How to Crack AMCAT Test: Complete Preparation Strategy

How to Crack AMCAT Test: Complete Preparation Strategy

AMCAT (Aspiring Minds Computer Adaptive Test) is one of India's most widely used employability assessment tests. Over 4,000 companies including Amazon, HCL, Deloitte, and MindTree use AMCAT scores for fresher hiring.

Whether you're appearing for on-campus AMCAT or taking it independently for job opportunities, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to crack the test.

What is AMCAT?

Understanding AMCAT

AMCAT is a computer-adaptive test that assesses:

• Cognitive abilities
• Domain knowledge
• English proficiency
• Personality traits

Why AMCAT Matters

AMCAT Test Details

AMCAT Sections and Syllabus

Compulsory Sections

Every candidate must complete these three sections:

Domain-Specific Sections (Optional but Important)

Based on your specialization:

Personality Assessment (AMPI)

Non-skippable but no preparation needed:

• Assesses personality traits
• 90 questions, 15-20 minutes
• Answer honestly (no right/wrong answers)

Section 1: Quantitative Ability

Syllabus Breakdown

Topic-Wise Preparation

Basic Mathematics (Focus Areas)

Sample Question:

A shopkeeper sells an article at 20% profit. If he had bought it at
10% less and sold it for ₹10 less, he would have gained 25%.
Find the cost price.

A) ₹200   B) ₹250   C) ₹300   D) ₹400

Answer: A) ₹200

Applied Mathematics (Focus Areas)

Sample Question:

A can do a piece of work in 10 days and B can do the same work
in 15 days. How many days will they take to complete the work
together?

A) 4 days   B) 5 days   C) 6 days   D) 8 days

Answer: C) 6 days
(1/10 + 1/15 = 1/6, so 6 days)

Data Interpretation

Quant Preparation Strategy

Resources

Section 2: Logical Reasoning

Syllabus Breakdown

Topic-Wise Preparation

Deductive Reasoning

Sample Question:

Statements: All cats are animals. Some animals are dogs.
Conclusions: I. Some dogs are cats.
             II. Some animals are cats.

A) Only I follows
B) Only II follows
C) Both follow
D) Neither follows

Answer: B) Only II follows

Inductive Reasoning

Sample Question:

2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?

A) 36   B) 40   C) 42   D) 48

Answer: C) 42
Pattern: n² + n = 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 42

Critical Reasoning

Logical Reasoning Strategy

1. Practice daily — 15-20 questions minimum
2. Focus on weak areas — Don't avoid hard topics
3. Learn shortcuts — Syllogism rules, series patterns
4. Time management — 1 minute per question max

Section 3: English Comprehension

Syllabus Breakdown

Topic-Wise Preparation

Grammar (Essential Focus)

Sample Question:

Find the error:
The team are (A) / working on (B) / the project (C) / since morning (D).

Answer: D should be "since this morning" or A should be "is"
(but more likely D with "from this morning")

Vocabulary

Sample Question:

Select the word most similar in meaning to "Ephemeral":

A) Eternal   B) Temporary   C) Ancient   D) Mysterious

Answer: B) Temporary (meaning short-lived)

Reading Comprehension

Strategy:

1. Read questions first
2. Skim the passage
3. Read relevant sections carefully
4. Answer directly from text for factual questions

English Preparation Strategy

Section 4: Computer Science Domain

Syllabus for CS/IT Students

Key Topics to Prepare

Data Structures

DBMS

Operating Systems

Section 5: Automata (Coding)

What is Automata?

Automata is AMCAT's coding assessment with:

• 2 coding questions
• 45 minutes total
• Languages: C, C++, Java, Python

Difficulty Levels

Common Question Types

Sample Coding Question

# Problem: Find the second largest element in an array

def second_largest(arr):
    if len(arr) < 2:
        return -1

    first = second = float('-inf')

    for num in arr:
        if num > first:
            second = first
            first = num
        elif num > second and num != first:
            second = num

    return second if second != float('-inf') else -1

# Input: [10, 5, 8, 20, 15]
# Output: 15

Coding Preparation Strategy

Preparation Schedule

4-Week Intensive Plan

Week-by-Week Focus

Test-Taking Strategies

Before the Test

During the Test

Time Management

Smart Strategies

1. Don't get stuck — Mark difficult questions, move on
2. Attempt all questions — No negative marking
3. Read carefully — Avoid silly mistakes
4. Use rough paper — For calculations
5. Keep track of time — Allocate per section

Adaptive Test Strategy

AMCAT adapts to your performance:

• Correct answers → Harder questions
• Incorrect answers → Easier questions

Strategy: Getting some questions wrong is okay. Focus on accuracy over speed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Academic Mistakes

Test Day Mistakes

Good AMCAT Scores

Score Ranges

Company-Wise Cutoffs (Approximate)

Note: Cutoffs vary by role and year. Aim for 550+ in each section for most opportunities.

Resources and Materials

Free Resources

Official Resources

Books

After the AMCAT

Getting Your Score

• Results within 3-4 days
• Score valid for 3 years
• Check company requirements

Applying to Jobs

1. Log in to myAMCAT portal
2. Search jobs matching your score
3. Apply to relevant positions
4. Track application status

Improving Low Scores

• Wait 45 days to retake
• Focus on weak sections
• Practice more mock tests
• Consider paid preparation

Key Takeaways

1. All sections matter — Balance your preparation
2. Consistent practice — 2 hours daily minimum
3. Mock tests are crucial — Take at least 5 before exam
4. Accuracy over speed — Adaptive test rewards accuracy
5. Time management — Don't get stuck on any question
6. Coding is important — For IT roles, automata scores matter
7. Domain knowledge — Technical sections can differentiate
8. Rest before exam — Fresh mind performs better

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I prepare for AMCAT?

4-6 weeks of focused preparation is ideal. Minimum 2 weeks if you have strong basics.

Is AMCAT harder than other tests?

AMCAT is adaptive, so it adjusts to your level. This makes it feel challenging but fair. It's comparable to other employability tests like CoCubes, eLitmus.

Can I use a calculator?

No, AMCAT doesn't allow calculators. Practice mental math and rough calculations.

What if I don't perform well?

You can retake after 45 days. Use the time to prepare weak areas thoroughly.

Is AMCAT enough to get a job?

AMCAT gets you shortlisted for interviews. You still need to clear technical and HR rounds.

What's the Automata section?

It's the coding section where you write actual programs. Crucial for software roles.

Looking for more placement preparation resources? Explore more guides on Sproutern for comprehensive interview and aptitude test preparation.