CAT Centre 2014 states “The process of Normalization is an established practice for comparing candidate scores across multiple Forms and is similar to those being adopted in other large educational selection tests conducted in India such as Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).”
CAT exams used to announce their own score normalization process. IIMs are the pioneers in the field of innovation. The CAT 2014 score normalization process could be announced with much transparency and logical details but the announcement lacks it. This is probably the first instance that CAT score normalization has been declared in the manner showing that the system is copying the process of other exam. It also indicates the dependency on other system instead of devising the innovative difference. A system can be similar but declaring it similar to other means lack of transparency and instead of informing about the CAT 2014 score normalization process, CAT Centre 2014 has announced the process devised for other exam.
To know CAT 2014 score Normalization, Understand GATE scoring
The statement has created more confusion than clarification. The candidates are in a fix now in regard to understanding the transparency and exact process of CAT score normalization. To understand the CAT 2014 score normalization process they now need to know the GATE score normalization process and tomorrow if some other exam appeals to CAT Centre 2014, it might refer to that process instead of claiming that the process devised for CAT 2014 score normalization is meant for CAT examinees.
Non GATE takers and CAT 2014 scoring
Those who have never appeared for GATE nor do intend to appear nor would ever be eligible for GATE but are surely appearing for CAT 2014 have to know the key components of GATE score normalization process and not CAT 2014 score normalization process.
None of the non engineers are eligible to take GATE. Now the commerce, science, medical, paramedical and graduates in Humanities who are going to appear in CAT 2014 have already been cramming their head for CAT 2014 preparation will now search for the GATE score normalization pattern. It may also not be necessary for them to properly understand process without wasting a good deal of time.
In case they do not understand the GATE scoring pattern, they wouldn’t understand the CAT 2014 score normalization pattern as well.
If GATE changes the pattern…
What would happen if GATE changed the score normalization process before or after CAT 2014 is over. Will CAT 2014 score normalization process follow suit? Probably not. Then why the much awaited equating and scaling of scores process has not been shared with complete transparency by the CAT centre 2014. Even if the system is like that of GATE, it could be shared on CAT 2014 site.
Candidates appearing in CAT 2014 have been calling for clarification in this regard but nothing else can be advised to them except for the fact that they should go to search for the GATE scoring normalization process.
Fairness and Equity in CAT 2014 scores: How to ensure
CAT Centre 2014 on behalf of IIMs declares “In order to ensure fairness and equity in comparison of performances of the candidates across different test sessions, the scores of the candidates shall be subjected to a process of Normalization. The Normalization process to be implemented shall adjust for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms and the scaled scores obtained by this process shall be converted into percentiles for purposes of shortlisting.”
The 3 aspects- Fairness, Equity and comparison of performances across the 4 test sessions in CAT 2014 exam are supposed to be ensured in score normalization process. But the Normalization process is without details. How the CAT 2014 test takers would know the transparent process unless it is available on CAT 2014 site. Whether it is similar to GATE, GMAT or any other exam, the expectation of the aspirants is to see the process on CAT site not on other exam site.
IIM Indore has already been facing many legal cases on the transparency of CAT score normalization issue and the issue for CAT 2014 should be well looked after for the benefit of aspirants as well as to uphold the claim of transparency in CAT 2014 score normalization process.
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Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2014 score normalization
