The SNAP exam Pattern is prescribed by the conducting body - Symbiosis International (Deemed) University (SIU). The exam pattern of SNAP is similar to that of the other MBA exams, i.e., an MCQ based test paper to be solved in a limited time. SNAP is considered to have the most student friendly test structure.
The SNAP Exam has 3 sections - General English (GE), Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency (QA, DI-DS) and Analytical & Logical Reasoning (A-LR). The conducting body for SNAP also conducts mock tests for its registered candidates on their website snaptest.org to familiarize the applicants with the SNAP Exam Pattern. Read further to know about the SNAP test exam pattern including important details like the SNAP Marking Scheme, sectional time limit,,and weightage.
The pattern of SNAP exam has seen some significant changes over the years and the major change was the reduction in the overall time limit and the number of questions asked. Earlier, the SNAP Test was conducted for 2 hours (120 mins.) which has now been reduced to just 1 hour (60 minutes). The SNAP exam is set to be conducted on 8, 15, and 21st December 2024.
SNAP Exam Pattern Key Highlights
Below mentioned are the key highlights of the SNAP Exam. Candidates are advised to check these highlights to understand the test pattern and structure of the SNAP exam.
|
SNAP Exam Structure |
Details |
|
Number of sections |
|
|
Duration of exam |
60 minutes |
|
Number of questions |
60 |
|
SNAP Total marks |
60 |
|
Language of paper |
English |
|
Number of attempts |
Three |
|
Mode of examination |
Computer-based |
|
SNAP Marking Scheme |
+1 for each correct answer |
|
Negative Marking in SNAP |
-0.25 (1/4th) for every incorrect answer |
SNAP Pattern: Section-Wise Breakup & Time Limit
The SNAP Exam has 3 sections to be completed, namely General English (GE), Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency (QA, DI-DS) and Analytical & Logical Reasoning (A-LR). To obtain a good score in SNAP it is essential to attempt a good number of questions and not take any chances with the tough questions. There is a negative marking in SNAP for incorrect answers but not for unattempted questions. Hence, it is safer to not attempt a question that you find difficult rather than making an unsuccessful attempt. Check the section-wise breakup of questions tabulated below.
SNAP Pattern: Sectional Breakup
|
SNAP Sections |
Number of MCQs |
SNAP Total Marks |
|
General English (VARC) |
15 |
15 |
|
Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency |
20 |
20 |
|
Analytical & Logical Reasoning |
25 |
25 |
|
Total |
60 |
60 |
SNAP Pattern: Sectional Time Limit
The total time given to solve the SNAP Exam is 60 minutes or 1 hour. There is no sectional time limit to attempt the questions and the applicants can solve the paper as per their preferred strategy. No breaks are allowed in between the exam. However, it is to be noted that PwD students are given extra time to solve the test. To have a control over time in the exam, candidates should solve SNAP mock tests conducted by the exam body.
SNAP Question Paper and Difficulty Level
The SNAP Exam is easy in comparison to the other MBA exams and can be solved easily in the time-frame of 60 minutes. There is no sectional time limit for the exam, so the students can easily attempt the paper according to their own strategy. It is also not mandatory to solve all the questions. So the students can skip questions which they find tough to solve. Given below is the SNAP paper pattern and the difficulty level for each section.
|
SNAP Sections |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|
General English |
15 |
Easy to Difficult |
|
Quantitative, DI & DS |
20 |
Tough |
|
Analytical & Logical Reasoning |
25 |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Total |
60 |
Easy to Difficult |
SNAP Exam Pattern 2024 - Past Year Trends
The SNAP exam pattern was revised in 2020 due to the COVID regulations. Check the comparison of SNAP Pattern pre and post the COVID times.
|
Particulars |
SNAP Pattern in COVID times (2020 & 2021) |
SNAP Pattern in Non-COVID times (before 2020) |
|
Number of SNAP exam slots |
3 |
1 |
|
SNAP Exam Time Duration |
60 minutes |
120 minutes |
|
Total Number of Questions |
60 |
110 – 115 |
|
Total number of questions (General English- Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Verbal Reasoning) |
15 |
30 |
|
QA, DI - DS |
20 |
30 |
|
Analytical & Logical Reasoning |
25 |
30 |
|
Current Affairs |
- |
20 |
|
Special Questions |
- |
5 |
SNAP Exam Pattern - Changes Over the Years
The Symbiosis International University has made significant changes in the SNAP Exam Pattern over the past 3 to 4 years. Check the changes made in these years tabulated below.
|
Particulars |
SNAP 2023 |
SNAP 2022 |
SNAP 2021 |
SNAP 2020 |
SNAP 2019 |
SNAP 2018 |
|
Sections included in the SNAP exam |
General English, QA, DI – DS, A - LR |
General English, QA, DI – DS, A - LR |
General English, QA, DI – DS, A - LR |
General English, QA, DI – DS, A - LR |
General English, QA, DI – DS, A - LR |
General English, QA, DI – DS, A – LR, Current Affairs |
|
Number of SNAP Exams for admission to MBA programs in Symbiosis Institutes |
3 Exams |
2 Exams |
2 Exams |
2 Exams |
1 Exam |
1 Exam |
|
Duration |
60 Minutes |
60 Minutes |
60 minutes |
60 minutes |
120 minutes |
120 minutes |
|
Total no. of questions |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
110 |
130 |
|
SNAP Total Marks |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
150 |
150 |
|
SNAP Section-Wise Marks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marking Scheme |
+1 for the correct response |
+1 for the correct response |
+1 for the correct response |
+1 for the correct response |
|
|
|
Negative Marking |
¼ or 0.25 per question |
¼ or 0.25 per question |
¼ or 0.25 per question |
¼ or 0.25 per question |
¼ or 0.25 per question |
¼ or 0.25 per question |
|
SNAP Section-Wise Questions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Answer Questions |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
5 |
5 |
SNAP Marks Calculation
Check how the SNAP Marks are calculated with the help of a simple example. The formula to calculate the marks is Total correct questions x Marks per question - (Total Incorrect Questions x Negative Marking per question)
Suppose a candidate has attempted 45 questions out of which 10 are incorrect then their score will be 42.5.
45 x 1 - (10 x 0.25) = 45 - 25 = 42.5 Marks
SNAP Final Merit List
On the basis of the SNAP Results, the candidates will be shortlisted for the further admission rounds - GE, PI, and WAT. Each institute will conduct the admission process separately for each course. The merit list will be displayed on the official website along with the cutoffs. Check the criteria and weightage for each criteria used to prepare the final merit list.
|
Components |
Weightage (%) |
|
SNAP Score (Out of 60, scaled down to 50) |
50 |
|
Group Exercise (GE) |
10 |
|
Personal Interview (PI) |
30 |
|
Written Ability Test (WAT) |
10 |
|
Total |
100 |
SNAP Pattern - How to Prepare for SNAP 2024?
The SNAP Exam is a speed based test with a set number of questions to be solved in a limited time. The key here is to work on solving the questions with speed and accuracy. Ideally, a time period of 6 months should be enough to prepare for the SNAP exam. The first three months should focus on covering the syllabus, while the remaining 3 months should be covered in revision and practicing mock tests and sample papers. Below are a few tips to prepare SNAP 2024.
- Make short notes & flashcards of all the important topics, facts, and figures
- Practice as many mock tests as possible and time yourself to improve your speed
- Start with chapters or topics that are familiar to you and gradually move to the topics that are tough to understand
- Refer good books for SNAP preparation and utilize sample papers
- Solve SNAP previous year question papers to get an idea about the kind of questions asked in the exam and prepare accordingly
Also Check: SNAP Exam Eligibility Criteria | SNAP Preparation Tips
SNAP Exam Pattern - A Comparative Analysis
For the candidate's reference and ease we have provided a comparative analysis of the SNAP, CAT, XAT, and NMAT Exam Patterns. Check the comparison below.
SNAP Exam Pattern 2024 Vs CAT Exam Pattern 2024
|
Component |
SNAP 2024 |
IIMs CAT 2024 |
|
Total Questions |
60 |
66 |
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam |
1 hour |
2 hours |
|
Type of Questions |
60 MCQs |
48 MCQs, |
|
Nil Non-MCQs |
18 Non-MCQs |
|
|
Answer Options for MCQs |
4 |
4 |
|
Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer |
1 for MCQs |
3 for All questions |
|
Negative Marking |
25% for all questions |
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; |
|
-- |
No negative marking for Non-MCQs |
|
|
Exam Difficulty Level |
Moderate |
Difficult |
|
Number of Sections |
3 |
3 |
|
Section 1: Name and Number of Questions |
General English, RC, VR, VA-15 |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension- 24 |
|
Section 2: Name and Number of Questions |
Analytical & Logical Reasoning-25 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning -20 |
|
Section 3: Name and Number of Questions |
Quant, DI, Data Sufficiency-20 |
Quantitative Ability-22 |
|
Section 4: Name and Number of Questions |
Current Affairs-Nil for SNAP 2024 |
Not Applicable, only 3 Sections |
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections |
Yes, any question from any section within the overall time limit |
No, has to follow a pre-defined sectional order |
|
Individual Sectional Time Limit |
No |
Each section with 40 minute time limit |
|
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score |
SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, SIIB Pune, SIBM Bangalore & all other Symbiosis institutes |
20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of other B-schools |
SNAP Exam Pattern 2024 Vs XAT Exam Pattern 2025
|
Component |
SNAP 2024 |
XLRI – XAT 2025 |
|
Total Questions |
60 |
101 |
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam |
1 hour |
3 hours 10 minutes |
|
Type of Questions |
60 MCQs |
100 MCQs + 1 Essay Writing Test |
|
Answer Options for each MCQ |
4 |
5 |
|
Marks Awarded for each correct answer |
1 for each correct answer for MCQs (Normal Questions) |
1 for MCQs |
|
Negative Marking |
25% for each wrong answer |
75 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking; No negative marking for 25 MCQs on GK |
|
Exam Difficulty Level |
Moderate to Difficult |
High |
|
Number of Sections |
4 |
3 (Main sections) |
|
All have weightage |
2 (GK & Essay Writing- Test score has no weightage in %ile calculation) |
|
|
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions |
General English, RC, VR, VA-15 |
English Language & Logical Reasoning- 26 |
|
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions |
Analytical & Logical Reasoning-25 |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation- 28 |
|
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions |
Quant, DI, Data Sufficiency-20 |
Decision Making-21 |
|
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions |
Current Affairs- Nil for SNAP 2024 |
General Awareness-25 |
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections & Questions |
Yes, any question from any section within overall time limit |
Yes, Any question from any section within overall time limit |
|
Individual Sectional Time Limit |
No |
No |
|
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score |
SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, SIIB Pune, SIBM Bangalore & all other Symbiosis institutes |
XLRI, XIMB, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, BIMTECH |
SNAP Exam Pattern 2024 Vs NMAT Exam Pattern 2024
|
Component |
SNAP 2024 |
NMAT by GMAC 2024 |
|
Total Questions |
60 |
108 |
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam |
1 hour |
2 hours |
|
Type of Questions |
MCQs |
All MCQs |
|
Answer Options for MCQs |
4 |
5 |
|
Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer |
1 |
1 |
|
Negative Marking |
25% |
No negative marking |
|
Exam Difficulty Level |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Number of Sections |
4 |
3 |
|
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions |
General English, RC,VR,VA- 15 |
Language Skills-36 |
|
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions |
Analytical & Logical Reasoning- 25 |
Logical Reasoning-36 |
|
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions |
Quant, DI, Data Sufficiency- 20 |
Quantitative Skills-36 |
|
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions |
Current Affairs-Nil for SNAP 2024 |
Not Applicable |
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections |
Yes, any question from any section within overall time limit |
Yes, but once chosen has to follow the sectional order |
|
Individual Sectional Time Limit |
No |
Yes, varying time limit of 28 minutes to 52 minutes |
|
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score |
SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, SIIB Pune, SIBM Bangalore & all other Symbiosis institutes |
NMIMS, VIT, XIMB, K J Somaiya, IBS-ICFAI, |
|
MISB Bocconi, Alliance University |
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