Three one-hour sections, onscreen calculator… the exam has changed with the times.
The IIMs have changed the format and
structure of CAT this year. Specifically, there have been four key changes.
First, the exam will comprise three sections instead of two sections as seen in
CAT 2014. Second, the duration of the exam has been extended to 180 minutes
(from 170 minutes last year) with the time split to one hour per section.
Third, a basic onscreen calculator will be provided to students. And lastly, a
few questions will require answers to be entered directly, instead of the
traditional multiple-choice format. These changes are but tweaks that should
improve the test-taking experience for students and are not a dramatic
overhaul.
“Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Data
Interpretation and Logical Reasoning tested in a competitive exam that is
objective and conducted across the country” This is how one would have
described CAT in 1990, 2000 or 2010. This statement remains the same in 2015 as
well. The core tenets remain the same; the CAT has merely decided to use a few
of the inherent advantages that online testing offers.
The features introduced this year are not new
to CAT. From 1990 to 2012, CAT had three or more sections every year. The
two-section format was seen only in the last two years. Previously, we have
also had fixed time limits for individual sections (in CAT 2013).
CAT is now effectively three one-hour exams
and this is a blessing in disguise.
Counter-intuitively, the time allotted per
section being fixed is a boon to students. Although the change in format
appears to have taken some flexibility away from students, the freedom of
allocating time across sections was illusory anyway. Students used to spend a
lot of time fretting about section cut-offs and going for a ‘balanced’ score
across sections. The only adjustment students will have to make is to think of
CAT as three one-hour exams instead of one three-hour exam.
No
place to hide
In a traditional two-section format, students
had the option of treating Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning or Reading
Comprehension as less important and ‘hiding’ in the other segments. For
instance, one could go in hoping to get 14-15 questions correct in Logical
Reasoning and completely skip RC. These imaginary luxuries are out. Students
need to have more balance in their preparation and cannot afford to have
glaring weaknesses.
Computational pressure is off, which is a big
relief and a great leveller.
The one unambiguous takeaway here is that the
on-screen calculator is a boon. Students no longer need to worry about knowing
45x35 or computing 34.6 per cent of 72 quickly. Computation speed is not really
important in the 21st century, and CAT has quietly acknowledged this fact.
Students should resist the temptation to use
the online calculator for every single computation. Relying on an external
computational tool for all computations dulls numerical intuition, and, so, the
online calculator should be prudently used. My suggestion would be to use it
for the Data Interpretation section and not really bother with it for the
section on Quantitative Aptitude.
CAT has moved with the times and test-takers
should follow suit. The test-setters have utilised technology well and picked a
format that focuses on knowledge of the fundamentals and de-emphasises
computation-speed. Students should make three small adjustments.
Learn from first principles: Ignore
shortcuts, speed-math related gimmicks and focus on basics.
Read, read, read: The single-most important
factor for excelling in the verbal ability section is reading comfort. Students
with a consistent reading habit have a massive advantage in this section.
Students should aim to read for at least 90 minutes every day.
Take plenty of ‘mocks’: Students should aim
to take at least 20 ‘mock’ CATs in the new format. They should aim to take
these tests from different providers so as to be exposed to different question
styles.
The writer runs 2IIM, an online CAT Coaching
institute, and is an alumnus of IIMB. He scored 100 percentile in CAT in 2011,
2012 and 2014.
Source | The Hindu | 23 August 2015
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