CMAT – Foundation & Exam Strategy
Topic: Marking Scheme
CMAT (Computer Mathematics Aptitude Test) is a 60‑minute, 80‑question multiple‑choice exam used by IITs and other Indian institutions for admission to engineering programmes. Understanding the marking scheme is essential for devising an optimal exam‑strategy.
1. Simple Explanation
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 80 (single‑correct‑answer MCQs) |
| Marks per correct answer | +1 |
| Penalty for a wrong answer | –0.25 |
| No attempt | 0 |
| Total possible maximum score | 80 |
| Minimum possible score | –20 (all wrong) |
| Net score | Sum of all +1 and –0.25 contributions |
Bottom line: The negative marking is only 25 % of a correct mark. Hence, the risk of guessing is low, and the reward for a correct answer is high.
2. Key Points
| Key Point | What it Means for You |
|---|---|
| Uniform weighting | Every question counts the same – 1 mark. |
| Penalise only for mistakes | Incorrect answers reduce your score; unattempted questions neither add nor subtract. |
| Guessing strategy | Because the penalty is small, you should attempt every question you can solve, even if you are not entirely sure. |
| Sectional distribution | 80 questions are evenly split across Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry. The marking scheme applies uniformly across all sections. |
| Time allocation | 60 minutes → ~45 seconds per question on average. Quick evaluation and elimination is essential. |
| Answer sheet | Use the provided marking sheet; mark your chosen option clearly and double‑check before submitting. |
| Score calculation | Score = (Correct × 1) – (Incorrect × 0.25) |
3. Worked Example
Scenario
- Correct answers: 50
- Incorrect answers: 20
- Unattempted: 10
Calculation
- Correct contribution
(50 \times 1 = 50) - Negative contribution
(20 \times (-0.25) = -5) - Unattempted contribution
(10 \times 0 = 0)
Final Score
[ \text{Score} = 50 - 5 + 0 = \boxed{45} ]
Take‑away
- Even with 20 wrong answers, the score remains positive.
- You still gained 45 marks from the 50 correct answers.
- Tip: In a real exam, aim to keep the number of wrong answers as low as possible, but you should still attempt questions you’re unsure about.
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Item | Quick Fact |
|---|---|
| Correct answer | +1 |