Friday, July 31, 2015

CAT- 2015

CAT never teaches the art to climb a tree; A lion hunts it anyways : PART 1 (Don’t Worry)
Once again the ceremonial amusement around the CAT notification is on. The experts and the CAT connoisseurs are busy in developing new strategies while the budding managers are as usual passing through the “I-am-so-worried” phase of absorbing the process of change. So, my dear CAT hunters there is a little to worry and so is the time to get yourself pull the socks and jump into the battle with the non changeable and non challengeable  facts.
Hugh Prather, and American writer once said: Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes.
As a manager we are expected to adapt and lead in the ever dynamic and changing environment. So, every year the changed CAT pattern is nothing but the first filter for the fittest. So, if you do not worry for the changed CAT, you’ve already passed one of the screens.
Before I move further let us have a factual gist of what’s new in CAT 2015:
  1. The total duration of the test is 180 min with 60 minutes for each section. Yes, there are three sections as they used to be in the “not-so-good” old days.
  2. The section of QA (Quantitative Aptitude) will have 34 questions; VRC (Verbal and Reading Comprehension) will also have 34 questions; while LRDI (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation) will have 32 questions.
  3. Candidates will not be allowed to switch from one section to another section while answering the questions in a section.
  4. Candidates will be allowed to access the basic on-screen calculator for calculation.
  5. Some questions in each of the sections will be of non MCQ type and the candidates will have to type the answers on the screen.
  6. The test will be held on 29th November in 2 sessions at 650 test sites.
And, the good thing is that there are a total of 19 IIMs this time:
  1. Ahmedabad
  2. Amritsar
  3. Bangalore
  4. Bodh Gaya
  5. Calcutta
  6. Indore
  7. Kashipur
  8. Kozhikode
  9. Lucknow
  10. Nagpur
  11. Raipur
  12. Ranchi
  13. Rohtak
  14. Sambalpur
  15. Shillong
  16. Sirmaur
  17. Tiruchirappalli
  18. Udaipur
  19. Visakhapatnam
Now finding the positives in the 2015 CAT:
  1. The increased number of Questions is 100 and the number of minutes is 180. That means there is an average of 1:48 min for each question. If CAT examiners have given around two minutes per question that means the questions will be more of logic rather that calculation and counting.
  2. The basic calculator provided will help in DI questions.
  3. There will be no chance of irrelevant opinions as everyone will be taking the test on the same day.
  4. The cut-off of QA and VRC will not be as high as they used to be as the support of DI and LR will no longer be there in the sections.
  5. The chances of getting overall cut-off cleared are more as there are three sections instead of two.
Believe me, there is no need to worry about the non-MCQ part of the test. If there is something new, it is new for everyone including the examiner. Hence,
  1. It is examiner’s responsibility to explain the questions clearly
  2. Being the first time, it won’t be too difficult.
So, the need of hour is, take a chill pill and get on to the full swing preparation with the same zeal you were doing. There is just one key to success in CAT : P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E.
P: Prepare well on your strength areas. Do take a small test on the areas of your strength atleast once in two days.
R: Read as much as you can – News papers, journals, magazines, books and everything you come across. Try reading online as it will make you comfortable with the onscreen reading of the RC passages.
A: Add to your strengths every day. Add atleast one new topic or concept or a set of new vocabulary to your area of control. Be consistent in this habit and you will do really well in CAT.
C: Compete with yourself while you practice. Aim for a better score in every mock test you write. Keep breaking your own records everytime you write a new test or a mock test.
T: Talk to your mentors and teachers and discuss your fears and queries openly.
I: Indifference to negative opinion.
C: Cope up with the changes in the pattern. It is a part of life and the sooner you cope with the more you would score.
E: Eat well. Do not compromise on your health and diet. Have a good diet and do not skip your meals. A sound mind resides in a healthy body.
 Mario Andretti, an Italian world driving champion once said, Desire is the key to motivation, but its determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.

All the Best !!!

Keep looking for PART – 2