFFICIENCY

Data Interpretation Sets were all very easy and should have been attempted.A few of you were
troubled by the 2 questions in the Table Set( Q 171 & 172). Q171 is an example of how
approximation techniques can be used to solve a questions .If we divide total number of Mahipal
& Channa students by total students in the 4 universities we get 4520/9400* 100.Now half or
50% of 9400 is 4700 ,which is just slightly higher than 4520 .This rules out options (3) &
(5).Also 4700-4520=180,which is about 2% of 9400 .So 4520 is approximately about 100 -502=48% of 9400.

The overall break-up of the questions is given below:

Area
Line Graphs
Tables
Pie Chart
Bar graph

Easy
5
5
5
6

Medium

Difficult

Students are advised to thoroughly revise all the approximation and speed calculation
techniques learnt in the class. You should know all the tables and squares up to 25. Before you
start solving a Data Interpretation question, see how close the options are. If the options are not
close, you can use approximation but if the options are close, you will have to find the actual
answer.
Quite a few of the Data Sufficiency questions( 10 in all -5 on Quant and 5 on Logical
Reasoning) were slightly tricky and required adequate knowledge of concepts. A lot of you were
troubled by the question on Family Tree ( Q-145).For Data Sufficiency questions, it is
important to read and understand what the question is asking .Also each statement should
be read individually first to understand complete information provided by it . In Q 145 (on
Family tree ) , a lot of you have thought it necessary to combine both statements,where the
question could be answered by the first statement alone.What the question is asking is how Q is
related to S.Statement I provides information of gender of Q and relation with P ,who is father
of R and U.So Q has to be mother-in-law of S (as per data provided in the question),who is
married to one of R or U as there are 3 couples .Neither is it important to know gender of S nor
is it important to know which one of the two from R and U is S married to.

Epilogue

So here we are. The last SimCET has ended. You have executed all your strategies. Each one of
you who is a serious aspirant would have followed a different trajectory during the SimCET
season to reach this point. So what do you do now?
Well firstly, it is never over till the CET is actually over. There is a still a lot you can do to turn
the tables and get that momentum that will take you to your desired level for which we have a
plan.
All the concepts required to crack the CET have been tested on the SimCETs. So the best

thing to do now is to sit with the SimCETs.

You need not solve each and every question. Just learn to solve the questions you did not

solve during the test and remember the concepts behind them.

DO NOT BECOME HAMLET

In any competitive scenario, it is natural for the participants to be plagued with self-doubt just
like Prince Hamlet. The test-taking community is most susceptible to this sort of a plague. Can I
do it? Am I good enough? What if the pressure gets to me? It goes without saying that satisfying
answers to these questions will be the result of how you spend your 150 minutes on the day of
the CET.

DONTS ON TEST DAY

Do not forget to to keep looking at the timer frequently.
Do not get stuck on a standalone question for more than 45 Seconds if you are not sure of
getting the answer in the next 15 seconds.
Do not ignore the MARK button.
Do not end up with unread questions at the end of 150 minutes. Do not panic; if it seems tough
to you, it is tough for everyone else too.
Dont forget to mark answers to all questions .There is no negative marking in CET
Over the last few years the test structure has been pretty much fixed. However, if you see some
unknown question type, just keep your cool and read the directions properly before you answer.
So here is wishing each one of you all the very best for MH-CET 2015. May your performance
be good enough for you to get into your dream business schools. Have a great 150 minutes
ALL THE BEST FOR MH-CET 2015 !!!!