CAT 2014 D day has arrived. The test on Nov 16 and Nov 22, 2014 will decide the fate of 1.97 lakhs of CAT 2014 aspirants seeking admission in top rated IIMs and other B schools in India. With the stage set for CAT 2014 first 2 sessions on Nov 16, 2014, aspirants who have prepared well and wish to get admission in top B schools in 2015 are getting a bit nervous and due to one or other reason are losing the high level of confidence.
In view of Prof S K Agarwal, Verbal Ability Expert and mentor on CAT preparation, Any feeling of pessimism or the negative attitude fearing some problems related to preparation, exam room strategy or unanticipated technical glitches just before CAT 2014 is uncalled for and unfounded. You have to take the bull by the horn. Be confident and remain motivated, any dip in the confidence level at the eleventh hour may turn the tables against you. Know that ‘CAT is because of you, you are not because of CAT’.
In fact CAT 2014 is rated an ‘aspirant friendly’ exam. Prof S K Agarwal, mentor on CAT preparation shares number of positives that CAT 2014 has introduced and in all probability candidates will enjoy taking the test, if they have prepared and practiced well.
No technical glitches anticipated
So far since the opening of registration process for CAT 2014 on Aug 6, 2014 candidates have found a smooth functioning on the CAT website. Apart from small tit-bits that also occurred due to ignorance or not properly updated browser, no issue has been there in downloading the Admit Card, attempting the practice test which is full length with 100 questions and with the clarity of navigation tools. Navigation tools right from the day of the availability of practice test on October 28, 2014 have been functioning well.
Navigation: More friendly options
More friendly options have been added to navigate through the test and one of them is the button to view the entire test paper in one go. It will not only save your time in the testing room while scanning the test paper but you will also immediately come to know which question in which section you should attempt first. It will be easier to maximize your attempts while selecting the preferred type of questions out of the 100 questions.
No confusion persists
All the points of confusion that could have haunted the minds of aspirants have also been cleared by CAT Centre 2014. The clarification is either through the new addition in FAQs or with the detailed explanation available on the related icon on home page.
No sectional time constraints
This is going to help the test takers who are good in one section and can solve it fast but need more time for other section. Now they have more time to attempt more questions as against in earlier CAT exams which did not allow to move from once section to other before the time allocated to one section was over. Those who are good in both the sections can now solve more questions in CAT 2014.
This will be a great opportunity and candidates can now toggle between the 2 sections freely within the overall time of 170 minutes allotted to solve 100 questions.
More questions: More opportunities
100 questions will sure give you better choice to choose the desired type of questions. There would be more questions on more topics and number of questions on each topic will also be more. If you are able to solve the same ratio of questions as required in earlier CAT exams, you can get a high percentile.
Don’t expect high LOD
The CAT 2014 exam pattern has brought many changes. This is also the first exam in the modified form. It is therefore expected that the level of difficulty in CAT 2014 will remain moderate and not very high. CAT 2014 aspirants who have prepared and practiced well are expected to score high in CAT 2014.
Score normalization: Expected to be smoother and more transparent
To facilitate smooth conduct of CAT 2014, IIMs and testing agency have tried to put back CAT 2014 to its pristine glory. CAT used to be a single session one day test, which during the last 5 years expanded to 20 days 40 sessions. In fact longer the testing window, more problems are anticipated in equating and normalization process. Now the CAT 2014 has announced the score normalization process on the similar lines to GATE which also adopts best practices and is a universally accepted process.
More IIMs: More seats
6 more IIMs have been announced by the Govt. of India. These IIMs in 6 different states are supposed to start functioning from the academic session 2015-16. Older and other new IIMs will also have a good intake. Now the number of IIMs would increase to 19 instead of 13 with this addition. With all this and more in the offing, you stand more chances to get admission in IIMs than earlier.
With so many positives, there is no point why you should feel nervous and have any negative feeling before the exam. Be positive, remain motivated as Dr Rohit Kapoor, CAT 2014 convener has advised ‘Gear up yourself and give your best’.
Related Links
CAT 2014 New Exam Pattern: Live on Oct 28, 2014; familiarize with new pattern and questions
CAT 2014: Know the section wise expected number & type of questions while practice test awaited
CAT 2014 Test Day Guide out; reveals important dos and donts for the exam day
CAT 2014: Aspirants waiting for practice test to best utilize the Diwali Holidays
CAT 2014: 5 big changes revealed on Test day Video; listen and read carefully
CAT 2014 Test day video launched; Examinees to report 2 hours before the test at Exam centre
CAT 2014 Admit Card: All the details available; Check carefully to confirm your candidature
CAT 2014 Admit Card is out: Download now and take the print
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2014
