CBSE PSA (Problem Solving Assessment) for Class-9 & 11 is going to be held each year in the month of January/February and since this i...
CBSE PSA (Problem Solving Assessment) for Class-9 & 11 is going to be held each year in the month of January/February and since this is a compulsory test, you have to prepare for it well so as to score the maximum possible overall marks. Subject matter of this blog post is to introduce you to the type of questions asked in CBSE PSA test along with details of the exam pattern.
After you gain insights on the type of questions asked in CBSE PSA, you should go through my article titled: CBSE PSA Sample Papers and Books for Class - 9 & 11 to find the prep materials of this exam. In case you would like to know what is Problem Solving Assessment test by CBSE and why should you take it seriously, please go through my earlier blog post: CBSE PSA (Problem Solving Assessment) 2014 for Class-IX & XI: What you must know!
CBSE PSA Test Pattern:
CBSE Problem Solving Assessment (PSA) consists of a single paper of 60 Objective type questions (i.e. MCQ), each question worth 1.5 mark. Thus there are a total of 90 marks in the PSA test. These 60 questions have to be answered in 2 hours - thus you have 2 minutes per question to answer.
There are three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Qualitative Reasoning & Language Conventions.
You can find the section-wise break-up of number of questions and marks of CBSE PSA test in the pattern of exam given at right. I am sure you know that MCQ stands for "Multiple Choice Question" which is just another name for Objective type questions.
As you can see, "Language Conventions" section has more weightage: 40%, compared to 30% each in Quantitative & Qualitative Reasoning. So you know now where you should give maximum emphasis, don't you?
There is no negative marking in CBSE PSA test - so do not leave any question un-answered!
CBSE PSA Test-section details:
As you have seen, there are three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Qualitative Reasoning & Language Conventions in CBSE Problem Solving Assessment (PSA) test. What are these tests? Following is a short discussion, with examples in each so that you appreciate the type of questions asked in these sections:
Quantitative Reasoning: The type of reasoning which is based on numerical values or statistics. Example of Quantitative Reasoning questions asked in CBSE PSA test is as below:
Question: A Number is 36 more then its 2/5th, the number is -
(1) 48 (2) 60 (3) 56 (4) 68
Question: An electric device make beeps after 60 sec Another device make beeps after 62 sec. They beeped together at 8.am. next time they would beep together at the earliest is
(1) 8:30 am (2) 8:31 am (3) 8:59 am (4) 9 am
Qualitative Reasoning : The type of reasoning which is based, not on numbers, but on a range of more abstract or sophisticated data. Qualitative reasoning is “intuitive” reasoning, where the logical outcomes that are involved rely on less technical factors. Example of Qualitative Reasoning questions asked in CBSE PSA test is as below:
Question: Time period is to second as frequency is to ............... .
(a) metre (b) hertz (c) joule (d) decibel
Question: Mansi is facing west. She turns 45º in the anticlockwise direction and then 180º in the clockwise direction, which direction is she facing now?
(a) North (b) North East (c) East (d) South East
Language Conventions: It includes different aspects of written communication (e.g. grammar, vocabulary etc.) Example of Language Convention questions asked in CBSE PSA test is as below:
Question: Which of these statements reflects a contrast between two fruits ?
1) This apple is as beautiful as a peach.
2) This apple is not dissimilar to a Pear.
3) This apple is not as sweet as this orange.
4) This apple is grown on a tree, like a plum.
Question: Idioms are sayings that convey more than a surface or literal meaning. Select the correc! deeper meaning for the following idiom:
"We're all in the same boat"
1) People who share a common interest.
2) When everyone is sitting in the same boat.
3) VIhen everyone is facing the same problem.
4) A group of people with tickets for the same cruise.
Type of Questions asked in CBSE PSA Test-sections:
As you might have found above, there are two types of questions in PSA:
Stand alone MCQs: There is a single question with four options and you have to choose the correct one. Example of a "Stand alone MCQ" (asked actually in CBSE PSA 2013) is given below:
Question: Which of the following factors is least important in making a decision about this matter?
1) The frequency of bus services.
2) The number of seats on the bus.
3) The amount of time it takes for the bus journey.
4) The number of buses he will need to catch in order to arrive before 11:00 a.m.
Passage based MCQ: There is a passage and there are a number of questions which is based on this passage. Each question has four options and you have to choose the correct one.Example of a "Passage based MCQ" (asked actually in CBSE PSA 2013) is given below:
Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable word/phrase from each list to fit the corresponding gap.
Fire walking refers to the activity of walking on hot coals, rocks or cinders without burning the soles of -9-. In some cultures fire walking is part of a religious ritual, while in others it -10- a confidence-building activity. Walking across hot coals without getting burned does seem impossible to -11- people, but in fact there is a scientific explanation for why fire walking is possible. -12- fire walking taps into mysterious human capabilities.
Question 1: Which of these fits gap 10?
L) is considered
2) will be considered
3) had been considered
4) would have considered
Question 2: Which of these fits gap 11?
1) a few
2) many
3) more
4) several
Question 3: Which of these fits gap 12?
1) Therefore
2) Generally
3) Doubtfully
4) Presumably
Question 4: Which of these fits gap 9?
1) ones foot
2) ones feet
3) one's foot
4) one's feet
That's it for now. Hope you have understood what are each test sections of CBSE PSA Test and what type of questions are asked. As I said in the beginning, you should go through my article titled: CBSE PSA Sample Papers and Books for Class - 9 & 11 to find the prep materials of this exam
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