SNAP 2026 Exam Pattern | 4 Sections | Ethics, Morality and Values Added | GRADSKOOL
SNAP 2026 has changed. For the first time, the exam moves from 3 sections to 4. A brand-new section called Ethics, Morality & Values (EMV) has been added to the paper. If you've been prepping off last year's pattern, here's exactly what's different, and what stays the same.
SNAP 2026 Exam Pattern: The Full Table
Section | Questions | Marks per Correct Answer | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
General English | 10 | 1 | 10 |
Analytical & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 1 | 20 |
Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | 20 | 1 | 20 |
Ethics, Morality & Values (New) | 10 | 1 | 10 |
Total | 60 | N/A | 60 |
Exam duration: 60 minutes (no sectional time limit)
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Marking scheme: +1 for every correct answer, minus 0.25 for every incorrect answer
Question type: All MCQs, no TITA or non-MCQ questions
Attempts: Best of up to 3 attempts (SNAP 01, 02, 03), with no normalisation. Your highest score counts.
What Actually Changed
The headline change is the addition of EMV. But look closely at the numbers and something else shifts too. General English drops from 15 questions to 10. That's a meaningful cut. GK and Current Affairs are not part of the new structure either. The 10 EMV marks appear to have been carved out largely from what used to be the English section's share.
Quant, DI & DS and Analytical & Logical Reasoning hold steady at 20 questions and 20 marks each. The section weightages you're most likely leaning on for score remain unchanged.
Total marks stay at 60, and total time stays at 60 minutes. So the exam isn't longer. It's differently distributed. That carries a real strategic implication. You now have less room to lean on English to cover for a weak EMV or Reasoning score, and 10 fresh, unfamiliar-format marks are up for grabs in a section nobody has practiced for yet.
Key Dates for SNAP 2026
Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
Registration opens | August 21, 2026 |
Registration & payment closes | November 25, 2026 (Wednesday) |
SNAP 01 admit card | December 7, 2026 |
SNAP 01 test date | December 13, 2026 (Sunday) |
SNAP 02 admit card | December 11, 2026 |
SNAP 02 test date | December 19, 2026 (Saturday) |
SNAP 03 admit card | December 18, 2026 |
SNAP 03 test date | December 26, 2026 (Saturday) |
Result announcement | January 12, 2027 (Tuesday) |
Exam fee: ₹2,550 per attempt, plus ₹1,000 programme registration.
What This Means for Your Prep
Don't treat EMV as a bonus section. Treat it as a scoring section. At 10 marks out of 60, EMV is worth roughly the same as the entire English section now. Going in with zero preparation on it, while your competitors do the same, is fine. Going in with some framework while everyone else is still confused is a real edge.
Reasoning and Quant, DI & DS remain your anchor. Together they make up 40 of your 60 marks, about two-thirds of the paper. Don't let the novelty of EMV distract from the fact that your core prep should still be weighted here.
English got tighter, not smaller in importance. Fewer questions means each one now carries more relative weight toward your section performance. Small errors cost you more, proportionally, than they did last year.
The New EMV Section, In Brief
EMV tests ethical reasoning through short situational questions, not memorised definitions. Expect scenarios involving conflict of interest, fairness versus equal treatment, workplace ethics, and short dilemmas asking which response is most defensible rather than which one you'd personally choose.
We've broken this section down in full detail, including a working framework for solving ethical dilemmas, in our dedicated guide: SNAP 2026 Ethics, Morality & Values: New EMV Section Decoded.
FAQ
What is the SNAP 2026 exam pattern?
SNAP 2026 has 4 sections. General English, Analytical & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency, and the newly added Ethics, Morality & Values. The exam has 60 questions worth 60 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes.
How many sections does SNAP 2026 have?
Four. This is a change from previous years, which had three sections. The new Ethics, Morality & Values section has been added, and General English has been reduced from 15 to 10 questions.
What is the marking scheme for SNAP 2026?
Each correct answer earns +1 mark, and each incorrect answer carries a penalty of -0.25 marks. All questions are MCQs, with no TITA or non-MCQ formats.
Is there a sectional time limit in SNAP 2026?
No. The exam has an overall time limit of 60 minutes, but you can move between sections freely and manage your own time across them.
How many times can I attempt SNAP 2026?
Up to three times, through SNAP 01, SNAP 02, and SNAP 03. There is no normalisation across attempts, so your best score across all three counts.
When is SNAP 2026 conducted?
Across three test dates in December 2026, on the 13th, 19th, and 26th. Registration opens August 21, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026. Results are expected January 12, 2027.
How many marks is the new EMV section worth?
10 marks out of the total 60, tested through 10 MCQs with the same +1 / -0.25 marking scheme as the rest of the paper.
Why This Page Will Stay Updated
SNAP's pattern details tend to get refined as the official brochure, sample papers, and mock tests roll out closer to test day. Rather than publish a fresh post every time something changes, we're keeping this page as the single source of truth for SNAP 2026's pattern. Check back here for updates on sectional weightage, sample questions, and anything SIU clarifies between now and December.
GRADSKOOL SNAP 2026 Cohort Live two-way sessions. 27 students per batch. Taught by ALP Sir. Explore the SNAP Course →