MBA SPECIAL...................... CAT 2014 is likely to be a more competitive and extensive exam

CAT 2014 is likely to be a more competitive and extensive exam

The average difficulty level is likely to remain at par with earlier CATs

The widely taken Common Aptitude Test ( CAT) for admission to most acclaimed B- schools is set to be very different from the previous CATs, after the changes announced by the convening committee. The tough entrance exam will see changes in the form of a new structure — a two-day test window with four test slots, more questions, an early-November date — and a test creator. All of these have significant implications on how a student must approach the test. This means that applicants will have to follow a course correction in their preparation for the D-day. It’s time to reset your pointers to prepare for the new pattern.

The new version of the CAT is a gruelling three-hour exercise. To excel, appear for at least 20 full-length mock tests in the 100 days before the test.

Every competitive exam has its own unique character with features such as the structure, the content, including both width and depth and the testing environment. CAT will be held over a two day slot on November 16 and November 22. Here is an analysis of the changes in CAT, along with tips for the exam that is only 100 days away.

Structure: The structure of the exam determines the testtaking strategy. The change has three significant elements

Increase in the number of questions

Increase in the time limit to 170 minutes No sectional time limits Since the launch of the computer-based test for mat five years back, the number of questions appearing in CAT has been only about 2/ 3rd of the last few paper-based CATs. This means that 40 t o 45 attempts are good enough for a decent percentile. Thereby, the psychological barrier that you need to cross to be in the zone of the call getters is reduced.

In the current format, you must aim at 60 to 65 attempts. Your ability to get to this level will be aided by the fact that you will have more questions to choose from. However, to take advantage of this, make sure that you practice a wide range of topics.

You will have to start by moving your target questions from 40 to 50 in a time frame. Then gradually, push it to over 60 as you practice further. The bottom line is: You move from a scenario where you spent 140 seconds on a question to about 100 seconds per question.

The new version of CAT is a 170- minute affair. That makes it a gruelling three to three-and-a-half hours of focus. Stamina can be built only through “sustained” practice in simulated situations. To be at the peak of your performance through the 170 minutes, work on as many mocks as possible. Completing 20 mocks in the span of these 100 days is a good aim. In CAT preparation, it is undeniable that testing in itself is inadequate unless backed by thorough analysis and feedback.

The most challenging and probably game changing element is t he “no sectional t i me l i mit” f or mat, which has been i ntroduced f rom this year. It changes the test from a knowledge check - ing paradigm to an aptitude checking paradigm.

The key to good performance will lie in how well you play your strengths. T his will include your knowledge of the subjects, the questions that you have chosen and your time management skills. Adequate practice will ensure that you get your strategy right. A few questions that you must ask yourself while taking a mock test— Which questions first? How much time to devote to which section? How many rounds of attempts?

Content: Would there be a significant change in content? It is unlikely. It is true that the test creator has more options for framing questions. The IIMs themselves would be very closely associated with the test designing process.

It is advised to get used to the types of questions that have been seen in the previous CATs, when an in-house body used to conduct the test. The average level of the paper is likely to stay at par with the earlier CATs. While it is imperative that you include all types of questions in your mocks, make sure that you know the previous CAT papers well.

Test environment: The tests are going to be conducted in 99 cities and in not more than four time slots. This could mean a lot for the student as well as for CAT, as an exam. If done carefully, the test can bring back the credibility of the CAT scores. Most of us know about the scores fiasco i n CAT 2013 and t he subsequent litigation. Hopefully for the IIMs, these positive changes in the test will encourage more students to appear for it. Stay prepared for a more competitive CAT.

There is no option for students to choose time slots for this test. So when to book your slot is no longer relevant. Compiled by HT140827