Section-Wise Strategy: NAT vs MSQ in IIT JAM Economics

IIT JAM exam is conducted for admission to post graduate programmes at various IITs. You can have a detailed understanding of what should be your section wise strategy for IIT JAM economics exam.

Table of Contents

NAT Section Strategy
MSQ Section Strategy
Section Wise Strategy for IIT JAM Economics Comparison
Common Key MSQ Topics for IIT JAM Economics
Common Key NAT Topics for IIT JAM Economics
Faqs

Section-Wise Strategy: NAT vs MSQ in IIT JAM Economics

IIT JAM exam is conducted every year for admission to various post graduate courses in various fields at IITs. For economics, IIT JAM 2026 exam is conducted in the online mode for 3 hours consisting of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions divided into 3 sections. 30 questions are asked from section A i.e. Multiple Choice Questions, 10 questions from section B Multiple Select Questions and 20 questions from section C Numerical Answer Type. There is no negative marking for Section B and C questions. From this you can be be clear about the exam pattern and then proceed to have a section wise strategy for IIT JAM economics.

Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions require candidates to compute and enter a numerical value without any options to choose from. This makes NAT questions conceptually demanding, as they test precision, formula application, and calculation accuracy. In IIT JAM Economics, NAT questions are especially common in areas such as microeconomics optimization problems, macroeconomic models, econometrics estimations, and mathematical economics. The absence of negative marking in NAT questions encourages candidates to attempt them, but careless calculations can still lead to loss of valuable marks. Therefore, a section-wise strategy for NAT must emphasize strong conceptual grounding, repeated numerical practice, and time-efficient calculation techniques.

Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), on the other hand, require applicants to identify every correct answer among the possibilities provided in order to measure a greater level of understanding. Partial knowledge is frequently insufficient, in contrast to multiple-choice questions (MCQs), since marking methods usually only reward accuracy when all correct answers are chosen. MSQs in economics are often oriented around theoretical interpretations, model assumptions, function qualities, policy implications, or comparative statics. These questions are especially difficult for students who rely more on rote memorization than analytical comprehension since they assess conceptual clarity, logical coherence, and the capacity to reject false statements. Here is this article as well, we have devised a comprehensive strategy outline for both the sections.

Also Read: IIT JAM Economics Cutoff 2026

NAT Section Strategy

Follow these tips to score good marks in the NAT section.

Tips	Explanation
Conceptual Clarity First	NAT questions test your calculation and understanding rather than guessing. Focus on microeconomics (elasticity, cost functions), macroeconomics (national income, inflation, growth models), and quantitative methods (regression, statistics, matrices).
Practice Calculations	Solve past IIT JAM NAT questions to get familiar with types of answers expected. Memorize formulae for elasticity, growth rates, marginal productivity, demand-supply equilibrium.
Units & Precision	Always write answers in the units asked (e.g., %, Rs, index points). Avoid rounding too early; use final answer rounding rules from the JAM guidelines.
Stepwise Approach	Read the question carefully → Identify the formula → Substitute values → Simplify → Double-check. For multi-step calculations, write intermediate results clearly.
Check Units & Sign	If your answer is negative, check whether it makes sense in context (e.g., negative demand might indicate a mistake). Always confirm units: thousands, millions, percentages, rates, etc.
Time Management Tips	NAT questions require more calculation time than MCQs. Average time: 2–3 minutes per NAT question. Allocate initial 20–25 mins for easier NATs, then tackle tougher ones.

Also Read: Top 10 IIT JAM Economics Questions Answered by Experts

MSQ Section Strategy

Follow these tips to score good marks in the MSQ section.

Tips	Explanation
Conceptual Accuracy	MSQs test depth of understanding. Topics like market structures, game theory, welfare economics, macroeconomic policies often appear.
Use Elimination Strategically	If an option definitely violates a principle, eliminate it. If two options are mutually exclusive, usually only one is correct. Don’t guess blindly—select only those you are confident about.
Cross-Check with Theory	Often the question stems or numerical clues hint at the correct options. Always connect back to definitions and key principles.
Time Management	Do not spend too long on one MSQ (usually 2-3 mins max). Answer all MCQs first, then MSQs with more thought. MSQs often have higher marks per question but require careful checking.

Also Read: Best Economics Online Courses for Undergraduates

Section Wise Strategy for IIT JAM Economics Comparison

You can check the below table to have an overview of what your strategy can be about.

Aspect	NAT	MSQ
Marks per question	1–2	2
Difficulty	Moderate to High (requires calculations)	Moderate to High (conceptual depth)
Guessing	Not possible	Risky; avoid if unsure
Preparation Focus	Formulas, calculations, past numerical problems	Theory, definitions, multiple correct options
Time Strategy	Solve after MSQs unless easy	Solve first, use elimination & certainty check
Common Topics	Quantitative methods, micro/macro calculations, stats, matrices	Micro theory, welfare economics, public finance, macro policy, game theory

Common Key MSQ Topics for IIT JAM Economics

Here are the key MSQ topics from which questions are asked in IIT JAM economics.

Areas	Topics	Important Topics
Microeconomics	Consumer Theory	Utility maximization, budget constraints Revealed preference theory Indifference curve properties
	Producer Theory	Cost functions, production functions Profit maximization conditions
	Market Structures	Perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly Price determination, equilibrium conditions
	Game Theory & Strategic Behavior	Nash equilibrium Dominant strategies Prisoner’s dilemma-type problems
	Welfare Economics	Pareto efficiency Social welfare functions Edgeworth box analysis
	Market Failures & Public Goods	Externalities Public goods and free-rider problem
Macroeconomics	National Income Accounting	GDP, GNP, NNP, NI, PI, DPI Circular flow of income (two- and three-sector models)
	Consumption & Investment	Keynesian consumption function Investment determinants Multiplier and accelerator concepts
	Money and Banking	Money supply definitions (M1, M2, M3) Money demand (Keynesian, LM curve) Central bank functions, monetary policy tools
	IS-LM & AD-AS Models	Equilibrium in goods & money markets Shifts in curves and policy effects
	Inflation & Unemployment	Phillips curve (short- and long-run) Okun’s law
	Open Economy Macroeconomics	Balance of payments Exchange rate regimes Mundell-Fleming model (basic applications)
Economic Growth & Development	Growth Models	Solow model, Harrod-Domar Steady state, savings and capital accumulation
	Development Indicators	HDI, Gini coefficient Poverty and inequality measures
	Structural Transformation	Agriculture vs industry vs services Demographic transition
Statistics & Econometrics	Probability & Distributions	Normal, binomial, Poisson distributions Properties of expectations and variance
	Estimation & Hypothesis Testing	OLS assumptions Confidence intervals, t-test, F-test, Chi-square test
	Time Series & Index Numbers	Trend, seasonal components Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
	Correlation & Regression	Multiple regression Multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity (basic understanding)
	Optimization	Lagrange multipliers Constrained optimization

Common Key NAT Topics for IIT JAM Economics

Here are the key NAT topics from which questions are asked in IIT JAM economics.

Area	Topics	Important Topics
Microeconomics	Consumer Theory	Utility maximization (Cobb-Douglas, CES, perfect substitutes/complements) Budget constraints Marshallian and Hicksian demand Price and income effects (Slutsky equation)
	Production & Costs	Production functions (Cobb-Douglas, CES) Returns to scale Cost functions (short-run & long-run) Marginal cost, average cost calculations
	Market Equilibrium	Perfect competition (equilibrium price, output) Monopoly pricing, profit maximization Cournot and Bertrand models (sometimes simplified numeric versions)
Macroeconomics	National Income Accounting	GDP, GNP, NNP, NI calculations Savings, investment, government budget
	Key Macroeconomic Models	IS-LM model (equilibrium interest rate & output) AD-AS model (equilibrium price & output) Multiplier effects
	Money & Inflation	Money supply, velocity of money Inflation rate calculations (CPI, GDP deflator) Quantity theory of money
Economic Growth & Development		Solow growth model (capital accumulation, steady-state output) Harrod-Domar model (growth rate, savings rate) Population growth effects
Statistics & Econometrics	Descriptive Statistics	Mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation Covariance and correlation coefficients
	Probability	Probability distributions (binomial, normal, Poisson) Expected value, variance of random variables
	Regression Analysis	OLS regression calculations (simple linear) R², slope, and intercept derivation Forecasting using regression equation
	Index Numbers	Price and quantity indices (Laspeyres, Paasche, Fisher)
Mathematical Economics	Calculus	Partial derivatives, total derivatives Optimization with constraints (Lagrange method)
	Linear Algebra	Matrices (determinants, inverses) Systems of equations
	Differential Equations	Growth models, cobweb model

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FAQs

Which topics in Economics frequently appear as MSQs?

MSQs are commonly asked from Microeconomic theory, Macroeconomic models, Econometrics assumptions, and Indian Economy concepts. Topics involving theoretical distinctions, policy implications, and model limitations are particularly suitable for MSQ framing.

Which areas of Economics dominate NAT questions in IIT JAM?

NAT questions in IIT JAM Economics are frequently asked from Mathematical Economics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Statistics. Topics such as optimization, elasticity, equilibrium computation, national income, probability, and hypothesis testing are particularly common, as they lend themselves naturally to numerical answers.

Why is a separate strategy needed for NAT and MSQ sections?

A separate strategy is essential because the cognitive demands of NAT and MSQ questions differ significantly. NAT questions emphasize step-by-step derivation and numerical precision, while MSQs demand analytical judgment and elimination skills. Applying the same approach to both can lead to avoidable errors, especially under time pressure.

What is the key difference between NAT and MSQ questions in IIT JAM Economics?

In IIT JAM Economics, Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions require candidates to compute a numerical value and enter it directly, while Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) involve selecting one or more correct options from a given set. NAT questions test calculation accuracy and conceptual clarity without offering answer choices, whereas MSQs assess depth of understanding by requiring evaluation of multiple statements simultaneously.

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