Thinking about college? You might have heard of the SNAP exam, which is used by some top business schools in India for their MBA programs. It’s a big test that helps them figure out if you’re a good fit for their program. But how exactly do they figure out your score? Let’s break it down so you understand what goes into it and how you can prepare!
Sectional Scoring: Breaking Down the Test
The SNAP exam is made up of different sections. Each section tests different skills. Schools use the scores from each section to get a well-rounded picture of your abilities.

Each section in the SNAP exam is scored separately, and then all the scores are combined to get your overall SNAP score. The number of questions and the types of questions you get will change, but the basic structure remains the same. The sections measure your different skills, and you should focus on all of them to get your best score.
The different sections can vary, but they often include Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency; General English; Analytical & Logical Reasoning, and a section on General Awareness, which might test your knowledge of current events. Understanding the format and sections helps you tailor your study plan.
It is important to know the sections of the SNAP test, and to do this, you should know the official SNAP syllabus. Check the official website to confirm what sections you’ll be tested on.
The Role of Correct Answers
The most basic part of your score comes from how many questions you get right. Simple, right? The more correct answers, the higher your score will be in that section!
If you answer a question correctly, you will gain marks. However, incorrect answers will hurt you. It is important to answer the questions with the correct answers, and to avoid guessing on questions that you do not know.
To give you an idea, imagine the following:
- Each correct answer might be worth 1 mark.
- You don’t get points for unanswered questions.
- A wrong answer might cost you some points, too! (This is called negative marking.)
This is a basic example, and the actual points per question and negative marking policy can change. Knowing the value of each correct answer is key!
The official SNAP notification will tell you exactly how many marks each correct answer will earn you, and how negative marking will work. Make sure to check these details carefully. For example, if the questions are worth one point each, here’s how your score could look:
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect Answer: -0.25 marks
- Unanswered: 0 marks
Understanding Negative Marking
As mentioned before, SNAP uses something called “negative marking.” This means that for every wrong answer you choose, a portion of a point is taken away from your score. It’s a way to discourage guessing.
Why do they do this? It encourages you to only answer questions you are sure about. If you guess, you might get it wrong and actually lower your score. Knowing that negative marking exists changes how you should take the test.
This is important to keep in mind while taking the exam. Think carefully before answering a question! If you are unsure, it might be better to leave it blank rather than take a chance. Different tests have different negative marking policies, so be sure to look at your SNAP exam and how it handles wrong answers.
Let’s say the negative marking is -0.25 for each wrong answer and you make a mistake. Here is how it will affect your score in the quantitative aptitude section:
Action | Score |
---|---|
Correct Answer | +1 |
Incorrect Answer | -0.25 |
Unanswered | 0 |
Weighting of Sections: What Matters Most?
Not all sections in the SNAP exam might have the same “weight,” which means some sections could count more towards your final score. This means a good score in a more heavily weighted section could have a bigger impact.
Think of it like this: imagine a school project. One part might be worth 30% of your grade, while another is worth only 10%. The same is true in SNAP! When preparing for the exam, focus on where the weight matters the most to help you get the best score.
The exact weighting can change from year to year or from school to school. Keep an eye on the official notification for the exam. This document will tell you how much each section contributes to the final score. Always check the official SNAP guidelines for the specific year.
Here is an example of how sections may be weighted. Remember that the numbers might change.
- Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency: 40%
- General English: 25%
- Analytical & Logical Reasoning: 25%
- General Awareness: 10%
Normalization: Making it Fair
Different versions of the exam might be given to different students. Normalization is a way to make sure everyone is graded fairly, even if one version is slightly easier or harder than another.
If the exam is given in different slots, normalization helps to ensure that a candidate is not at a disadvantage or advantage because of the difficulty of the test paper. Normalization is a statistical process used to level the playing field.
If they have different versions, some versions might be a little tougher than others. Normalization helps adjust the scores so everyone is evaluated fairly. The goal is to ensure that a student’s performance is not based on the difficulty of the test paper they got, but on their own abilities.
It’s a bit complex, but essentially it involves:
- Looking at how everyone did on each version of the exam.
- Adjusting the scores to account for any differences in difficulty.
- This way, a good score in a slightly harder version will be given the same value as a good score in an easier version.
Calculating the Overall Score
After each section has been scored and normalized, the scores are combined to create your overall SNAP score. The total score depends on how each section is weighted. Schools use this final score, along with other factors (like your grades and interview performance), to make their decisions.
This overall score is what business schools look at to decide if they will accept you into their program. Make sure to pay attention to how much each section is worth when you prepare. All this will help you get a good overall score!
The total score you get is then used by the business schools you apply to. Your performance in other areas is then weighed as well. For example, the interview and group exercise will also be considered. Here is a basic example:
- Section 1 Score: 15
- Section 2 Score: 12
- Section 3 Score: 18
- Total Score = Sum of the section scores
The SNAP authorities will provide the final results. Always check the official website for accurate details. The overall score is used to calculate the percentile. The percentile shows your performance compared to all the other test-takers. For instance, if you score in the 90th percentile, that means you scored better than 90% of the candidates!
Conclusion
So, that’s the basics of how a SNAP score is calculated. Remember that the specific details (like the number of questions, section weights, and negative marking) can change, so always check the official SNAP website for the most up-to-date information. By understanding the different components, you can study more effectively and aim for a great score to help you get into the business school of your dreams!