CAT 2017 New Pattern - Expert Tips #5: Quant will still make difference despite losing dominance

Quantitative Ability (QA) in CAT 2017 will impact your CAT percentile score to a great extent although IIMs have tried to play it low and have introduced the features that would reduce the dominance of this section in favour of particular academic area. The revised and changed CAT syllabus and CAT exam pattern for CAT 2017 does not award any higher weightage to Quant section. On the contrary the qualifying cut off percentile in Quantitative Ability (QA) section of CAT 2017 has also been pegged at the same level.

Important links:

• CAT 2017 New Pattern – Expert Tips #4: LOGICAL REASONING; don’t ignore it for IIM Call
• CAT 2017 New Pattern – Expert Tips #3: Verbal, RC; grab this high scoring opportunity
• CAT 2017 Must read Expert Tips: 2- How to prepare Data Interpretation & add 40 percentile in new CAT syllabus, exam pattern
• CAT 2017 must-read expert Tips-1: 5 things to note in new syllabus, changed exam pattern

Although at the cost of Quant, you cannot afford losing score in other sections, your score in Quantitative Ability will still be turning point to get shortlisted by IIMs. No doubt this section is losing its prominent weightage position since 2015 when IIM Ahmedabad conducted CAT and overhauled the entire exam and has now reduced the minimum CAT 2017 qualifying percentile score to 70, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta have distanced themselves from lowering of percentile cut offs and have kept it to 80 percentile in Quant section in CAT 2017. 

So whatever background you are coming from, you need to score a minimum threshold percentile of 80 in Quant section of CAT 2017 to get shortlisted by IIM Bangalore and Calcutta, although IIM Ahmedabad needs only 70 percentile. Those who are weak in Quant should take the smart preparation and practice path to target Quant in CAT 2017 with comparatively high scores in changed CAT syllabus and CAT 2017 exam pattern.

As shared in the earlier published articles, CAT 2017 syllabus and CAT exam pattern have gone into substantial changes and the Quant section may also have questions on different lesser known topics. Experts on Quant preparation for CAT advise to practice on variety of questions and arrive at your target score without compromising with the scores in other sections.

Changes in Quantitative Ability (QA)
The official CAT Mock Test now reveals following changes in CAT 2017 exam syllabus and CAT exam pattern for Quantitative Ability (QA) section:

1. The emphasis on Arithmetic based questions is expected to reduce in actual CAT 2017 exam and other topics on Geometry, Algebra, Number system, P&C may get prominence
2. Quant section in CAT 2017 will have 34 questions
3. 10 questions are proposed as no penalty questions instead of last year 7 now, as per the updated CAT exam pattern revealed in CAT Mock test available on the site
4. As revealed in official CAT Mock, a few MCQs are also no-penalty questions apart from the Non-MCQs in Quant section
5. It is expected that the actual CAT 2017 exam paper may contain 3-4 MCQs without no penalty of negative marking as revealed in official CAT mock test.

Quant: Scoring pattern
IIM Lucknow has shared following scoring pattern in CAT 2017:

• All MCQs will carry 1/3 negative marking penalty for wrong answer
• All correct answers for MCQs and Non-MCQs will be awarded +3 positive marks for each right answer
• All Non MCQs will be free from penalty of negative marking. Accordingly no marks will be deducted for wrong answers of Non-MCQ type of questions.
• Maximum raw score will be 102 in Quant section
• The score obtained by the candidate will be scaled further and will then be converted to percentile score as per the GATE formula
• 10 Non MCQs in Quant will have maximum 30 marks without any negative marking for wrong answer

High LoD section: Concentrate to crack 
Quantitative Ability is regarded as the most difficult section in CAT and now with the clock ticking fast, the examination is only 6 days away. Experts emphasize the importance of Practice to score high percentile in this crucial section of CAT 2017.

How can you make yourself stronger in this section? What are the strategies that you can follow so that this section saves your time on heavy calculations? 

One of the most important suggestions shared by CAT preparation experts is that the CAT test takers should avoid using the on screen calculator during the exam as it might consume more of your time. Instead the preferable strategy is to silently do the manual calculations.

CAT preparation Experts are of the view that nearer the D-Day, strategize and streamline your studies to prepare for Quantitative Ability Section.

CAT to ask Quant questions below class 12 level
It has been observed from the official CAT 2017 Mock test that CAT would ask Quantitative Ability questions of Class VIII to XII level. If you are well prepared in basic mathematics, it should not be an obstacle for you.

Division of Quant section
Quantitative Ability in CAT 2017 is broadly divided into three basic areas i.e. Arithmetic, Algebra and Core mathematics. It includes topics related to percentage, Average, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Indices, Logs, Permutations and Combinations, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities and Progressions.

Strategy to crack Quantitative Ability Section
There are different strategies to solve different sections. This section is all about numbers and you have to practice more to become robust in this section.

Experts believe that CAT does not aim to check your mathematical skills through QA Section.  Instead, you have to focus more on digits, logic and common sense. Quant Expert Shiva Kumar says, “Try to focus on numbers with quick calculations through vedic mathematics.”

Accordingly you need to focus primarily on 2 things:

• Be able of number crunching and speed
• Solve practice papers in a simulated test environment

Revise the formulae
According to experts, you have to revise and practice all the formulas again and again. You must have already gone through with all the basics, as there is no time for it now except brushing up and revising certain things. With all the concepts cleared and fundamentals built up, solving questions of Quant Section accurately will not be a hurdle for you, now.

Attempt Non-MCQs and formula based questions first
Experts are of the opinion that you should attempt the No-penalty Non-MCQ type questions first and then move to MCQs with negative marking.

Another key suggestion is to go for formula based questions first as with all the formula based preparation you may find these questions easy and will be able to solve them with higher accuracy level.

There are many Quantitative Ability questions which would consist of simple formulas. Once you have clarity on them, have grasped and understood them, you can solve all the questions very easily.

CAT preparation experts on Quant are of the view that CAT does not want to test your mathematical" skills; if it wanted to do that, we'd have only M.Sc. Mathematics & PhD students sitting in the IIMs. CAT test is based on logic & common sense and is meant for the average and common candidate with no expertise only in one particular section.

If you have gone through all the formulae and are able to focus on vedic mathematics it will save your time in maximizing your attempts in Quant section with high accuracy level.

According to the experts and CAT toppers, Quantitative Ability Section is the last section that appears in front of the screen in your CAT exam. By the time you reach Quant section, you might have drained your spirit and energy after 2 hours of sitting before the computer screen. It is therefore also advisable to practice sitting for long hours while taking CAT Mock tests, exercises or studying for preparation. Please note Quantitative Ability is a stand-alone section and Data Interpretation is not more attached to it. So whatever you score in Quant will determine your sectional percentile and will be added to your overall percentile.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more expert tips to Crack CAT 2017

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