As the Indian Institutes of Management have adopted the CBT (computer-based test) mode for the Common Admission Test, the aspirants must get used to the format. The aspirants have to read and solve questions on the computer screen instead of paper and have to practice a large number of computer-based mock CATs. One need not get tensed about CBT as it will be similar to the paper-based one, where you can scan through questions and sections, review questions already seen and can come back to a difficult question.
The CAT 2011 will have only two sections instead of three. The first section will focus on Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation; the second on Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning. These two sections will be implemented sequentially with separate time limits. The examination will be 140 minutes. Candidates will have 70 minutes to answer 30 questions within each section which will have an on-screen countdown timer. Once the time ends for the first section, they will move to the second and will no longer be able to go back.
The success of a candidate in CAT mainly depends on the following criteria
Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability You should focus on strengthening your skills by reading a wide range of non-fiction topics like rural development, space research etc in the e-book, e-paper or internet blog forms to help you do well in the online format.
Quantitative Ability:
Focusing on basic principles can fetch you good marks from this section. Strategic preparation by dividing the topics will be more useful. Don’t try for instant answers; instead practice questions using basic formulae to get answers.
Logical Reasoning:
This section requires no basic formulae. You should focus on understanding and analyzing the given statements carefully. One has to analyze the given statements in all the possible ways. Concentration plays a vital role in this section.
Do not set any minimum number of questions to be attempted as your target. Going by the past few years’ CAT papers, ambiguity and close options are likely, so proceed with caution while attempting the verbal section.
Reference Books:
Last date for Registration: September 28, 2011
Preparation Strategy for CAT 2011:
Focused Preparation:
The most important aspect, clichéd though it may sound, would be to improve your fundamentals (Basic concepts). But the students face the constraint of time, with less than 3 months on hand and so much to go through. Therefore, “Focused preparation” would be the key during this phase.
By now, students should have some understanding of where they stand in terms of the comfort level in each of the 4 areas (Quantitative, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation). This understanding should be taken to the next level – to know the areas which need improvement at a sub-section level. For this, individual Mock-CATs performances should be analyzed in great detail at a topic level and not just at a sectional/area level. The areas where the students have been scoring below par consistently and the areas where the scores have been fluctuating should be the areas of prime focus. Also the areas which have been consistently contributing to the CAT exam should be identified and given maximum attention.
Planned Approach:
Now that the focus areas have been identified, the next step would be to start getting better on them. Here is where proper planning would go a long way in helping the student allocate time judiciously between the sections. This has to be done by prioritizing the areas for preparation. The contribution of a particular area to CAT exam over time, and the student’s comfort level with the area, would be the 2 parameters which help in prioritization. Areas which have a high contribution and low comfort level should be categorized as high priority. Similarly, areas with low contribution and high comfort level should be categorized as low priority.
The target should be to improve on as many areas as possible, by end-September so that the remaining time can be spent on revision of the topics learnt so far and not on learning new topics any more. Revision would strengthen the concepts that the student has learnt so far and would thereby ensure that the efforts put in so far would not go waste.
With the new pattern, the tendency on part of the students would be t neglect the weaker area and to focus on the stronger area from the section. This could prove counter productive as the moderate questions from the weaker area may also end up un-attempted in this case.
Rigorous analysis of Mock-Cat performances: Analysis of the Mock-Cat performances, which was discussed above, is not a one-time activity. This should be done regularly after every Mock-CAT that the students take. This would help them gauge the results and quality of their preparation and accordingly make the necessary changes to their approach.
Getting the Question selection right:
The students need to ensure that they attempt and answer all the easy questions in each section within the time allotted for the section. Once they are done with the easy questions, they can proceed to answering the more difficult ones, if time permits. To be able to do this, one has to attempt questions selectively, judging their difficulty level while reading them. The cardinal rule is to not miss on any easy question in the CAT paper.
Effect of the Changed Test Pattern
The focus on “time management” will come down as each section is timed separately. Students need not worry about the time they spend on each area and can instead devote their attention to solving the question at hand. This will reduce a lot of mental burden and there by help increase the accuracy levels. This may, in return, help the students to score better.
Candidates with a specific weak area are at a definite advantage due to the combination of areas in a section. As there are only 2 sections for 4 areas, those having a handicap in a specific test area, say Quant, may now look at compensating for it with the other area from the section, DI in this case. This is in contrast to the case earlier when competence was to be shown in all the three areas. This will come as a relief to a large number of CAT aspirants. The change might also, hopefully, enable the IIMs increase the diversity of student background, which is dominated by engineers currently.
With two sections now, we expect that only two sectional cutoffs would be considered. It is unlikely that the questions from each section would further be split into individual areas to look at the performance in them. The cut offs are likely to be determined based on the entire section.
Many students have questions about the VA area in particular and whether there will be Reading Comprehension questions. RC has traditionally been tested under 'Verbal Ability' section and we continue to have 'Verbal Ability' this year too. We believe that there is no reason to think that there will be no RC questions this year. Students should certainly prepare for RC with all the usual seriousness.
FAQs on the new CAT 2011
The CAT 2011 will have only two sections instead of three. The first section will focus on Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation; the second on Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning. These two sections will be implemented sequentially with separate time limits. The examination will be 140 minutes. Candidates will have 70 minutes to answer 30 questions within each section which will have an on-screen countdown timer. Once the time ends for the first section, they will move to the second and will no longer be able to go back.
The success of a candidate in CAT mainly depends on the following criteria
- Self assessment of strong and weak sections in quantitative, verbal ability and logical & data interpretation
- Focused Preparation
- Taking a large number of computer-based mock CATs
- The number of questions attempted
- Accuracy
- Attempting well prepared questions first
- Concentrating on basics and concepts
Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability You should focus on strengthening your skills by reading a wide range of non-fiction topics like rural development, space research etc in the e-book, e-paper or internet blog forms to help you do well in the online format.
Quantitative Ability:
Focusing on basic principles can fetch you good marks from this section. Strategic preparation by dividing the topics will be more useful. Don’t try for instant answers; instead practice questions using basic formulae to get answers.
Logical Reasoning:
This section requires no basic formulae. You should focus on understanding and analyzing the given statements carefully. One has to analyze the given statements in all the possible ways. Concentration plays a vital role in this section.
Do not set any minimum number of questions to be attempted as your target. Going by the past few years’ CAT papers, ambiguity and close options are likely, so proceed with caution while attempting the verbal section.
Reference Books:
- Grammar - Wren and Martin
- Quantitative Ability - Trishna Publications
- Vocabulary - Norman
Last date for Registration: September 28, 2011
Preparation Strategy for CAT 2011:
With the syllabus of CAT remaining the same, no specific changes are to be made on the preparation front. Let us look at the key aspects that the students need to look at..
Focused Preparation:
The most important aspect, clichéd though it may sound, would be to improve your fundamentals (Basic concepts). But the students face the constraint of time, with less than 3 months on hand and so much to go through. Therefore, “Focused preparation” would be the key during this phase.
By now, students should have some understanding of where they stand in terms of the comfort level in each of the 4 areas (Quantitative, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation). This understanding should be taken to the next level – to know the areas which need improvement at a sub-section level. For this, individual Mock-CATs performances should be analyzed in great detail at a topic level and not just at a sectional/area level. The areas where the students have been scoring below par consistently and the areas where the scores have been fluctuating should be the areas of prime focus. Also the areas which have been consistently contributing to the CAT exam should be identified and given maximum attention.
Planned Approach:
Now that the focus areas have been identified, the next step would be to start getting better on them. Here is where proper planning would go a long way in helping the student allocate time judiciously between the sections. This has to be done by prioritizing the areas for preparation. The contribution of a particular area to CAT exam over time, and the student’s comfort level with the area, would be the 2 parameters which help in prioritization. Areas which have a high contribution and low comfort level should be categorized as high priority. Similarly, areas with low contribution and high comfort level should be categorized as low priority.
The target should be to improve on as many areas as possible, by end-September so that the remaining time can be spent on revision of the topics learnt so far and not on learning new topics any more. Revision would strengthen the concepts that the student has learnt so far and would thereby ensure that the efforts put in so far would not go waste.
With the new pattern, the tendency on part of the students would be t neglect the weaker area and to focus on the stronger area from the section. This could prove counter productive as the moderate questions from the weaker area may also end up un-attempted in this case.
Rigorous analysis of Mock-Cat performances: Analysis of the Mock-Cat performances, which was discussed above, is not a one-time activity. This should be done regularly after every Mock-CAT that the students take. This would help them gauge the results and quality of their preparation and accordingly make the necessary changes to their approach.
Getting the Question selection right:
The students need to ensure that they attempt and answer all the easy questions in each section within the time allotted for the section. Once they are done with the easy questions, they can proceed to answering the more difficult ones, if time permits. To be able to do this, one has to attempt questions selectively, judging their difficulty level while reading them. The cardinal rule is to not miss on any easy question in the CAT paper.
Effect of the Changed Test Pattern
The focus on “time management” will come down as each section is timed separately. Students need not worry about the time they spend on each area and can instead devote their attention to solving the question at hand. This will reduce a lot of mental burden and there by help increase the accuracy levels. This may, in return, help the students to score better.
Candidates with a specific weak area are at a definite advantage due to the combination of areas in a section. As there are only 2 sections for 4 areas, those having a handicap in a specific test area, say Quant, may now look at compensating for it with the other area from the section, DI in this case. This is in contrast to the case earlier when competence was to be shown in all the three areas. This will come as a relief to a large number of CAT aspirants. The change might also, hopefully, enable the IIMs increase the diversity of student background, which is dominated by engineers currently.
With two sections now, we expect that only two sectional cutoffs would be considered. It is unlikely that the questions from each section would further be split into individual areas to look at the performance in them. The cut offs are likely to be determined based on the entire section.
Many students have questions about the VA area in particular and whether there will be Reading Comprehension questions. RC has traditionally been tested under 'Verbal Ability' section and we continue to have 'Verbal Ability' this year too. We believe that there is no reason to think that there will be no RC questions this year. Students should certainly prepare for RC with all the usual seriousness.
FAQs on the new CAT 2011
- When is the CAT 2011 starting?
Ans: The CAT test window is from 22nd October to 18th November. However, like last year it will be conducted on 20 days in this test window with two slots per test day.
- How many test centers are there for CAT 2011?
Ans: The total number of test locations (cities) for CAT 2011 is 36 with the inclusion of 3 new cities – Bhilai, Jammu and Dehradun. To reduce the difficulties in purchasing CAT vouchers, now candidates will also be able to purchase CAT vouchers from 201 Axis Bank branches, an increase of 30 outlets.
- What is the total duration of the test from checking into the center to the end of the test?
Ans: The check-in procedure this year will start one-and-a-half hours before the scheduled test time instead of two hours last year. A 15-minute tutorial will be provided before the start of the test. The total duration of the test will be two hours and 35 minutes including the tutorial.
- How many sections are there in CAT 2011?
Ans: There are two sections in CAT 2011 – Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (Section 1) and Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (Section 2). This is a major change in the pattern as compared to last several years, when the paper used to comprise 3 sections.
- Are there sectional time limits? What is the number of questions in each section?
Ans: Yes, there is a sectional time limit of 70 mins for each section. This is a major change as there has been no sectional time limit in CAT for the last several years. Both the sections will have 30 questions each.
- Can I choose which section to attempt first?
Ans: No, we cannot choose the section we want to attempt first. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation will be the first section, followed by Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, which will be the second section.
- Can I move to the second section before 70 mins, if I have completed the first section or want to skip the first section?
Ans: No, only once the time (70 mins) ends for the first section, you will be automatically moved to the second section.
- Can I move back and forth between questions during the test?
Ans: You can move back and forth within a section. However, once you are in the second section, you cannot return to the first section.
- What can be the probable reason for the change in CAT 2011 pattern?
Ans: One of the reasons cited by the CAT Convener 2011, Mr. Janakiraman Moorthy is, “the reason we have made two sections is because students spend a lot of time on one section and thereby lose out on other sections. By making it two sections, candidates will concentrate more or less on one section for a longer time”.
One other probable reason for the change can be to make CAT on the same lines as other internationally accepted standardized tests like the GRE® test and the GMAT® test. In fact, the CAT Convener said that he would also like to add a ‘writing’ component in the CAT exam, which will help identify the writing skills of the candidates. If introduced, this might be similar to the Analytical Writing (essay writing) section in both the GRE® test and the GMAT® test.
- What type of questions is expected in the Logical Reasoning part of the 'Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning’s section?
Ans: There are three possibilities:
a) Critical Reasoning questions (similar to the kind that appear in GMAT® test).
b) Puzzles, deductions, and connectives, which came in the 'Data and Logical Reasoning' section in previous year's CAT.
c) A mix of both (a) and (b) mentioned above.
- How many questions will be from Quant in 'QA and DI' section? How many questions will be from DI in 'QA and DI' section? How many questions will be from VA in 'VA and LR' section? How many questions will be from LR in 'VA and LR' section? How many RC passages will be there in 'VA and LR' section?
Ans: There is no information on the weightage or the number of questions from individual test areas (like QA, DI, DS, VA, LR, RC, etc) inside the section. Any composition can be expected as of now.
- Is the difficulty level and content of the test changing? Is CAT becoming more difficult?
Ans: The information disclosed by IIMs so far refers only to a change in the format of the paper. No mention has been made regarding the difficulty level and contents of the CAT paper. It is very important for you to adapt and excel in the new format at the earliest. Your test taking strategies have to change as per the new format. This is only possible by taking Mock tests in the new CAT pattern.
The exam is not becoming more difficult as these changes would only mean that the “timimg concerns” would come down. Hence, these changes are to the advantage of the students in many ways.
Candidates with a specific weak area are at a definite advantage due to the combination of areas in a section. As there are only 2 sections for 4 areas, those having a handicap in a specific test area, say Quant, may now look at compensating for it with the other area from the section, DI in this case. This is in contrast to the case earlier when competence was to be shown in all the three areas. This will come as a relief to a large number of CAT aspirants.
- Will the difficulty level vary across slots?
Ans: No, similar level of difficulty will be maintained across the slots as asserted by the CAT Convener 2011. You can book your slot on any day and time, with it having no bearing on the difficulty level.
- Will there be Reading Comprehension (RC) in the paper?
Ans: Many students have questions about the VA area in particular and whether there will be Reading Comprehension questions included under VA. Students should note that RC has traditionally been tested under 'Verbal Ability' section and we continue to have 'Verbal Ability' this year too. We believe that there is no reason to assume/conclude that there will be no RC questions this year. You should certainly prepare for RC with all the usual seriousness.
- Will there be sub-sections inside the section and will there be a sub-sectional cut-off?
Ans: With two sections now, we expect that only two sectional cutoffs would be considered. It is unlikely that the questions from each section would further be split into individual areas to look at the performance in them. The cut offs are likely to be determined based on the entire section.
- Should Mock CATs be taken now with the pattern change?
Ans: Yes. Getting familiar with the new pattern is of utmost importance and MOCKs from now on should be taken in the new format.
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