ISI · 120 min
The ISI MSQE entrance (objective paper: PEA) is conducted by the Indian Statistical Institute for admission to its Master of Science in Quantitative Economics programme, widely regarded as one of the most rigorous Economics postgraduate courses in India. The objective paper is followed by a descriptive paper (PEB) for shortlisted candidates; this platform's papers cover the objective (PEA) stage, which is the widest and most selective filter of the process.
A bachelor's degree with a strong mathematics component (either an Economics degree with substantial mathematics/statistics, or a mathematics/statistics/engineering degree) is generally expected, given the technical depth of the programme. Confirm the exact eligibility criteria in ISI's official MSQE admission notice for the current year.
Weightage below is computed from real topic-tagged questions in this platform's ISI MSQE question bank — not an estimate.
PEA is the objective, multiple-choice stage that this platform's papers cover; PEB is a descriptive, written-answer paper taken later by candidates shortlisted from PEA. Clearing PEA well is the first and widest filter.
It's widely considered the most mathematically rigorous, with real analysis, advanced microeconomic theory and estimation theory examined more directly than in CUET-PG, IIT JAM or GATE.
A strong mathematics component — either within an Economics degree or from a mathematics/statistics/engineering background — is generally expected, given how technical the PEA paper is. Check ISI's official notice for the exact eligibility wording each year.
The PEA paper has historically used negative marking for wrong MCQ answers; always confirm the exact marking scheme against ISI's current year's information bulletin, as objective-paper formats have changed between cycles.
The syllabus overlaps heavily, but ISI's questions tend to go one level deeper into proofs and formal reasoning rather than direct computation — practising real past PEA papers under time pressure is the fastest way to feel that difference for yourself.