CAT 2014: 5 important exam features you need to know
By Tony Xavier
In the entire history of Common Admission Test (CAT), there have been only three instances when the exam underwent no changes – 2010, 2012 and 2013.
With such statistics, we should’ve seen this coming (changes in CAT 2014 pattern), especially when the vendor also changed from Prometric to TCS.
The last two CAT exams had perhaps pacified us into believing that the Indian Institutes of Managements (IIMs) had finally hit upon the perfect exam that would test the prospective managers. Then we wake up to the new pattern of CAT 2014. In other words, requirements from a potential manager in 2014 is not the same as the requirements in the last two years.
So what do the changes mean for a normal aspirant, aiming to be a manager? Here’s my attempt to decode CAT 2014:
1. Average solving time has not come down
At the face value, it seems that the average time per question is down to 102 seconds from 140 seconds. But candidates attempting the test for a few years will know there’s more to it than mere numbers. The average time comes down only if one solves all the questions within the required time. In CAT 2013, an aspirant with around 16 to 17 correct attempt questions could score 99.89 percentile. The basic inference here is: With an increase in the overall time, there’s also an increase in the number of questions attempted by the test-takers. So the end-result is the same.
2. Reduced test-taking slots = Difficult test
One of the biggest change is that the test-taking authorities (TCS) will have to set fewer questions this time (only 400) as compared to previous years. This also means that the quality of questions/ problems will go up. We already witnessed it last year. CAT 2013 was the most difficult computer-based CAT exam since the test-creators (Prometric) had to set fewer questions / problems. So looking at past trends, CAT 2014 is bound to get tougher.
3. More questions = Wider topics & new problems
Increase in number of questions means wider range of concepts will be tested in each topic. Therefore, candidates can no more choose to ignore their least preferred areas. Expect new question types in Verbal Ability section and more concepts in the Quant and Data Sufficiency sections.
4. Which section benefits from no-sectional time limit— QA or VA?
Are you good at Quant? Does that mean you’ll score more in it because of no-sectional time limit? If you’re good in a certain section, it should mean only one thing – irrespective of difficultly level of the paper, you’ll be able to score above 97 percentile in the section.
But wait! Don’t forget sectional cut-offs! CAT aspirants who are good at Mathematics will solve as many QA questions as possible. They’ll allocate very little time to VA sections. Whereas candidates good at VA quickly finish all questions and allocate more time to Mathematics.
So, the question arises: Does no-sectional time limit benefit one over the other? The answer is – not really. Who does it really benefit the most? The strategist!
5. From a test of competence to test of strategy
Introduction of no sectional time-limit means macro-level time management in no more in the test-taker’s purview. Earlier within 70 minutes in each section, one had to choose the right questions. There was no opportunity to maximise strengths and minimise liabilities.
With no sectional time-limits, aspirants can allocate to maximise overall score and clear sectional cut-offs.
“So do you allocate more time to your strong areas or to your weak areas? How do you know that you have done enough to clear the cut-off in your weak area? What is a good number of attempts overall?”
These all some of the questions that test-takers have to confront. New strategies for new pattern can only be devised after we get a look at the new testing interface.
On the whole, the new changes makes CAT 2014 look like a throwback to the previous CAT exams, except with the addition of mouse.
About the Author
Tony Xavier is the business head of IMS Chennai. He's an alumni of IIM Lucknow.
