SNAP Syllabus, Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

From SNAP score to a Symbiosis seat

SNAP is only the first gate. Each Symbiosis institute sets its own SNAP percentile shortlist, then holds its own rounds of group exercise, personal interaction and a writing ability test (often called GE, PI and WAT). Institutes then combine the SNAP score with these rounds, weighted by the institute, along with factors such as academics and work experience where the institute counts them.

So the goal is to clear the shortlist of the institutes you want, by enough margin that a fair interview gets you through.

SNAP exam pattern and marking scheme

Every question has four options. Each error pulls 0.25 off your total. Since there is no section timer, you can start with whichever section you are fastest in.

The three attempt rule

You may register for up to three SNAP test dates, normally held in December. If you take more than one, only your highest score goes into the percentile, and SNAP states that scores are not normalised across dates.

SNAP syllabus section by section

General English (15 questions)

• One or two compact passages, asking for the main idea, tone or a fact stated in the text
• Word power: closest meaning, opposite meaning, filling a gap in a sentence, words often confused
• Grammar checks: spot the faulty part, pick the improved sentence
• Sentence ordering, idioms, phrasal verbs, verbal analogies

Analytical and Logical Reasoning (25 questions)

• Seating plans, scheduling and grouping puzzles
• Family relations, compass directions, coded messages, positions in a queue
• Syllogisms, assumptions behind a statement, strengthen and weaken arguments
• Missing terms in series, machine rearrangements, clocks and calendars, figure based logic

Quantitative, DI and DS (20 questions)

• Arithmetic: percentage change, margins and discounts, ratios, alligation, interest, work rates and journeys
• Algebra: linear pairs of equations, quadratic roots, inequalities, AP and GP, logs
• Shapes: triangles, circles, areas and volumes; counting with arrangements and selections; chance
• Reading tables and charts; judging if the data supplied settles the question (DS)

Where SNAP marks are easiest to find

Reasoning carries the most marks, 25 of 60, and its puzzles are usually shorter than CAT style sets. That makes it the section to master first. General English questions are quick, so they are a good way to bank time. Quant has the lowest count and mixes simple arithmetic with a few longer problems; skip any that would eat more than a minute and a half.

Eight week SNAP plan

1. Weeks 1 and 2: One section a day, untimed, on core topics: arithmetic, simple puzzles, grammar rules.
2. Weeks 3 and 4: 20 question sectional drills at 60 seconds a question.
3. Weeks 5 to 7: Three full 60 minute mocks a week, each followed by a review of what you should have skipped.
4. Week 8: Light revision before the first test date; use the first attempt to learn and the later ones to improve.

If you prepared for CAT, your quant and reading are already strong; just shift to faster, single step questions. For other MBA tests with a similar speed focus, compare the NMAT syllabus and the CMAT syllabus.

Books and practice material

A general MBA entrance English book, a reasoning puzzle book, and school level arithmetic practice cover the content. NCERT class 8 to 10 maths is enough to refresh the fundamentals. Past SNAP mock tests from the official site, where offered, show the true level. Browse other admission tests through the entrance exams hub, grouped by stream.