CAT 2014: What exactly happened on First day, Expert Analysis with tips

Updated on November 17, 2014

CAT 2014 first day with 2 sessions on November 16, 2014 passed off with no technical glitches during the exam and has reassured the test takers

The strategy had to be to solve more questions in less time which was possible only when right questions were chosen in the first few attempts

CAT 2014 first day with 2 sessions on November 16, 2014 passed off with no technical glitches during the exam and has reassured the test takers that CAT 2014 is surely an ‘aspirant friendly’ test. The fear of expected technical problems and mismanagement at the exam centres has now vanished and CAT 2014 test takers have appreciated the way CAT 2014 on its first day was conducted.

Since CAT Centre 2014 had to make arrangement to conduct the test in 2 days in 4 sessions instead of 20 days in 40 sessions as used to be conducted earlier, there are more number of test cities (99 instead of 40) and more test centres (307) across the country where CAT 2014 is being conducted. Besides more candidates than CAT 2013 have registered for CAT 2014, hence every exam centre has more testing labs to accommodate higher number of candidates. It is no doubt a great challenge for CAT 2014 convening IIM Indore as well as for the CAT 2014 testing agency TCS which is conducting CAT for the first time. The way CAT 2014 was conducted on its first day on Nov 16, 2014 is a commendable example of expertise with which the exam went on without any technical of management issues.

There was neither any delay in beginning the test nor any problem in navigation and moving forward with the questions during the 170 minutes examination was encountered by the test takers. CAT mentor and Verbal expert Prof S K Agarwal shares ‘what exactly happened on Nov 16, 2014’ at the test centres. The experience and expert tips will also guide the prospective CAT 2014 takers to gear up for November 22, 2014 the second and final day with 2 sessions of CAT 2014.

Reporting 2 hours before the exam

Although there were no long queues either at the exam centre gate or before the testing Labs friendly attitude of volunteers guided the test takers to the respective testing lab, it is in the interest of the test takers to report at the exam centre 2 hours before the exam as this will help them to go through the process quite conveniently. This will also do away with the fear of traffic jams and will ensure the timely arrival at the examination centre. The gates of the test centre were closed 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the actual test. The candidates were however allowed to enter as special cases.

Both the session on the first day of CAT 2014 on November 16, 2014 got over at the scheduled time of 12.20 PM and 5.50 PM.

Check in process was smooth

CAT 2014 testing pattern is different and so are the navigating tools. Another new feature that was available outside the each testing lab was the display of names, registration number and seat number of the candidates who were supposed to take the test in the assigned test lab.

Despite more number of candidates in each testing lab the registration process inside the lab was smooth and no long queues were formed. The operating staff was quick and well trained to guide the candidates.

The registration check in was 2 step process. The candidates had to sit before a computer to get their image and finger prints captured. The procedure was carried out to verify the identity of the candidates. Then the candidate had to sign the attendance sheet and had to make entries manually in the attendance sheet.

No test tutorial but detailed instructions available…

CAT Centre 2014 had already announced that there wouldn’t be any pre-exam tutorial in the testing lab. However, login in was allowed 10 minutes before the exam. The password was given by the invigilator in the test lab. Immediately after login candidates could view all the instructions with the guidelines how to use navigation tools on the screen and candidates could refresh themselves by going through them.

A different CAT 2014

This is the first time in last 5-6 years that 100 questions were asked in CAT 2014 with less time made available per question. There used to be 2.32 minutes per question in earlier CAT exams, this year the time is only 1.70 minutes per question. The strategy had to be to solve more questions in less time which was possible only when right questions were chosen in the first few attempts instead of going for all serially. Thos who adopted this strategy could solve more with higher accuracy level.

The first section Quant and DI…

The test began at the scheduled time without any delay. The candidates found first question on Quant and in most of the cases, it was on Algebra or Arithmatic. Candidates who began with Quant without choosing the preferred questions attempt wise found questions on Data Interpretation very difficult.

Number of candidates who were clear on their testing room strategy began with the selected few questions on Quant. For example there were 34 questions based on Quant in each of the 2 sessions. The questions were based on almost all the topics like Trigonometry, Algebra, Geometry, Arithmatic and other topics. While questions except on Arithmatic were trickier, candidates focused on 5-6 questions on Arithmatic and solved them in 15-20 minutes. Then those who were clear on their strategy moved to DI part of Quant.

Questions on Data Interpretation were more time consuming and in fact they always are. There were 16 questions based on 4 problems on DI comprising information in the form of Graphs, tables, Data charts. One set of questions too around 15-20 minutes and candidates began getting panicky. Most of the candidates preferred solving Quant questions after solving one set of DI questions and this sure was the right strategy. The questions on Algebra, integers were also not so difficult and those who attempted them in first or second attempt could solve them with fresh mind application.

Since the application of mind gets tired gradually, it is always better also to select the most preferred questions from your strong hold in the first attempt. Those who followed it found Data Interpretation a bit less difficult as they were not so tired by the time they arrived at the DI part.

Case with Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning

There was no restriction to toggle between the sections. Number of test takers who solved the easy questions in Quant immediately switched over to Verbal and a few of them more expert in Logical reasoning solved that part in Verbal section. Set of questions in LR was also time con summing but out of 4 sets one or two caught the attention of the test takers and they could attempt them to avoid any fatigue after wards.

Verbal Ability comprised more number of questions on Error correction. Those who were good at fundamentals could solve them faster with 100 percent accuracy. Parajumbles, Out of context sentence jumbled paragraphs, short paragraphs followed by summary questions and inference questions were not very difficult and most of the candidates could attempt them with ease.

A few candidates attempted only one Reading comprehension passage followed by 4 questions and a few others preferred to solve it in the end. Both the strategies were good enough.

The advisory

In fact candidates should attempt a few questions from all the 4-5 parts in both the sections in their initial attempts. It implies with no given sectional time constraints if you can attempt a few questions from Quant, DI, Verbal, RC and LR each, you may not be so tired as you feel when you stick to one section for long hours and by the time you reach the second part of the respective sections, you get tired and despite availability of time, find yourself unable to crack more questions with accuracy.

So the prospective CAT 2014 test takers on Nov 22, 2014, should take note of this aspect and get ready for the exam.