Bell the CAT in 2014!

While most of the aspirants who have prepared for months for the CAT exam and even those who have not, the most-awaited day has come. CAT 2014 is scheduled for 16^th and 22^nd November, 2014.

This time around there will be two slots of test on each day. The pattern of CAT has changed and this time around we would have two sections comprising of 50 questions each. One noticeable feature of the test is that this time around the test-takers will be allowed move across the sections, unlike the previous year’s test. The test duration has also been increased to 170 minutes.

Here we try to answer a few questions which each aspirant may think of, especially before the actual CAT exam.

Difficult or Easy?

Let us keep it easy. The reason is simple. Most of us like it that way. We believe that if one has prepared well for the exam, he/she will find the exam easy. Moreover, we need to understand that the scores in the CAT exam are relative. That means if the exam turns out to be actually difficult, it will be difficult for most of the students. Accordingly the cut-offs required to get admission-call from various premier institutes will also go down. And vice-versa is also true.

In all aspects, one should stay positive and the exam will definitely seem to be easy.

Which section should be attempted first?

We would suggest that one should go by his/her strengths. We believe that one should attempt those questions first in which he/she is good at. For an example, if I am good at English, I would attempt questions of English first. The reason is simple; one would most probably get a ‘feel good factor’ or a much desired ‘push’. This will create a positive impact on the student and result in positive results too.

What should be the minimum number of attempts?

While there is no minimum standard, going by the history, a score of anything more than 50% of the total score would be good enough to get a call from a reasonably good institute. Considering the fact that we have 100 questions in the exam, an attempt of around 60-70 questions will be considered to be good. If we maintain an accuracy of around 80% then it would result into a considerably good score.

How much time should be allotted to each section?

The answer to this question depends on the competency of the student. If in the Mock CATs a student has been amongst the toppers and has been doing well in both the sections, it is quite obvious, he/she should go by the same strategy which he/she has used in the Mock CATs.

Secondly, we have to keep in the mind the fact that only the topmost MBA institutes of India have a preference for sectional cut-offs. If a student is an average student and has been an average in the Mock CATs too, he/she can prefer investing more time in which he/she is comfortable, just to ensure an overall better score. One should also try to ensure that one does not have a negative score/ considerably low score in any of the sections.

General Tips:

Carry your admit card and take all the required documents to the exam centre. Reach well before the scheduled time. Stay emotionally and mentally balanced.

Bell the CAT in 2014.

We wish you all the best.

Paridhi Trivedi Parikh | Hardik K. Parikh

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Disclaimer: The views mentioned above are based on the authors' opinion and experiences. We do not take responsibility for any decision that might be taken, based on these views/ information.